Top post: Senior RAF officer becomes new Commander at UK Space Command
UK Space Command has named a senior RAF officer as its new Commander.
Air Vice Marshal Jamie Thompson, who has a wide range of operational space experience, was UK Space Command's Deputy Commander before being promoted to the top post.
AVM Thompson, who takes over from Major General Paul Tedman, joined the Royal Air Force in 1997 as a Weapons Technician, before commissioning as a Communications Electronics Engineering Officer.
In his new role, he will be in charge of space operations, the wider UK Space Command workforce, and the UK's space capabilities.
"I am delighted to be joining such a vibrant and exciting command at a time of unparalleled operational activity and capability growth," AVM Thompson said.
"It is great to be back with friends and colleagues I have worked with for over two decades."
He has been involved in several domains during his career, including air defence, cyber, air-land integration and intelligence operations.
AVM Thompson has also commanded the six forces in RAF Global Enablement.
He has been involved in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Levant.
Maj Gen Tedman is retiring from the British Army following more than 30 years of service: leading, flying and fighting in the most challenging environments.
"It's always a privilege to command, but to lead our joint space forces over such a crucial time in such an important domain has been the apogee of my career," he said.
"The command has come of age on recent operations and accelerated delivery of space capability, and I leave confident that it is ready for the challenges ahead."
He described AVM Thompson as a "fantastic choice" for the position.
What is UK Space Command?
UK Space Command, which was created five years ago, is tasked with overseeing operations, training and capability in space.
Service personnel from across all three services are deployed to the command.
Its home is at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
UK Space Command controls RAF Flyingdales, the UK's main military space sensor; strategic military satellites, known as Skynet; and the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC).
RAF Flyingdales in North Yorkshire operates as an early-warning capability to the US and UK against surprise missile attacks, while the NSpOC protects British assets above Earth.
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