The United States Department of the Air Force was formed in 1949 and is a component agency of the United States Department of Defense. It was formed by the transfer and reorganization of the Army Air Force (formerly the Army Air Corps). It is headed by a civilian Secretary of the Air Force who is responsible for the administrative and technical support of the United States Air Force. The highest ranking military officer is the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, who sits on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reports directly to the Secretary of the Air Force.