Wynne sworn in as 21st secretary

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Michael W. Wynne was sworn in today in front of 4,200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, during their noontime meal, as the 21st secretary of the Air Force. 

In this role, he is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 men and women on active duty, 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 160,000 civilians and their families. 

As head of the Department of the Air Force, Secretary Wynne is responsible for its functioning and efficiency, the formulation of its policies and programs, and the timely implementation of decisions and instructions of the president of the United States and the secretary of defense. 

Mr. Wynne replaces Pete Geren, who has served as the acting secretary of the Air Force since July 29. 

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside America's Airmen and their joint service partners to keep our nation safe," Secretary Wynne said. "With their dedication, skill and sacrifice, they offer an incredible array of options to the president and the nation -- from taking the fight to the enemy, providing strategic intelligence to the joint force, or providing humanitarian assistance at home and internationally in the wake of natural disasters." 

Prior to appointment, Secretary Wynne served in the Department of Defense as the principal deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. 

Mr. Wynne served in the Air Force for seven years, ending his service as a captain and assistant professor of astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy.  
 
Mr. Wynne graduated from the United States Military Academy and also holds a masters' in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a masters' in business from the University of Colorado.