President nominates Academy grad to be next superintendent

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 17, 2017

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced May 17 that President Donald Trump has nominated Maj. Gen. Jay B. Silveria for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy.

Silveria, a 1985 Academy graduate, 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.

He 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.

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

He will take over command from Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson who has commanded the Academy for four years and is slated to retire later this year.