William Bailey

Deputy Director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office

U.S. Air Force

William D. Bailey, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. Alongside the Director, he directs selected study, development and fielding activities tasked directly by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Assistant Secretary for the Air Force for Acquisition. The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office has been responsible for development and deployment of significant upgrades to the Integrated Air Defense System now operational around the National Capital Region and the launch and experimental
operations of the X-37 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 was the lead for all government program office efforts with industry to develop the new B-21 bomber and is responsible for program/Air Staff interactions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff and Congress.

Mr. Bailey graduated from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., 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, Calif. Following graduation from USAF 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, serving as the Senior Materiel Leader, Advanced Combat Systems, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, prior to his current position.

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