The US Senate recently confirmed Matthew Lohmeier to be Undersecretary of the Air Force.
Lohmeier, a 2006 graduate of the US Air Force Academy and who served in both the US Air Force and the US Space Force, was nominated to the post by President Donald Trump.
He will now work along with Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, and will be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Air Force Department, including organising, training and equipping of nearly 700,000 military and civilian personnel, and overseeing more than $200 billion in assets.
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As the Air Force's chief management officer, he will also oversee the department's budget and will be responsible for directing strategy and policy development, risk management, acquisitions, investments and the management of human resources.
Qualifications, controversy
Lohmeier has two master's degrees—a master’s in military operational art and science, and a Master of Philosophy in military strategy from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.
After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2006, he spent time as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot—flying over 1,200 hours—and then moved to an assignment at Kadena Air Base, Japan, where he flew the F-15C aircraft.
Following his time in the F-15C, Lohmeier transferred to Air Force Space Command.
Lohmeier authored the book 'Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military. The book landed him in trouble. He was relieved of his command and subjected to an Inspector General investigation launched from the Pentagon for publishing and speaking about his book.
During the promotion of his book, he claimed that the diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military were rooted in Marxism. He made these remarks during a podcast.
The Space Force cited a loss of confidence in his ability to lead based on those public comments as the reason for his removal from command of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado.
Unique perspective on China
Lohmeier speaks Mandarin. As part of his time at the Air Force Academy, he participated in an exchange programme with the People's Liberation Army Air Force Academy in China.
During a Senate nomination hearing in May prior to his appointment, Lohmeier told lawmakers he has a unique perspective on the China threat, which was formed through his own experiences during his time at the Air Force Academy, and then later as a commissioned officer.
"I lived in the dorms with ... cadets, attended their classes — even aeronautical engineering — did (physical training) with those cadets in the snow, (and) ate in their chow hall," Lohmeier told senators in May.
"...I understand the need for ready Air and Space Forces, well-trained and equipped to meet the China challenge, to deter any aggression and, if needed, to defeat that aggression," he had said.