View source for United States Secretary of the Air Force

{{short description|Statutory office and the head of the U.S. Department of the Air Force}}
{{Distinguish|Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Secretary of the Air Force
| flag = Flag of the Secretary of the Air Force.svg
| flagsize = 150
| flagcaption = Flag of the secretary
| insignia = File:Seal of the United States Department of the Air Force.svg
| insigniasize =
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Department of the Air Force
| department = [[United States Department of the Air Force|Department of the Air Force]]
| image = Frank Kendall III (2).jpg
| incumbent = [[Frank Kendall III]]
| acting = No
| incumbentsince = July 28, 2021
| reports_to = [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]<br />[[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|Deputy Secretary of Defense]]
| style = Mr. Secretary<br />The Honorable<br />(formal address in writing)
| appointer = The [[President of the United States|President]]<br />with the [[advice and consent]] of the [[United States Senate|Senate]]
| termlength = No fixed term
| inaugural = [[Stuart Symington]]
| formation = {{start date and age|1947|9|18}}
| precursor = [[United States Secretary of War|Secretary of War]]
| succession = [[United States Secretary of Defense#Succession|3rd in SecDef succession]]
| deputy = The [[United States Under Secretary of the Air Force|Under Secretary]]<br />(principal civilian deputy)<br />The [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Chief of Staff]]<br />(military deputy)<br />The [[Chief of Space Operations]] (military deputy)
| salary = [[Executive Schedule|Executive Schedule, Level II]]
| website = {{url|https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Air-Force-Senior-Leaders/SECAF/|Office of the Secretary}}
}}
The '''Secretary of the Air Force''', sometimes referred to as the '''Secretary of the Department of the Air Force''',<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2000 |title=Department of Defense Instruction Number 3100.12 |url=https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/310012p.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113193525/https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/310012p.pdf |archive-date=Nov 13, 2023 |website=Executive Services Directorate}}</ref> ('''SecAF''', or '''SAF/OS''') is the head of the [[United States Department of the Air Force|Department of the Air Force]] and the service secretary for the [[United States Air Force]] and [[United States Space Force]]. The secretary of the Air Force is a civilian appointed by the [[President of the United States|president]], by and with the [[advice and consent]] of the [[United States Senate|Senate]].<ref name="9013a">{{USCSub|10|9013|a}}</ref> The secretary reports to the [[United States Secretary of Defense|secretary of defense]] and/or the [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|deputy secretary of defense]], and is by statute responsible for and has the authority to conduct all the affairs of the Department of the Air Force.<ref name="9013a"/><ref name="9013b">{{USCSub|10|9013|b}}</ref>

The secretary works closely with their civilian deputy, the [[United States Under Secretary of the Air Force|under secretary of the Air Force]]; and their military deputies, the [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|chief of staff of the Air Force]] and the [[Chief of Space Operations|chief of space operations]].

The first secretary of the Air Force, [[Stuart Symington]], was sworn in on September 18, 1947, upon the split and re-organization of the [[United States Department of War|Department of War]] and [[United States Army Air Forces|Army Air Forces]] into an air military department and a military service of its own, with the enactment of the [[National Security Act of 1947|National Security Act]].

On July 26, 2021 the [[United States Senate]] confirmed [[Frank Kendall III]] as the next Secretary of the Air Force. On July 28, 2021, Kendall was sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force.

==Responsibilities==
[[File:Stuart Symington shown taking the oath of office as Secretary of the Air Force.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stuart Symington]] is sworn-in as the first Secretary of the Air Force by [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] [[Fred M. Vinson]] on September 18, 1947.]]
The secretary is the head of the Department of the Air Force. The Department of the Air Force is defined as a ''Military Department''.<ref name="101a8">{{USCSub|10|101|a|8}}</ref> It is not limited to the Washington headquarters staffs, rather it is an entity which includes all the components of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, including their reserve components:

{{blockquote|The term 'department', when used with respect to a military department, means the executive part of the department and all field headquarters, forces, reserve components, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the department.<ref name="101a6">{{USCSub|10|101|a|6}}</ref>}}

The exclusive responsibilities of the secretary of the Air Force are enumerated in {{USCSub|10|9013|b}} of the [[United States Code]]. They include, but are not limited to:

{{blockquote|
(1) Recruiting.<br />
(2) Organizing.<br />
(3) Supplying.<br />
(4) Equipping (including research and development).<br />
(5) Training.<br />
(6) Servicing.<br />
(7) Mobilizing.<br />
(8) Demobilizing.<br />
(9) Administering (including the morale and welfare of personnel).<br />
(10) Maintaining.<br />
(11) The construction, outfitting, and repair of military equipment.<br />
(12) The construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, structures, and utilities and the acquisition of real property and interests in real property necessary to carry out the responsibilities specified in this section.<ref name="9013b"/>}}

By direction of the secretary of defense, the secretary of the Air Force assigns military units of the Air Force and Space Force, other than those who carry out the functions listed in {{USCSub|10|9013|b}}, to the [[Combatant command|Unified and Specified Combatant Commands]] to perform missions assigned to those commands. Air Force and Space Force units while assigned to Combatant Commands may only be reassigned by authority of the secretary of defense.<ref>10 USC 162 (a)</ref>

However, the [[command hierarchy|chain of command]] for Air Force and Space Force units for other purposes than the operational direction goes from the ''president'' to the ''secretary of defense'' to the ''secretary of the Air Force'' to the ''commanders of Air Force and Space Force Commands''.<ref>DODD 5100.1, 6.1.</ref> Air Force and Space Force officers have to report on any matter to the secretary, or the secretary's designate, when requested. The secretary has the authority to detail, prescribe the duties, and to assign Air Force and Space Force service members and civilian employees, and may also change the title of any activity not statutorily designated.<ref>10 USC 8013 (f-g)</ref> The secretary has several responsibilities under the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] (UCMJ) with respect to Air Force and Space Force service members, including the authority to convene general courts martial and to commute sentences.

The secretary of the Air Force may also be assigned additional responsibilities by the president or the secretary of defense,<ref>10 USC 8013 (d)</ref> e.g. the secretary is designated as the "''DoD Executive Agent for Space''", and as such:

{{blockquote|... shall develop, coordinate, and integrate plans and programs for space systems and the acquisition of DoD Space Major Defense Acquisition Programs to provide operational space force capabilities to ensure the United States has the space power to achieve its national security objectives.<ref>DODD 5101.2, 3. MISSION</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://dod-executiveagent.osd.mil/agentListView.aspx?ID=55 | title=DoD Executive Agent }}</ref>}}

==Office of the Secretary of the Air Force==
{{Infobox government agency
|agency_name     = Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
|seal            = Office of the Secretary of the Air Force seal.svg
|seal_width      = 140px
|formed          = 1947
|preceding1      = 
|jurisdiction    =
|headquarters    = [[Pentagon (building)|Pentagon]]
|employees       = 
|budget          = 
|image           = 
|chief1_name     = 
|parent_agency   = [[United States Department of the Air Force|Department of the Air Force]]
|child1_agency   =
|website         = 
}}
[[File: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.jpg|thumb|222x222px|Secretary of the Air Force [[Verne Orr]] with [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General [[David C. Jones]] and [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Air Force Chief of Staff]] General [[Lew Allen]] and [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Air Force Vice Chief of Staff]] General [[Robert C. Mathis]] at [[Bolling Air Force Base]] on May 28, 1982]]
The secretary of the Air Force's principal staff element, the '''Office of the Secretary of the Air Force''', has responsibility for acquisition and auditing, comptroller issues (including financial management), inspector general matters, legislative affairs, and public affairs within the Department of the Air Force. The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force is one of the Department of the Air Force's three headquarter staffs at the seat of government, with the others being the [[Air Staff (United States)|Air Staff]] and the [[Chief of Space Operations|Office of the Chief of Space Operations]].

===Composition===
The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force is composed of:
* [[United States Under Secretary of the Air Force|Under Secretary of the Air Force]]
** The Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs
** The Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs
* [[Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)|Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics]]
* [[Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management & Comptroller)|Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller]]
* [[Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Energy)|Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy]]
* [[Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)|Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs]]
* [[Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration]]<ref name=hafmdSafsq >SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE [https://www.safsq.hq.af.mil/Portals/76/HAFMD1-17%20SAF-SQ.pdf (30 Sep 2022) HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE MISSION DIRECTIVE 1-17] Special Management ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE (SPACE ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION) (SAF/SQ) 20 pages </ref>
* [[General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force]]
* [[Inspector General of the Department of the Air Force|Inspector General of the Air Force]]
* Chief of Legislative Liaison
* Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force
* Auditor General of the Department of the Air Force
* Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee

==List of secretaries of the Air Force==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Portrait
! scope="col" | Secretary of the Air Force
! scope="col" | Took office
! scope="col" | Left office
! scope="col" | Time in office
! scope="col" | [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]
! scope="col" | [[President of the United States|President]]
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Portrait of W. Stuart Symington 97-1844.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Stuart Symington]] 
| born_year         = 1901
| died_year         = 1988
| term_start        = September 18, 1947
| term_end          = April 24, 1950
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|September 18, 1947|April 24, 1950}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[James Vincent Forrestal]]
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Louis A. Johnson]]
| coalition         = [[Harry S. Truman]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Thomas K. Finletter.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Thomas K. Finletter]] 
| born_year         = 1893
| died_year         = 1980
| term_start        = April 24, 1950
| term_end          = January 20, 1953
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|April 24, 1950|January 20, 1953}}
| alt_officeholder  = Louis A. Johnson
| alt_officeholder2 = [[George Marshall]]
| alt_officeholder3 = [[Robert Abercrombie Lovett]]
| coalition         = Harry S. Truman
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = Harold E Talbott.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Harold E. Talbott]] 
| born_year         = 1888
| died_year         = 1957
| term_start        = February 4, 1953
| term_end          = August 13, 1955
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|February 4, 1953|August 13, 1955}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Charles Erwin Wilson]]
| coalition         = [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = Donald A. Quarles.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Donald A. Quarles]] 
| born_year         = 1894
| died_year         = 1959
| term_start        = August 15, 1955
| term_end          = April 30, 1957
| timeinoffice      = 1 year 260 days
| alt_officeholder  = Charles Erwin Wilson
| coalition         = Dwight D. Eisenhower
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             = James H. Douglas, Jr..jpg
| officeholder      = [[James H. Douglas, Jr.]] 
| born_year         = 1899
| died_year         = 1988
| term_start        = May 1, 1957
| term_end          = December 10, 1959
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|May 1, 1957|December 10, 1959}}
| alt_officeholder  = Charles Erwin Wilson
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Neil Hosler McElroy]]
| alt_officeholder3 = [[Thomas S. Gates Jr.]]
| coalition         = Dwight D. Eisenhower
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             = The Air Force Role In Developing International Outer Space Law (Terrill, 1999) Page 022-1.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Dudley C. Sharp]] 
| born_year         = 1905
| died_year         = 1987
| term_start        = December 11, 1959
| term_end          = January 20, 1961
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|December 11, 1959|January 20, 1961}}
| alt_officeholder  = Thomas S. Gates Jr.
| coalition         = Dwight D. Eisenhower
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = Eugene Zuckert.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Eugene M. Zuckert]] 
| born_year         = 1911
| died_year         = 2000
| term_start        = January 24, 1961
| term_end          = September 30, 1965
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 24, 1961|September 30, 1965}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Robert McNamara]]
| coalition         = [[John F. Kennedy]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             = Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]]
| born_year         = 1927
| died_year         = 2019
| term_start        = October 1, 1965
| term_end          = February 15, 1969
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|October 1, 1965|February 15, 1969}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Robert McNamara]]
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Clark McAdams Clifford]]
| alt_officeholder3 = [[Melvin Laird]]
| coalition         = [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = Secretary of The Air Force Robert C. Seamans official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Robert C. Seamans, Jr.]]
| born_year         = 1918
| died_year         = 2008
| term_start        = February 15, 1969
| term_end          = May 15, 1973
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|February 15, 1969|May 15, 1973}}
| alt_officeholder  = Melvin Laird
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Elliot Richardson]]
| coalition         = [[Richard Nixon]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = John L McLucas.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John L. McLucas]]
| born_year         = 1920
| died_year         = 2002
| term_start        = May 15, 1973
| term_end          = July 18, 1973
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|May 15, 1973|July 18, 1973}}
| alt_officeholder  = Elliot Richardson
| alt_officeholder2 = [[James R. Schlesinger]]
| coalition         = Richard Nixon
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| image             = John L McLucas.jpg
| officeholder      = John L. McLucas
| born_year         = 1920
| died_year         = 2002
| term_start        = July 18, 1973
| term_end          = November 23, 1975
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|July 18, 1973|November 23, 1975}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[James R. Schlesinger]]
| alt_officeholder2 = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = Richard Nixon
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| image             = Thomas C. Reed.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Thomas C. Reed]]
| born_year         = 1934
| died_year         = 2024
| term_start        = January 2, 1976
| term_end          = April 6, 1977
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 2, 1976|April 6, 1977}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]]
| coalition         = Richard Nixon
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| image             = John C. Stetson, USAF.JPG
| officeholder      = [[John C. Stetson]]
| born_year         = 1920
| died_year         = 2007
| term_start        = April 6, 1977
| term_end          = May 18, 1979
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|April 6, 1977|May 18, 1979}}
| alt_officeholder  = Harold Brown
| coalition         = [[Jimmy Carter]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Hans Mark.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Hans Mark]]
| born_year         = 1929
| died_year         = 2021
| term_start        = May 18, 1979
| term_end          = July 26, 1979
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|May 18, 1979|July 26, 1979}}
| alt_officeholder  = Harold Brown
| coalition         = Jimmy Carter
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| image             = Hans Mark.jpg
| officeholder      = Hans Mark
| born_year         = 1929
| died_year         = 2021
| term_start        = July 26, 1979
| term_end          = February 9, 1981
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|July 26, 1979|February 9, 1981}}
| alt_officeholder  = Harold Brown
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Caspar Weinberger]]
| coalition         = Jimmy Carter
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| image             = Verneorr.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Verne Orr]]
| born_year         = 1916
| died_year         = 2008
| term_start        = February 9, 1981
| term_end          = November 30, 1985
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|February 9, 1981|November 30, 1985}}
| alt_officeholder  = Caspar Weinberger
| coalition         = [[Ronald Reagan]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 15
| image             = Russell A. Rourke.JPEG
| officeholder      = [[Russell A. Rourke]]
| born_year         = 1931
| died_year         = 2003
| term_start        = December 9, 1985
| term_end          = April 6, 1986
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|December 9, 1985|April 6, 1986}}
| alt_officeholder  = Caspar Weinberger
| coalition         = Ronald Reagan
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Edward C. Aldridge Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Edward C. Aldridge Jr.]]
| born_year         = 1938
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = April 6, 1986
| term_end          = June 8, 1986
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|April 6, 1986|June 8, 1986}}
| alt_officeholder  = Caspar Weinberger
| coalition         = Ronald Reagan
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 16
| image             = Edward C. Aldridge Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = Edward C. Aldridge Jr.
| born_year         = 1938
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = June 9, 1986
| term_end          = December 16, 1988
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|June 9, 1986|December 16, 1988}}
| alt_officeholder  = Caspar Weinberger
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Frank Carlucci]]
| coalition         = Ronald Reagan
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Portrait of James F. McGovern, Under Secretary of the Air Force.jpg
| officeholder      = [[James F. McGovern]]
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = December 16, 1988
| term_end          = April 29, 1989
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|December 16, 1988|April 29, 1989}}
| alt_officeholder  = Frank Carlucci
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Dick Cheney]]
| coalition         = Ronald Reagan
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = 
| officeholder      = [[John J. Welch, Jr.]]
| born_year         = 1930
| died_year         = 2010
| term_start        = April 29, 1989
| term_end          = May 21, 1989
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|April 29, 1989|May 21, 1989}}
| alt_officeholder  = Dick Cheney
| coalition         = [[George H. W. Bush]]
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 17
| image             = Donald B. Rice, Secretary of the Air Force.JPEG
| officeholder      = [[Donald B. Rice]]
| born_year         = 1939
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = May 21, 1989
| term_end          = January 20, 1993
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|May 21, 1989|January 20, 1993}}
| alt_officeholder  = Dick Cheney
| coalition         = George H. W. Bush
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Michael Donley official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael B. Donley]]
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = January 20, 1993
| term_end          = July 13, 1993
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 20, 1993|July 13, 1993}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Les Aspin]]
| coalition         = [[Bill Clinton]]
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Merrill McPeak, official military photo.JPEG
| officeholder      = [[Merrill A. McPeak]]
| born_year         = 1936
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = July 14, 1993
| term_end          = August 5, 1993
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|July 14, 1993|August 5, 1993}}
| alt_officeholder  = Les Aspin
| coalition         = Bill Clinton
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 18
| image             = Wfm Widnall se1.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Sheila Widnall]]
| born_year         = 1938
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = August 6, 1993
| term_end          = October 31, 1997
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|August 6, 1993|October 31, 1997}}
| alt_officeholder  = Les Aspin
| alt_officeholder2 = [[William J. Perry]]
| alt_officeholder3 = [[William Cohen]]
| coalition         = Bill Clinton
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = F. Whitten Peters 01.jpg
| officeholder      = [[F. Whitten Peters]]
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = November 1, 1997
| term_end          = July 30, 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|November 1, 1997|July 30, 1999}}
| alt_officeholder  = William Cohen
| coalition         = Bill Clinton
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 19
| image             = F. Whitten Peters 01.jpg
| officeholder      = F. Whitten Peters
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = July 30, 1999
| term_end          = January 20, 2001
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|July 30, 1999|January 20, 2001}}
| alt_officeholder  = William Cohen
| coalition         = Bill Clinton
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Dr Lawrence J Delaney, Acting Secretary of the Air Force.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Lawrence J. Delaney]]
| born_year         = 1935
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = January 21, 2001
| term_end          = May 31, 2001
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 21, 2001|May 31, 2001}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = [[George W. Bush]]
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 20
| image             = James Roche.jpg
| officeholder      = [[James G. Roche]]
| born_year         = 1939
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = June 1, 2001
| term_end          = January 20, 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|June 1, 2001|January 20, 2005}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Peter B. Teets, Under Secretary of the Air Force.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Peter B. Teets]]
| born_year         = 1942
| died_year         = 2020
| term_start        = January 20, 2005
| term_end          = March 25, 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 20, 2005|March 25, 2005}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Michael Montelongo, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael Montelongo]]
| born_year         = 1955
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = March 25, 2005
| term_end          = March 28, 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|March 25, 2005|March 28, 2005}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Michael Dominguez.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael L. Dominguez]]
| born_year         = 1953
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = March 28, 2005
| term_end          = July 29, 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|March 28, 2005|July 29, 2005}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Pete Geren USAF.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Pete Geren]]<ref name="Geren">[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3248 DefenseLink News Article: Army Secretary Resigns in Wake of Walter Reed Outpatient-Care Shortfalls<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = July 29, 2005
| term_end          = November 4, 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|July 29, 2005|November 4, 2005}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 21
| image             = Michael Wynne, official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael Wynne]]<ref name="Air Force Almanac 2011">[http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/2011/May%202011/0511leaders.pdf Air Force Almanac 2011], Accessed on September 12, 2011</ref>
| born_year         = 1944
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = November 4, 2005
| term_end          = June 20, 2008
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|November 4, 2005|June 20, 2008}}
| alt_officeholder  = Donald Rumsfeld
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Robert Gates]]
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Michael Donley official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = Michael B. Donley
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = June 21, 2008
| term_end          = October 2, 2008
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|June 21, 2008|October 2, 2008}}
| alt_officeholder  = Robert Gates
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 22
| image             = Michael Donley official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael B. Donley]]
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = October 2, 2008
| term_end          = June 21, 2013
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|October 2, 2008|June 21, 2013}}
| alt_officeholder  = Robert Gates
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Leon Panetta]]
| alt_officeholder3 = [[Chuck Hagel]]
| coalition         = George W. Bush
| coalition2        = [[Barack Obama]]
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Eric Fanning.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Eric Fanning]]
| born_year         = 1968
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = June 21, 2013
| term_end          = December 20, 2013
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|June 21, 2013|December 20, 2013}}
| alt_officeholder  = Chuck Hagel
| alt_officeholder2 = [[Ash Carter]]
| coalition         = Barack Obama
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 23
| image             = Deborah Lee James.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Deborah Lee James]]
| born_year         = 1958
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = December 20, 2013
| term_end          = January 20, 2017
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|December 20, 2013|January 20, 2017}}
| alt_officeholder  = Ash Carter
| coalition         = Barack Obama
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Lisa S. Disbrow, USAF, 2014.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Lisa Disbrow]]
| born_year         = 1962
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = January 20, 2017
| term_end          = May 16, 2017
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 20, 2017|May 16, 2017}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Jim Mattis]]
| coalition         = [[Donald Trump]]
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 24
| image             = Heather Wilson Air Force Secretary.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Heather Wilson]]
| born_year         = 1960
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = May 16, 2017
| term_end          = May 31, 2019
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|May 16, 2017|May 31, 2019}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Patrick M. Shanahan]] (acting)
| coalition         = Donald Trump
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Matthew Donovan official photo 2.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Matthew Donovan]]
| born_year         = 1957/1958
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = June 1, 2019
| term_end          = October 18, 2019
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|June 1, 2019|October 18, 2019}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Mark Esper]]
| coalition         = Donald Trump
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 25
| image             = Barbara M. Barrett official photo.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Barbara Barrett]]
| born_year         = 1950
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = October 18, 2019
| term_end          = January 20, 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|October 18, 2019|January 20, 2021}}
| alt_officeholder  = Mark Esper
| coalition         = Donald Trump
| ref               = 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = John P. Roth (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[John P. Roth]]
| born_year         = 1952/1953
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = January 20, 2021
| term_end          = July 28, 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|January 20, 2021|July 28, 2021}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Lloyd Austin]]
| coalition         = [[Joe Biden]]
| ref               = 
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 26
| image             = Frank Kendall III (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Frank Kendall III]]
| born_year         = 1949
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = July 28, 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|July 28, 2021|}}
| alt_officeholder  = Lloyd Austin
| coalition         = Joe Biden
| ref               = 
}}
|}

==See also==
* [[Department of the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service]]

==References==
* Title 10 United States Code
** Subtitle A – General Military Law
*** CHAPTER 1 – DEFINITIONS
**** § 101. Definitions
*** CHAPTER 6 – COMBATANT COMMANDERS
**** § 162. Combatant command: assigned forces; chain of command
** Subtitle D – Air Force
*** CHAPTER 903 – DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
**** § 9011. Organization
**** § 9013. Secretary of the Air Force
**** § 9014. Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
**** § 9015. Under Secretary of the Air Force
*** CHAPTER 905 – THE AIR STAFF
**** § 9032. The Air Staff: general duties
**** § 9033. Chief of Staff
* [https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/pdf/12909.pdf Executive Order 12909], Order of Succession of Officers To Act as Secretary of the Air Force
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110322204730/http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/510001p.pdf Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 5100.1, Functions of the Department of Defense and Its Major Components, August 1 2002].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110322204746/http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/510102p.pdf Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 5101.2, DoD Executive Agent for Space, June 3 2003].

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/2012/May%202012/0512leaders.pdf Leaders Through the Years, 2012 USAF Almanac]
* {{webarchive |date=December 12, 2012 |url=https://archive.today/20121212214321/http://www.af.mil/information/afchain/index.asp |title=US Air Force Senior Leadership}}

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