U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Canavan Named to Head FAA Office of Civil Aviation Security

WASHINGTON-Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Administrator Jane F. Garvey today named United States Army
Lt. Gen. Michael A. Canavan as the new associate administrator
for FAA's office of civil aviation security. Canavan is expected to
start in his new position Dec. 4.

"I am extremely pleased that Mike Canavan has accepted this
important position with the FAA," Garvey said. "His vast
experience in overseeing the defense of our nation will make him
a strong leader as we work with industry to ensure security for the
flying public."

Since 1998, Canavan has served as chief of staff for the United
States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he
coordinates the command's operations in Europe and most of
Africa. In this position, he advises the commander and deputy
commander in chief, and is responsible for the day-to-day
coordination and operation of 1,400 joint staff overseeing 100,000
U.S. forces in the European Theater, Middle East and Africa.

Before his appointment as chief of staff, Canavan held a number
of important positions, including serving as the commanding
general for the Joint Special Operations Command from 1996 to
1998, commanding general for Special Operations Command
Europe from1994 to 1996, assistant division commander for
operations for the 82nd Airborne Division from 1993 to 1994, and
commanding general for the Training and Doctrine Analysis
Command from 1992 to 1993.

Canavan has held a variety of command and staff positions in
Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, the Republic of Korea, and the
United States--including service with the 10th Special Forces
Group, 5th Special Forces Group, 6th Special Forces Group, Joint
Casualty Resolution Center, 9th Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne
Division (two tours), XVIII Airborne Corps, 2nd Infantry Division,
Joint Special Operation Command (two tours) and the 7th Infantry
Division (Light).

His combat operations include service in the Republic of Vietnam
as commander, 1st Battalion (A-401), IV Corps Mobile Strike
Force, 5th Special Forces Group, and a later tour in Thailand
and Vietnam as a search team leader, Joint Casualty Resolution
Center. He also served as a battalion executive officer with the
82nd Airborne Division in Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada.
Some of his many contingency operations include PROVIDE
COMFORT in Northern Iraq, JOINT ENDEAVOR in Bosnia, and
ASSURED RESPONSE in the evacuation of Liberia.

Canavan enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served as a
combat engineer. He was later commissioned a Second Lieutenant
of Infantry after graduating from the Infantry Officer Candidate
School in Fort Benning, Ga.

Canavan is a graduate of St. Martin's College, the U.S. Army
Command and Staff College, and the Army War College. Some of
his many military awards and decorations include the Defense
Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense
Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster,
Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and the
Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Canavan calls Surfside Beach, S.C., his home.