Heather Wilson was sworn in on as the new secretary of the Air Force on May 16.
“We’re going to cost effectively modernize the force and drive innovation to bring new capabilities to the service of liberty and underpinning it all will be a commitment to people, to the development of leaders to command the finest combat force in the world. We’re not going to take for granted American dominance in air and space power. We’re going to use every taxpayer dollar entrusted to us to train for it, to equip for it, and to fight for it,” she said at the ceremony.
Wilson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this month. She was nominated by President Donald Trump. Senators voted 76-22 to approve Wilson, who represented New Mexico in the House before becoming a defense industry consultant.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who was present at the swearing-in ceremony, praised Wilson.
“If we wanted to do one thing to Webster’s unabridged dictionary to define a patriot with no words we could put up Heather Wilson’s picture,” he said.
