Former Space Force commander who will serve alongside Hegseth as Undersecretary of the Air Force: President-elect Donald Trump

A former fighter pilot will serve as the next U.S. Undersecretary of the Air Force. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday evening.

Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, a former U.S. Space Force commander, appeared on Fox News in July to discuss military readiness after claiming he was fired for criticizing military readiness. “Marxist” DEI complex.

Lohmeier, a 2006 graduate of the United States Air Force Academywas in the military for more than a decade before joining the Space Force in 2020, where he specialized in missile warning systems.

Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier (United States Congress)

SPACE FORCE COMMANDER WHO SAYS HE LOST RETIREMENT FOR CRITICIZING THEI IN THE MILITARY REALIZES TO BE ‘BETRAYED’

Less than a year later he was fired, losing his pension, after appearing on The Steve Gruber Show to discuss his bestselling book, “Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military.”

Lohmeier was relieved of command and subjected to an inspector general investigation launched by the Pentagon, according to a biography on Congress.gov.

After leaving active duty in September 2021, he became a public speaker and advisor on “issues of Marxist ideology and tactics, CRT, military culture and the preservation of freedom,” according to the biography.

Matthew Lohmeier (Buckley Space Force base)

Trump praised Lohmeier in the nomination announcement, writing that Lohmeier “dedicated his life to serving our Great Nation.”

“Matthew will work with the BIG nominee for Secretary of Defense, Piet Hegsethto end the devastating ‘woke’ policies that have destroyed our military, and make our country strong again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Congratulations Matthew!”

Lohmeier responded to X and thanked Trump for the nomination.

“I am grateful for your trust and very much look forward to continuing my service to our great men and women in uniform,” he wrote. “To all men and women who desire to serve your country in uniform, join us now! We want the best, brightest and strongest of you at this critical moment in American history.”

Lohmeier has a master’s degree in military operational arts and sciences, and military strategy, according to his biography. He lives with his wife and children in Idaho.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The U.S. Space Force and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Hannah Grossman and Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi contributed to this story.