Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last week that Maj. Gen. Paul Moga has been nominated to be the next superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Moga could replace Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, who requested to retire early this summer. Moga’s nomination requires a Senate vote. The off-cycle departure means the superintendent and his commandant will depart the same year.

Moga is currently serving as commander of the 3rd Air Force at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and previously served as the commandant at the Air Force Academy from 2021 to 2023. He is also a graduate of the academy.

During his time at the academy, he ran the obstacle and assault courses himself and integrated more military training. He also oversaw a historic reduction in violations of the school’s honor code, following a spike in cheating during 2020 when cadets studied from home.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced in February that Bauernfeind would depart ahead of the usual three- to four-year term and called for improved training and culture at the school.

“It’s critically important that we get that culture right and we get that leadership right. And I would argue that’s not always been the case,” he said.

He also called for additional investment in technology to provide better simulated training environments for cadets.

The academy has also seen staffing cuts in recent years to administrative and teaching positions.