BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS MISSION
DIRECTIVE 1-28
1 FEBRUARY 2021
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Headquarters Air Force Publications and forms are available on the
e-Publishing website at http://www.e-publishing.af.mil
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: SAF/PA
Supersedes: HAFMD1-28, 10 December 2015
Certified by: SAF/PA
(Brig Gen Patrick S. Ryder)
Pages: 8
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This publication has been revised to account for the establishment of the United States Space
Force and clarification of responsibilities of the Director of Public Affairs, the SAF/PA, with
regard to the service and its senior leaders.
1. Mission. The Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF), pursuant to 10 USC § 9013-9016, may
establish offices and officials within the Secretariat to assist the Secretary in carrying out their
responsibilities. As documented by paragraph 4.2.7. of AFMD 1, Headquarters Air Force and
this Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAF MD), the Director of Public Affairs
(SAF/PA) is established as part of the Secretariat. The SAF/PA has overall responsibility for
public affairs activities for the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The SecAF retains ultimate
responsibility for all policies related to the DAF. Within their areas of responsibility, the SAF/PA
prepares policies for approval and issues official guidance and procedures via official DAF
publications to ensure implementation of those policies.
2. Organizational Relationships. The SecAF is responsible for, and has all legal authority
necessary, to conduct the affairs of the DAF. The Secretariat, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
(CSAF), the Chief of Space Operations (CSO), Air Staff and Space Staff offices perform their
DAF functions subject to the authority, direction and control of the SecAF.
2.1. The SAF/PA reports to the SecAF, serves as an agent of the Secretary within assigned
policy and program domains, and provides guidance, direction, and oversight for all matters
pertaining to the formulation, review, and execution of plans, policies, programs, and budgets
