U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Lt. Gen. Paul Moga became the 23rd Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy after assuming command from Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind during a change of command ceremony on Stillman Field.

The new Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Moga is a 1995 Air Force Academy graduate and former Commandant of Cadets from 2021 to 2023. A command pilot with more than 2,600 flight hours in the F-15C, F-22 and F-35A, including more than 250 combat hours, Lt. Gen. Moga has commanded at the squadron, wing and numbered Air Force levels. His previous leadership assignments include commanding Third Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as well as serving as the first F-22 Demonstration Team commander. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Moga has held key joint staff positions at U.S. European Command and U.S. Northern Command. Lt. Gen. Moga pinned on his third star prior to the change of command ceremony.

As a former Commandant of Cadets, Lt. Gen. Moga was highly respected for his hands-on, “in-the-trenches” leadership style, having run the Jacks Valley obstacle and assault courses alongside basic cadets to model the warrior mindset.

“Our focus over the last two years has been clear: we must prepare our graduates on day one to lead in a dynamic and changing world against adversaries wishing to harm our nation, our allies, and our partners,” Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind said. “I am incredibly proud of how our Academy team has worked to restore the warrior ethos, elevate standards, and modernize our training. The future of our nation’s air and space power is unquestionably strong.”

The mission of the Academy is to forge leaders of character, motivated to a lifetime of service, and developed to lead our Air Force and Space Force as we fight and win our Nation’s wars.

See photos of the change of command ceremony on Flickr and take a virtual tour of the Academy.

Photo: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach passes the U.S. Air Force Academy guidon from Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind to Lt. Gen. Paul Moga during the U.S. Air Force Academy change of command ceremony on Stillman Field, Aug. 7, 2026. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the formal transfer of command and responsibility to the Academy’s 23rd Superintendent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)