JANUARY 17, 2025 – Frank Kendall was flanked by clapping colleagues and friends as he walked out of the Pentagon for the last time as Secretary of the Air Force. His tenure is marked by efforts to modernize the Department of the Air Force and strengthen its capabilities in the face of emerging global threats.
Kendall, who was sworn in as the 26th secretary in July 2021, played a pivotal role in shaping the Air Force and Space Force of the future.
During his time in office, Kendall prioritized the need to reoptimize for Great Power Competition to meet the pacing challenge. With his now famous adage “China, China, China” leading the way at his speaking engagements, he emphasized the need for greater cooperation and collaboration between the Air Force, Space Force and other partners.
As he leaves office, Kendall expressed confidence in the Air Force and Space Force’s ability to continue adapting and evolving in response to changing circumstances.
“Every trip I ever took, every exercise I ever saw, every briefing I ever received, every story from the field I ever read, every conversation with a teammate or Guardian or any of their family members, reinforced my belief in you, and the importance of doing all that I could do to demonstrate to any opponent that taking on the Air Force or Space Force would be a major mistake.” Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall
Kendall’s departure marks the end of a distinguished three and a half years in which he was deeply endeared by Airmen and Guardians alike. He leaves behind a legacy of championing capabilities and initiatives like the seven DAF operational imperatives, the growth and stand-up of Space Force organizations, advanced technologies to grow space-based capabilities, collaborative combat aircraft, and the return of Air Force warrant officers, just to name a few.
“I think I have started us on the right path,” Kendall said when referring to what he wanted his legacy to be. “If I’m still around in 20 years, what I would really love to see is that we kept on that path.”
His leadership was crucial to advancing the missions of the Air Force and Space Force.
“Every day Frank Kendall showed up, everyone knew what the focus of the Department of the Air Force was,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “I think we can say now that we’re as focused as we’ve ever been, and certainly in my career, that’s because of the consistency of Secretary Kendall.”
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman spoke to what Kendall’s leadership meant to the department.
“We knew what data to collect, what policies should be adjusted; we knew what needed to be changed – that vision, that structure, is really the gift I think you gave us from a leadership standpoint,” Saltzman said. “When I think about what leaders do, that is really the heart of it – the vision, sense of urgency and the structure to do the work that needs to be done.”
Kendall left a simple message for Airmen and Guardians, “Don’t let up. Win the race. We cannot lose.”
By Tech. Sgt. Nick Koetz
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs