MAY 1, 2026 – Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess has been nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the Space Force’s next Chief of Space Operations.
If confirmed by the Senate, Schiess will become the service’s highest-ranking officer and the third Chief of Space Operations since the Space Force was established in December 2019.
“The Space Force has made tremendous progress in a short time, and our mission has never been more important,” Schiess said. “I’m humbled by the President’s nomination. If confirmed, I will focus on sharpening our lethality and accelerating the delivery of space capabilities to the warfighter, keeping the Space Force ahead against any adversary. My wife Debbie and I also look forward to serving all Guardians and their families if given the opportunity.”
Schiess would succeed Gen. Chance Saltzman, who has led the Space Force since November 2022 and is expected to retire later this year.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink expressed great confidence in Schiess’ nomination. He also praised Saltzman’s leadership and the significant progress made during his nearly four years as service chief.
“I am pleased to support the nomination of Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to be our next Chief of Space Operations,” said Meink. “He brings the operational experience, strategic mindset and leadership we need to continue that momentum and ensure space capabilities remain a decisive advantage for our nation. I’d also like to thank Gen. Saltzman for his leadership during his tenure as CSO. He has led the Space Force through a period of remarkable growth and transformation, positioning the service to win despite an increasingly contested domain.”
Saltzman also lauded Schiess’ nomination and called his time as Chief of Space Operations the honor of his career.
“Leading the Space Force has been the privilege of a lifetime for Jennifer and me,” Saltzman said. “Doug is the right leader at the right time. He understands the mission, he understands the stakes, and he will continue to push the Space Force to deliver the capabilities the Joint Force and the American people rely on.”
If confirmed, Schiess will assume the role as the Space Force cements itself as a critical element of the Joint Force. Recent operations around the globe, including in Iran and Venezuela, have underscored Guardians’ ability to deliver combat-ready, asymmetric advantages from space.
Since November 2025, Schiess has served as Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations. In this role, he is responsible for the development and implementation of policy for all Space Force global operations, sustainment, training and readiness. He also serves as the Operations Deputy to the Chief of Space Operations for all Joint Chiefs of Staff matters.
Schiess entered the Air Force in 1992 as a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of California, Los Angeles, and transferred into the Space Force in 2022. He has commanded at the squadron, group, wing, joint component and field command levels, and has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support and Inherent Resolve.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs