Barrett Sworn in as Air Force Secretary


Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett raises her hand during her swearing-in ceremony Oct. 18, 2019. Photo courtesy of USAF.

Barbara Barrett began her term as the Air Force’s 25th secretary with a swearing-in ceremony Oct. 18.

“I’m conscious of the extraordinary privilege of working with the men & women of the [Air Force],” Barrett wrote on Twitter. “We’ve got a lot to do & I’m ready to get to work!”

President Donald Trump formally nominated the former US ambassador to Finland, aerospace research executive, and deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to serve as the next SECAF on Sept. 9. Heather Wilson, her predecessor, left the post at the end of May. Matt Donovan, who filled the role of acting secretary in the interim, has returned to his prior job as under secretary.

The Senate confirmed Barrett 85-7 on Oct. 16.