Deputy Chief of Space Operations


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.
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. In a June 2020 draft proposal, the position was renamed deputy chiefs of staff. On July 29, 2020, the first two deputy chiefs of operations were nominated. The Space Force adopted C-suite titles in designing their senior leadership positions.

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital

The deputy chief of space operations for human capital is the chief human capital officer of the Space Force. 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.

Structure

Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Katharine Kelley
  • * Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Todd L. Remington
  • ** Director, Analysis and Systems :
  • ** Director, Civilian Policy and Management :
  • ** Director, Force Development : Steve Turner Jr.
  • ** Director, Senior Leader Management :
  • ** Director, Manpower :
  • ** Director, Military Policy and Management : Ruth Afiesimama
  • ** Director, Quality of Life & Resilience :
  • ** Director, Enterprise Talent Management : Rob Romer
  • * Senior Enlisted Advisor: CMSgt Abi Scott

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence

The deputy chief of space operations for intelligence 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. 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.

Structure

Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Maj Gen Brian Sidari
  • * Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Ed Mornston
  • ** Director, Analysis and Production :
  • ** Director, ISR Partnerships and Integration :
  • ** Director, Warfighter Support : Col Marc D. Daniels
  • ** Director, ISR Resources and Requirements : Col John V. Otte
  • ** Director, Space Force Cryptologic Office : Luis Gonzalez
  • ** Director, Space Force GEOINT Office :

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations

The deputy chief of space operations for operations is the chief operations officer of the Space Force. The COO has overall responsibility for the Space Force's operations, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear operations. 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

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
  • * Senior Cyber Officer:
  • ** Director, Force Assessment : Col Stephan Cummings
  • ** Director, Current Operations : Col Mia L. Walsh
  • ** Director, Future Operations : Col Evan J. Briggs
  • ** Director, Training : Col Joseph Tobin
  • ** Director, Joint and National Security Council Matters : Col Kelly Anderson
  • ** Director, Special Programs : Mr. Roberto Colon
  • ** Director, Mission Sustainment : Col Marcia Quigley
  • ** Director, Cyber and Spectrum Operations Integration : Col Joseph J. Wingo
  • ** Director, Force Generation : Col Nathan D. Boardman
  • ** Director, Deterrence Operations :

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements

The deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements is the chief strategy and resourcing officer of the Space Force. The CSRO has overall responsibility for the Space Force's strategies, requirements, and budget.

Structure

Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Lt Gen David N. Miller
  • * Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Jessica P. Powers
  • ** Director of Strategy, Futures, and Partnerships : Col Todd J. Benson
  • *** Chief, Futures and Intgeration : Col Carl Bottolfson
  • *** Chief, Global Partnerships : Col George B. Nuno
  • *** Chief, Strategy, Policy, and Plans : Col William Sanders
  • ** Director of Operational Capability Requirements : Col Peter Mastro
  • *** Chief, Information Warfare and Mobility :
  • *** Chief, Combat Power :
  • *** Chief, Requirements Integration :
  • ** Director of Plans and Programs : Vacant
  • *** Deputy Director & Chief, Planning and Analysis : Jason Sutherland
  • *** Chief, Resource Integration : Ramon Ayoade
  • *** Chief, Programming : Emil Garawan
  • * Mobilization Assistant: Brig Gen Damon S. Feltman, USAF
  • * Senior Enlisted Advisor:

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data

The deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data is the chief technology and innovation officer of the Space Force. 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.

Structure

Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Ms. Charleen Laughlin
  • * Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations: Col Nathan L. Iven
  • * Director, Science, Technology, and Research : Joel B. Mozer
  • * Director, Innovation and Digital Transformation : Col Stephen Landry
  • * Director, Digital Infrastructure, Data, and Data Analytics :
  • * Director, Analysis : Gerald Diaz