Christopher Povak

Last updated

Christopher Povak
Maj Gen Christopher S. Povak (2).jpg
Official portrait, 2023
Born (1970-11-26) November 26, 1970 (age 54)
Connecticut, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
Years of service
1992–2021 (Air Force)
  • 2021–present (Space Force)
Rank Major General
Commands
Awards
Alma mater

Christopher Stephen Povak [1] (born November 26, 1970) [1] is a United States Space Force major general who serves as the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office and commander of the Space Force Element to the National Reconnaissance Office. He previously served as the deputy director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Povak received his commission from Clarkson University in 1992. He has extensive experience in satellite operations, engineering, and acquisitions with the Air Force Space Command and National Reconnaissance Office. He has commanded NRO's Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, Air Force Element at RAF Menwith Hill, and Operations Division 7. He has also served as a military legislative advisor to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman. [5]

In 2021, Povak transferred to the Space Force. A year later, he was promoted to major general. As deputy director of the NRO, he assists the director in managing the strategic and tactical priorities of the NRO. He also leads the military personnel assigned to NRO, manages the associated service resources, and serves as senior advisor to the director on all military matters. [5]

Education

Military career

In September 2022, Povak was nominated for promotion to major general. [6]

Assignments

Povak tours Secretary Austin, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 2021 SecDef Austin tours USSPACECOM (7).jpg
Povak tours Secretary Austin, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 2021

1. March 1993–July 1996, Air Force Satellite Control Network Capacity Engineer, 50th Space Wing Plans, Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.
2. August 1996–August 1997, Flight Commander, Operating Division 4/DC, Onizuka Air Force Station, Calif.
3. September 1997–May 2000, Chief, Space Systems Engineering, Operating Division 4/DC, Onizuka AFS, Calif.
4. June 2000–May 2002, Director of Operations, Air Force Operations Element, Washington, D.C.
5. June 2002–August 2003, Director of Engineering, Air Force Operations Element, Washington, D.C.
6. September 2003–July 2004, Congressional Fellow, Office of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Washington, D.C.
7. August 2004–June 2005, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. June 2005–July 2006, Chief, Space Programs Planning, Programming, and Budgeting, Directorate of Space Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
9. August 2006–July 2007, Chief, Congressional and Media Affairs Branch, Directorate of Space Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. August 2007–June 2008, Program Element Monitor, Transformational Satellite Communications, Directorate of Space Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
11. July 2008–June 2010, Commander, Operations Division 7 and Deputy Chief Overhead Collection Management Center, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
12. July 2010–July 2011, Executive Officer to the Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.
13. August 2011–June 2012, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D. C.
14. July 2012–July 2015, Commander, Air Force Element, RAF Menwith Hill, United Kingdom
15. August 2015–May 2016, Deputy Director, Mission Operations Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.
16. June 2016–August 2019, Commander, Aerospace Data Facility Colorado, Buckley AFB, Colo.
17. June 2016–August 2019, Commander, Air Force Element Space Operations Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo. (December 2018–June 2019, Acting Commander, Air Force Element, NRO, Chantilly, Va.)
18. September 2019 – July 2021, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Space Defense, Schriever AFB, Colo
19. July 2021 – September 2022, Deputy Director, Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Washington D.C.
20. September 2022- present, Deputy Director and Space Force Element Commander, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.

Awards and decorations

Povak is the recipient of the following awards: [5]

USAF Command Space Badge.png Command Space Operations Badge
Master Acquisition and Financial Management Badge.jpg
Air Force Master Acquisition and Financial Management Badge
Space Staff Identification Badge.png
Space Staff Badge
Headquarters US Air Force Badge.png
Air Staff Badge
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Service Achievement Medal ribbon.svg
Joint Service Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon.svg Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
AF OS Tour Ribbon.svg Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Longevity Service Award USAF.svg
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Air Force Training Ribbon

Dates of promotion

RankBranchDate [5]
US Air Force O1 shoulderboard rotated.svg Second Lieutenant Air ForceMay 15, 1992
US Air Force O2 shoulderboard rotated.svg First Lieutenant October 15, 1994
US Air Force O3 shoulderboard rotated.svg Captain October 15, 1996
US Air Force O4 shoulderboard rotated.svg Major April 1, 2003
US Air Force O5 shoulderboard rotated.svg Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2006
US Air Force O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg Colonel May 1, 2012
US Air Force O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg Brigadier General March 2, 2019
US Air Force O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg Brigadier General Space Force~April 29, 2021
US Air Force O8 shoulderboard rotated.svg Major General September 29, 2022

References

  1. 1 2 "Persons born on 26 November 1970, EDITH V. MICKEL to JAMES COREY SIMPSON".
  2. "General Officer Assignments". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
  3. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
  4. "ADF-Colorado hails Middleton, farewells Brig.Gen. Povak". National Reconnaissance Office.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Major General Christopher S. Povak". United States Space Force . October 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  6. "PN2514 — Space Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". United States Congress . September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
Military offices
Preceded by
???
Commander of the Air Force Element at RAF Menwith Hill
2013–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado
2016–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office
Acting

2018–2019
Succeeded by
New office Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force–Space Defense
2019–2021
Succeeded by
New office Deputy Director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center
2021–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Director of and Commander of the Space Force Element to the National Reconnaissance Office
2022–present
Incumbent