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Trump picks South Dakotan to lead Air Force
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Trump picks South Dakotan to lead Air Force

SDSU grad earned commission through ROTC, now in line for top position in United States Air Force

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Jonathan Ellis
Jan 20, 2025
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Trump picks South Dakotan to lead Air Force
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President Donald Trump's nominee for Air Force secretary, Troy Meink, has an extensive space background. (Defense News, Space Foundation)

A Lemmon, South Dakota native and graduate of South Dakota State University will be the next leader of the U.S. Air Force, pending confirmation.

Troy Meink has been nominated by President Donald Trump to be the next secretary of the Air Force. Meink is a 1988 graduate of SDSU’s engineering program. He earned his Air Force commission through SDSU’s ROTC program. He went on to fly as a navigator on KC-135 tankers, serving in the First Gulf War.

Meink graduated from SDSU with an engineering degree before setting out on his Air Force career. That career included an expertise in space and satellites and as an engineer for missile defense systems. He currently serves as the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office.

SCOUTING REPORT | Documenting a Sioux Falls chef, the dry Missouri, decline of sunflowers, going soft

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Jonathan Ellis
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Jan 19
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