The Senate confirmed Troy Meink as the 27th secretary of the Air Force on May 13th in a 74-25 vote. This completes President Donald Trump’s appointments of civilian military branch leaders for his second term. Meink, formerly the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), assumes the role at a pivotal moment for the Air Force and Space Force, both navigating extensive modernization programs amidst evolving global threats.
“Space is critical,” Meink stated during his March 27th confirmation hearing. “This is actually one of the areas that we’re most challenged, I believe, from the rapidly evolving threat from China and others, both the direct threat to our systems as well as the threat those systems pose to our operations across the department in general.” His NRO experience included responsibility for the development and procurement of U.S. intelligence satellites.
As Air Force secretary, Meink will oversee a budget of roughly $218 billion, encompassing air dominance, nuclear deterrence, and space operations. He is anticipated to advocate for increased Space Force resources and contribute to shaping its expanding mission as it approaches its sixth year.
While his confirmation received significant bipartisan support, Meink’s nomination faced some opposition. Concerns were raised by certain lawmakers regarding alleged favoritism towards SpaceX and his ties to Elon Musk. However, the substantial vote margin underscores widespread acknowledgment of Meink’s qualifications and background in military space operations.
Meink confronts several critical decisions, including the politically sensitive matter of the permanent location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. This decision has faced repeated delays and reviews across different administrations. His confirmation finalizes President Trump’s cabinet of service secretaries for his second term, providing the administration with a complete roster of civilian military leadership.