Secretary James arrives at Columbus AFB

14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

12/17/2014 - COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Honorable Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the Air Force, arrived Dec. 17 for a two-day visit at Columbus Air Force Base.

During her visit she will tour several squadrons and organizations to meet with Airmen and learn their unique capabilities, key initiatives, attributes and missions.

James is the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force and is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families. She also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of more than $110 billion.

For nearly a decade, James held a variety of positions with SAIC to include Senior Vice President and Director of Homeland Security. From 2000 to 2001, she was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Business Executives for National Security, and from 1998 to 2000 she was Vice President of International Operations and Marketing at United Technologies.

James earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative area studies from Duke University and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.

"The men and women of the 14th Flying Training Wing are honored to have Secretary James visiting Columbus AFB and we are excited about showing off our mission and our world-class Airmen," said Col. John Nichols, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander.

"During this two day visit, Secretary James will witness firsthand how Team BLAZE executes its mission of Producing Pilots, Advancing Airmen, and Feeding the Fight."