Academy superintendent to retire

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) --  Air Force officials announced Feb. 2 that Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, the Academy's 17th superintendent, will retire from active duty later this year. The general entered the Air Force in June 1969 as a cadet at the Academy.

No retirement date has been announced, however, General Regni will preside over graduation for the Class of 2009 on May 27.

"This is a bittersweet day for me and my wife, Debby," the general said. "We will miss the amazing people serving our nation's Air Force and Air Force Academy, as well as the terrific people of Colorado Springs. However, we know it is time for others to lead this great institution."

General Regni has led the Academy since October 2005. His retirement will culminate a distinguished career that has included nine consecutive years as a general officer field commander. Prior to his current assignment, he commanded Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and 2nd Air Force at Keesler AFB, Miss.

General Regni is a 1973 graduate of the Air Force Academy. His career has encompassed a wide range of personnel, training and command assignments, and he has served at base, numbered air force, major command, Air Staff and joint unified command levels.

"There is no more fitting, honorable way to end my career than at my alma mater, the U.S. Air Force Academy," he said. "I am ending my career at the place it started 40 years ago."

Maj. Gen. Michael C. Gould, director of U.S. Transportation Command's operations and plans, and a 1976 Academy graduate, has been nominated by President Barack Obama for promotion to Lt. Gen. and to become the Academy's 18th superintendent. 

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