Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics is a senior official in the United States Department of the Air Force, responsible for overseeing the acquisition, development, and logistics of United States Air Force systems, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II and Boeing's KC-46 Pegasus. The Assistant Secretary works closely with other senior officials, such as the Under Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, to ensure the effective management of the Air Force's acquisition and logistics programs, including those related to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, in collaboration with organizations like DARPA and NASA. The Assistant Secretary also interacts with other government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration, to coordinate acquisition and logistics efforts, as well as with industry partners like Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies.

● Overview

The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics plays a critical role in ensuring the Air Force has the necessary systems and equipment to perform its mission, including tactical aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor, as well as space systems like the Global Positioning System and Space-Based Infrared System. This involves working with a range of stakeholders, including Congress, the White House, and industry partners like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, to develop and implement acquisition and logistics strategies, such as those outlined in the National Defense Authorization Act and the National Defense Strategy. The Assistant Secretary must also balance competing priorities, such as cost, schedule, and performance, to ensure that Air Force acquisition and logistics programs meet the needs of the warfighter, including those related to special operations and cyber warfare, in coordination with organizations like US Special Operations Command and National Security Agency. This requires close collaboration with other senior officials, including the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, as well as with international partners like NATO and Australia.

● Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics has a range of responsibilities, including overseeing the development and implementation of Air Force acquisition and logistics policies, such as those related to acquisition reform and supply chain management, in collaboration with organizations like Defense Acquisition University and National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Assistant Secretary is also responsible for managing the Air Force's acquisition and logistics budget, which includes funding for programs like the B-21 Raider and T-7 Red Hawk, as well as for overseeing the performance of Air Force acquisition and logistics programs, including those related to research and development and test and evaluation, in coordination with organizations like Air Force Research Laboratory and Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary serves as the Air Force's senior official for logistics and maintenance, working closely with organizations like Air Force Logistics Command and Defense Logistics Agency to ensure that Air Force systems are properly maintained and supported, including those related to depot maintenance and supply chain logistics.

● History

The position of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics was established in 1990, as part of a broader effort to reform the Air Force's acquisition and logistics processes, including the implementation of Total Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma, in collaboration with organizations like Institute for Defense Analyses and Center for Strategic and International Studies. Since then, the Assistant Secretary has played a critical role in shaping the Air Force's acquisition and logistics strategies, including the development of the Air Force Acquisition Improvement Plan and the Logistics Transformation Initiative, in coordination with organizations like Government Accountability Office and Congressional Budget Office. The Assistant Secretary has also worked closely with other government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration, to coordinate acquisition and logistics efforts, including those related to joint acquisition and interagency coordination, with organizations like Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Security Council.

● Organization

The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics is supported by a range of organizations, including the Air Force Acquisition Executive Directorate and the Air Force Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection Directorate, as well as by other Air Force organizations, such as Air Force Space Command and Air Force Materiel Command. The Assistant Secretary also works closely with other government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration, to coordinate acquisition and logistics efforts, including those related to federal acquisition regulation and contract management, in collaboration with organizations like Federal Acquisition Institute and National Contract Management Association. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary interacts with industry partners, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing, to develop and implement acquisition and logistics strategies, including those related to public-private partnerships and small business innovation research, with organizations like National Defense Industrial Association and Aerospace Industries Association.

● List of Assistant Secretaries

The following individuals have served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics: * Dr. William J. Perry, who later served as United States Secretary of Defense and worked with organizations like RAND Corporation and Center for Strategic and International Studies; * Darlene Druyun, who worked closely with organizations like Boeing and Lockheed Martin; * Marvin R. Sambur, who served as a senior official in the Department of Defense and worked with organizations like Institute for Defense Analyses and National Defense University; * Sue C. Payton, who worked with organizations like NASA and DARPA; * David Van Buren, who served as a senior official in the Air Force Space Command and worked with organizations like SpaceX and United Launch Alliance; * William A. LaPlante Jr., who worked with organizations like MITRE Corporation and Institute for Defense Analyses; * Richard W. Lombardi, who served as a senior official in the Air Force Materiel Command and worked with organizations like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman; * Will Roper, who worked with organizations like DARPA and Air Force Research Laboratory; * Andrew Hunter, who served as a senior official in the Department of Defense and worked with organizations like Center for Strategic and International Studies and Institute for Defense Analyses. Category:United States Air Force