Melissa G. Dalton is the 28th Under Secretary of the Air Force. As the Department of the Air Force’s second-highest ranking official, she is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Ms. Dalton oversees an annual budget exceeding $200 billion, provides air and space forces to combatant commanders in support of global military operations, and is accountable for the welfare of nearly 700,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and Guardians and their families.
Ms. Dalton has more than 20 years of experience in U.S. defense strategy, policy, and national security affairs. Prior to this role, she was Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from December 2023 to May 2024 where she served as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense for all matters concerning the formation of national security and defense policy. Additionally, she served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs from March 2022 to May 2024. She joined the Biden Administration in January 2021 as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities.
Ms. Dalton served for more than a decade as a civil servant in the Bush and Obama Administrations within the Department of Defense, including as Policy Advisor to the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan and more. Additionally, she has extensive experience within various prominent think tank organizations including the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Center for a New American Security.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
2007 Master of Arts, International Relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Washington D.C.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. November 2003–July 2005, Intelligence Officer, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C.
2. June 2006–August 2006, English Teacher, America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Damascus, Syria
3. July 2007–February 2010, Levant Director, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
4. February 2010–August 2010, Special Assistant to the Commander, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
5. August 2010–January 2012, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. February 2012–February 2013, Visiting Fellow, Center for a New American Security, Washington, D.C.
7. March 2013–September 2014, Senior Advisor for Force Planning, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Washington, D.C.
8. September 2014–April 2015, International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C.
9. January 2020–June 2020, Professor, Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.
10. April 2015–January 2021, Director, Cooperative Defense Project, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.
11. January 2021–March 2022, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, Department of Defense, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
12. March 2022–May 2024, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, Department of Defense, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. December 2023–May 2024, Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Department of Defense, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
14. May 2024–present, Under Secretary of the Air Force, Department of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal
Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence
Office of the Secretary of Defense Special Act Award (three awards)
Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award (two awards)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Baumgartner Employee Recognition Award – President’s Award, Center for Strategic and International Studies
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Life Member, Council on Foreign Relations
Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scouts’ Nation’s Capital Troop 50124
(Current as of June 2024)