University of Arkansas Alumnus Named 16th Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Air Force

Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 16th Judge Advocate General of the United States Air Force. He is a University of Arkansas alumnus, class of 1975 and graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1979.

He is the nephew of Arthur Harding, president of the University of Arkansas from 1941 to 1947.

President Barack Obama nominated then-Brig. Gen. Harding on Dec. 15, 2009, and the same day submitted the nomination to the Senate for confirmation. On Feb. 2, the Senate Armed Services Committee endorsed the nomination and forwarded it to the full Senate. That evening, the Senate voted to confirm his nomination. A formal promotion and investiture ceremony will be held at Bolling Air Force base on Feb. 23.

As Judge Advocate General of the Air Force, Harding serves as the legal adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force and all officers and agencies of the Department of the Air Force. He directs all judge advocates in the performance of their duties and is responsible for the professional oversight of more than 2,200 judge advocates, 350 civilian attorneys, 1,400 enlisted paralegals and 500 civilians in the Total Force Judge Advocate General's Corps worldwide. He oversees military justice, operational and international law, and civil law functions at every level of command.