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Lt Gen Jay Silveria takes command of Academy

By Ray Bowden/Aug. 11, 2017

The new superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy said preparing cadets for the mental and physical rigors of modern warfare in a complex global environment is his top priority, Aug. 11.

“The future of our service and the future of our nation stand on that field,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, speaking to 4,000 cadets standing in formation during that day’s change of command ceremony.

Silveria said the commitment of the Academy’s civilian and military faculty and staff represents the bulwark of national security. The dedication of cadets and staff is critical to fulfilling the school’s mission of producing leaders of character, he said.

“Your work is nothing short of vital to our nation,” he said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein transferred command of the Academy from Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson to Silveria in front of the Cadet Wing, Academy staff and hundreds of Johnson’s and Silveria’s friends and family members.

Goldfein said Silveria was the “obvious choice” to serve as the new superintendent.

“Every moment of your career has prepared you for this position,” he said to Silveria.

Silveria, a 1985 graduate, is a command pilot with nearly 4,000 hours of flight-time in various aircraft, including T-37 and T-38 trainer aircraft, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the HH-60 helicopter and F-35 Lightning II. He’s flown combat sorties over the Balkans and Iraq and served as vice commander at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

He most recently served as deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and deputy commander of the Combined Air Force Air Component, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia.

Silveria will direct the Academy’s undergraduate academic program, cadet military and athletic training, and character development leading to a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant.

 

Change of Command 2016

From left to right: U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, and former-Superintendent of the Academy Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, sing the U.S. Air Force Song at the culmination of a change of command ceremony which saw Silveria replace Johnson as the superintendent Aug. 11, 2017 at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jason Gutierrez)

 

Change of Command 2017

Staff, faculty and the 4,000-member Cadet Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy welcome Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria as the new superintendent of the Academy, Aug 11, 20017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jason Gutierrez)