Senate confirms Kendall as Air Force Secretary

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Frank Kendall as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force, with officials lauding his decades-long record of service amid efforts to navigate global challenges.

Kendall previously served in various Department of Defense senior capacities, including the Pentagon’s third-ranking official for four years during the Obama administration.

“As America’s 26th Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall III’s decades of expertise and impact in service to our national security and defense make him an unmatched asset for the challenges we face today,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said. “Throughout his career, Frank has led the Department’s acquisition efforts to equip our warfighters with the latest capabilities and cutting-edge weaponry for the battlefield, educated our next generation of leaders at West Point, and served as a human rights lawyer. And as a former active duty soldier, Frank understands firsthand the commitment and sacrifice our troops give day in and day out.”

Kendall served in the Army for 10 years on active duty while also teaching engineering at West Point. He also served as the Pentagon’s director of the tactical warfare program.

“If confirmed, my priorities would be straightforward and mirror precisely those articulated by Secretary of Defense (Lloyd) Austin as they apply to the Department of the Air Force – taking care of our people, mission performance and building teams,”
Kendall said before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his May 25 confirmation hearing. Our military is people first and foremost.“