CHARLESTON, S.C. - Capt. Gary W. Edwards has taken command of the Charleston Naval Weapons Station.

Edwards took control Friday from Capt. Robert Zalaskus, took command in 2002.

"Two years ago, the station lacked an identity," Zalaskus said to a crowd of about 250 people. "I'm confident that's no longer the case. Our history is important as a foundation for the future. We've been busy and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Edwards comes to Charleston from Norfolk, Va., where he served as assistant chief of staff for Command and Control and Information Warfare for Carrier Group 2.

The change of command ceremony marked the 17th time a newly assigned officer has picked up the station's reins since the installation opened in 1941.

Zalaskus is heading for Norfolk where he will become commander of the Navy's Network Warfare Command.

Both men have served in submarines and were stationed aboard the nuclear attack sub Seahorse in the 1980s when it was home-ported in Charleston.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net/