Dr. Troy Meink Brings His Extensive Military History to a New Role

In a move that places a clear focus on the growth of space policy, the Senate has confirmed Dr. Troy Meink as the 27th Secretary of the Air Force. He brings decades of service in various military and civilian space intelligence roles to the new office.

Meink began his military service with the US Air Force in 1988 through South Dakota State University ROTC. He worked as a KC-135 tanker navigator until 1993, when he switched to designing and evaluating ballistic missile test vehicles. His career focus quickly transitioned to space, leading him to manage several next-generation space development programs and eventually be named Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for Space under Obama.

During Trump’s first term, Meink became Principal Deputy Director at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). This role put him in close contact with the Space Force and made him responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in satellite system acquisitions.

President Trump tapped Meink again to be the top civilian in the Air Force and Space Force in January. All was well with his nomination until rumors about his relationship with SpaceX’s Elon Musk began to swirl.

These concerns stemmed from Musk’s unexpected presence at Meink’s interview with President Trump. With Meink’s history of advocating for commercial space programs, the billions of dollars of government contracts that SpaceX holds make Musk a top contender for a conflict of interest.

Despite the unease, Meink received Senate confirmation to become the 27th Air Force Secretary on May 13 with a whopping 74 to 25 vote. He served his first full day on the job on May 14.

This decision puts responsibility over not only the Air Force, but also the Space Force on Meink’s plate. One of his first tasks will be to choose a location for the Space Command headquarters - a decision that has involved a long back-and-forth primarily between Alabama and Colorado lawmakers. He will also play a key role in Trump’s space-based missile defense project, dubbed ‘Golden Dome,’ as well as the recent sixth-generation fighter jet program.

FMI: www.af.mil