Carlton assumed command of the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in August 1968.
A command pilot, Carlton has more than 12,000 flying hours and has flown the B-47, B-52, including the "H" model, supersonic B-58 Hustler, KC-135, C-141, C-5 and the Mach 3 plus SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft.