Kendall Wants to Stay as Air Force Secretary Under New President

The Air Force Secretary would like to continue his service under President-elect Joe Biden

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett has said that she would like to stay on as Secretary of the Air Force under President-elect Joe Biden. Barrett, a Republican, was appointed by President Donald Trump in May 2020.

In an interview with Defense News, Barrett said that she has "a lot of work to do" and that she is "not done yet." She also said that she believes she has the "experience and expertise" to continue leading the Air Force.

Biden has not yet announced who he will nominate to be Secretary of the Air Force. However, he has said that he is committed to appointing a "diverse and inclusive" cabinet.

If Barrett is not nominated to continue as Secretary of the Air Force, she would be the first Trump-appointed service secretary to leave the Pentagon before the end of the Trump administration.

Barrett's tenure as Air Force Secretary

During her time as Air Force Secretary, Barrett has overseen the development of the service's new B-21 Raider bomber and the fielding of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

She has also been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Air Force. In 2020, she released a memo directing the service to "eliminate barriers" to diversity and inclusion.

The future of the Air Force

The Air Force is facing a number of challenges in the coming years, including the rise of China and the development of new technologies.

Barrett has said that the Air Force must be "ready to fight and win the wars of the future." She has also said that the service must be "prepared to operate in all domains, from the air to the sea to the cyber realm."

The next Secretary of the Air Force will be responsible for leading the service through these challenges.