Nominee for undersecretary testifies before Congress

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Department of Defense director of defense research and engineering appeared before a Congressional confirmation hearing July 28 to testify on his nomination as the new undersecretary of the Air Force.

Dr. Ronald M. Sega, appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, told senators he was honored by the nomination.

"I believe an appointment such as this is a sacred trust," he said. "If confirmed as the next undersecretary of the Air Force, I pledge to do all in my power to warrant that trust."

Dr. Sega also said he understands the challenges facing the Air Force, and believes he can bring the experience and skill necessary to help overcome those issues.

"The Air Force's most important task is to accomplish the military mission, to provide forces to defeat the nation’s enemies," he said. "With that in mind, I will apply all of my operational experience to achieving mission success in current operations and all of my technical expertise to ensure we are prepared to succeed in future operations."

Dr. Sega served on active duty Air Force and Air Force Reserve as a pilot, logging more than 4,000 flying hours. He is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

In 1990, Dr. Sega joined NASA and became an astronaut in July 1991. He served as a mission specialist on two space shuttle flights.

In 2001 he was promoted to major general in the reserve. He is currently the Reserve assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His retirement date is pending.

The doctor’s extensive academic career includes serving as a faculty member in the department of physics at the Air Force Academy and as assistant professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. His research in electromagnetic fields led to a doctorate in electrical engineering from the university. He went on to serve as the university’s dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Also testifying at the confirmation hearing was Lt. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, who has been nominated for promotion to general and assignment as commander of U.S. Transportation Command.

General Schwartz told senators that as commander of TRANSCOM, he will focus on the core missions of that command to help combatant commanders accomplish their mission.

"One of the cornerstones of the National Defense Strategy is the capability to rapidly deliver combat power to the joint force commander and to effectively link those operating forces to sustainment processes and systems," he said.

"If confirmed I will improve and transform those processes, organizations and systems to optimize rapid force projection, ensure that sustainment arrives at the right time and at the right place, support rapid force maneuver of the joint force commanders and return those forces to home station and other locations so they can regenerate, and most importantly, have reunion with family."

Others testifying on their nominations were William C. Anderson, who has been nominated to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics; Keith E. Eastin, for assistant secretary of the Army for installations and environment; John G. Grimes, for assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration; and Philip Jackson Bell, for deputy undersecretary of defense for logistics and materiel readiness.