Topeka ? A veteran pilot with more than 5,400 hours of flight time has been chosen as the next commander of the Kansas Air National Guard.

Col. Brad Link succeeds Brig. Gen. Ed Flora as assistant adjutant general and commander of the air units.

A change of command ceremony was scheduled Monday in Topeka, with a reception for the retiring Flora to follow.

Link is a native of Buffalo, N.Y. During a career that began in 1980s he has flown a variety of aircraft, including B-52 and B-1 bombers and KC-135 refueling tankers.

Most recently, he commanded the maintenance group of the 190th Air Refueling Wing based at Topeka’s Forbes Field. His new assignment comes with a promotion to brigadier general later this year.