Space Force nomination of Douglas Schiess wins AFA backing
Updated
Updated · afa.org · May 1
Space Force nomination of Douglas Schiess wins AFA backing
11 articles · Updated · afa.org · May 1
The White House has nominated Schiess, currently the service's deputy chief of operations, to become the third Chief of Space Operations, succeeding Gen. B. Chance Saltzman.
AFA chief executive Lt. Gen. Burt Field said Schiess is well placed to lead the Space Force through a new growth phase as threats increase.
Schiess previously led Space Forces-Space and the Combined Joint Space Force Component at Vandenberg, while Saltzman's tenure expanded the service's budget, personnel and warfighting focus.
How will the Space Force's warfighting posture affect the safety of the rapidly growing $1.8 trillion commercial space economy?
As America fields orbital warfare systems, how can it prevent an uncontrollable and costly arms race with China and Russia?
Schiess Takes Command of U.S. Space Force at Critical Juncture of Expansion and Rising Global Threats
Overview
In May 2026, President Trump nominated Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess to succeed Gen. Saltzman as Chief of Space Operations amid growing global space threats and critical Space Force operations in Iran and Venezuela. The Space Force faces unprecedented growth, with a $71 billion budget request fueling ambitious programs like the $3 billion Space Data Network. Schiess’s leadership priorities focus on sharpening lethality, accelerating capability delivery, and building resilient space architectures through strong integration with commercial partners and allies. Confirmed by the Senate, he must navigate complex challenges including managing rapid expansion, countering advanced threats from China, and deepening international collaboration to maintain U.S. space superiority.