Biden nominates new deputy space chief

President Biden has tapped Space Force Maj. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt to serve as the new deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber and nuclear, according to a press release from the Defense Department, an appointment that would include promotion to lieutenant general.

The position was left vacant by the nomination of Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman on July 27 to serve as the next chief of space operations. Following a Sept. 13 confirmation hearing, the Senate voted to confirm Saltzman to the post by unanimous consent on Sept. 29.

Burt currently serves as vice commander of Space Operations Command and oversees the combined force space component command at U.S. Space Command, according to her service biography. Prior to her current role, she served as director of operations and communications at SPACECOM headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, CO.