Senate confirms Saltzman as new space chief

By Michael Marrow / September 30, 2022 at 10:47 AM

The Senate voted by unanimous consent yesterday evening to confirm Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman as the next chief of space operations and promotion to general.

Saltzman will become the Space Force’s second space chief after outgoing incumbent Gen. John Raymond, who was tapped to lead the service when it was stood up in December 2019.

A former Minuteman III launch officer and satellite operator for the National Reconnaissance Office, Saltzman previously served as deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber and nuclear.

President Biden nominated Saltzman on July 27 and the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on his nomination Sept. 13. During that hearing, Saltzman indicated the United States may need offensive capabilities in space to deter adversaries.

The confirmation was first reported by Space News.

Saltzman was confirmed following a 72-25 Senate vote on a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown. The House is expected to pass the CR today.

Senators will return on Oct. 11 to begin debate on the fiscal year 2023 defense policy bill, with the first vote scheduled for Nov. 14, after the midterm elections.

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