Gina Ortiz Jones, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, received Senate confirmation Thursday via unanimous vote to serve as undersecretary of USAF, nearly three months after President Biden nominated her for the branch’s second highest-ranking civilian position.
She replaces Anthony Reardon, who has held the undersecretary post on an acting basis since Feb. 2, the service said Friday.
The White House cited Jones’ career experience in helping drive the country’s economic and national security as the basis for her nomination.
USAF commissioned her through Boston University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program and worked under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the military.
Jones served as an intelligence officer during her deployment to Iraq with the 18th Air Support Operations Group, backing the close air support operations. She was also part of the Libya Crisis Intelligence Cell during her stint at the Defense Intelligence Agency.
At the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center, Jones worked as the senior adviser to the intelligence community for trade enforcement and director of investment in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
