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Gould becomes 18th academy superintendent

Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould took command of the Air Force Academy on Tuesday, replacing the Academy’s 17th Superintendent, Lt. Gen. John F. Regni.

Gould arrived at the Colorado Springs, Colo., campus from U.S. Transportation Command, where he was director of operations and plans. He is a 1976 Academy graduate and command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in both cargo jets and tankers.

Gould takes command under different circumstances than the two previous superintendents. Regni took over in 2005 following allegations of widespread religious insensitivity. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. John Rosa, took command in 2003 following a sexual assault scandal.

Gould credited Regni for bringing stability to the academy following the scandals. He said the transition to his leadership won’t see the same upheaval Rosa and Regni witnessed.

“I think stability is really important,” Gould said during a press conference. “If you have problems and you need to commit to turning things over that is one challenge. I don’t see that at all. The best thing for these young people to understand what leadership and character is all about is to see that we can have a smooth transition without a lot of turmoil.”

This isn’t the first time Gould has returned since his days as a cadet. His first assignment was as the graduate assistant football coach in 1976. Later, he taught physical education and served as the assistant golf coach and head prep-school football coach.

Gould joked after the change of command ceremony that he will have to talk to football coach Troy Calhoun about calling a few plays.

Regni, who commanded Air University and 2nd Air Force before going to the academy, will retire July 1. He said wouldn’t have ended his career any other way.

“I can't think of a more appropriate place to end my career than right here at USAFA, where it started some 40 years ago,” Regni wrote in a message to Academy cadets and faculty.