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1st U.S. Space Force chief of space operations / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John William "Jay" Raymond (born April 30, 1962) is a United States Space Force general who is the first and current chief of space operations. The first guardian, he served as commander of the United States Space Command from 2019 to 2020.
John W. Raymond | |
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Nickname(s) | Jay |
Born | (1962-04-30) April 30, 1962 (age 62) Monterey County, California |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force (1984–2019) United States Space Force (2019–present) |
Years of service | 1984–present |
Rank | General |
Commands held | Chief of Space Operations United States Space Command Air Force Space Command Joint Force Space Component Command Fourteenth Air Force Joint Functional Component Command for Space 30th Operations Group 5th Space Surveillance Squadron |
Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) |
Alma mater | Clemson University (BS) Central Michigan University (MS) Naval War College (MA) |
Spouse(s) | Mollie Raymond |
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Raised in a military family, Raymond was commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1984 after graduating from Clemson University. A career missile and space operations officer, he has commanded the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron, 30th Operations Group, Fourteenth Air Force, Joint Force Space Component Command, and Air Force Space Command. He has been deployed to serve in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.
In 2016, Raymond assumed command of the Air Force Space Command and, in 2019, assumed additional duties as unified combatant command commander following the reestablishment of the U.S. Space Command. When the U.S. Space Force was established, he became the first chief of space operations. He also became the first member of the Space Force, ending his over 35 years of service in the Air Force.