Colonel Brian L. Chatman is the Space Lauch Delta 45 installation commander and the Director of the Eastern Range at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. As the SLD 45 commander, he runs the world’s busiest spaceport and is responsible for delivering infrastructure, operations, and support for all Eastern Range launch and test missions. As Director of the Eastern Range, he is responsible for the safety of launch and test operations across a 15-million-square-mile area.
Col Chatman received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. His primary duties have included Special Operations intelligence, aircraft and space systems acquisition program management, space operations, and as an operational liaison between the Intelligence Community, the Special Operations community, and Air Force and Space Force acquisition communities.
His acquisition experience includes assignments at the National Reconnaissance Office, Space Systems Center, and the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO). While at the AFRCO, he executed a $1.2B portfolio consisting of 15 top national priority classified programs, led a highly specialized division for rapid development, test, and fielding of advanced sensor and weapon system capabilities, and directed activities for more than 500 government and contractor personnel responding directly to Secretary of the Air Force and Secretary of Defense requirements.
He is an Eisenhower School Graduate and previously served as the Deputy Commander of the 30th Operations Group at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., where he led over 500 military, civilian and contractors supporting all aspects of spacelift operations, and missile and aeronautical testing on the Western Range.
He has commanded at the Squadron level leading the 2nd Space Launch Squadron through a diverse mission set including National Security Space Launch Operations and Mission Assurance, Launch Service Provider Certification, Small Commercial Spacelift Mission Integration, Minotaur booster handling operations, multiple US Army ballistic test launches and recovery of the X-37B Spaceplane.
Prior to this assignment he served as the Deputy Director, Space Systems Engineering Directorate for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Administration in Business Management, Kent State University, Ohio
2003 US Air Force Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
2004 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala,
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence, American Military University
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Residence
2015 Master of Arts and Science in Military Operational Art, Air University
2019 Air War College, Correspondence
2023 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy Eisenhower School, National Defense University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2003 – February 2004, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2. February 2004 – December 2007, Chief Intelligence Operations, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
3. December 2007 – January 2012, Chief Tactical Services Branch, National Reconnaissance Office
4. January 2012 – July 2014, Deputy Chief, Advanced Extremely High Frequency Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
5. July 2014 – June 2015, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. June 2015 – June 2018, Program Manager, Joint Systems Division, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Headquarters Air Force Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C.
7. June 2018 – August 2019, Commander, 1st Air and Space Test Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
8. August 2019 – July 2020, Commander, 2nd Space Launch Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
9. July 2020 – April 2021, Deputy Commander, 30th Operations Group, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
10. April 2021 – May 2022, Chief, Advanced Concepts Group, National Reconnaissance Office
11. July 2022 – June 2023, Senior Developmental Education Student, Eisenhower School
12. July 2023 – June 2024, Senior Executive Officer, USSF Chief Human Capital Officer
13. July 2024 – June 2025, Deputy Director, Space Systems Engineering Directorate
14. June 2025 – Present, Space Launch Delta 45, Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
Afghanistan Defense Service Medal with one service star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Long
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVMENTS
USAF Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Operator Course, Distinguished Graduate; National Reconnaissance Office Company Grade Officer of the Year, Team of the Year, Director’s Circle Award; Squadron Officer School, Distinguished Graduate; MILSATCOM Lance P. Sijan Award; SMC Acquisition Officer of the Year; USAF Welch Acquisition Excellence Award; Air Force Association Brent Scowcroft Award; Office of the Secretary of Defense – David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award; Rotary National Award to Space Achievement Stellar Team Award; Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office Field Grade Officer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant- May 28, 2003
First Lieutenant- May 28, 2005
Captain- May 28, 2007
Major- Oct 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel- May 1, 2018
Colonel – March 1, 2024
(Current as of June 2025)