Air Force Veteran Tapped to be Next Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict – Guy D. McCardle
In a significant move within the Department of Defense, President Donald Trump has nominated Air Force veteran Michael Jensen to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC). This position, pivotal for the oversight and strategic direction of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF), awaits confirmation by the Senate.
A Distinguished Military Career
Jensen had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, serving for over 20 years with a focus on special operations. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, he quickly rose through the ranks, taking on key leadership positions within the special operations community. He commanded the 26th Special Tactics Squadron and later served as deputy commander of the 724th Special Tactics Group, both vital components of the Air Force Special Operations Command. His expertise in military strategy led him to the Pentagon, where he worked as a strategy lead in the Air Force’s Checkmate office, advising the defense secretary and playing a key role in restructuring the Air Force’s approach to warfare.
Throughout his career, Jensen’s leadership extended across four continents, making him a highly experienced special tactics officer. His work at Checkmate, a military strategy group, allowed him to contribute significantly to national defense policies and operational planning. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 2021.
Jensen’s extensive background in special operations and strategic planning has made him a valuable asset in both military and civilian roles. His leadership, operational experience and ability to adapt to evolving defense needs have culminated in his recent nomination for a high-level Pentagon position, where he is expected to continue shaping the future of U.S. Special Operations Forces.
Transition to the Private Sector
After retiring from the Air Force, Jensen transitioned to the private sector by joining SkyRunner, LLC, an aircraft manufacturer based in Shreveport, Louisiana. On June 30, 2021, he was appointed as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), where he took on key responsibilities in expanding SkyRunner’s role in global defense aviation.
His work focused on overseeing strategic partnerships, optimizing the warfighting configuration of SkyRunner’s special light-sport aircraft platform, and driving an aggressive global growth strategy. His goal was to help nations that needed airborne surveillance and mobility but lacked the budget or infrastructure for expensive rotary-wing aircraft.
Jensen’s move to SkyRunner was especially fitting, considering he had identified the company’s aircraft in his 2012 Naval Postgraduate School thesis as the type of vehicle that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) needed. He recognized its “unique capability” as a complement to existing aerial platforms. Since joining the company, Jensen has been a keynote speaker at multiple conferences, featured in the Special Operations Aerial Mobility Vehicle Training Syllabus, and has led large, multifunctional organizations. He has also played a key role in securing valuable partnerships with senior-level stakeholders and aviation professionals.
By bringing his extensive military experience in special operations to the private sector, Jensen has helped drive innovation and growth in the aviation industry. His leadership at SkyRunner continues to shape the future of airborne mobility for defense and security applications worldwide.
In a significant move within the Department of Defense, President Donald Trump has nominated Air Force veteran Michael Jensen to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC). This position, pivotal for the oversight and strategic direction of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF), awaits confirmation by the Senate.
A Distinguished Military Career
Jensen had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, serving for over 20 years with a focus on special operations. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, he quickly rose through the ranks, taking on key leadership positions within the special operations community. He commanded the 26th Special Tactics Squadron and later served as deputy commander of the 724th Special Tactics Group, both vital components of the Air Force Special Operations Command. His expertise in military strategy led him to the Pentagon, where he worked as a strategy lead in the Air Force’s Checkmate office, advising the defense secretary and playing a key role in restructuring the Air Force’s approach to warfare.
Throughout his career, Jensen’s leadership extended across four continents, making him a highly experienced special tactics officer. His work at Checkmate, a military strategy group, allowed him to contribute significantly to national defense policies and operational planning. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 2021.
Jensen’s extensive background in special operations and strategic planning has made him a valuable asset in both military and civilian roles. His leadership, operational experience and ability to adapt to evolving defense needs have culminated in his recent nomination for a high-level Pentagon position, where he is expected to continue shaping the future of U.S. Special Operations Forces.
Transition to the Private Sector
After retiring from the Air Force, Jensen transitioned to the private sector by joining SkyRunner, LLC, an aircraft manufacturer based in Shreveport, Louisiana. On June 30, 2021, he was appointed as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), where he took on key responsibilities in expanding SkyRunner’s role in global defense aviation.
His work focused on overseeing strategic partnerships, optimizing the warfighting configuration of SkyRunner’s special light-sport aircraft platform, and driving an aggressive global growth strategy. His goal was to help nations that needed airborne surveillance and mobility but lacked the budget or infrastructure for expensive rotary-wing aircraft.
Jensen’s move to SkyRunner was especially fitting, considering he had identified the company’s aircraft in his 2012 Naval Postgraduate School thesis as the type of vehicle that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) needed. He recognized its “unique capability” as a complement to existing aerial platforms. Since joining the company, Jensen has been a keynote speaker at multiple conferences, featured in the Special Operations Aerial Mobility Vehicle Training Syllabus, and has led large, multifunctional organizations. He has also played a key role in securing valuable partnerships with senior-level stakeholders and aviation professionals.
By bringing his extensive military experience in special operations to the private sector, Jensen has helped drive innovation and growth in the aviation industry. His leadership at SkyRunner continues to shape the future of airborne mobility for defense and security applications worldwide.
The Role of ASD SO/LIC
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) is a key position within the Department of Defense, serving as the top civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to special operations and low-intensity conflicts. This role is responsible for overseeing policy and resources for special operations activities, ensuring that they align with national security strategies. The ASD SO/LIC is the highest-ranking official in this field within the Pentagon, aside from the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense.
The position oversees a wide range of missions, including counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, civil affairs, psychological operations, and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, the ASD SO/LIC provides policy oversight for strategic capabilities, military force transformation, and development efforts for general-purpose forces, space and information warfare, nuclear and conventional strike capabilities, and missile defense. The role also supervises the Department of Defense’s counter-narcotics program, working to combat drug trafficking and related global threats.
Supporting the ASD SO/LIC are three Deputy Assistant Secretaries of Defense, each specializing in different areas: Special Operations and Combating Terrorism, Partnership Strategy and Stability Operations, and Counternarcotics and Global Threats. With such a broad scope of responsibilities, the ASD SO/LIC plays a vital role in ensuring that U.S. special operations forces are well-resourced, strategically aligned, and ready to handle evolving security challenges worldwide.
Strategic Challenges Ahead
As Michael Jensen steps into the role of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC), he will face several key challenges that will test his leadership and strategic expertise. One of his top priorities will be adapting U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) to the evolving landscape of great power competition, particularly against adversaries like China and Russia. This will require integrating new technologies and operational concepts, such as the “SOF-Space-Cyber triad,” to enable more effective missions while minimizing the risk of escalation.
A major part of his role will involve overseeing the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and drones into SOF operations. He will also need to navigate international agreements related to AI and data capabilities, ensuring that U.S. forces stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven battlefield. Additionally, Jensen must prepare SOF for operating in environments characterized by heightened surveillance and information warfare, where hyper-transparent battlefields make discretion and adaptability more critical than ever.
Beyond military operations, Jensen will serve as a key representative for the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in interagency discussions with other U.S. government agencies and foreign governments. He will also be responsible for ensuring that SOF receives the necessary resources to maintain its effectiveness while aligning capabilities with national security strategies. A significant part of his role will involve building military partnerships and assisting allied nations in strengthening their own special operations capabilities in support of U.S. global objectives.
Additionally, Jensen will oversee the professional development of the Department of Defense’s Security Cooperation Workforce, ensuring they meet defense enterprise standards. He will also work closely with the U.S. defense industrial base to secure the timely delivery of essential equipment and technology to American forces and allied nations. With these challenges ahead, Jensen will need to draw on his extensive military background and strategic planning experience to successfully transition from the private sector back into a high-stakes government role.
Continuity and Leadership
The role of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) has undergone several leadership changes in recent years. Christopher Maier held the position during the Biden administration from August 12, 2021, until January 20, 2025. Following his departure, Colby Jenkins took over in an acting capacity. Then, on February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Jensen to assume the role.
In recent years, Congress has strengthened the ASD SO/LIC role, making it more like a service secretary position to ensure SOF has proper oversight and support. This continuity in leadership is essential as the SOF community faces new challenges, including great power competition with adversaries like China and Russia, integrating advanced technologies such as AI, autonomy, and drones, and adapting to “hyper-transparent battlefields” where surveillance and information warfare play a growing role.
The transition from Maier to Jenkins and now possibly to Jensen highlights the ongoing importance of this position in shaping the future of U.S. special operations and low-intensity conflict strategies within the Department of Defense.
Looking Forward
As the nomination process unfolds, the special operations community and defense stakeholders will closely monitor Jensen’s confirmation proceedings. His extensive experience and leadership within the SOF community position him as a strong candidate to navigate the complexities of modern warfare and uphold the strategic interests of the United States.
Wrapping up, Michael Jensen’s nomination reflects a commitment to seasoned leadership within the Department of Defense. His blend of military and private sector experience equips him to effectively oversee and advance the capabilities of U.S. Special Operations Forces in an era of evolving global threats.
