Donley Announces Departure

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley will step down as the service’s leader on June 21, he announced on Friday. That will be five years to the day that he began his tenure, first as Acting Secretary and then, beginning on Oct. 17, 2008, as Secretary. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve with our Air Force’s great airmen,” said Donley in a release. “Their accomplishments have been nothing short of impressive, and I’m humbled to be a part of this team. The Air Force has been a way of life for so much of my career, I know it will be bittersweet to say farewell,” he added. Donley is the longest serving Secretary in Air Force history, when including his four months as Acting Secretary in 2008 and his seven months as Acting Secretary in 1993, according to the release. Donley has not announced yet his post-Air Force plans. “In the meantime, there remains much to do,” he said. “This is an extraordinary and exciting time for our Air Force, filled with both challenges and opportunities. I remain confident that the strength and professionalism of our airmen, and the commitment and determination of [Chief of Staff Gen. Mark] Welsh, [CMSAF James] Cody, and our military and civilian leadership team will continue to see us through.”