The new commander at Air Mobility Command is not a brand new face at Scott Air Force Base.

Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva took command of Air Mobility Command from Air Force Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. during a ceremony Friday at the base's Parade Field.

Selva was last assigned to the base seven years ago and served as director of operations and logistics at U.S. Transportation Command from December 2004 to August 2006. In 2002, he served as vice commander of the Tanker Airlift Control Center at U.S. Transportation Command and was commander of the center in 2003.

"I am absolutely thrilled this morning to take command of Air Mobility Command," Selva said during the ceremony. "It's a little like coming home, but as an airman coming home after a long deployment and you've remodeled the home, repainted, moved the furniture and changed the rules. I've got a lot to learn, but this isn't our first dance. I'm going to lean on the men and women at AMC and I will spend the next few months in learning about the command because it has changed so much in the last seven years since I've been here."

He does not anticipate making any major changes at the command immediately, but, impending budget cuts and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan most likely will require changes, he said.

"We live in a relatively uncertain world, so, you never know what's coming," he said.

Johns served as commander of Air Mobility Command for three years. He will retire from the Air Force at the beginning of 2013. He and his wife plan to move to Hawaii.

Air Mobility Command is the air component of U.S. Transportation Command and its mission is to provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment to U.S. forces worldwide including airlift, aerial refueling, special air missions and aeromedical evacuation. It also has a role in providing humanitarian support in the U.S. and around the world. More than 134,000 active-duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Department of Defense civilians work for Air Mobility Command at locations nationwide and around the world.

"I cannot tell you how proud I am of your accomplishments," Selva said to the personnel assembled at the change of command ceremony. "You've shown us that the impossible is possible, that all you have to do is dream and you will make it happen. You are the heart and soul of global mobility and I am proud to be your new commander."

Selva came to Scott from Hawaii where he served vice-commander for the Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

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Commander at a glance:

Gen. Paul J. Selva

Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base

Formerly vice commander, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii

1980 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy where he received a bachelor degree in aeronautical engineering

Earned a master of science degree in management and human relations in 1984 from the Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas

1992 graduate of the Air Command Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama

Earned a master of science degree in political science in 1992 from Auburn University in Montgomery, Ala.

Was a National Defense Fellow in 1996 with the Secretary of Defense Strategic Studies Group in Rosslyn, Va.

Served as vice commander of the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base in 2002 and became commander in 2003.

Served as director of operations at U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base from Dec. 2004 to Aug. 2006.

From 2006 to 2007 was the director of Air Force Strategic Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Served as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C.

Selva is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours in the C-5, C-17, C-141, KC-10, KC-135 and T-37

Awards and Decorations: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two bronze stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal