Mr. Matthew Lohmeier was confirmed July 24 by the Senate as 29th Under Secretary of the Air Force, placing a former fighter pilot and Space Force Guardian in the Department's second highest-ranking civilian leadership post.
With a 52-46 vote, Lohmeier joins the Department of the Air Force with unique experience stemming both from previous active duty assignments with the Air Force and then the Space Force as well as from his career as a public speaker and author.
Articulating his bona fides for the position in his May Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Lohmeier said: "I have accumulated a deep background in strategy, policy, operations, and issues relating to human resources of our Airmen and Guardians. This includes the welfare of the servicemembers and their families."
A strategic perspective paired with management expertise is essential for fulfilling the Under Secretary role, in which capacity Lohmeier will be responsible for organizing, training and equipping the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. He'll also oversee more than $200 billion in assets under management for the Department and care for nearly 700,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and Guardians and their families.
"I'd like to welcome Matt to the team. His prior service makes him an excellent fit to help us strengthen the readiness and warrior ethos of the Air and Space Forces in order to defend our nation," said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. "I'm impressed by his dedication and focus on service culture and grateful for his advocacy for Department resources and modernization, and I know he will be a great asset to our Total Force Airmen, Guardians, and military families."
Lohmeier committed to working closely with leaders within both the Department of the Air Force and the Department of Defense to help bring to fruition Secretary Meink's vision and to synchronize the Department's efforts across each of their respective portfolios, with particular attention focused on budget, policy, strategy, and personnel.
"Our Airmen and Guardians sacrifice a great deal to serve the American people. They deserve all of the best tools, training and support they need to perform their missions in an increasingly complex and quickly evolving threat environment. I'm honored to work alongside Secretary Meink in service of these great men and women."
Lohmeier will join Secretary Meink, Air Force Chief of Staff Allvin, and Chief of Space Operations Saltzman in shaping, modernizing and positioning the Air Force and Space Force as needed to defend the nation and its interests.
Lohmeier enters the role of Under Secretary with nearly twenty years of experience in the Department. A native of Arizona, Lohmeier commissioned into the Air Force from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2006. He graduated with a degree in Social Science with a minor in Mandarin Chinese and later earned master's degrees in Military Operational Art and Science and a Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, one of the DoD's premier strategy schools.
As an Airman, Lohmeier logged 1,200 flight hours in the T-38 and F-15C. As a Guardian, Lohmeier commanded a space-based missile warning squadron.
