Michael Donley, Air Force secretary for nearly five years, plans to step down from his position as the branch’s top civilian official on June 21.
He was confirmed as secretary in October 2008 after serving nearly five months as the branch’s acting secretary and also led the Air Force on a temporary basis for seven months in 1993, the Air Force News Service said Friday.
Donley holds the distinction of being the longest-serving secretary in Air Force history, according to AFNS.
He has also served as the service’s top financial officer from 1989 to 1993 and has also served as director of administration and management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve with our Air Force’s great airmen,” Donley said.
The Air Force has been a way of life for so much of my career, I know it will be bittersweet to say farewell,” he said.
Donley did not announce his future plans in the AFNS article.
“His leadership came during a challenging time for the Air Force, and he helped instill a culture of responsibility, initiative and professionalism to the service,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
