How Trump’s air force picks signal blast-off in the US-China military space race

Troy Meink, the man nominated to head the airborne service, and his likely deputy believe space should be a priority

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Published: 6:00am, 12 Feb 2025

Competition in space between the US and China could be about to intensify, with US President Donald Trump’s picks to lead the United States Air Force notable for their strong backgrounds in the field, according to analysts.

Trump has nominated space and air force veteran Troy Meink for the post of secretary, with Matthew Lohmeier, former commander of the space force – which is overseen by the airborne service – expected to serve as deputy.

Experts say the appointments will add to the already-tense US-China military competition in space. Both men have said space should be prioritised, a position also held by Frank Kendall, who was air force secretary in the Joe Biden administration.

The analysts said Trump, who created the space force during his first term, would continue to view space as vital to US national security and superiority, especially as China’s emerging status as a space power challenges traditional American dominance there.

Pending Senate confirmation of his appointment, Meink will be expected to carry out Trump’s executive order for a comprehensive air and missile defence strategy that has been likened to Israel’s Iron Dome.

During the previous administration, Meink was principal deputy director for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the agency established in 1960 to develop and operate space-based intelligence reconnaissance support for the CIA and US military.

The NRO is reported to have signed a US$1.8 billion contract in 2021 with Trump ally Elon Musk’s SpaceX for its Starshield business unit to build a network of hundreds of spy satellites aimed at thwarting any attack.