Longtime AFMC Leader Richardson Steps Down After 42-Year Tenure: 'I'm Passionate About This Work'
In a significant transition for the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry has assumed the duties of commander following the retirement of Gen. Duke Z. Richardson on July 3, 2025. Hurry, who was the deputy commander of AFMC, will serve as the acting commander until a permanent commander is nominated and confirmed.
Gen. Richardson, who served as the head of AFMC, retired after a 42-year career in the Air Force. During his tenure, he oversaw numerous milestones, including the first flight of the B-21 stealth bomber and the acquisition of the first T-7A trainer jets.
One of Gen. Richardson's key focus areas was a shift towards faster digital design and development for Air Force programs. He emphasised the importance of this shift, stating, "The Air Force gears don't turn without AFMC. It's no mistake that there's a gear in our patch."
Gen. Richardson began his Air Force career in 1983 as an avionics technician. Over the years, he worked on various materiel-related assignments, including space electronics, F-15 fighter software, presidential airlift, and fixed wing special operations aircraft.
His dedication to hard work, humility, and technical excellence was evident throughout his career. In 2022, he was promoted to the four-star rank, a testament to his contributions to the Air Force.
However, Gen. Richardson expressed a personal sense of loss about not being part of the AFMC team. He valued his time with the command, stating, "The Air Force gears don't turn without AFMC. It's no mistake that there's a gear in our patch."
As the Air Force Materiel Command faces potential reductions in its civilian workforce by 5 to 8 percent, according to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the role of the new commander will be crucial. With about 80% of AFMC's workforce being civilians, the command relies heavily on its civilian employees for its operations.
The successor of Gen. Duke Z. Richardson as the commander of Air Force Materiel Command has not yet been nominated. The selection process is ongoing, and the Air Force will announce the new commander in due course.
[1] Air Force Times. (2025, July 3). Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry to serve as acting commander of Air Force Materiel Command. Retrieved from https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2025/07/03/lt-gen-linda-hurry-to-serve-as-acting-commander-of-air-force-materiel-command/
[2] Air Force Magazine. (2025, July 3). Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry to serve as acting commander of Air Force Materiel Command. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/news/2025/07/03/lt-gen-linda-hurry-to-serve-as-acting-commander-of-air-force-materiel-command/
- As the Air Force Materiel Command prepares for potential workforce reductions, the leadership role of Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, the acting commander, becomes increasingly critical due to the command's heavy reliance on its civilian employees for operations.
- Given the ongoing shift towards faster digital design and development in Air Force programs, it is expected that the new permanent commander of Air Force Materiel Command will focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance military capabilities in space and aircraft sectors.
- With the Space Force emerging as a significant aspect of national defense, the new commander of Air Force Materiel Command may need to collaborate with space-focused organizations to ensure the development of innovative weapons and defense systems.
- In the business realm, the new commander might pursue various strategic partnerships to finance important projects and navigate through the competitive landscape of defense careers.
- As the successor of Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, the incoming commander of Air Force Materiel Command is expected to uphold Richardson's values of hard work, humility, and technical excellence, ensuring the continued success of Air Force programs.
