Members of the House Armed Services Committee who previously served with President Trump’s choice to lead the Air Force praised her as a competent and qualified choice.
Heather Wilson graduated from the Air Force Academy and previously served in the House as a Republican from New Mexico. In addition to her service on the House Armed Services Committee, she also chaired the House Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence. She serves as president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Several members said her time on House Armed Services have convinced them that she is a good choice for the position. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called her an “excellent choice.”
“Having served with her on the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees and worked with her on many issues, I know her to be a serious and thoughtful leader who is well-equipped to meet the challenges we face in national security. I look forward to working with her in this new role,” he said in a statement.
Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., and a former Air Force A-10 pilot, said she commended the nomination of someone so “immensely qualified” to be the service’s top civilian. Though the two never served on the committee together, McSally said she has known Wilson for “years and have sought her guidance and advice many times in the past.
“She is a principled, servant-leader who has demonstrated her intellect, integrity and talent in the military, in Congress, and in the private sector,” McSally said.
Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., and chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, said Wilson’s nomination comes at a critical time when Air Force projection forces are critical to deter threats to the U.S.
“Having served with Heather in the House, I look forward to building upon that strong foundation in working with her as the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee begins its critical work in 2017, especially as we work to introduce the B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber and the KC-46 to the Force and as we re-capitalize our tactical airlift capability with the C-130J,” Wittman said.
Wilson will need to be confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
