First woman in line to lead Air Force Academy

Maj. Gen. Michelle Johnson has been appointed to be the next superintendent of the Air Force Academy, the first woman to hold the job.

Academy officials said Friday the Senate must first approve Johnson’s promotion to a three-star lieutenant general, the rank required to become superintendent.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the Senate would take up her promotion and when she would assume command.

Johnson would replace Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, who has been superintendent since June 2009. An academy spokesman said Gould’s plans haven’t been announced.

Johnson is a 1981 graduate of the academy. She is currently NATO’s deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence.