Christopher S. Povak

Christopher Stephen Povak (born November 26, 1970)

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.

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.

Assignments

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:

Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clustersLegion of MeritDefense Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clustersMeritorious Service MedalJoint Service Commendation MedalAir Force Commendation MedalJoint Service Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterJoint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Meritorious Unit AwardAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalRemote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with one bronze service starAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service RibbonAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training Ribbon

Dates of promotion + Rank Branch Date Second Lieutenant Air Force May 15, 1992 First Lieutenant October 15, 1994 Captain October 15, 1996 Major April 1, 2003 Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2006 Colonel May 1, 2012 Brigadier General March 2, 2019 Brigadier General Space Force ~April 29, 2021 Major General September 29, 2022