The US Senate confirmed Troy Meink as the next Secretary of the Air Force in a 74-25 vote, with several Democrats crossing party lines to support President Donald Trump’s nominee.
Meink, who previously served as the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), will now oversee the Air Force and the Space Force, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.
Meink brings a wealth of experience, particularly in acquisition and technology development, with a focus on space. He served as NRO’s director of signals intelligence systems acquisition and held key roles in the Air Force, including deputy undersecretary for space. His military career began in 1988 as a navigator on the KC-135 Stratotanker.
At a time of significant transformation for the Air Force, Meink is tasked with leading the modernization of its fleet. This includes managing the development of the sixth-generation fighter, the F-47, being built by Boeing, and overseeing the introduction of semiautonomous drone wingmen.
The Air Force is also working on the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber, which will replace the aging B-1 and B-2 bombers. Additionally, Meink will address the rising costs and challenges associated with the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, set to replace the Minuteman III.
Meink’s background in acquisition is expected to aid in the management of these high-profile programs. His space expertise is also seen as valuable for the expanding missions of the Space Force, which has pushed for increased funding.
During his nomination hearing in March, Meink stated, “Space is going to be one of the determining factors in a future conflict. We definitely need to get that right.”
However, his confirmation was not without controversy. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth raised concerns over Meink’s relationship with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. They questioned whether Meink had shown favoritism towards SpaceX during his time at NRO, calling it a “potential quid pro quo.” Meink denied any improper conduct, stating he had no relationship with Musk beyond his official duties.
Despite these concerns, Meink was confirmed and is poised to lead the Air Force through a critical period of modernization and transformation.
By Vafa Guliyeva
Source: caliber.az
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