HAFMD1-50 — Chief Scientist Department Of Air Force

HAFMD1-50 governs the mission, organizational relationships, and responsibilities of the Department of the Air Force Chief Scientist.

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  • Publication number: HAFMD1-50
  • Title: CHIEF SCIENTIST DEPARTMENT OF AIR FORCE
  • Date: 2025-02-12

View HAFMD1-50 on armypubs.army.mil


It establishes the Chief Scientist’s role in providing independent perspectives, evaluations, and advice on scientific and technical issues. It also defines relationships with Department of the Air Force offices and assigns duties involving strategy, research, leadership, STEM initiatives, and science and technology awards.

Topics covered

  • Chief Scientist mission
  • Scientific and technical advice
  • Department of the Air Force organizational relationships
  • Science and technology strategy
  • Tactical Autonomy University Affiliated Research Center
  • STEM initiatives
  • Science and Technology award programs

Questions and answers

What is the Chief Scientist responsible for?

The Chief Scientist has overall responsibility to provide an independent perspective on scientific and technical issues affecting the Department’s mission. (paragraph 1)

What authority does the Secretary of the Air Force retain?

The SecAF retains ultimate responsibility for all policies related to the Department of the Air Force (DAF): however, within his/her areas of responsibility, the SAF/ST reviews policies and recommends official guidance/procedures via official DAF level publications to ensure implementation and execution of those policies and programs to ensure implementation of those policies. (paragraph 1)

How does SAF/ST work with major commands and field commands?

SAF/ST works collectively with the major commands (MAJCOMs) and field commands (FLDCOMs) through each MAJCOM/FLDCOM chief scientist, USSF Chief Science Officer, and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) chief scientist to provide objective advice on emerging S&T strategy as informed by the SecAF’s strategy. (paragraph 2)

How often does SAF/ST convene DAF S&T leadership meetings?

SAF/ST convenes and chairs semi-annual meetings of DAF S&T leadership to discuss DAF Force-wide technical issues and affect cross flow between technical areas and the operational Air Force and Space Force. (paragraph 3)

What does SAF/ST do with Science and Technology award submissions?

The SAF/ST evaluates the quality, novelty and merit of DAF level science and technology award submissions and recommends award recipients to the SecAF. (paragraph 3)

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