Adeputy chief of space operations is a senior leadership position in theUnited States Space Force. There are five deputy chiefs of space operations in the Space Force, staffed either by alieutenant general or asenior executive service personnel. They are the service's equivalent to theArmy's andAir Force's deputy chiefs of staff, theMarine Corps' deputy commandants, and theNavy's deputy chiefs of naval operations. They are part of theOffice of the Chief of Space Operations and hold office atthe 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.[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 adoptedC-suite titles in designing their senior leadership positions.[4]
Thedeputy chief of space operations for human capital[a] (S1 orSF/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]
| No. | Deputy Chief of Space Operations | Term | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
| 1 |  | Mulcahy, PatriciaPatricia Mulcahy (bornc. 1958) | August 2020 | 3 June 2022 | ~1 year, 292 days | [11] |
| 2 | _(cropped).jpg) | Kelley, KatharineKatharine Kelley (bornc. 1977) | ~13 July 2022 | Incumbent | ~3 years, 219 days | [12] |
Thedeputy chief of space operations for intelligence (S2) is the seniorintelligence 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 theUnited States Intelligence Community and is the chief of the Service Cryptologic Component with delegated authorities from theDirector of the National Security Agency.[13] 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.[14]
| No. | Deputy Chief of Space Operations | Term | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
| 1 |  | Lauderback, Leah G.Major General Leah Lauderback (born 1971) | ~August 2020 | July 2022 | ~1 year, 334 days | [20] |
| 2 | _(cropped).jpg) | Gagnon, Gregory J.Major General Gregory Gagnon (born 1972) | July 2022 | 24 July 2025 | ~3 years, 9 days | [21] |
| 3 |  | Sidari, Briari, D.Brigadier General Brian Sidari (born 1973) | 24 July 2025 | Incumbent | 208 days | - |
Thedeputy chief of space operations for operations (S3/4/7/10 orSF/COO)[5] is thechief operations officer of the Space Force.[6] The COO has overall responsibility for the Space Force's operations, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear operations.[22] 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.
| No. | Deputy Chief of Space Operations | Term | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
| 1 |  | Saltzman, B. ChanceLieutenant General B. Chance Saltzman (born 1969) | 7 August 2020 | 2 November 2022 | 2 years, 87 days | [29] |
| - | _(8x10).jpg) | Endicott, Troy L.Brigadier General Troy Endicott (born 1971) Acting | 2 November 2022 | 1 December 2022 | 29 days | [30] |
| 2 | .jpg) | Burt, DeAnnaLieutenant General DeAnna Burt (born 1969) | 1 December 2022 | 14 August 2025 | 2 years, 256 days | [31] |
| - | .jpg) | Warakomski, ShayBrigadier General Shay Warakomski (born 1975) Acting | 14 August 2025 | September 2025 | ~32 days | - |
| - |  | Hague, NickBrigadier General Nick Hague (born 1975) Acting | September 2025 | 4 November 2025 | ~50 days | - |
| 3 | _(cropped).jpg) | Schiess, DouglasLieutenant General Douglas Schiess (born 1970) | 4 November 2025 | Incumbent | 105 days | [32] |
Thedeputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements (S5/8 orSF/CSRO) is thechief strategy and resourcing officer of the Space Force.[6] The CSRO has overall responsibility for the Space Force's strategies, requirements, and budget.[33]
| No. | Deputy Chief of Space Operations | Term | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
| 1 | .jpg) | Liquori, William J. Jr.Lieutenant General William Liquori (bornc. 1969) | 7 August 2020 | 1 August 2022 | 1 year, 359 days | [43] |
| 2 |  | Garrant, Philip A.Lieutenant General Philip Garrant (bornc. 1969) | 2 August 2022 | 22 December 2023 | 1 year, 142 days | [44] |
| 3 | .jpg) | Bratton, ShawnLieutenant General Shawn Bratton (born 1968) | 22 December 2023 | 1 August 2025 | 1 year, 222 days | [45] |
| - |  | Powers, Jessica P.Jessica P. Powers (bornc. 1974) Acting | 1 August 2025 | 3 November 2025 | 94 days | [46] |
| 3 |  | Miller, David N. Jr.Lieutenant General David N. Miller (bornc. 1971) | 3 November 2025 | Incumbent | 106 days | [47] |
Thedeputy chief of space operations for cyber and data (S6)[4][5] is thechief technology and innovation officer of the Space Force.[6][48] Originally thedeputy 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.[14]
| No. | Deputy Chief of Space Operations | Term | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
| – |  | Crider, Kimberly A.Major General Kimberly Crider (bornc. 1964) Acting | August 2020 | May 2021 | ~273 days | [53] |
| – |  | Olson, John M.Brigadier General John M. Olson (bornc. 1970) Acting | May 2021 | September 2021 | ~123 days | [54] |
| 1 | .jpg) | Costa, Lisa A.Lisa A. Costa (bornc. 1964) | September 2021 | June 2024 | ~2 years, 274 days | [55] |
| – | .jpg) | Iven, Nathan L.Colonel Nathan L. Iven (bornc. 1974) Acting | June 2024 | July 2025 | ~1 year, 30 days | [56] |
| 2 | .jpg) | Charleen D. Laughlin | July 2025 | Incumbent | ~217 days | |
| No. | Assistant Chief of Space Operations | Term | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
| 1 |  | Godfrey, PaulAir Marshal Paul Godfrey | 10 June 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 252 days | [57][58] |
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