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U.S. Air Force Secretary Donley Retires

U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, who worked five years as the service’s top civilian, retired June 21 after decades in public service.

“Mike Donley has always understood … that national security, our future, our country, is beyond and above politics,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a ceremony honoring Donley. “And I suspect he was asked more than occasionally, ‘How could you both work in the Bush White House and work as — continued to work as — secretary of the Air Force under President Obama?’”

Until a permanent replacement is nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Eric Fanning will serve as the acting secretary of the Air Force. Fanning, a Dartmouth graduate, was appointed Air Force undersecretary in April and previously served as deputy undersecretary of the Navy/deputy chief management officer.