More than 400 people witnessed the event presided over by Gen. Maurice Baril, chief of the Canadian Defence Staff, Gen. Hugh Shelton, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Michael E. Ryan, chief of staff, United States Air Force. Also in attendance was retired Gen. Yuji Hiraoka, former chief of staff, Japanese Defense Force, who traveled from Tokyo.

"Today I inherit a triple legacy of excellence, global vigilance and deterrence," said Eberhart upon assuming command of the three organizations.

The traditional ceremony featured three squadrons comprised of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines representing each command, the United States and Canada. Steeped in military tradition, the event included a 19-gun Army artillery cannon battery salute, and culminated with a Naval piping of the side ceremony -- a distinct nautical courtesy extended to military, diplomatic, and consular officers.

A 1968 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Eberhart comes to Peterson from an assignment as commander of Air Combat Command, and replaces Gen. Richard B. Myers who will become vice chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In his remarks, Baril spoke of the "dual significance of NORAD," and "the Canadian-United States partnership that remains as an enduring legacy." He also welcomed Eberhart by pledging the continued support of the Canadian military.

"I know that you are equal to the task of leading this vital instrument of our collective security, and symbol of our military cooperation," said Baril. "I also know that the men and women of the Canadian Forces who will serve under you look forward to your leadership."

As NORAD commander, Eberhart is responsible for the binational Canadian-U.S. organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and control for the North American continent.

According to Shelton, the incoming commander has "earned a reputation for dedicated service as a leader," having commanded at every level of the Air Force.

"Gen. Ed Eberhart is the right choice to lead Space Command and NORAD in this new century, to continue SPACECOM's great momentum, to maintain America's warfighting edge, and to provide the best in leadership for the men and women of SPACECOM," Shelton said.

Ryan concurred, adding that Eberhart's experience in back-to-back demanding positions as Air Force vice Chief of Staff, and ACC commander would serve well in his new position.

"General Eberhart has a superior record as an aviator, warrior, and leader� and his depth of experience in combat and command around the globe and in joint assignments, will serve this command and our nation well," Ryan added.

As one of the nation's nine unified commands, U.S. Space Command coordinates the use of Army, Naval, Air Force space forces and civil space to perform the missions of space forces support; space force enhancement; space force application, space force control and computer network defense.

A command pilot, Eberhart flew 300 combat missions in Vietnam. He also served as Air Force vice chief of staff prior to his duties at ACC.

As commander of Air Force Space Command, he will oversee the mission of assuring combat forces access to space, and responsibility for the command's intercontinental ballistic missile forces.

The ceremony served as a homecoming for Eberhart, who first came to Colorado Springs as an Air Force Academy cadet back in 1964.

In his remarks, he offered thanks for the continued opportunity to serve the nation, and pledged to do his best to lead all three commands to new heights.

"I'm just as excited today as I was the first time I arrived in Colorado Springs 36 years ago," he said. We will work with you in the months ahead to make things even better."