Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Security Clearance
Certification
Timeline

Michael Walton

U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S)
Santa Barbara-Santa Maria Area
1
Certification
5
years of professional experience

U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officer with experience in space operations, acquisition management, mission integration, and performance assessment. Proven leader in coordinating cross-functional organizations, translating strategic objectives into operational execution, managing mission risk, and delivering data-driven recommendations to support critical national security objectives.

Work History

Section Chief, Assessments

1 Month
U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) | 09.2026 - Current
  • Leads the evaluation of space operations effectiveness by analyzing mission performance, operational data, and progress toward command objectives.
  • Develop data driven operational assessments and other decision-support products for senior leaders, identifies capability gaps and operational risks, and provides data-driven recommendations to improve mission effectiveness, resource allocation, and future operational planning.

Force Effects Duty Officer

5 Months
U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) | 04.2026 - 09.2026
  • Coordinate and evaluates Space Support Requests (SSRs) to align space-based capabilities with operational requirements from joint and combined forces.
  • Assess mission needs, synchronize requests with available space capabilities, and coordinates with operational units and mission partners to facilitate timely space support and enhance joint force effectiveness.

Deputy Chief Current Operations

1 Year 8 Months
U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) | 08.2024 - 04.2026
  • Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of real-time space operations to support U.S. and allied military objectives.
  • Synchronize mission priorities across subordinate units and weapon-system organizations, manages operational risks, and translates senior-leader intent into actionable guidance to maintain effective command and control of space forces.
  • Selected as 2025 Operations Team of the Year across a global Space Force Component Field Command.

Officer Undergraduate Space Training

5 Months
Space Training and Readiness Command | 03.2024 - 08.2024
  • Awarded "Superior Academic Achievement"; 97% grade average across rigorous space operations coursework.

KC-46 Program Manager

1 Year 11 Months
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center | 04.2022 - 03.2024
  • Manage cost, schedule, performance, and risk while coordinating with engineers, contractors, operational stakeholders, and senior leaders to deliver mission-ready capabilities to the operator.
  • Oversee the development, procurement, testing, and delivery of KC-46 aerial refueler avionics systems and capabilities to meet operational requirements.
  • Awarded Junior Manager of the Year across a 300-person organization for superior program execution.

Education

Master of Science - Space Systems

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | 12-2026

Bachelor of Science - Geospatial Science

United States Air Force Academy | 06-2021

Skills

Acquisition Program Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Operational Planning & Strategy
Risk Management & Mitigation
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Mission Integration & Coordination
Operational Assessments & Performance Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Data-Driven Decision Making

Security Clearance

Active TS/SCI

Certification

  • CompTIA Security+

Timeline

Section Chief, Assessments

U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S)
09.2026 - CurrentRead More

Force Effects Duty Officer

U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S)
04.2026 - 09.2026Read More

Deputy Chief Current Operations

U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S)
08.2024 - 04.2026Read More

Officer Undergraduate Space Training

Space Training and Readiness Command
03.2024 - 08.2024Read More

KC-46 Program Manager

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
04.2022 - 03.2024Read More

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Master of Science from Space Systems
Read More

United States Air Force Academy

Bachelor of Science from Geospatial Science
Read More
Michael Walton