Colonel Mike Bloomfield has been named the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy, according to an announcement by Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa. Bloomfield is a 1981 graduate of the Academy and a former Falcon football player. He replaces Randy Spetman, who retired from active duty in January.

Bloomfield aboard the International Space Station on his last mission. Photo: NASA

Bloomfield is currently a NASA astronaut and space shuttle pilot. He has worked technical issues for the Operations Planning Branch, Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office, and is currently the Chief Instructor Astronaut for the Astronaut Office. A veteran of three space flights, STS-86 (1997), STS-97 (2000) and STS-110 (2002), he has logged over 753 hours in space.

Bloomfield's STS-86 Atlantis mission was the seventh to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Mir Space Station. The STS-97 Endeavor was the fifth Space Shuttle mission dedicated to the assembly of the International Space Station. His latest mission on STS-110 Atlantis was the 13th shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station.

Originally from Flint, Mich., Bloomfield was a two-year letterman in football and team captain of the 1980 Air Force squad. He was selected to the 1980 all-Western Athletic Conference football team as a senior. In the Air Force, Bloomfield has been awarded the Commander's Trophy as the top graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1983. He is also a distinguished graduate of Test Pilot School Class 92A and has been awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal.

Bloomfield is the ninth director of athletics in Academy history. He is scheduled to begin his duties in April.