JANUARY 28, 2026 – Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 24 to kick off his tour of the Pacific Air Force’s area of responsibility and meet with Airmen and Guardians throughout the region.
Lohmeier’s visit was an in-depth immersion to how the Department of the Air Force enhances regional stability by working in concert across all warfighting domains. The visit is focused on seeing department priorities of modernization, readiness and people in action across the Pacific. Additionally, it highlights the United States’ ongoing commitment to its allies and partners.
“I am thrilled to engage with our personnel here in the Indo-Pacific,” Lohmeier said. “These discussions inform how to better resource and equip our warfighters to accomplish their critical mission alongside our allies and partners. The motivation, sacrifice, and service I see here are a tangible example of our commitment to maintaining a strong deterrent presence in the Indo-Pacific.”
Gen. Kevin Schneider, PACAF commander, said Airmen in the region are forging peace through strength in the Indo-Pacific by providing a credible deterrent force that makes it clear to any adversary that aggression will fail.
“Our strength is rooted in the professionalism and readiness of our Airmen alongside the power of the joint force and integration with allies and partners,” he said. “Our team is finding ways where we continuously improve our positions, our capabilities, and our ability to adapt ahead of what a potential adversary is doing. We are achieving that by staying focused on modernization and readiness and having a deep commitment to our greatest asset — our warfighters. They are at the center of everything we do.”
While in Hawaii, the under secretary’s visit will include meetings with leadership from Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Space Forces – Indo-Pacific, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command where he will receive a strategic overview of joint operations in the region. He will meet with the Airmen and Guardians executing the mission while highlighting the unique and impactful aspects of the command, its installations and the surrounding communities. He is also scheduled to stop in the South Korea and Japan during his time in the region.
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs