Carlson named head of reconnaissance office

Retired Air Force Gen. Bruce Carlson was appointed the 17th director of the National Reconnaissance Office, the Defense Department announced as reported on the Web site of Air Force Times.

The appointment was made by Defense Secretary Robert Gates with the concurrence of retired Adm. Dennis Blair, the director of national intelligence, according to the announcement.

Carlson, a Brainerd High School graduate, most recently served as commander of Air Force Materiel Command before retiring from active duty Jan. 1. His prior assignments include commander of 8th Air Force and Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global Strike at U.S. Strategic Command.

He is a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in the F-4, OV-10 and A-10.

The NRO is a Defense Department agency that works closely with the Air Force and is responsible for developing and fielding space-based reconnaissance systems.