President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has appointed Troy Meink, the second in command of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), to the Secretary of the Air Force. Meink’s appointment marks a major milestone in space systems and military strategy.
Meink's Career History
Troy Meink joined the Air Force in 1988 as a KC-135 tanker navigator and has since served in a variety of leadership positions in space enterprise and technology. After working as a principal technical advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory, he became the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space. As of 2020, as the NRO’s principal director, he oversaw the spy agency’s day-to-day operations and played a key role in projects such as commercial space-based imaging services and the launch of satellite constellations.
The Future of Space Force and Meink's Role
Meink’s appointment is a significant milestone in shaping the future of the Air Force and Space Force. If confirmed, Meink will lead both the Air Force and Space Force, and his background, particularly in space systems acquisition and development, could double or triple the Space Force’s budget, which will be critical to meeting the service’s expanding mission set.
Air Force Challenges
Meink’s appointment comes as the Air Force faces major decisions about how to fund its current and future fighter jet portfolio and nuclear modernization programs. Last year, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall paused the Next-Generation Air Dominance Program, a proposed replacement for the F-22, citing concerns about its costs and requirements. The move was intended to give Air Force leadership time to reshape the program.
Drones and Cultural Change
Before Meink, the Air Force is expected to make decisions about the role of drones. Elon Musk has argued for greater use of drones instead of the F-35. However, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has stated that the Air Force is not yet ready to embrace such a cultural change. Kendall said the role of pilots is extremely important in Air Force culture and that such a change can be emotionally difficult.
Troy Meink’s appointment to the Air Force marks the beginning of a period in which he will drive significant developments, particularly in space and unmanned aerial vehicles. Meink will be a key leader in making critical decisions for the future of the Air Force, while shaping the integration of space-based systems and cultural shifts in military strategies.
