Christopher Povak
Official portrait, 2023
Born (1970-11-26) November 26, 1970
Connecticut, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1993–2021 (Air Force)
  • 2021–present (Space Force)
RankMajor General
Commands held
Space Force Element to the National Reconnaissance Office
Awards
Defense Superior Service Medal (3)
Alma mater
Clarkson University (BS)

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]

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

  • 1992 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.
  • 1997 Undergraduate Space and Missile Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
  • 1998 Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, Colorado Technical University, Colo.
  • 1999 Squadron Officer School, Distinguished Graduate, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 2003 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
  • 2005 Master of Arts, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 2005 Air Command and Staff College, Distinguished Graduate, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 2007 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
  • 2011 Senior Executive Fellowship, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
  • 2012 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
  • 2012 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.

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

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]

Command Space Operations Badge
 Air Force Master Acquisition and Financial Management Badge
 Space Staff Badge
 Air Staff Badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Service Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
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
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Bronze star
 Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon

Dates of promotion

RankBranchDate[5]
Second LieutenantAir ForceMay 15, 1992
First LieutenantOctober 15, 1994
CaptainOctober 15, 1996
MajorApril 1, 2003
Lieutenant ColonelDecember 1, 2006
ColonelMay 1, 2012
Brigadier GeneralMarch 2, 2019
Brigadier GeneralSpace Force~April 29, 2021
Major GeneralSeptember 29, 2022

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christopher S. Povak.
  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.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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