DeAnna Burt

DeAnna Burt
Official portrait, 2023
Birth nameDeAnna Marie Burt
Nickname(s)Spice[1]
Born (1969-02-15) February 15, 1969 (age 55)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1992–2021 (Air Force)
  • 2021–present (Space Force)
RankLieutenant General
Commands
Combined Force Space Component Command
Awards
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Alma mater
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (BS)
Spouse(s)David Morrow

DeAnna Marie Burt (born February 15, 1969) is a United States Space Force lieutenant general who has served as the deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear since 2022. She is the first female major general and second female general officer in the Space Force.

Burt entered the United States Air Force in 1992 after graduating from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is a career space operations officer with numerous satellite operations and staff positions in Air Force Space Command and United States European Command. She has commanded the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, 460th Operations Group, and 50th Space Wing. She is a graduate and former instructor of the USAF Weapons School and a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. She also served as the vice commander of the United States Air Force Warfare Center.

In 2021, Burt transferred to the Space Force, where she now serves as its chief operations officer, responsible for operations, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear operations. She served as the commander of the Combined Force Space Component Command and vice commander of Space Operations Command from 2020 to 2022.

Early life and education

Burt was born on February 15, 1969, in Louisville, Kentucky.[2] When she was six years old, her family moved to Jacksonville, Florida.[3]

Burt entered Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to get a college scholarship. She initially planned to just work in the Air Force for four years.[4] At Embry-Riddle, she was the AFROTC cadet wing commander and chairman of the Women's Programming Board. She was also involved as Head Resident Advisor and Campus Climate for Women.[5] In 1991, she received a B.S. degree in aeronautical engineering as a distinguished graduate. In 1995, she received an M.S. degree in human resources management from Troy State University in Alabama.[6]

As part of her professional military education, Burt attended Squadron Officer School, USAF Weapons School, Air Command and Staff College, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, National War College, and Air University. She also attended several leadership courses and seminars from the Center for Creative Leadership, UNC Kenan–Flagler Business School, Alan Freed Associates, and Arlie Center.[6]

Military career

Air Force

Burt and CMSgt Bentivegna speak to Gen Dunford during his visit to Schriever Air Force Base, 2016

Burt was nominated into the Air Force on May 13, 1992, a year after graduating from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University through an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. She originally intended to serve for four years in the Air Force, the minimum service requirement to pay off the scholarship.[4] After getting her commission, she underwent a three-month undergraduate space training at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.[6]

Burt (center) final command to decommission a satellite, 2017

From 1993 to 1995, Burt was assigned with the 4th Space Warning Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, as crew commander, deputy flight commander, and chief of current operations. She was then assigned to the 76th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, from 1995 to 1997 as chief of space systems tactical warning operations and chief of standardization and training. After that, she served as an executive officer at the Space Warfare Center until 1999.[6]

Burt (right) speaks to attendees of the Women's Leadership Symposium, 2017

After attending Weapons School, Burt served for two years there as an instructor, assistant training flight commander, and training flight commander. From 2001 to 2004, she was assigned to Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, as a theater missile defense operations officer and the deputy chief of Special Technical Operations Branch of the United States European Command.[6]

Burt then went back to the United States, studying for two years at the Air Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. From 2006 to 2008, she was assigned at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, where she served as chief of the Combat Plans Division at the Joint Space Operations Center. During this time, he worked with then-Lieutenant Colonel B. Chance Saltzman during the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test.[6]

In August 2008, Burt took command of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) at Schriever, operating the Global Positioning System. She served as commander of 2 SOPS for two years, after which she was assigned to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado as chief of the Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Requirements Division of the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).[6]

From 2012 to 2014, Burt served as commander of the 460th Operations Group at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, overseeing missile warning units. After her second command tour, she was reassigned back to AFSPC as director of the commander's action group for a year. After that, she took command of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever, serving from 2015 to 2017.[6]

Selected for promotion to brigadier general, Burt moved to the United States Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, as vice commander. In 2018, she returned to AFSPC as director of operations and communications.[6]

Space Force

Burt gets sworn in as she transfers to the Space Force, May 7, 2021

On December 20, 2019, the United States Space Force was established. AFSPC was redesignated as Headquarters, United States Space Force, and temporarily served as headquarter functions for the new service. As such, Burt performed her tasks as director of operations and communications temporarily for the service until Headquarters, United States Space Force, was redesignated as Space Operations Command (SpOC) in October 2020.[7] She continued to serve the same position for SpOC, during which time she was promoted to major general.[8]

Burt (center) stands at attention with Gen Dickinson and Maj Gen Shaw after taking command of the Combined Force Space Component Command in 2020

In November 2023, took command of the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) at Vandenberg from then-Major General John E. Shaw, who was confirmed to serve as deputy commander of the United States Space Command. Additionally, she served as vice commander of Space Operations Command.[9] Burt transferred to the Space Force on May 7, 2021, becoming the first woman to hold this rank in the Space Force. She is also the second general officer in the Space Force, after Lieutenant General Nina Armagno.[10] In August 2022, she relinquished command of CFSCC to Major General Douglas Schiess.[11][6]

In October 2022, Burt was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear.[12] She would replace Saltzman who was confirmed to serve as the second chief of space operations. While awaiting confirmation, she temporarily served as special assistant to the vice chief of space operations. She was confirmed on November 30, 2022.[13] A day later, she was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed the post as the second deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear. As the chief operating officer of the Space Force, she has overall responsibility for operations, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear Operations service.[6]

In June 2023, Burt criticized "anti-LGBTQ+" state laws that prevent the Space Force from assigning the most qualified candidates for assignments.[14]

Personal life

Burt is married to a retired Air Force Colonel.[4]

Awards and decorations

Burt receives the Gen Jerome F. O'Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award from the Air Force Association in 2017

Burt is the recipient of the following awards:[6]

Command Space Operations Badge
Space Staff Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges
 Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
 Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Service Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Silver oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)

Dates of promotion

Burt addresses the audience during her promotion ceremony to major general, 2020
Rank Branch Date[6]
Second Lieutenant Air Force May 13, 1992
First Lieutenant May 13, 1994
Captain May 13, 1996
Major November 1, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel August 1, 2007
Colonel September 1, 2011
Brigadier General September 2, 2017
Major General August 2, 2020
Major General Space Force May 7, 2021
Lieutenant General December 1, 2022

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to DeAnna M. Burt.
  1. ^ "Major General Deanna "Spice" Burt". Rhone Consulting Copy.
  2. ^ "Persons born on 15 February 1969, DARRIN THOMAS HAMILTON to DERRICK O. PENCHION". sortedbybirthdate.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  3. ^ "Burt holds first call for Team 5-0". Schriever Space Force Base. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ a b c Sweet, Amy (May 9, 2016). "Burt: Singularly focused on the mission". Colorado Springs Business Journal.
  5. ^ "Phoenix 1992". Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 1992. p. 86. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Lieutenant General DeAnna M. Burt". United States Space Force. October 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2024.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ Erwin, Sandra (May 28, 2020). "U.S. Space Force to expand presence inside the Pentagon". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "Maj Gen DeAnna Burt Speaks at Ceremony". DVIDS.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ Minsky, Dave (November 16, 2020). "'We are the center of space operations': Air Force Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt takes charge of unit during first change of command". Santa Maria Times.
  10. ^ "CFSCC's Combined Space Operations Center hosts first International Space Day celebration". Space Operations Command (SpOC). May 7, 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ Erwin, Sandra (August 22, 2022). "Schiess takes over U.S. Space Command's coalition forces component".
  12. ^ "General Officer Announcement". United States Department of Defense. October 12, 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ "PN2682 — Maj. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt — Space Force". United States Congress. October 12, 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  14. ^ Gillespie, Brandon (June 14, 2023). "Space Force general decries 'anti-LGBTQ+' laws at Pentagon Pride event, claims they affect hiring decisions". Fox News.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron
2008–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the 460th Operations Group
2012–2014 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the 50th Space Wing
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Warfare Center
2017–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of Operations and Communications of Space Operations Command
2018–2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Combined Force Space Component Command and Vice Commander of Space Operations Command
2020–2022
Preceded by Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear
2022–present 		Incumbent