# David D. Thompson

David Dean Thompson (born February 18, 1963) is a retired United States Space Force general who served as the first vice chief of space operations from 2020 to 2023. He served as the vice commander of the Air Force Space Command from 2018 to 2020.
Born and raised in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, Thompson entered the United States Air Force in 1985 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He studied at Purdue University and at Johannes Kepler University Linz as an Olmsted Scholar. A career space operations officer, he has commanded the 2nd Space Launch Squadron, 45th Operations Group, and Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado. He has served assignments in operations, acquisition, research and development, and academia.
In 2018, Thompson was assigned to Washington, D.C. to serve as the liaison of Air Force Space Command to the Pentagon and Congress during the creation of the Space Force. In October 2020, he transferred to the Space Force and assumed as the first vice chief of space operations. He was promoted to general, becoming the second general in the Space Force. He retired from the Space Force in 2023.
After retiring from the Space Force, Thompson joined the advisory board of HawkEye 360.

## Early life and education

Born and raised in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, David Dean Thompson was born on February 18, 1963. He graduated in Ambridge Area High School in 1981.
Thompson received a B.S. in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1985. In 1989, he received an M.S. in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He is an Olmsted Scholar, studying at the Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria. In 2005, he graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces with an M.S. in national security industrial policy. He is also a graduate of the Senior Acquisition Course, a Level III-Certified Program Manager, and have attended the Defense Systems Management College, Air War College, and National Defense University as part of his professional military education.

## Military career

Thompson received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) on May 29, 1985.
From 1985 to 1988, Thompson was assigned at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base, California, as an experimental rocket propulsion engineer and chief of motor/component operations section. After that, he studied for a year at Purdue University. After receiving his graduate from Purdue, he went back to USAFA, now as an instructor of astronautics, assistant professor, and executive officer, for three years from 1989 to 1992. He continued his studies from 1992 to 1995 at the Presidio of Monterey, California and Johannes Kepler University Linz.
In 1995, Thompson returned to the United States, assigned at Space and Missile Systems Center as manager of the Advanced MILSATCOM Program for the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office until 1997. From 1998 to 2002, he was assigned to Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He first served as a spacelift requirements officer and chief of the Spacelift Vehicle Requirements Branch of the major command's headquarters. After that, he served as served as deputy director of General Ralph Eberhart's commander's action group. From 2002 to 2004, he was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, as operations officer and commander of the 2nd Space Launch Squadron.
In June 2005, Thompson took command of the 45th Operations Group (45 OG) at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. After two years, he relinquished command of 45 OG and took command of Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado (ADF-C), at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. He was commander of ADF-C from 2007 to 2009, after which he deployed to Southwest Asia as director of space forces at the United States Air Forces Central Command for a year.
After his deployment, Thompson was promoted to brigadier general and served as vice commander of the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He then went back to AFSPC from 2011 to 2012 as director of air, space, and cyberspace operations. From 2012 to 2015, he was assigned at the United States Strategic Command at Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska, first as the deputy director for global operations and then as director of plans and policy.
From July 2015 to July 2017, he served as the Air Force Space Command's then-two-star vice commander. That position was then renamed as AFSPC deputy commander in 2017 with Thompson serving as the special assistant to the AFSPC commander. In 2018, the AFSPC planned to revive the vice commander position, turning it into a position for a three-star general after Congress nixed plans on creating a deputy chief of staff for space operations position. On April 4, 2018, he then resumed his previous position as AFSPC vice commander, promoted to lieutenant general.
With the redesignation of the AFSPC as the newly created United States Space Force on December 20, 2019, Thompson retained his position as vice commander of the Space Force. In August 2020, he was nominated for transfer to the Space Force at his current rank of lieutenant general. He was also nominated for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as the first vice chief of space operations. He was confirmed by the Senate on September 30, 2020, and assumed rank following day. Thompson assumed office on October 2.
In October 2020, Thompson tested positive for COVID-19 after a family member who he was in contact with tested positive. He was asymptomatic and returned to work on November 9, 2020, after an 11-day quarantine.
Thompson retired from the Space Force on December 14, 2023.

## Civilian career

In March 2024, HawkEye 360 announced that Thompson was selected as a member of their advisory board. "I was drawn to HawkEye 360 by the vision and passion of the company leadership to serve the security needs of the nation and its Armed Forces," Thompson wrote.

## Awards and decorations

Thompson is the recipient of the following awards and decorations:
* Command Space Operations Badge
* Basic Parachutist Badge
* Air Force Master Acquisition and Financial Management Badge
* Basic Missile Maintenance Badge
* Space Staff Badge
* Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
* Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
* Legion of Merit
* Bronze Star Medal
* Defense Meritorious Service Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Commendation Medal
* Air Force Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster
* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
* National Reconnaissance Office Distinguished Service Medal (gold medal)
* National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
* Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
* Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
* Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
* Air Force Training Ribbon

## Dates of promotion

| Rank | Branch | Date |
| Second lieutenant | Air Force | May 29, 1985 |
| First lieutenant | Air Force | May 29, 1987 |
| Captain | Air Force | May 29, 1989 |
| Major | Air Force | August 1, 1996 |
| Lieutenant colonel | Air Force | May 1, 2000 |
| Colonel | Air Force | August 1, 2004 |
| Brigadier general | Air Force | June 18, 2010 |
| Major general | Air Force | October 10, 2013 |
| Lieutenant general | Air Force | April 4, 2018 |
| General | Space Force | October 1, 2020 |

## Writings

* "Space Force is needed to provide for and protect America's use of space". The Hill. September 19, 2023.
* With Gregory Gagnon and Christopher W. McLeod (Summer 2018). "Space as a War-fighting Domain" (PDF). Air and Space Power Journal. 32 (2): 4–8.
* The Need for a Dedicated Space Vehicle for Defensive Counterspace Operations (PDF) (M.S.). Air Command and Staff College. April 1998. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2021.