The 12th Secretary of the Air Force, John C. Stetson died Aug. 2 at his home in Lake Forest, Ill. Stetson served as Secretary from June 1978 to May 1979. He graduated from MIT with a degree in aeronautical engineering and during World War II worked at Douglas Aircraft before taking a commission in the Navy as a communications officer. After the war he had several engineering and consulting jobs, becoming a partner at Booz Hamilton Allen, where he oversaw several programs for military and commercial aircraft. Before becoming Secretary, Stetson served in several executive positions in publishing, business machine, and other companies.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.