Academy hails new dean with assumption of command ceremony

(U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

Story by Ray Bowden, Oct. 18, 2019

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The Air Force Academy heralded in its new dean in an official assumption of command ceremony, Oct. 17.

Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, previously a permanent professor and head of the school’s law department, replaces Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost, who stepped down in September to retire.

“As I’ve reviewed her career, you will notice a recurring theme: dedication to the mission, successful execution and excellence,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy’s superintendent, during the afternoon ceremony.

Letendre now leads the Dean of the Faculty’s 750-member staff and the academic instruction of more than 500 undergraduate courses designed for 4,000 cadets in 32 academic disciplines. She also directs five support-staff agencies and more than $350 million in resources.

“We believe a world-class curriculum and faculty must reside in the facilities of a world-class institution,” Letendre said during the ceremony. “We must provide superb academic support and services across our student body and ensure our cadets have the resources necessary to spark creative thought and develop essential skills to solve future warfare problems.”

Letendre graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1996 to serve as an acquisition officer and later, a judge advocate.

“Over the years, I have come to better appreciate what is expected of us,” she said. “Our nation has asked and demanded that this institution develop innovative leaders of character who are prepared to fight and win our nation’s future conflicts. Providing an excellent education is the bedrock of this expectation.”