Replacement for center commander announced Published Sept. 30, 2010 By Lois Walsh` Team Eglin Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant is scheduled to be the next Air Armament Center and Air Force Program Executive Officer for Weapons here according to a service announcement today. General Merchant will arrive from Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he is Director of Logistics. General Merchant currently provides policy and guidance to organize, train and equip aircraft maintenance, transportation, supply, and logistics plans units at 14 major active air installations in the U.S., and 17 en route locations around the world. Two of his previous assignments were at Eglin AFB. His full biography is located at http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=10032. Maj. Gen. C. R. Davis, program executive officer for weapons and Air Armament Center commander was recently nominated by the president to the senate for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general. Once confirmed, the general will be reassigned to Hanscom AFB, Mass., as Commander, Electronic Systems Center, replacing Lt. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds, who is retiring. The AAC commander is responsible for the development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all air-delivered weapons. Additionally, AAC plans, directs and conducts test and evaluation of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation and guidance systems, and command and control systems. The center supports the largest single base mobility commitment for AFMC and the second largest in the Air Force. Plans for a change of command ceremony are pending senate confirmation.