Teets submits resignation

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. David Byron
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Peter B. Teets, acting secretary of the Air Force, announced his resignation March 18, to take effect March 25.

“I'm honored to have served the president, the secretary of defense and with the dedicated Airmen of America’s Air Force and the men and women of the National Reconnaissance Office over the past three years,” Mr. Teets said.

“I’m confident we’ve strengthened the world’s greatest Air Force to continue providing air and space dominance for the 21st century, as well as built a lasting national security space strategy to leverage space for America’s national security advantage.”

He has served as the acting secretary since Jan. 18.

“Mr. Teets has led the Air Force through a critical transition period, and it has been my honor to serve with him,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper.

“During his tenure he has made every Airman his priority,” General Jumper said. “His unrelenting resolve to adapt our air and space force, to counter new and resilient threats to our nation, has guaranteed America's Air Force remains the greatest in the world.”

Mr. Teets submitted his letter of resignation voluntarily and leaves the Air Force to return to private life. He will also leave his other positions as undersecretary of the Air Force, Department of Defense executive agent for space and director of the NRO.

“Mr. Teets' visionary leadership with his dual responsibilities as the undersecretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office has placed space capabilities in the hands of warriors for the first time,” General Jumper said.

As undersecretary, Mr. Teets is heavily involved with the day-to-day decisions needed to run the Air Force. The position also holds a strong focus on space systems and policy.

In his role as the DOD executive agent for space, he develops, coordinates and integrates space systems plans and programs, as well as, all major defense space acquisition programs.

“I know we're on the right path to make our national security space capabilities more efficient and more effective. As a nation, we're striving to improve our space and intelligence capabilities, our development processes and professional rigor,” Mr. Teets said.

“We've come a long way in three years,” he said. “If you examine how we've been able to pool our talents, collaborate across our stovepipe programs and create national-level policy initiatives and insights, it is pretty obvious to me that this is the result of national security space integration.”

As the NRO director, Mr. Teets is responsible for all space-based reconnaissance and intelligence systems. In this role, he also manages the national reconnaissance program, reporting directly to the secretary of Defense and director of central intelligence.

“Space systems are unique assets. They provide global persistence, perspective and access unhindered by geographical or political boundaries,” he said.

“Our space systems, whether integrated with airborne and surface sensors or acting alone over areas of high risk or denied access, provide critical surveillance and reconnaissance information to national decision makers and combatant commanders, he said. “These space capabilities enable the tremendous success that our joint warfighters achieved during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and will continue to be a cornerstone for future success during conflict.”

Before entering Air Force service as the undersecretary in 2001, Mr. Teets held several executive positions with Lockheed Martin Corp., including president and chief executive officer. Before joining Lockheed Martin in 1995, he was president of Martin Marietta Space Group. His career with Martin Marietta and the space industry dates back to 1963.

“Mr. Teets has built a lasting space strategy that truly enables the success of our joint warfighting team,” General Jumper said. “The Air Force will remember him as an innovative leader and friend. He will always be an Airman."