Pentagon Names New 3-Star Leadership for Space Force Ops and Air University
The White House has nominated three officers for key three-star leadership positions across the Air Force and Space Force. The slate features critical operational assignments for space warfighting and an uncommon recall from retirement to helm Air University.
The White House has submitted nominations for three major general officers to advance to three-star rank, reshaping top operational and educational billets within the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Space Force Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Povak has been tapped to become the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, succeeding Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess, who awaits Senate confirmation as the next Chief of Space Operations. Concurrently, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles S. Corcoran has been nominated to return to active service as commander and president of Air University, replacing Lt. Gen. Daniel H. Tulley. Additionally, Space Force Maj. Gen. Robert J. Hutt was nominated for his third star while continuing as senior military assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
Povak’s ascension to the Space Force’s top operations slot represents a strategic integration of intelligence systems and operational force development. Having previously served as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and deputy director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), Povak possesses deep expertise across both orbital intelligence platforms and force design architecture. His leadership will be pivotal as the Space Force standardizes readiness, policy implementation, and operational doctrine in contested space environments, ensuring direct alignment between intelligence acquisition and tactical space posture.
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