Chaudhary is no stranger to the Air Force. He is a former Air Force officer who served for 21 years in various capacities, including as a C-17 pilot, a White House Fellow at NASA, and a director at the Federal Aviation Administration. He also holds a PhD in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgetown University.
As the Assistant Secretary of Air Force for Energy, Installations, and the Environment, Chaudhary will be responsible for overseeing the Air Force's energy strategy, environmental policy, real estate management, base construction and maintenance, and security forces. He will also play a key role in advancing the Air Force's innovation agenda and modernization efforts.
Chaudhary's confirmation is a testament to his leadership skills and expertise in aviation and aerospace. It is also a reflection of the growing diversity and representation of Indian Americans in public service. Chaudhary joins other prominent Indian Americans who have been appointed to senior positions in President Joe Biden's administration, such as Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, Chief Data Scientist DJ Patil, and USAID Administrator Samantha Power.
Chaudhary has expressed his gratitude for his confirmation and his commitment to serving the nation. In a tweet after his confirmation vote, he wrote: "I am deeply honored by today's Senate confirmation as Assistant Secretary of @usairforce for Energy/Installations/Environment. I look forward to working with @SecAFOfficial & @GenCQBrownJr & our incredible Airmen & Guardians to ensure we have resilient bases & energy sources."
Chaudhary's appointment is not only a proud moment for him and his family but also for the entire Indian American community. He is an inspiration for many young people who aspire to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and serve their country with honor and excellence.