Trump nominates Troy Meink to oversee Air and Space Force expansion

President-elect Donald Trump announced on January 16 that he has nominated Troy Meink, the current second-in-command at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), to serve as the next Secretary of the Air Force.

Meink’s career began in 1988 as a KC-135 tanker navigator, and over the years, he has taken on several key roles within the Air Force's space operations, Caliber.Az reports referring to Western media sources.

He has served as the chief technical advisor to the Air Force Research Laboratory and the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space. 

In his current role as principal director of the NRO, which he has held since 2020, Meink oversees the agency's operations. His work has included significant discussions on collaborating with the Space Force to enhance space-based capabilities, such as ground target tracking, and leveraging commercial satellite imagery for military use.

If confirmed, Meink will be tasked with leading both the Air Force and the Space Force. His extensive background in space-system acquisition and development positions him to advocate for increased funding for the Space Force, especially as the service seeks to significantly boost its budget to meet its expanding mission needs in the coming years.

His nomination comes at a pivotal time for the Air Force, as it faces key decisions regarding the future of its fighter aircraft portfolio and nuclear modernization programs. Last year, outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall paused the Next-Generation Air Dominance Program, designed to replace the F-22 stealth fighter, due to concerns over its cost and requirements. The pause was meant to give Air Force leadership time to reassess the program and its future direction.

Meink may also have to navigate the ongoing debate over the role of unmanned aircraft within the Air Force’s strategy. Trump adviser Elon Musk has proposed shifting focus away from manned fighter jets like the F-35, advocating for a stronger emphasis on drones.

However, Kendall expressed reservations about this shift, emphasizing the Air Force’s deep-rooted cultural connection to piloted aircraft. 

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Kendall explained the emotional difficulty of letting go of this tradition, acknowledging that the role of the pilot is central to the Air Force’s legacy.

By Tamilla Hasanova