President-elect Donald Trump announced on a Thursday that he has selected Troy Meink, who is currently the second-in-command at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), to serve as the Secretary of the Air Force.
Troy Meink’s career in the Air Force began in 1988 as a KC-135 tanker navigator. He advanced through various roles in the Air Force’s space enterprise, including serving as a chief technical advisor to the Air Force Research Laboratory and later as the Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for space.
Since 2020, Meink has held the position of Principal Director of the NRO, where he oversees daily operations of the spy agency. His contributions have been vital in discussions on collaborating with the Space Force for ground target tracking capabilities from space. He is also involved in the NRO’s initiatives to utilize space-based commercial imagery services and to launch a proliferated satellite constellation.
If confirmed, Meink will lead both the Air Force and the Space Force. His background in space-system acquisition and development is expected to direct more funding toward Space Force priorities, especially as the service aims to double or triple its budget in the coming years to accommodate an expanding mission set.
Meink’s nomination arrives at a crucial time for the Air Force, which is facing important decisions regarding the funding of its current and future fighter aircraft programs, along with its nuclear modernization efforts. Last year, former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall paused the Next-Generation Air Dominance Program, aimed at replacing the F-22 stealth fighter, due to concerns about its costs and requirements. This pause was intended to allow Air Force leadership to reassess the program, leaving the ultimate decision to his successor.
Additionally, Meink is expected to confront challenges surrounding the role of unmanned aircraft within the Air Force. Trump advisor Elon Musk has advocated for a greater emphasis on drones instead of pursuing a crewed fighter to replace the F-35. In a recent address, Kendall expressed skepticism about the Air Force’s readiness to embrace such a cultural shift, emphasizing the deep-rooted value placed on the role of pilots within the service.
Courtney Albon reports for C4ISRNET, focusing on space and emerging technologies. She has been covering the U.S. military since 2012, with particular attention to the Air Force and Space Force, including significant acquisition, budget, and policy challenges faced by the Defense Department.