Deputy Chief of Space Operations

US Space Force senior officers From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A deputy chief of space operations is a senior leadership position in the United States Space Force. There are five deputy chiefs of space operations in the Space Force, staffed either by a lieutenant general or a senior executive service personnel. They are the service's equivalent to the Army's and Air Force's deputy chiefs of staff, the Marine Corps' deputy commandants, and the Navy's deputy chiefs of naval operations. They are part of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations and hold office at the Pentagon.

Space Staff identification badge

The proposed organizational structure of the Space Force's headquarters was first revealed in a February 2020 congressional report, with directors instead of deputy chiefs of space operations. Intending to be "lean and agile", the service consolidated the normal nine functional areas into three directorates.[1] In a June 2020 draft proposal, the position was renamed deputy chiefs of staff.[2] On July 29, 2020, the first two deputy chiefs of operations were nominated.[3] The Space Force adopted C-suite titles in designing their senior leadership positions.[4]

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital

The deputy chief of space operations for human capital[a] (S1 or SF/CHCO)[5] is the chief human capital officer of the Space Force.[6] The CHCO directs the Space Force's personnel management, which encompasses force structure analysis, personnel programs, civilian personnel, readiness, senior officer matters, quality force issues, equal opportunity, and family support.[7]

Structure

  • Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Katharine Kelley
    • Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Todd L. Remington[8]
      • Director, Analysis and Systems (SF/S1A):
      • Director, Civilian Policy and Management (SF/S1C):
      • Director, Force Development (SF/S1D): Steve Turner Jr.[9]
      • Director, Senior Leader Management (SF/S1L):
      • Director, Manpower (SF/S1M):
      • Director, Military Policy and Management (SF/S1P): Ruth Afiesimama
      • Director, Quality of Life & Resilience (SF/S1Q):
      • Director, Enterprise Talent Management (SF/ETM): Troy Lane
    • Senior Enlisted Advisor: CMSgt Caleb Lloyd

List of officeholders

More information No., Term ...
No. Deputy Chief of Space Operations Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
Patricia Mulcahy
Mulcahy, PatriciaPatricia Mulcahy
(born c. 1958)		August 20203 June 2022~1 year, 292 days[10]
2
Katharine Kelley
Kelley, KatharineKatharine Kelley
(born c. 1977)		~13 July 2022Incumbent~4 years, 21 days[11]
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Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence

The deputy chief of space operations for intelligence (S2) is the senior intelligence officer of the Space Force. The S2 has intelligence policy, oversight, and guidance of Space Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The S2 is responsible for the Space Force Intelligence Community Element to the United States Intelligence Community and is the chief of the Service Cryptologic Component with delegated authorities from the Director of the National Security Agency.[12] The position was originally the director of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance under the COO. It was moved out as a separate position on 12 April 2023.[13]

Structure

  • Deputy Chief of Space Operations: John J. Deeney IV[14]
    • Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Ed Mornston[15]
      • Director, Analysis and Production (S2A):
      • Director, ISR Partnerships and Integration (S2I):
      • Director, Warfighter Support (S2P): Col Marc D. Daniels[16]
      • Director, ISR Resources and Requirements (S2R): Col John V. Otte[17]
      • Director, Space Force Cryptologic Office (S2C): Luis Gonzalez [18][19]
      • Director, Space Force GEOINT Office (S2G):

List of officeholders

More information No., Term ...
No. Deputy Chief of Space Operations Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
Leah Lauderback
Lauderback, Leah G.Major General
Leah Lauderback
(born 1971)		~August 2020July 2022~1 year, 334 days[20]
2
Gregory Gagnon
Gagnon, Gregory J.Major General
Gregory Gagnon
(born 1972)		July 202224 July 2025~3 years, 9 days[21]
3
Brian Sidari
Sidari, Briari, D.Major General
Brian Sidari
(born 1973)		24 July 2025March 2026~234 days-
-
John J. Deeney IV
Deeney, John J. IVJohn J. Deeney IV
(born c. 1976)
Acting		March 2026Incumbent~141 days[22]
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Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations

Chief Operations Office emblem

The deputy chief of space operations for operations (S3/4/7/10 or SF/COO)[5] is the chief operations officer of the Space Force.[6] The COO has overall responsibility for the Space Force's operations, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear operations.[23] The position used to be deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear until 2025 when the cyber function was transferred to the deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data.

Structure

Chief Operations Office organizational chart
  • Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Lt Gen Douglas Schiess
    • Senior Enlisted Advisor: CMSgt Amber A. Abramowski
    • Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Brig Gen Nick Hague
    • Associate Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Kathryn Kolbe
    • Director of Staff: Karl D. Hebert[24]
    • Senior Cyber Officer:
      • Director, Force Assessment (COO/S3A): Col Stephan Cummings[25]
      • Director, Current Operations (COO/S33): Col Mia L. Walsh[26]
      • Director, Future Operations (COO/S35): Col Evan J. Briggs[27]
      • Director, Training (S3T): Col Joseph Tobin
      • Director, Joint and National Security Council Matters (S3J): Col Jeremy Nutz
      • Director, Special Programs (S3Z): Mr. Roberto Colon
      • Director, Mission Sustainment (S4O): Col Marcia Quigley
      • Director, Force Generation (S7O): Col Timothy C. Sheehan
      • Director, Deterrence Operations (S3N):

List of officeholders

More information No., Term ...
No. Deputy Chief of Space Operations Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
B. Chance Saltzman
Saltzman, B. ChanceLieutenant General
B. Chance Saltzman
(born 1969)		7 August 20202 November 20222 years, 87 days[28]
-
Troy Endicott
Endicott, Troy L.Brigadier General
Troy Endicott
(born 1971)
Acting		2 November 20221 December 202229 days[29]
2
DeAnna Burt
Burt, DeAnnaLieutenant General
DeAnna Burt
(born 1969)		1 December 202214 August 20252 years, 256 days[30]
-
Shay Warakomski
Warakomski, ShayBrigadier General
Shay Warakomski
(born 1975)
Acting		14 August 2025September 2025~32 days-
-
Nick Hague
Hague, NickBrigadier General
Nick Hague
(born 1975)
Acting		September 20254 November 2025~50 days-
3
Douglas Schiess
Schiess, DouglasLieutenant General
Douglas Schiess
(born 1970)		4 November 2025Incumbent272 days[31]
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Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements

The deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements (S5/8 or SF/CSRO) is the chief strategy and resourcing officer of the Space Force.[6] The CSRO has overall responsibility for the Space Force's strategies, requirements, and budget.[32]

Structure

  • Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Lt Gen David N. Miller
    • Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Jessica P. Powers[33]
      • Director of Strategy, Futures, and Partnerships (S5S): Col Todd J. Benson[34]
        • Chief, Futures and Intgeration (S5SB): Col Carl Bottolfson[35]
        • Chief, Global Partnerships (S5SP): Col George B. Nuno[36]
        • Chief, Strategy, Policy, and Plans (S5SS): Col William Sanders[37]
      • Director of Operational Capability Requirements (S5R): Col Peter Mastro[38]
        • Chief, Information Warfare and Mobility (S5RI):
        • Chief, Combat Power (S5RP):
        • Chief, Requirements Integration (S5RR):
      • Director of Plans and Programs (S8): Vacant
        • Deputy Director & Chief, Planning and Analysis (S8PX): Jason Sutherland[39]
        • Chief, Resource Integration (S8PN): Ramon Ayoade[40]
        • Chief, Programming (S8PS): Emil Garawan[41]
    • Mobilization Assistant: Brig Gen Damon S. Feltman, USAF
    • Senior Enlisted Advisor:

List of officeholders

More information No., Term ...
No. Deputy Chief of Space Operations Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
William Liquori
Liquori, William J. Jr.Lieutenant General
William Liquori
(born c. 1969)		7 August 20201 August 20221 year, 359 days[42]
2
Philip Garrant
Garrant, Philip A.Lieutenant General
Philip Garrant
(born c. 1969)		2 August 202222 December 20231 year, 142 days[43]
3
Shawn Bratton
Bratton, ShawnLieutenant General
Shawn Bratton
(born 1968)		22 December 20231 August 20251 year, 222 days[44]
-
Jessica P. Powers
Powers, Jessica P.Jessica P. Powers
(born c. 1974)
Acting		1 August 20253 November 202594 days[33]
3
David N. Miller
Miller, David N. Jr.Lieutenant General
David N. Miller
(born c. 1971)		3 November 2025Incumbent273 days[45]
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Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data

The deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data (S6)[4][5] is the chief technology and innovation officer of the Space Force.[6][46] Originally the deputy chief of space operations for technology and innovation, the position was redesignated as deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data on 19 November 2024.[13]

Structure

  • Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Ms. Charleen Laughlin
    • Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Col Nathan L. Iven[47]
    • Director, Science, Technology, and Research (STR): Joel B. Mozer[48]
    • Director, Innovation and Digital Transformation (IDT): Col Stephen Landry[49]
    • Director, Digital Infrastructure, Data, and Data Analytics (IDA):
    • Director, Analysis (S9): Gerald Diaz[50]

List of officeholders

More information No., Term ...
No. Deputy Chief of Space Operations Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
–
Kimberly Crider
Crider, Kimberly A.Major General
Kimberly Crider
(born c. 1964)
Acting		August 2020May 2021~273 days[51]
–
John M. Olson
Olson, John M.Brigadier General
John M. Olson
(born c. 1970)
Acting		May 2021September 2021~123 days[52]
1
Lisa A. Costa
Costa, Lisa A.Lisa A. Costa
(born c. 1964)		September 2021June 2024~2 years, 274 days[53]
–
Nathan L. Iven
Iven, Nathan L.Colonel
Nathan L. Iven
(born c. 1974)
Acting		June 2024July 2025~1 year, 30 days[54]
2
Charleen D. Laughlin
Charleen D. LaughlinJuly 2025Incumbent~1 year, 19 days
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Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships

More information No., Assistant Chief of Space Operations ...
No. Assistant Chief of Space
Operations		 Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
Paul Godfrey
Godfrey, PaulAir Marshal
Paul Godfrey		10 June 2024Incumbent2 years, 54 days[55][56]
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See also

References

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