William D. Bailey, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. His duties include providing expert advice and guidance on Air Force acquisition programs and procurements. Mr. Bailey is responsible for the development and execution of policies and procedures in support of the operation and improvement of the Air Force acquisition system. He oversees an Air Force research and development, test, production and modernization program portfolio of over $60 billion annually.
Mr. Bailey also serves as the Director and Program Executive Officer of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. As the Director of the RCO, he directs selected study, development and fielding activities tasked directly by Department of Defense senior leaders. Additionally, he oversees development and deployment of significant upgrades to the National Capital Region's Integrated Air Defense System, the B–21 Raider–America's next generation long range strike bomber–and development and launch of the X–37B Orbital Test Vehicle. Other responsibilities include technical integration of Department of Defense classified activities and the representation of these activities to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Congress and the White House.
Mr. Bailey graduated from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, in 1988 and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force the same year. He began his career as an avionics engineer and later chief engineer in the Medium Launch Vehicles System Program Office at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. Following graduation from U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Mr. Bailey served in a variety of test assignments including Flight Commander, Chief Engineer, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander and finally Chief of the Test Division at Arnold Engineering Development Center. He also directed the development of new technologies for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office as well as for the Air Force Research Laboratory. Mr. Bailey holds a senior non–rated Officer Aircrew badge.
Mr. Bailey retired from active duty in 2015 with more than 26 years of military experience as an acquisition professional. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2015 and previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Integration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
EDUCATION
1988 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.
1988 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1988 Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2001 Master of Science, Aviation Systems, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2003 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1989–1991, Avionics Engineer, Medium Launch Vehicles Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
2. 1991–1994, Atlas II Integration Manager, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
3. 1995–1995, Student, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
4. 1996–1998, Flight Test Engineer, Flight Commander, Edwards AFB, Calif.
5. 1998–2001, Chief Engineer, Flight Test Squadron Edwards AFB, Calif.
6. 2001–2002, Operations Officer, Flight Test Squadron Edwards AFB, Calif.
7. 2002–2003, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. 2003–2006, System Program Director, Division Chief, Sensor Development, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.
9. 2006–2008, Commander, Flight Test Squadron Edwards AFB, Calif.
10. 2008–2009, Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
11. 2009–2010, Chief, Sensor Applications and Demonstrations Division, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
12. 2010–2011, Chief, Test Division, Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold AFB, Tenn.
13. 2011–2015, Senior Materiel Leader, Advanced Combat Systems, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
14. 2015–2016, System Program Director, Long Range Strike–Bomber, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.
15. 2016–2020, Deputy Director, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling, Washington, D.C.
16. 2020–2023, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Acquisition Integration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
17. 2023–2025, Director and Program Executive Officer, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling, Washington, D.C.
18. 2025–present, Performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Presidential Rank Award
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
(Current as of July 2025)