A 2006 USAFA graduate, Lohmeier brings service experience spanning aviation, space operations, strategic planning and senior leadership. His appointment places him in a top civilian leadership role at a time when the Air Force and Space Force are evolving to meet modern defense challenges. Lohmeier assumes a critical role within the Department of the Air Force, working alongside Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink. As Undersecretary of the Air Force, Lohmeier is responsible for managing the day to day activity of the Department of the Air Force, which includes an annual budget of over $200 billion and providing oversight for nearly 700,000 military personnel, civilian employees and their families. His role includes policy development, budgetary planning, personnel management and support for modernization initiatives that span both the Air Force and Space Force. 

"Our airmen and guardians sacrifice a great deal to serve the American people,” Lohmeier said in a news release the day he was confirmed. “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.”

Secretary Meink said, “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. 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 began his military career as a fighter pilot, logging over 1,200 flight hours in the T-38 and F-15C, including missions that supported national defense objectives and international security commitments. His early career was marked by rapid advancement, including promotion to lieutenant colonel two years below the zone. In addition to his flying career, Lohmeier consistently earned academic and professional honors. He was named a distinguished graduate at several different U.S. Air Force professional military education programs, laying a foundation for his transition into strategic roles within the military.

In 2015, Lohmeier shifted from flight operations to space operations — a growing field within the Department of the Air Force. Assigned to Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado (now Buckley Space Force Base), he served as chief of training for the 460th Operations Support Squadron. There, he led the development and implementation of the Standardized Space Trainer, a simulation-based program designed to prepare space operators for real-world missile warning scenarios. The system enhanced mission readiness and contributed to the effective training of space professionals in a rapidly advancing operational environment.

Lohmeier became one of the first officers to transfer into the U.S. Space Force, taking command of the 11th Space Warning Squadron in October 2020. The squadron, headquartered at Buckley, is responsible for global missile warning and tracking — a mission critical to both homeland defense and international stability. Under his leadership, the squadron played a key role in supporting national security objectives and was later recognized as the Space Force’s top-performing unit in 2024. After concluding his active-duty service in September 2021, Lohmeier continued to contribute to defense and leadership discussions in civilian life. He became a public speaker on military leadership and culture and strategic development. 

Lohmeier’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from USAFA in social science with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. He later earned a master 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. He is the author of Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military, published in 2021.

Nominated for Undersecretary in February by President Donald Trump, Lohmeier, during his Senate confirmation process, outlined his priorities, including advancing the Air Force’s nuclear modernization programs, supporting the development of next-generation fighter aircraft, and overseeing the creation of resilient space-based infrastructure capable of withstanding modern threats. He highlighted the integration of air and space capabilities as a key pillar of U.S. defense strategy.

In addition to his military and civilian accomplishments, Lohmeier is known for his involvement in professional development and education initiatives. He has spoken at a variety of defense forums, universities and industry events, focusing on topics such as leadership in high-pressure environments, the future of space operations, and the role of strategic thinking in national security. He recently served as executive vice president of Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services (STARRS).

Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Lohmeier now resides in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife, Sara, and their children. 

More than 1,200 flight hours in T-38 and F-15C aircraft

• Named distinguished graduate at four U.S. Air Force educational institutions

• Developed the Standardized Space Trainer for space operations readiness

• Commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron, overseeing global missile warning

• Former executive vice president of STARRS

• Earned a Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy from SAASS