General (Ret.) “DT” Thompson spent more than 38 years in the Air and Space Forces, completing assignments in operations, acquisition and academia, and commanding at the squadron, group and wing levels. Thompson served in senior positions at U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Space Command and Headquarters U.S. Space Force, culminating his career as the first Vice Chief of Space Operations for the Space Force. Post retirement he continues to serve in advisory, leadership and educational roles.

Full military biography at: https://www.spaceforce.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/2368490/david-d-thompson/

M.S., National Security Industrial Policy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 2005

M.S., Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, 1989

B.S., Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1985

Experimental Rocket Propulsion Engineer, Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Planned and executed a wide range of solid rocket motor tests.

Program Manager, Advanced MILSATCOM Program, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. Managed 200+ projects in a $100M technology development program for advanced military communications satellites.

Spacelift Requirements Officer, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo. Oversaw operational planning and implementation of new Delta IV and Atlas V space launch vehicles as part of the multi-billion dollar Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program.

Operations Officer and Commander, 2nd Space Launch Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Responsible for processing and launch operations for Titan II, Titan IV and Atlas IIAS space launch vehicles with a variety of national security and civil payloads.

Commander, 45th Operations Group and Director of the Eastern Launch and Test Range, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Led Eastern Range Operations in support of Air Force, NASA, National Reconnaissance Office and commercial space launches – range systems and operations focused on public safety, airspace and maritime clearance, vehicle telemetry support and launch day weather.

Commander, Aerospace Data Facility – Colorado, Buckley AFB, Colo. Commanded joint National Reconnaissance Office, National Security Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency ground station with $300M annual operating budget providing sensitive, timely intelligence to national leadership, military leadership, Allies and fielded forces.

Director of Space Forces, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Southwest Asia. Ensured national security space systems provided the data and other support required of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Special Forces and Allies conducting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Included missile warning, intelligence, communications, GPS, weather, and other support.

Vice Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nev. Second in command of Air Force organization for operational and tactics development of all Air Force Weapons Systems, as well as tactics, techniques, procedures and command and control of integrated air and space operations.

Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. Oversaw and enabled training and operations of all Air Force space and cyberspace units to ensure readiness and mission execution.

Deputy Director of Global Operations and Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb. Oversaw and managed, then led operational planning for all US Strategic Command forces and missions – nuclear deterrence, space, cyberspace, global strike and countering weapons of mass destruction

Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. Oversaw organization, training and equipping, and led 600 member staff providing policy, regulations and resource support for $15B Air Force space enterprise, as well as governance for the broader U.S. Air Force.

Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force, Washington, D.C. Responsible for assisting the Chief of Space Operations in organizing, training and equipping $25B military space enterprise operating in the United States and overseas, integrating space policy and guidance, and coordinating national security space-related activities for the U.S. Space Force and Department of the Air Force

HH Arnold Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Aerospace Activity, Air and Space Forces Association (2024)

Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Purdue University (2022)

Peter B. Teets Government Award, National Defense Industrial Association (2018)

General O’Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award, Air Force Association (2012)

National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal (2009)

U.S. Air Force Outstanding Space Operations Crew (2006)

Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Class of 2005

Olmsted Scholar, Class of 1993, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria. (1993)

U.S. Air Force Squadron Officers School, July 1990

Teaching Award – Outstanding New Instructor of the Year, Department of Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy (1989-1990)

U.S. Air Command and Staff College, Class of 1998

U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1985, #36/906 (equivalent to summa cum laude) Distinguished Graduate (1985)

Professional Certifications

Level 3, Program Management, DoD Acquisition Professional Development Program

Level 2, System Planning, Research, Development and Engineering, DoD