Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits USTRANSCOM

Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke to members of U.S. Transportation Command and its component commands Feb. 17 in the Seay Auditorium.

Selva was the fourth guest in USTRANSCOM's 30-4-30 Distinguished Speaker Series, an initiative to celebrate the command's 30th anniversary in October 2017. Air Force Gen. Darren McDew, USTRANSCOM commander, has invited 30 four-star general officer, flag officer and equivalent strategic senior leaders to speak about how they view the globe, linkages between USTRANSCOM's and the leader's organization, and a vision for USTRANSCOM partnerships.

Selva addressed the challenges, opportunities and future of the Joint Force, and how USTRANSCOM plays a critical role in delivering our nation's objectives. In closing, he said, “You all are so good at what you do, you make it look too easy.”

During his visit, Selva also had an office call with McDew and attended a working lunch with command senior leaders.

Selva assumed the duties of the VCJCS in July 2015, making him the second highest-ranking military officer in the Department of Defense. He is the 10th military officer to hold this billet. Prior to this, Selva commanded USTRANSCOM and was succeeded by McDew.

Other flag officer assignments include commander of Air Mobility Command on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, vice commander of Pacific Air Forces on Joint-Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C.

During his tenure as USTRANSCOM commander, Selva guided USTRANSCOM through the movement of forces and supplies in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Enduring Freedom and United Assistance, while being the principal driving force behind the sustainment of the Northern Distribution Network. Furthermore, he created the command’s first Campaign Plan for Global Distribution and paved the way as the single manager for global patient movement.

Selva has commanded five units and has served in five joint assignments. He is a command pilot and has amassed more than 3,100 flight hours in various airframes such as the C-5, C-17A, C-141B, C-37, KC-10, KC-135A and T-37.

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