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Trump Selects NRO's Meink as Upcoming Secretary of Air Force

Donald Trump, President-elect, selects Troy Meink, formerly of the National Reconnaissance Office, for the post of Secretary of the Air Force.

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Trump selects Troy Meink, current National Reconnaissance Office official, as his nominee for U.S....
Trump selects Troy Meink, current National Reconnaissance Office official, as his nominee for U.S. Secretary of the Air Force.

Trump Selects NRO's Meink as Upcoming Secretary of Air Force

Fresh Take:

Donald Trump's presidential tenure takes a new twist as his pick for the Air Force Secretary, Dr. Troy E. Meink, gears up for confirmation. With a rich background in both space programs and intelligence agencies, Meink is poised to bring a unique blend of experience to the table.

Meink, a seasoned veteran in the realm of space, boasts a robust career in the Air Force, NASA, and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). If confirmed, he'll mark the first Air Force Secretary to come from the NRO in decades, following in the footsteps of Hans Mark and John L. McLucas.

Since his initial stint as a KC-135 tanker navigator (1988-1993), Meink has carved out a name for himself in various space roles within the Air Force. With his appointment as the NRO's deputy undersecretary for space during the Obama administration, Meink demonstrated his commitment to overseeing space-related initiatives and acquisitions for the Air Force.

Meink's space credentials steadily grew within the NRO, where he has served for years, including his recent rise to the position of principal deputy director. Prior to this, he was the director of Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition (GEOINT), a role that commanded a hefty $15 billion budget responsible for acquiring satellite systems.

Meink's selection could prove advantageous for the Space Force, which faces its first budget cut in 2025 and needs additional resources and manpower to maintain its mission set. Given Trump's enthusiasm for the Space Force and Meink's extensive space knowledge, the duo could be a formidable driving force for the department.

Although Meink's confirmation process is underway, he'll face critical questions regarding key Air Force programs like the Next-Generation Air Dominance program, Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, and the over-budget and behind-schedule Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile.

Meink's appointment comes at a crucial time, filling the notable hole in Trump's planned national security team. With Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, set to become the 29th Secretary of Defense, and other senior positions filled, Meink's impending confirmation would complete the lineup.

Meink's extensive professional background, from his military service to his expertise in space technology and intelligence oversight, sets him up to lead the Department of the Air Force, encompassing the Space Force, with resilience and strategic thinking.

Contributions by News Editor Greg Hadley.

AirNational SecuritySpace

  1. Dr. Troy E. Meink's extensive background in the air force, NASA, and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) could bring a unique perspective to defense policy-and-legislation, particularly in the realm of space-and-astronomy.
  2. The Space Force, a branch of the defense sector, is expected to encounter budget cuts in 2025, making Meink's experience in overseeing space-related initiatives and acquisitions for the Air Force crucial for securing additional resources and manpower.
  3. The confirmation of Meink as the Air Force Secretary could potentially strengthen the relationship between the Pentagon and the Space Force, given Trump's enthusiasm for the Space Force.
  4. Questions regarding key Air Force programs like the Next-Generation Air Dominance program, Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, and the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile are expected during Meink's confirmation process.
  5. Meink's confirmation, along with recent appointments like Pete Hegseth as the 29th Secretary of Defense, would complete Trump's planned national security team, bringing a formidable lineup to tackle general-news issues, such as security and defense.
  6. Meink's extensive professional background, which includes a stint as a KC-135 tanker navigator, his role as the NRO's deputy undersecretary for space, and his time as the director of Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition, positions him well to lead the Department of the Air Force, including the Space Force, with resilience and strategic thinking.
  7. The politics surrounding Meink's appointment and confirmation process are of great interest in the space-and-astronomy community, as well as in policy-and-legislation and general-news circles, given his vast experience in the realm of air force, space, and intelligence.

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