CHAPTER 903 —DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
Prior Provisions
A prior
Amendments
2019—
2018—
2006—
2002—
1988—
1986—
1967—
1964—
1962—
1958—
§9011. Organization
The Department of the Air Force is separately organized under the Secretary of the Air Force. It operates under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense.
(Added
Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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8010 | 5:171a(c)(7) (1st sentence, as applicable to Department of Air Force). | July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §202(c)(7) (1st sentence as applicable to Department of Air Force); added Aug. 6, 1958, |
The word "operates" is substituted for the words "shall function".
Amendments
2018—
1986—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
§9012. Department of the Air Force: seal
The Secretary of the Air Force shall have a seal for the Department of the Air Force. The design of the seal must be approved by the President. Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041,
Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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8011 | 5:626(g). | July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §207(g), 61 Stat 503. |
The words "of office" are omitted as surplusage. The words "a design" are substituted for the words "such device".
Amendments
2018—
1986—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Ex. Ord. No. 9902. Seal for the Department of the Air Force
Ex. Ord. No. 9902, Nov. 1, 1947, 12 F.R. 7153, provided:
WHEREAS section 207(g) of the National Security Act of 1947, approved July 26, 1947 (Public Law 253, 80th Congress 1st Session) provides, in part, that the Secretary of the Air Force shall cause a seal of office to be made for the Department of the Air Force of such device as the President shall approve; and
WHEREAS the Secretary of the Air Force has caused to be made and has recommended that I approve a seal the design of which accompanies and is hereby made a part of this order, and which is described in heraldic terms as follows:
SHIELD: Per fess nebuly abased azure and argent, in chief a thunderbolt or inflamed proper.
CREST: On a wreath argent and azure an American bald eagle, wings displayed and partially elevated proper in front of a cloud argent.
Encircling the shield and crest an arc of thirteen stars and below the shield the inscription "MCMXLVII".
On a band encircling the whole the inscriptions "Department of the Air Force" and "United States of America."
When illustrating the seal in color the background shall be ultramarine blue, the shield a light blue and white, and the thunderbolt in gold with flames in natural color. The twists of the wreath shall be alternated white and blue, and the eagle shall be in natural color in front of a white cloud. The thirteen stars shall be white, and the Roman numerals shall be gold. The encircling band shall be white edged in gold with black letters.
AND WHEREAS it appears that such seal is of suitable design and is appropriate for establishment as the official seal of the Department of the Air Force:
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of and pursuant to the authority vested in me by the said section 207(g) of the National Security Act of 1947, I hereby approve such seal as the official seal of the Department of the Air Force.
Harry S. Truman.
§9013. Secretary of the Air Force
(a)(1) There is a Secretary of the Air Force, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be appointed from among persons most highly qualified for the position by reason of background and experience, including persons with appropriate management or leadership experience. The Secretary is the head of the Department of the Air Force.
(2) A person may not be appointed as Secretary of the Air Force within five years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of an armed force.
(b) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense and subject to the provisions of
(1) Recruiting.
(2) Organizing.
(3) Supplying.
(4) Equipping (including research and development).
(5) Training.
(6) Servicing.
(7) Mobilizing.
(8) Demobilizing.
(9) Administering (including the morale and welfare of personnel).
(10) Maintaining.
(11) The construction, outfitting, and repair of military equipment.
(12) The construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, structures, and utilities and the acquisition of real property and interests in real property necessary to carry out the responsibilities specified in this section.
(c) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force is also responsible to the Secretary of Defense for—
(1) the functioning and efficiency of the Department of the Air Force;
(2) the formulation of policies and programs by the Department of the Air Force that are fully consistent with national security objectives and policies established by the President or the Secretary of Defense;
(3) the effective and timely implementation of policy, program, and budget decisions and instructions of the President or the Secretary of Defense relating to the functions of the Department of the Air Force;
(4) carrying out the functions of the Department of the Air Force so as to fulfill the current and future operational requirements of the unified and specified combatant commands;
(5) effective cooperation and coordination between the Department of the Air Force and the other military departments and agencies of the Department of Defense to provide for more effective, efficient, and economical administration and to eliminate duplication;
(6) the presentation and justification of the positions of the Department of the Air Force on the plans, programs, and policies of the Department of Defense; and
(7) the effective supervision and control of the intelligence activities of the Department of the Air Force.
(d) The Secretary of the Air Force is also responsible for such other activities as may be prescribed by law or by the President or Secretary of Defense.
(e) After first informing the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force may make such recommendations to Congress relating to the Department of Defense as he considers appropriate.
(f) The Secretary of the Air Force may assign such of his functions, powers, and duties as he considers appropriate to the Under Secretary of the Air Force and to the Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force. Officers of the Air Force shall, as directed by the Secretary, report on any matter to the Secretary, the Under Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary.
(g) The Secretary of the Air Force may—
(1) assign, detail, and prescribe the duties of members of the Air Force and civilian personnel of the Department of the Air Force;
(2) change the title of any officer or activity of the Department of the Air Force not prescribed by law; and
(3) prescribe regulations to carry out his functions, powers, and duties under this title.
(Added
Amendments
2018—
2016—Subsec. (a)(1).
2003—Subsec. (c)(4).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2).
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Order of Succession
For order of succession in event of death, permanent disability, or resignation of Secretary of the Air Force, see Ex. Ord. No. 12909, Apr. 22, 1994, 59 F.R. 21909, listed in a table under
Rating Chains for System Program Managers
§9014. Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
(a) There is in the Department of the Air Force an Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. The function of the Office is to assist the Secretary of the Air Force in carrying out his responsibilities.
(b) The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force is composed of the following:
(1) The Under Secretary of the Air Force.
(2) The Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force.
(3) The General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force.
(4) The Inspector General of the Air Force.
(5) The Chief of Legislative Liaison.
(6) The Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee.
(7) Such other offices and officials as may be established by law or as the Secretary of the Air Force may establish or designate.
(c)(1) The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force shall have sole responsibility within the Office of the Secretary and the Air Staff for the following functions:
(A) Acquisition.
(B) Auditing.
(C) Comptroller (including financial management).
(D) Information management.
(E) Inspector General.
(F) Legislative affairs.
(G) Public affairs.
(2) The Secretary of the Air Force shall establish or designate a single office or other entity within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct each function specified in paragraph (1). No office or other entity may be established or designated within the Air Staff to conduct any of the functions specified in paragraph (1).
(3) The Secretary shall prescribe the relationship of each office or other entity established or designated under paragraph (2) to the Chief of Staff and to the Air Staff and shall ensure that each such office or entity provides the Chief of Staff such staff support as the Chief of Staff considers necessary to perform his duties and responsibilities.
(4) The vesting in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force of the responsibility for the conduct of a function specified in paragraph (1) does not preclude other elements of the executive part of the Department of the Air Force (including the Air Staff) from providing advice or assistance to the Chief of Staff or otherwise participating in that function within the executive part of the Department under the direction of the office assigned responsibility for that function in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
(5) The head of the office or other entity established or designated by the Secretary to conduct the auditing function shall have at least five years of professional experience in accounting or auditing. The position shall be considered to be a career reserved position as defined in
(d)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force shall have sole responsibility within the Office of the Secretary and the Air Staff for the function of research and development.
(2) The Secretary of the Air Force may assign to the Air Staff responsibility for those aspects of the function of research and development that relate to military requirements and test and evaluation.
(3) The Secretary shall establish or designate a single office or other entity within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct the function specified in paragraph (1).
(4) The Secretary shall prescribe the relationship of the office or other entity established or designated under paragraph (3) to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and to the Air Staff and shall ensure that each such office or entity provides the Chief of Staff such staff support as the Chief of Staff considers necessary to perform his duties and responsibilities.
(e) The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure that the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Staff do not duplicate specific functions for which the Secretary has assigned responsibility to the other.
(f)(1) The total number of members of the armed forces and civilian employees of the Department of the Air Force assigned or detailed to permanent duty in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and on the Air Staff may not exceed 2,750.
(2) Not more than 1,650 officers of the Air Force on the active-duty list may be assigned or detailed to permanent duty in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and on the Air Staff.
(3) The total number of general officers assigned or detailed to permanent duty in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and on the Air Staff may not exceed 60.
(4) The limitations in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) do not apply in time of war.
(5) Each limitation in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be exceeded by a number equal to 15 percent of such limitation in time of national emergency.
(Added
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
2018—
2016—Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(5).
2002—Subsec. (b)(5) to (7).
2001—Subsec. (f)(3).
1989—Subsec. (f)(5).
1988—Subsec. (c)(5).
1987—Subsec. (f)(4).
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Requirements of subsec. (c)(5) of this section applicable with respect to any person appointed on or after Sept. 29, 1988, as head of office or other entity designated for conducting auditing function in a military department, see section 325(d)(1) of
Effective Date
Subsecs. (c) and (d) of this section to be implemented not later than 180 days after Oct. 1, 1986, see section 532(a) of
Exceptions and Adjustments to Limitations on Personnel
Baseline personnel limitations in this section inapplicable to certain acquisition personnel and personnel hired pursuant to a shortage category designation for fiscal year 2009 and fiscal years thereafter, and Secretary of Defense or a secretary of a military department authorized to adjust such limitations for fiscal year 2009 and fiscal years thereafter, see section 1111 of
§9015. Under Secretary of the Air Force
(a) There is an Under Secretary of the Air Force, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) The Under Secretary shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe.
(Added
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in
Amendments
2018—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Order of Succession
For order of succession in event of death, permanent disability, or resignation of Secretary of the Air Force, see Ex. Ord. No. 12909, Apr. 22, 1994, 59 F.R. 21909, listed in a table under
§9016. Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force
(a) There are five Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force. They shall be appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b)(1) The Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe.
(2) One of the Assistant Secretaries shall be the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He shall have as his principal duty the overall supervision of manpower and reserve component affairs of the Department of the Air Force.
(3)(A) One of the Assistant Secretaries shall be the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management.
(B) The Assistant Secretary shall be appointed from among persons who have significant budget, financial management, or audit experience in complex organizations.
(C) The principal responsibility of the Assistant Secretary shall be the exercise of the comptroller functions of the Department of the Air Force, including financial management functions. The Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for all financial management activities and operations of the Department of the Air Force and shall advise the Secretary of the Air Force on financial management.
(4)(A) One of the Assistant Secretaries shall be the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. The principal duty of the Assistant Secretary shall be the overall supervision of acquisition, technology, and logistics matters of the Department of the Air Force.
(B) The Assistant Secretary shall have a Principal Military Deputy, who shall be an officer of the Air Force on active duty. The Principal Military Deputy shall be appointed from among officers who have significant experience in the areas of acquisition and program management. The position of Principal Military Deputy shall be designated as a critical acquisition position under
(5)(A) One of the Assistant Secretaries shall be the Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations, and Environment.
(B) The principal duty of the Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations, and Environment shall be the overall supervision of energy, installation, and environment matters for the Department of the Air Force.
(6)(A) One of the Assistant Secretaries is the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.
(B) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Assistant Secretary shall do as follows:
(i) Be responsible for all architecture and integration of the Air Force for space systems and programs, including in support of the Chief of Space Operations under
(ii) Act as the chair of the Space Force Acquisition Council under
(iii) Advise the service acquisition executive of the Air Force with responsibility for space systems and programs (including for all major defense acquisition programs under
(iv) Oversee and direct each of the following:
(I) The Space Rapid Capabilities Office under
(II) The Space and Missile Systems Center.
(III) The Space Development Agency.
(v) Advise and synchronize acquisition projects for all space systems and programs of the Air Force, including projects for space systems and programs responsibility for which is transferred to the Assistant Secretary pursuant to section 956(b)(3) of the United States Space Force Act.
(vi) Effective as of October 1, 2022, in accordance with section 957 of that Act, serve as the Service Acquisition Executive of the Department of the Air Force for Space Systems and Programs.
(Added
References in Text
Section 956(b)(3) of the United States Space Force Act and section 957 of that Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(6)(B)(v), (vi), are sections 956(b)(3) and 957, respectively, of subtitle D of title IX of div. A of
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
2018—
2017—Subsec. (b)(3).
2016—Subsec. (b)(4)(A).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B).
2008—Subsec. (b)(4).
1988—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Change of Name
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
For applicability of appointment qualifications imposed by section 921 of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
Transfer of Acquisition Projects for Space Systems and Programs
Service Acquisition Executive of the Department of the Air Force for Space Systems and Programs
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
§9017. Secretary of the Air Force: successors to duties
If the Secretary of the Air Force dies, resigns, is removed from office, is absent, or is disabled, the person who is highest on the following list, and who is not absent or disabled, shall perform the duties of the Secretary until the President, under section 3347 1 of title 5, directs another person to perform those duties or until the absence or disability ceases:
(1) The Under Secretary of the Air Force.
(2) The Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force, in the order prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force and approved by the Secretary of Defense.
(3) The General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force.
(4) The Chief of Staff.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041,
Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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8017(a) 8017(b) |
5:626–1(b). 5:626–1(c). |
Sept. 19, 1951, ch. 407, §102 (less (a)), |
In subsection (a), the word "person" is substituted for the words "officer of the United States". The words "until a successor is appointed" are omitted as surplusage.
Subsection (b) is substituted for 5:626–1(c) and states the effect of
References in Text
Amendments
2018—
1994—Pars. (3), (4).
1986—
1968—Subsec. (b).
1966—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Order of Succession
For order of succession in event of death, permanent disability, or resignation of Secretary of the Air Force, see Ex. Ord. No. 12909, Apr. 22, 1994, 59 F.R. 21909, listed in a table under
1 See References in Text note below.
§9018. Administrative Assistant
The Secretary of the Air Force may appoint an Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. The Administrative Assistant shall perform such duties as the Secretary may prescribe.
(Added
Amendments
2018—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
§9019. General Counsel
(a) There is a General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) The General Counsel shall perform such functions as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe.
(Added
Amendments
2018—
1988—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
§9020. Inspector General
(a) There is an Inspector General of the Air Force who shall be detailed to such position by the Secretary of the Air Force from the general officers of the Air Force. An officer may not be detailed to such position for a tour of duty of more than four years, except that the Secretary may extend such a tour of duty if he makes a special finding that the extension is necessary in the public interest.
(b) When directed by the Secretary or the Chief of Staff, the Inspector General shall—
(1) inquire into and report upon the discipline, efficiency, and economy of the Air Force; and
(2) perform any other duties prescribed by the Secretary or the Chief of Staff.
(c) The Inspector General shall periodically propose programs of inspections to the Secretary of the Air Force and shall recommend additional inspections and investigations as may appear appropriate.
(d) The Inspector General shall cooperate fully with the Inspector General of the Department of Defense in connection with the performance of any duty or function by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (
(e) The Inspector General shall have such deputies and assistants as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe. Each such deputy and assistant shall be an officer detailed by the Secretary to that position from the officers of the Air Force for a tour of duty of not more than four years, under a procedure prescribed by the Secretary.
(Added
References in Text
The Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (d), is
Amendments
2018—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
§9021. Space Force Acquisition Council
(a)
(b)
(1) The Under Secretary of the Air Force.
(2) The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, who shall act as chair of the Council.
(3) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy.
(4) The Director of the National Reconnaissance Office.
(5) The Chief of Space Operations.
(6) The Commander of the United States Space Command.
(c)
(d)
(e)
(Added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 9021 was renumbered
Another prior section 9021 was renumbered
Another prior section 9021, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041,
§9021a. Air Force Reserve Forces Policy Committee
There is in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force an Air Force Reserve Forces Policy Committee. The functions, membership, and organization of that committee are set forth in
(Added
Amendments
2019—
2018—
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of
§9022. Financial management
(a) The Secretary of the Air Force shall provide that the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management shall direct and manage financial management activities and operations of the Department of the Air Force, including ensuring that financial management systems of the Department of the Air Force comply with subsection (b). The authority of the Assistant Secretary for such direction and management shall include the authority to—
(1) supervise and direct the preparation of budget estimates of the Department of the Air Force and otherwise carry out, with respect to the Department of the Air Force, the functions specified for the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) in
(2) approve and supervise any project to design or enhance a financial management system for the Department of the Air Force; and
(3) approve the establishment and supervise the operation of any asset management system of the Department of the Air Force, including—
(A) systems for cash management, credit management, and debt collection; and
(B) systems for the accounting for the quantity, location, and cost of property and inventory.
(b)(1) Financial management systems of the Department of the Air Force (including accounting systems, internal control systems, and financial reporting systems) shall be established and maintained in conformance with—
(A) the accounting and financial reporting principles, standards, and requirements established by the Comptroller General under
(B) the internal control standards established by the Comptroller General under
(2) Such systems shall provide for—
(A) complete, reliable, consistent, and timely information which is prepared on a uniform basis and which is responsive to the financial information needs of department management;
(B) the development and reporting of cost information;
(C) the integration of accounting and budgeting information; and
(D) the systematic measurement of performance.
(c) The Assistant Secretary shall maintain a five-year plan describing the activities the Department of the Air Force proposes to conduct over the next five fiscal years to improve financial management. Such plan shall be revised annually.
(d) The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management shall transmit to the Secretary of the Air Force a report each year on the activities of the Assistant Secretary during the preceding year. Each such report shall include a description and analysis of the status of Department of the Air Force financial management.
(Added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 9022, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041,
Amendments
2018—
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
1994—Subsec. (a)(1).
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1989, but with an earlier effective date, not before Jan. 21, 1989, if so prescribed by the President in advance by Executive order, see section 702(e)(2) of
§9023. Chief of Legislative Liaison
(a) There is a Chief of Legislative Liaison in the Department of the Air Force.
(b) The Chief of Legislative Liaison shall perform legislative affairs functions as specified for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force by
(Added
Prior Provisions
A prior section 9023, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041,
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (b).
2016—Subsec. (a).
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
§9024. Director of Small Business Programs
(a)
(b)
(c)
(2) Section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (
(Added
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 9025 and 9027 were renumbered
Amendments
2018—
Change of Name
The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Air Force and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Air Force were redesignated the Director of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Air Force and the Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Air Force, respectively, by
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by