Lieutenant General Mike Hood received his air combat systems officer (navigator) wings in 1988. Most of his flying career was spent in the tactical airlift role on the CC130 Hercules although he also had a tour as an electronic warfare officer. He commanded two transport squadrons, followed by command of Canada’s principle air mobility base from 2007 to 2009. Following a series of staff appointments, he became Deputy Commander of the RCAF in 2012, Director of Staff, Strategic Joint Staff, the following year and took command of the RCAF in July 2015. He is a graduate of Canada’s National Security Program as well as the United States Air Force Command and Staff College, and holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Auburn University in Alabama.