The General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force (SAF/GC) is established within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) by Title 10 United States Code Sections (U.S.C. §§) 9014 and 9019. SAF/GC, subject to the direction and control of SECAF, serves as the chief legal officer and Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) of the Department of the Air Force. SAF/GC also serves as the civil administrator of Wake Island and performs such other duties as assigned to assist the SECAF in carrying out his/her responsibilities under 10 U.S.C. § 9013. SAF/GC assists the SECAF, the Assistant Secretaries, the Chief of Staff (CSAF), Chief of Space Operations, Secretariat, Air Staff offices, and Space Staff offices in carrying out their responsibilities to provide legal services for the Department of the Air Force. Within his/her areas of responsibility, SAF/GC prepares policies for approval and issues official guidance/procedures, via official Air Force publications, to ensure implementation of these policies.
The Office of the General Counsel includes an executive services section and five legal practice divisions. The five legal practice divisions are: Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; Installations, Energy and Environment; Fiscal, Ethics, and Administrative Law; Intelligence, International, and Military Affairs; and Contractor Responsibility and Conflict Resolution. A Deputy General Counsel, a career Senior Executive Service civilian attorney, heads each division. In addition, the Principal Deputy General Counsel, also a career Senior Executive Service civilian attorney, assists the General Counsel in the execution of the Office’s duties and responsibilities.