David D. Thompson

David D. Thompson

Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force
MSAAE 1989

"Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly."

Micah 6:8, paraphrased

For his distinguished service in the United States Air Force illustrating decades of command leadership working across the Department of Defense integrating space policy, guidance, coordination and synchronization of space-related activities, and issue resolution to defend our nation in space.

Now serving as the first Vice Chief of Space Operations for the new U.S. Space Force, General David "D.T." Thompson has consistently excelled in diverse roles during more than 37 years of military service.

Thompson works across the Department of Defense on all aspects of the Space Force's responsibility to organize, train and equip space forces and provide space capabilities to U.S. and allied forces. He leads critical activities in the establishment and growth of the first new branch of service in 72 years including: designing and building a 21st century military service that is lean, agile and mission-focused; driving strategic innovation into this new organization to meet the national security challenges the nation faces in space and to leverage the investment and innovation resident in the burgeoning commercial space sector; and advocating for national policy and strategies that foster stability, responsible behavior and peaceful use of the space domain for all.

Thompson was commissioned in 1985 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Since then he has served in numerous assignments related to space operations, acquisition, research and development and academia.

His first of two master's degrees came from Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1989. He says the success in undergraduate studies came "relatively quickly and easily," but Purdue's master's program was much more challenging. "I had to work very hard to understand the material and demonstrate mastery at a satisfactory level," he says. "Recognizing that I had to grapple with such a complex subject and work diligently to understand it gave me a greater appreciation for the field and a deep sense of satisfaction in mastering it."

It also prepared him well become an Assistant Professor of Astronautics at the Air Force Academy and later as an Olmsted Scholar, graduate of the Senior Acquisition Course, and certified Defense Acquisition Program Manager. Thompson subsequently commanded operational space units at the squadron, group and wing levels, where a deep technical knowledge of the operational domain of space and techniques learned from his engineering education brought success.

General Thompson has been recognized often for his exemplary service. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Outstanding Unit Award, as well as receiving recognition for outstanding service from the National Defense Industrial Association and Air Force Association. In 2019, Purdue University's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics recognized Thompson with the Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award.

Looking back across a long and distinguished career, Thompson reflects on his education and offers this advice to today's engineering students at Purdue: "Do not be afraid to ask questions that risk showing your lack of knowledge or understanding. Failure to ask questions is the greatest barrier to learning and to developing in one's profession and as a leader. More often than not, there are many others in the room with similar questions."

Career Highlights

2020-present Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force
2019-2020 Vice Commander, U.S. Space Force
2015-2019 Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command
2014-2015 Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command
2012-2014 Deputy Director of Global Operations, U.S. Strategic Command
2011-2012 Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Air Force Space Command
2010-2011 Vice Commander, Air Force Warfare Center
2009-2010 Director of Space Forces, Air Forces Central, Southwest Asia
2007-2009 Commander, Aerospace Data Facility - Colorado
2005-2007 Commander, 45th Operations Group and Director, Eastern Range, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
2002-2004 Operations Officer and Commander, 2nd Space Launch Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base
1998-2002 Spacelift Vehicle Requirements Officer, Headquarters Air Force Space Command
1995-1997 Program Manager, Advanced MILSATCOM Programs, Space and Missile Systems Center
1989-1992 Assistant Professor, Department of Astronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy
1985-1988 Experimental Rocket Propulsion Engineer, Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory

Education

1985 BS Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy
1989 MS Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University
2005 MS National Security Industrial Policy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces