Starting his career as an Air Force Academy cadet in 1969, Edwards graduated in 1973. After attending pilot training, he flew F4 fighters for the Air Force. He transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard in the early 1980's to become a citizen-airman flying A7 airplanes in the Colorado Air National Guard in the early 1980's. He later flew F16's from 1991 to 2007 for the COANG.
Edwards served as the commander of the Colorado Department of Military Affairs from 2007 until his retirement in April 201. The CO Department of Military Affairs is a state agency comprised of the Colorado National Guard, The Colorado Civil Air Patrol, and the Colorado Department of Veteran's Affairs.