Pentagon announces senior U.S. Space Force leadership changes

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Friday announced a slate of senior leadership shifts within the U.S. Space Force, including new appointments to key command and planning posts.

Lt. Gen. David Miller will serve as deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs and requirements, succeeding Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton. Miller previously commanded Space Operations Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess has been named deputy chief of space operations for operations, taking over from retired Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt. Schiess most recently led U.S. Space Forces–Space and served as Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The service also announced two promotions. 

Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon has been nominated for a third star and will lead U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command, the successor to Space Operations Command, at Peterson Space Force Base. The redesignated command reflects an increased focus on combat readiness and warfighting. Gagnon was previously deputy chief of space operations for intelligence.

Maj. Gen. Steven Whitney has also been nominated for promotion to lieutenant general. He will move to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as director of force structure, resources and assessment, known as J-8, a role that shapes force structure and resource priorities across the U.S. armed forces. Whitney previously served as director of staff at Space Force headquarters.