General Paul Selva takes command of Air Mobility Command

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

11/30/2012 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Gen. Paul J. Selva became commander of Air Mobility Command in a change-of-command ceremony here today, as the legacy of leading global mobility operations was passed to him from Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr.

Selva comes to AMC from Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where he served as the vice commander. He succeeds Johns, who retires from the Air Force later this year after 35 years of service.

"To the men and women who represent AMC, I can't tell you how proud I am of what you have accomplished ... making the impossible possible," said Selva. "You are the heart and soul, and I'm proud to be your commander."

As commander of AMC, Gen. Selva leads all mobility air forces comprised of nearly 134,000 personnel from the active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.

Selva graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980 and is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours in the C-5, C-17A, C-141B, KC-10, KC-135A and T-37. He has held numerous staff positions and has commanded at the squadron, group, wing and headquarters levels. He served at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., previously as the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) vice commander, then commander, and later as director of operations and logistics for U.S. Transportation Command.

"Secretary Donley and I are supremely confident in Paul's ability and we're excited to see his passion for Airmen shared with all of you," said Air Force Chief of Staff Mark A. Welsh III, during the ceremony.

Speaking to Selva, Welsh said, "I know you will treat your Airmen as your own, and instill in them a desire to lift Air Mobility Command to even greater heights."

Averaging an aircraft takeoff every two minutes, AMC sustains America's military operations worldwide, including combat operations in Afghanistan, through its airlift, aerial refueling and aeromedical evacuation capabilities. The command also responds to humanitarian crises at home and around the globe.