Bussiere and Bratton Appointed as Vice Chief for the Air Force and Space Force

Air Force and Space Force Leadership Changes Pending Senate Confirmation

In mid-July 2025, President Donald Trump nominated two high-ranking military officials for key roles within the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. The nominations were referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee and are currently awaiting Senate confirmation.

Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere for Air Force Vice Chief of Staff

Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, currently the head of Air Force Global Strike Command, has been nominated to serve as the U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff. Prior to his current role, Bussiere served as the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command and led Alaskan Command. If confirmed, he would serve as deputy to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin. Bussiere's nomination is pending Senate confirmation and is expected to be considered once the Senate returns in early September 2025.

Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton for Vice Chief of Space Operations

Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton has been nominated to be Vice Chief of Space Operations. Bratton, who currently serves as the Space Force's strategy, requirements, and budget czar, has been heavily involved in shaping the Space Force's identity, capabilities, and the development of Guardians. Along with Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Bratton helped develop the Space Force's recently unveiled Space Warfighting framework. Bratton has also been instrumental in advocating for more resources as the Space Force takes on an increasing number of responsibilities across the DOD. Bratton's nomination was confirmed as of early August 2025, making him the new Vice Chief of Space Operations and replacing Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, who shifted to lead the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense program.

Golden Dome Missile Defense Program

The Golden Dome missile defense program, which Gen. Guetlein now leads, is noted as a major defense investment. However, detailed information about any specific cost overruns or delays associated with the program or related nominations is not provided in the sources. The mention of Golden Dome pertains to an ambitious initiative to develop a layered missile defense system.

Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton's Tenure at the Space Force

Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton has been serving in his current role since July 2023. Prior to this, he held numerous Air Force and joint leadership positions within the Pentagon's nuclear enterprise throughout his career.

The LGM-35A Sentinel and Cost Overruns

A separate issue that has been raised is the cost overruns and delays associated with the LGM-35A Sentinel, which is slated to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. No specific cost overruns or delays related to the nominations of Bussiere and Bratton or their immediate programs were reported in the available results.

Gen. Michael A. Guetlein's Pending Confirmation

Lastly, Gen. Michael A. Guetlein is awaiting Senate confirmation for the "direct reporting program manager for Golden Dome for America" role. The details of this role and its relation to the Golden Dome missile defense program are not specified in the sources.

[1] https://www.airforcemag.com/dr-bussiere-nominated-to-be-af-vice-chief/ [2] https://www.airforcemag.com/bratton-nominated-to-be-vice-chief-of-space-ops/ [3] https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/07/16/air-force-vice-chief-nomination-sent-to-senate-as-space-force-vice-chief-confirmed/ [4] https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/03/bratton-confirmed-as-space-force-vice-chief/ [5] https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/08/05/cost-overruns-and-delays-plague-sentinel-icbm-replacement-program/

The nomination of Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere for the U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff is currently awaiting Senate confirmation.
If confirmed, Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere would serve as deputy to the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin.
Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton was nominated to be Vice Chief of Space Operations and his confirmation was confirmed as of early August 2025.
Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton replaced Gen. Michael A. Guetlein as Vice Chief of Space Operations.
Gen. Michael A. Guetlein is awaiting Senate confirmation for the "direct reporting program manager for Golden Dome for America" role.
The Golden Dome missile defense program is noted as a major defense investment, but details about any specific cost overruns or delays associated with the program are not provided.
The LGM-35A Sentinel, a missile slated to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, has been subject to cost overruns and delays.
Details about the "direct reporting program manager for Golden Dome for America" role and its relation to the Golden Dome missile defense program are not specified in the sources.