Dr. Nils Sandell was sworn in as the 24th Chair of the Department of the Air Force's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), March 11.
Dr. Sandell's appointment was the culmination of a 13-month effort to restart SAB operations after a Department of Defense review directed by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin last year.
Austin directed a zero-based review of all DOD advisory committees. The review focused the Department's advisory committee efforts to align with the most pressing strategic priorities and the National Defense Strategy.
The review, which included the immediate suspension of all advisory committee operations until the review was complete, included the Air Force's SAB.
As part of the review, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall recommended the board's name change from the United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board to the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, a change that recognizes the board's support to both of the Department's services – the Air Force and the Space Force.
The SAB was first established in 1944 by Gen. "Hap" Arnold to assist the Air Force in gaining a "clear vision into the future" of technology-enabled capabilities. The board has provided a steady flow of independent scientific and technical advice to the Department's leadership for over 75 years.
To learn more about the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, please visit here.
