Senate Confirms Gen. Douglas Schiess as Chief of Space Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate confirmed General Douglas Schiess as the third Chief of Space Operations, succeeding General Chance Saltzman. Schiess, who served at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) from April 1993 to September 1995 in multiple missile operations roles, will train and equip Guardians serving in the United States and overseas. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus and chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, applauded Schiess’ confirmation. “General Schiess is the right leader to take the helm of the United States Space Force,” said Cramer. “Having served at Grand Forks Air Force Base, he already knows North Dakota’s vital role in our national security mission. I look forward to working with him to modernize PARCS at Cavalier Space Force Station, strengthen our partnership with the University of North Dakota, and ensure our Guardians at Grand Forks Air Force Base have the tools they need to succeed. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to securing the space domain.” Schiess previously served as the Commander of U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) and the Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. In August 2025, Cramer visited the base with Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Dr. Troy Meink. They joined Schiess in touring the Space Development Agency (SDA) and National Reconnaissance Office payload processing facility where they viewed 21 satellites from SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer. As Chief of Space Operations, Schiess will oversee key Space Force missions in North Dakota, including the 10th Space Warning Squadron at Cavalier Space Force Station, which operates the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) to provide critical missile warning and space surveillance. He will also play a central role in advancing the Space Force’s growing presence at GFAFB, where a new satellite operations center is planned to expand SDA’s missions and strengthen the region’s role in the nation’s space architecture. During Schiess’ confirmation process, Cramer secured his commitment to maintain the Space Force’s partnership with GFAFB and the University of North Dakota. The two also discussed preserving the rapid acquisition culture that has fueled SDA’s success as it merges into the Space Force. ***Click here for individual photos.***