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Secretary of the Air Force
Flag of the Secretary of the Air Force.svg
Flag of the secretary
Seal of the United States Department of the Air Force.svg
Seal of the Department of the Air Force
Gary A. Ashworth (2).jpg
Incumbent
Gary A. Ashworth

since January 20, 2025
Department of the Air Force
Style Mr. Secretary
The Honorable
(formal address in writing)
Reports to Secretary of Defense
Deputy Secretary of Defense
Appointer The President
with the advice and consent of the Senate
Term length No fixed term
Precursor Secretary of War
Inaugural holder Stuart Symington
Formation September 18, 1947; 77 years ago (1947-09-18)
Succession 3rd in SecDef succession
Deputy The Under Secretary
(principal civilian deputy)
The Chief of Staff
(military deputy)
The Chief of Space Operations (military deputy)
Salary Executive Schedule, Level II

The Secretary of the Air Force (often called SecAF) is the main leader of the United States Department of the Air Force. This department includes both the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force.

The Secretary of the Air Force is a civilian, not a military officer. The President chooses this person, and the Senate must agree with the choice. The Secretary reports to the Secretary of Defense. They are in charge of everything that happens in the Department of the Air Force.

The Secretary works closely with other important leaders. These include the Under Secretary of the Air Force (a civilian helper) and military leaders like the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations.

The first Secretary of the Air Force was Stuart Symington. He started his job on September 18, 1947. This happened when the Department of War and the Army Air Forces were reorganized. They became a separate military department for air power, thanks to the National Security Act of 1947.

On July 26, 2021, Frank Kendall III became the 26th Secretary of the Air Force. He was confirmed by the United States Senate.

What Does the Secretary of the Air Force Do?

Stuart Symington shown taking the oath of office as Secretary of the Air Force
Stuart Symington takes his oath to become the first Secretary of the Air Force in 1947.

The Secretary is the top boss of the Department of the Air Force. This department is a "Military Department." It includes all parts of the United States Air Force and Space Force. This means all their bases, groups, and reserve forces.

The Secretary's main jobs are listed in the United States Code. These jobs include:

  • Finding and signing up new people (recruiting).
  • Organizing the different parts of the Air Force and Space Force.
  • Making sure they have all the supplies they need.
  • Getting and developing new equipment.
  • Training all personnel.
  • Providing services to military members and their families.
  • Getting forces ready for action (mobilizing).
  • Bringing forces back home after action (demobilizing).
  • Managing the department and caring for the well-being of its people.
  • Keeping equipment in good working order.
  • Building and fixing military equipment.
  • Building, maintaining, and fixing buildings and other facilities. This also includes getting land needed for these tasks.

The Secretary of Defense tells the Secretary of the Air Force which Air Force and Space Force units to send to different Unified and Specified Combatant Commands. These commands carry out specific missions. Once assigned, only the Secretary of Defense can move these units.

For other matters, the chain of command goes from the President to the Secretary of Defense. Then it goes to the Secretary of the Air Force. Finally, it reaches the commanders of the Air Force and Space Force Commands. Air Force and Space Force officers must report to the Secretary when asked. The Secretary can also assign duties to military members and civilian employees.

The Secretary also has duties under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This includes the power to hold military trials and change sentences.

The President or Secretary of Defense can give the Secretary of the Air Force more duties. For example, the Secretary is also the "DoD Executive Agent for Space." This means they help plan and manage space systems for national security.

The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force

Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force seal.svg
Agency overview
Formed 1947
Headquarters Pentagon
Parent agency Department of the Air Force
Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff General David C. Jones and Secretary of The Air Force Verne Orr during General Robert C. Mathis retirement Ceremony at Bolling Air Force Base
Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr (center) with other military leaders in 1982.

The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force is the main group of people who help the Secretary. They handle things like buying new equipment and checking finances. They also deal with inspections, working with lawmakers, and public relations.

This office is one of three main headquarters for the Department of the Air Force. All three are located in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The other two are the Air Staff and the Office of the Chief of Space Operations.

Who Works in the Office?

The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force includes:

  • The Under Secretary of the Air Force.
    • This includes deputies for international affairs and space programs.
  • The Assistant Secretary for Buying, Technology, and Logistics.
  • The Assistant Secretary for Money Management.
  • The Assistant Secretary for Bases, Environment, and Energy.
  • The Assistant Secretary for People and Reserve Forces.
  • The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.
  • The General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force (the chief lawyer).
  • The Inspector General (who checks for problems).
  • The Chief of Legislative Liaison (who works with Congress).
  • The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary.
  • The Auditor General (who checks financial records).
  • The Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee.

List of Secretaries of the Air Force

Image Name Start End Duration President(s)
Portrait of W. Stuart Symington 97-1844.jpg Symington, StuartStuart Symington September 18, 1947 April 24, 1950 2 years, 218 days Truman, Harry S.Harry S. Truman
(1945–1953)
Thomas K. Finletter.jpg Finletter, Thomas K.Thomas K. Finletter April 24, 1950 January 20, 1953 2 years, 271 days
Harold E Talbott.jpg Talbott, Harold E.Harold E. Talbott February 4, 1953 August 13, 1955 2 years, 190 days Eisenhower, Dwight D.Dwight D. Eisenhower
(1953–1961)
Donald A. Quarles.jpg Quarles, Donald A.Donald A. Quarles August 15, 1955 April 30, 1957 1 year, 258 days
James H. Douglas, Jr..jpg Douglas Jr., James H.James H. Douglas Jr. May 1, 1957 December 10, 1959 2 years, 223 days
The Air Force Role In Developing International Outer Space Law (Terrill, 1999) Page 022-1.jpg Sharp, Dudley C.Dudley C. Sharp December 11, 1959 January 20, 1961 1 year, 40 days
Eugene Zuckert.jpg Zuckert, Eugene M.Eugene M. Zuckert January 24, 1961 September 30, 1965 4 years, 249 days Kennedy, John F.John F. Kennedy
(1961–1963)
Johnson, Lyndon B.Lyndon B. Johnson
(1963–1969)
Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown.jpg Brown, HaroldHarold Brown October 1, 1965 February 15, 1969 3 years, 137 days
Nixon, RichardRichard Nixon
(1969–1974)
Secretary of The Air Force Robert C. Seamans official portrait.jpg Seamans Jr., Robert C.Robert C. Seamans Jr. February 15, 1969 May 15, 1973 4 years, 89 days
John L McLucas.jpg McLucas, John L.John L. McLucas May 15, 1973 July 18, 1973 2 years, 192 days
July 18, 1973 November 23, 1975
Ford, GeraldGerald Ford
(1974–1977)
Thomas C. Reed.jpg Reed, Thomas C.Thomas C. Reed January 2, 1976 April 6, 1977 1 year, 94 days
Carter, JimmyJimmy Carter
(1977–1981)
John C. Stetson, USAF.JPG Stetson, John C.John C. Stetson April 6, 1977 May 18, 1979 2 years, 42 days
Hans Mark.jpg Mark, HansHans Mark May 18, 1979 July 26, 1979 1 year, 267 days
July 26, 1979 February 9, 1981
Reagan, RonaldRonald Reagan
(1981–1989)
Verneorr.JPG Orr, VerneVerne Orr February 9, 1981 November 30, 1985 4 years, 294 days
Russell A. Rourke.JPEG Rourke, Russell A.Russell A. Rourke December 9, 1985 April 6, 1986 118 days
Edward C. Aldridge Jr.jpg Aldridge Jr., Edward C.Edward C. Aldridge Jr. April 6, 1986 June 8, 1986 2 years, 254 days
June 9, 1986 December 16, 1988
Portrait of James F. McGovern, Under Secretary of the Air Force.jpg McGovern, James F.James F. McGovern December 16, 1988 April 29, 1989 134 days
Bush, George H. W.George H. W. Bush
(1989–1993)
No image.svg Welch Jr., John J.John J. Welch Jr. April 29, 1989 May 21, 1989 22 days
Donald B. Rice, Secretary of the Air Force.JPEG Rice, Donald B.Donald B. Rice May 21, 1989 January 20, 1993 3 years, 244 days
Michael Donley official portrait.jpg Donley, Michael B.Michael B. Donley
Acting
January 20, 1993 July 13, 1993 174 days Clinton, BillBill Clinton
(1993–2001)
Merrill McPeak, official military photo.JPEG McPeak, Merrill A.Merrill A. McPeak
Acting
July 14, 1993 August 5, 1993 22 days
Wfm Widnall se1.jpg Widnall, SheilaSheila Widnall August 6, 1993 October 31, 1997 4 years, 86 days
F. Whitten Peters 01.jpg Peters, F. WhittenF. Whitten Peters November 1, 1997 July 30, 1999 3 years, 80 days
July 30, 1999 January 20, 2001
Dr Lawrence J Delaney, Acting Secretary of the Air Force.jpg Delaney, Lawrence J.Lawrence J. Delaney
Acting
January 21, 2001 May 31, 2001 130 days Bush, George W.George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
James Roche.jpg Roche, James G.James G. Roche June 1, 2001 January 20, 2005 3 years, 233 days
Peter B. Teets, Under Secretary of the Air Force.jpg Teets, Peter B.Peter B. Teets
Acting
January 20, 2005 March 25, 2005 64 days
Michael Montelongo, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller.jpg Montelongo, MichaelMichael Montelongo
Acting
March 25, 2005 March 28, 2005 3 days
Michael Dominguez.jpg Dominguez, Michael L.Michael L. Dominguez
Acting
March 28, 2005 July 29, 2005 123 days
Pete Geren USAF.jpg Geren, PetePete Geren
Acting
July 29, 2005 November 4, 2005 98 days
Michael Wynne, official portrait.jpg Wynne, MichaelMichael Wynne November 4, 2005 June 20, 2008 2 years, 229 days
Michael Donley official portrait.jpg Donley, Michael B.Michael B. Donley June 21, 2008 October 2, 2008 5 years, 0 days
October 2, 2008 June 21, 2013
Obama, BarackBarack Obama
(2009–2017)
Eric Fanning.jpg Fanning, EricEric Fanning
Acting
June 21, 2013 December 20, 2013 182 days
Deborah Lee James.JPG James, Deborah LeeDeborah Lee James December 20, 2013 January 20, 2017 3 years, 31 days
Lisa S. Disbrow, USAF, 2014.JPG Disbrow, LisaLisa Disbrow
Acting
January 20, 2017 May 16, 2017 116 days Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2017–2021)
Heather Wilson Air Force Secretary.jpg Wilson, HeatherHeather Wilson May 16, 2017 May 31, 2019 2 years, 15 days
Matthew Donovan official photo 2.jpg Donovan, MatthewMatthew Donovan
Acting
June 1, 2019 October 18, 2019 139 days
Barbara M. Barrett official photo.jpg Barrett, BarbaraBarbara Barrett October 18, 2019 January 20, 2021 1 year, 94 days
John P. Roth (2).jpg Roth, John P.John P. Roth
Acting
January 20, 2021 July 28, 2021 189 days Biden, JoeJoe Biden
(2021–2025)
Frank Kendall III (2).jpg Kendall III, FrankFrank Kendall III July 28, 2021 January 20, 2025 3 years, 342 days
Gary A. Ashworth (2).jpg A. Ashworth, GaryGary A. Ashworth
Acting
January 20, 2025 present Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2025–present)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Secretario de la Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos para niños

  • Department of the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service
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