Bussiere and Bratton Assigned Vice Chief Roles in Air Force and Space Force Services
News Article: New Leadership Appointed for Air Force and Space Force
The United States military is seeing a change in leadership as new nominees have been put forward for key positions in both the Air Force and the Space Force.
New Vice Chiefs Nominated
The nominated Vice Chief of Staff for the Air Force is Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, and the nominated Vice Chief of Space Operations for the Space Force is Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton. These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation and have been submitted for approval as of mid-July 2025.
Roles and Responsibilities
Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere)
In his new role, Gen. Bussiere will act as the second highest-ranking officer in the Air Force. He will support the Chief of Staff in organizing, training, and equipping forces for the Air Force. Gen. Bussiere is expected to oversee the broad management of Air Force operations and modernization efforts, including strategic assets such as nuclear deterrent forces and bomber fleets. With his deep experience leading Air Force Global Strike Command, he will provide leadership in nuclear enterprise and strategic deterrence policies. Gen. Bussiere is a career command pilot with experience on multiple aircraft (F-15, B-2, F-22) and has held numerous senior Pentagon and joint posts, including deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command.
Vice Chief of Space Operations (Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton)
Lt. Gen. Bratton will serve as the second highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Space Force. He will support the Chief of Space Operations in strategic planning, operations, and policy for space warfare capabilities. Currently, Lt. Gen. Bratton serves as deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, and requirements. He is expected to succeed Gen. Michael A. Guetlein upon Senate confirmation. Lt. Gen. Bratton has been heavily involved in shaping the Space Force's identity, capabilities, and the development of Guardians.
Modernization Efforts and Nuclear Deterrence
The Space Force is advocating for more resources as it takes on increasing responsibilities across the Department of Defense. The Pentagon is modernizing all three legs of its nuclear triad as well as the command and control of its nuclear forces. The Space Force is developing "counter-space" capabilities of its own to counter Russian and Chinese weapons that could threaten America's satellites. The Space Force is also expected to take on more responsibilities under Golden Dome, particularly in missile warning capabilities.
The Air Force is preparing to field the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, a significant modernization effort for the Air Force's bomber fleet. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, the nominated Vice Chief of Staff for the Air Force, has held numerous Air Force and joint leadership positions within the Pentagon's nuclear enterprise throughout his career.
Vacancies and Confirmations
The Air Force has been without a Vice Chief since February. If confirmed, Gen. Michael A. Guetlein will serve as the "direct reporting program manager for Golden Dome for America." The LGM-35A Sentinel, slated to replace the 400 fielded Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, faces large cost overruns and delays, but the Space Force continues to push forward with its development.
The nomination for Vice Chief of Space Operations comes as the Space Force is moving to counter Russian and Chinese threats to America's satellites. Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton and Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman developed the Space Warfighting framework, a crucial step in the Space Force's development. The appointments of Gen. Bussiere and Lt. Gen. Bratton fill vacancies left by prior changes in top military leadership earlier in 2025.
[1] Space Force Nominees for Vice Chief and Space Warfighting Framework Developers (2025) [2] Space Force Faces Challenges with Sentinel Missile Program (2025) [3] New Leadership for Air Force and Space Force (2025) [4] Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere: Career and Achievements (2025) [5] Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton: Shaping the Space Force (2025)
- The nominated Vice Chief of Staff for the Air Force, Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, is expected to oversee the broad management of Air Force operations and modernization efforts, including strategic assets such as nuclear deterrent forces and bomber fleets.
- Gen. Bussiere will provide leadership in nuclear enterprise and strategic deterrence policies, with his deep experience leading Air Force Global Strike Command.
- In the Space Force, Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton will serve as the second highest-ranking officer and support the Chief of Space Operations in strategic planning, operations, and policy for space warfare capabilities.
- Lt. Gen. Bratton is expected to succeed Gen. Michael A. Guetlein upon Senate confirmation and has been heavily involved in shaping the Space Force's identity, capabilities, and the development of Guardians.
- The Space Force is advocating for more resources as it takes on increasing responsibilities across the Department of Defense, including developing "counter-space" capabilities to counter Russian and Chinese weapons that could threaten America's satellites.
- The Pentagon is modernizing all three legs of its nuclear triad as well as the command and control of its nuclear forces, with the Space Force playing a significant role in missile warning capabilities under Golden Dome.
- The Air Force is preparing to field the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, a significant modernization effort for the Air Force’s bomber fleet, and will rely on the leadership of the new Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere.
- The nomination for Vice Chief of Space Operations and appointment of Gen. Bussiere for the Air Force come as the DoD faces a shift in policy-and-legislation, business, and general news, with a growing emphasis on space capabilities and the countering of emerging threats in both the domestic and international arenas.
