Biden picks Saltzman to lead space operations

President Biden has nominated Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman to succeed Gen. John Raymond as chief of space operations, according to a list of nominees submitted to the Senate yesterday.

A former Minuteman III launch officer and satellite operator at the National Reconnaissance Office, Saltzman currently serves as deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber and nuclear for the Space Force.

Saltzman’s appointment is prompted by Raymond’s planned retirement in the fall. As the first space operations chief who was selected to lead the organization in December 2019, Raymond has overseen the task of standing up a new service whose rapid expansion has often drawn congressional scrutiny.

If confirmed, Saltzman will take the reins of the new service as its consolidation of space responsibilities continues. In October, the Space Development Agency is slated to fully transition into the Space Force.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will take up Saltzman’s confirmation at a future date.