Air Force’s Matthew Lohmeier Wins 2026 Wash100 Award for Advancing Modernization, Readiness Across Air, Space Domains
Executive Mosaic is excited to announce that Matthew Lohmeier, under secretary of the Air Force, has been named a 2026 Wash100 Award winner for advancing the Department of the Air Force’s modernization, strengthening readiness across the Air Force and Space Force, and supporting resilient air and space warfighting capabilities.
Cast your vote for Matthew Lohmeier in the 2026 Wash100 popular vote competition at Wash100.com.
Why Is Matthew Lohmeier Winning a 2026 Wash100 Award?
Lohmeier, a first-time Wash100 winner, is stepping into one of DAF’s top civilian leadership posts at a pivotal moment for military modernization, strategic deterrence and force readiness.
“Under Secretary Lohmeier’s first Wash100 Award is a well-deserved accolade. His 20 years of prior Air Force service, including an impressive amount of recorded time as a pilot, give him rare insight into the advanced technologies airmen want for success in combat,” Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award, stated.
His career focus on service culture and his advocacy for USAF resources and modernization has helped develop trust with rank and file airmen and guardians. Under Secretary Lohmeier’s experience successfully running resource-intensive efforts like space-based missile warning makes him a great fit for USAF leadership and a Wash100 Award,” Garrettson added.
Confirmed by the Senate in July 2025 as the 29th under secretary of the Air Force, Lohmeier now works alongside Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, also a 2026 Wash100 awardee, to help oversee more than $200 billion in assets and support the organization, training and equipping of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
His leadership role carries broad responsibility across budget, policy, strategy, acquisitions, investments and personnel management for a force of nearly 700,000 active-duty, Guard, reserve, and civilian airmen and guardians. That portfolio places Lohmeier at the center of efforts to ensure the department has the people, platforms and infrastructure needed to respond to an increasingly complex threat environment.
“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,” Meink said after Lohmeier’s confirmation.
The Air Force secretary added that he was impressed by Lohmeier’s focus on service culture, resources and modernization, calling him “a great asset” to the total force and military families.
Strengthening Readiness and Warrior Ethos
Lohmeier has emphasized that airmen and guardians must have the tools, training and support required to operate effectively in a fast-changing security environment.
“Our Airmen and Guardians sacrifice a great deal to serve the American people,” Lohmeier said following his confirmation. “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.”
His stated priorities align with broader Department of War efforts focused on restoring warfighting emphasis, strengthening service culture and improving force readiness across both air and space domains.
Advancing Nuclear Modernization and Next-Generation Capabilities
During his confirmation process, Lohmeier identified nuclear modernization as a leading priority for the DAF, noting that the Air Force sustains two legs of the nuclear triad and a significant share of the nation’s command-and-control enterprise.
Lohmeier said ensuring the credibility of U.S. nuclear deterrence is a top priority and stressed the need to balance long-term modernization with near-term readiness.
Building Resilient Space Architecture
Lohmeier’s background in both the Air Force and Space Force informs his focus on integrating air and space power. In his response to Senate Armed Services policy questions, he pointed to the importance of modernizing conventional capabilities for high-end conflict, including the Next-Generation Air Dominance program and resilient space architectures designed to deny adversaries a first-mover advantage.
He emphasized the need for resilient space-based infrastructure capable of operating in contested environments and the importance of working with the commercial sector where possible to strengthen those architectures.
His experience leading a space-based missile warning squadron and overseeing a multibillion-dollar missile warning architecture gives him direct familiarity with the operational demands of the space domain and the importance of assured space capabilities to national defense.
Addressing the China Challenge
Lohmeier has described China as the most significant military threat facing U.S. forces and said DAF must maintain modernization timelines that keep pace with Beijing’s advances.
“While the United States was focused on countering violent extremists in the Middle East, China took advantage of the last two decades by modernizing its forces and learning from the successes and failures of the U.S. military,” he told legislators during the confirmation process. “Ensuring that our modernization timelines are ahead of theirs is crucial.”
Help recognize Lohmeier’s role in advancing national security priorities. Vote for the Air Force leader on Wash100.com today.
Who Is Matthew Lohmeier?
Lohmeier is the 29th under secretary of the Air Force and the department’s second-highest-ranking civilian official.
Before assuming the role, he served as executive vice president of the education-based nonprofit STARRS and worked as a public speaker and consultant focused on military leadership, culture and national defense issues.
Lohmeier is a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2006 and began his military career as a fighter pilot, logging more than 1,200 flight hours in the T-38 Talon supersonic jet and F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft. He later served as an instructor pilot and completed an assignment at Kadena Air Base in Japan, where he supported operations in the Indo-Pacific theater.
After transitioning into space operations, Lohmeier served in missile warning and training roles, including command of the 11th Space Warning Squadron, which was responsible for global missile warning and tracking.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in Mandarin Chinese from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in military operational art and science from Air University, and another master’s degree in philosophy in military strategy from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.
What Does Matthew Lohmeier’s Success Mean for GovCon?
Lohmeier’s elevation to under secretary of the Air Force signals continued emphasis on modernization, readiness and resilient air and space capabilities across DAF.
For government contractors, that focus could translate into sustained demand for nuclear modernization support, next-generation aircraft programs, space architecture development, training infrastructure and technologies that improve readiness across both services. His attention to resilient space systems and advanced conventional capabilities also points to continued opportunities for companies supporting missile warning, command and control, deterrence and high-end warfighting requirements.
Lohmeier’s role overseeing budget, acquisitions, investments and strategy means he will help shape the priorities that influence how industry supports the Air Force and Space Force in the years ahead. His leadership is likely to reinforce DAF’s push to align readiness and modernization with the demands of strategic competition.
Congratulations to Lohmeier on his 2026 Wash100 Award!
Show your support for Lohmeier by casting your vote in the 2026 Wash100 popular vote competition at Wash100.com.