Schiess, who has served as the Space Force’s deputy chief of space operations for operations since late 2025, succeeds Gen. “It will be the honor of my professional career to lead the Guardians of the United States Space Force,” Schiess told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing last month. “We must defend our nation’s space capabilities so that the Joint Force can project power; we must protect the Joint Force from space-enabled attack; and we must deliver the capabilities that the Joint Force needs to prosecute the full range of its missions,” Schiess said. Following the Senate vote, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Schiess would lead the service as it accelerates the delivery of next-generation military space capabilities. Saltzman, who is retiring after 35 years of military service, called Schiess “an exceptional leader” and said he had the experience needed to guide the Space Force into its next phase.