Returns To Private Life

Peter B. Teets announced his voluntary resignation Friday as the acting secretary of the Air Force. He served as the acting secretary since Jan 18th. Teets held positions as the undersecretary of the Air Force, DOD executive agent for space and the head of the National Reconnaissance Office since 2001. His resignation is effective Mar 25th.

"I'm honored to have served the president, the secretary of defense and with the dedicated Airmen of America's Air Force and the men and women of the National Reconnaissance Office over the past three years," Mr. Teets said in the Air Force Print News.

"I'm confident we've strengthened the world's greatest Air Force to continue providing air and space dominance for the 21st century, as well as built a lasting national security space strategy to leverage space for America's national security advantage."

"Mr. Teets has led the Air Force through a critical transition period, and it has been my honor to serve with him," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper. "Mr. Teets' visionary leadership with his dual responsibilities as the undersecretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office has placed space capabilities in the hands of warriors for the first time."

Teets leaves the Air Force after three years of service to return to private life. "We've come a long way in three years," he said. "If you examine how we've been able to pool our talents, collaborate across our stovepipe programs and create national-level policy initiatives and insights, it is pretty obvious to me that this is the result of national security space integration."

"Our space systems, whether integrated with airborne and surface sensors or acting alone over areas of high risk or denied access, provide critical surveillance and reconnaissance information to national decision makers and combatant commanders, he said. "These space capabilities enable the tremendous success that our joint warfighters achieved during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and will continue to be a cornerstone for future success during conflict."

Teets had a long and productive career before assuming these positions with the Air Force.  He joined Martin Marietta in 1963 as an engineer, and worked his way into the several executive positions, including President of Martin Marietta Space Group. After the merger with Lockheed, he became president and chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin.

"Mr. Teets has built a lasting space strategy that truly enables the success of our joint warfighting team," General Jumper said. "The Air Force will remember him as an innovative leader and friend. He will always be an Airman."

FMI: www.af.mil