General Gould takes command of the Academy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) --  Lt. Gen. Michael Gould took command of the U.S. Air Force Academy as the 18th superintendent during a ceremony here June 9. General Gould is a class of '76 Academy graduate and the first superintendant to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Prep School.

General Gould comes to the Academy from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he served as the U.S. Transportation Command director of operations and plans.

The Academy's new superintendant had previous assignments as the 2nd Air Force commander, Keesler AFB, Miss.; 3rd Air Force commander, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Altus AFB, Okla.; and, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, McConnell AFB, Kan.

The general said both he and his wife, Paula, are 'humbled beyond belief' accepting this assignment.

"There is no more noble and important mission than the one we have here," he said. "We are responsible for developing future leaders."

General Gould said he has a lot to learn while at the Academy, but he will lead and build upon the great foundation Lt. Gen. John Regni left.

"What I do know is that the cadets who serve here are among America's finest," General Gould said. "This Academy exists for one reason, to develop them into leaders of character."

Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force, shared his confidence in the incoming superintendant during the ceremony. 

"I can easily say the development of our future leaders is in good hands," he said. "The results of your work here will be critical to the Air Force in the years to come."

General Gould takes command from General Regni, who is retiring after 40 years of military service, including four as an Academy cadet.

Though General Gould is looking to the future of the Academy, he still holds past Academy traditions close.  "One thing remains standard and enduring and that is ... beat Army and sink Navy!"