Brigadier General Chandler P. Atwood

As Deputy Commander, he is responsible for the generation, presentation and sustainment of U.S. Space Force combat-ready space, cyberspace, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and combat support forces.  Moreover, as the USSF service force provider, he is responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Space Operations for sourcing, training, certifying and assessing the readiness of America’s Space Forces to execute service and combatant commander-assigned missions.
 
General Atwood entered the Air Force in May 2001, after graduating summa cum laude from The Citadel. A career intelligence officer, he supported fighter aircraft operations and served as an instructor at the USAF Weapons School. He served as squadron commander of National Signals Intelligence and Overhead Persistent Infrared Activities for Space Operations and was the inaugural Delta 7 commander, establishing ISR operations for USSF. General Atwood has deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
 
Prior to assuming his current position, Brigadier General Atwood was dual-hatted as the Vice Commander and Deputy Commanding General, Operations, Space Operations Command, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
 

2001 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, The Citadel, Charleston, SC
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2005 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009 Master of Arts, Strategic Intelligence, American Military University
2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2013 Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program, Washington, DC
2014 National Defense Fellowship, The Washington Institute, Washington, DC
2014 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2018 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC

ASSIGNMENTS

1. October 2001 – May 2002, Student, Intelligence Applications Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX
2. June 2002 – June 2003, Deputy Chief, Intelligence Operations, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, SC
3. June 2003 – June 2005, Chief, Squadron Intelligence, 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, SC
4. June 2005 – December 2005, Student, Intelligence Instructor Course, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, NV
5. December 2006 – November 2007, Chief, Intelligence Operations, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan
6. December 2007 – August 2008, Intelligence Flight Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan
7. August 2008 – August 2009, USAF Weapons School Instructor Flight Commander, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV
8. August 2009 – May 2011, Director of Staff and USAF Weapons School Instructor, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV
9. May 2011 – September 2011, Secretary of Air Force’s ISR Review Committee, Headquarters U.S. Air Force Directorate of Intelligence, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA
10. September 2011 – July 2013, Director of Operations, Geospatial Intelligence and Measurement and Signatures Intelligence Production Squadron, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
11. July 2013 – May 2014, Student, National Defense Fellowship, The Washington Institute, Washington, DC
12. June 2014 – July 2015, Chief, Headquarters Air Force Directorate of Intelligence Action Group, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA
13. July 2015 – July 2017, Commander, 566th Intelligence Squadron, Buckley AFB, CO
14. July 2017 – June 2018, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
15. July 2018 – May 2020, Chief, Intelligence Capabilities and Requirements Division, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, FL
16. July 2020 – June 2022, Commander, Space Delta 7, Peterson SFB, CO
17. June 2022 – June 2024, Director of Intelligence, Space Operations Command, Peterson SFB, CO
18. June 2024 – August 2024, Vice Commander and Deputy Commanding General, Operations, Headquarters Space Operations Command, Peterson SFB, CO., as a Brig Gen.
19. August 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, Headquarters Space Operations Command, Peterson SFB, CO.
     

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
 

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

2002 Outstanding Contributor, Air and Space Basic Course
2005 Outstanding Graduate & Academic Award, USAF
2006 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School
2008 USAF Intelligence Instructor of the Year
2009 Numbered Air Force Company Grade Officer of the Year
2010 & 2012 Wg Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award
2012 & 2013 Wg Field Grade Officer of the Year