AFA Member Richard Anderson Confirmed as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

Col. Richard L. Anderson, USAF (Ret.), a lifetime member of AFA, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in mid-September to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Anderson chose to be sworn into his new role during AFA’s National Convention on September 21, surrounded by the organization and community that helped shape his long career.

The ceremony was administered by Nancy K. Andrews, Director of Administration and Management (SAF/AM). Richard’s wife, Lt. Col. Ruth Anderson, USAF (Ret.), and their 11-year-old grandson, Felix, both attended. A second ceremonial swearing-in was later conducted by Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink at the Pentagon on October 6.

“As a retired Air Force officer and lifetime member of [AFA], I never expected to be ‘recalled’ to again work with the great Airmen and Guardians who man the ramparts of freedom,” Anderson said. “To serve as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs is the honor of a lifetime, made especially sweet by putting me squarely in the people business.”

In his new post, Anderson oversees the overall supervision of manpower and reserve component affairs for the Department of the Air Force. Anderson is a member of AFA’s D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter and a Virginia delegate at National Convention. He brings more than 30 years of Active-duty experience as a missileer and senior staff officer.