Brigadier General Todd J. Benson Brig. Gen. Todd J. Benson is the Commander, U.S. Space Forces Central and the Combined Forces Space Component Commander for U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In these roles, Brig. Gen. Benson is responsible for developing plans and conducting space operations across 21 nations covering Central and Southwest Asia. Brig. Gen. Benson was commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 and has operational experience in space and intercontinental ballistic missile systems. His previous staff experience includes assignments to the Headquarters Space Force [S5], the Joint Staff [J-5], Air Force Space Command [A5], and as an instructor at the USAF Academy. Brig. Gen. Benson deployed forward as the Director of Space Forces during Operation Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel where he led the first deployed Space Force Guardians in the employment of space capabilities for USCENTCOM area of responsibility. He also deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom with U.S. Forces-Iraq. Brig. Gen. Benson has commanded at the Squadron, Group and Delta level. Prior to his current assignment, Brig. Gen. Benson was the inaugural Director of Strategy and Requirements [S5] at Headquarters USSF. EDUCATION 1999 Bachelor of Science, with a minor in the Arabic Language, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 2003 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, with honors, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla. 2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 2013 Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2013 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence 2017 National Security Fellow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 2019 Joint Professional Military Education II Course, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. ASSIGNMENTS 1. August 1999–July 2000, Assistant Coach (Rifle Team) and Physical Education Instructor (Boxing/SCUBA), U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 2. July 2000–April 2001, Student, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Initial Qualification Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. 3. April 2001–May 2005, Multiple positions culminating as ICBM Senior Instructor Crew Commander, 90th Space Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. 4. May 2005–March 2007, Space Based Infrared System Flight Commander, 2nd Space Warning Squadron, Buckley AFB, Colo. 5. March 2007–June 2008, Executive Officer, 460th Space Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo. 6. June 2008–June 2010, Multiple positions culminating as Chief Mission Ops Branch, Buckley AFB, Colo. 7. July 2010–February 2011, Chief Missile Warning Space Section, Directorate of Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. 8. March 2011–June 2012, Executive Officer to the Director of Requirements, HQ AFSPC, Peterson AFB, Colo. 9. July 2012–June 2013, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 10. July 2013–June 2014, Director of Operations, Space Operations Squadron, Aerospace Data Facility Southwest, N.M. 11. July 2014–June 2016, Commander, 2nd Space Operations Squadron (GPS), Schriever AFB, Colo. 12. July 2016–July 2017, National Security Fellow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 13. July 2017–July 2019, Division Chief, Space and Missile Defense Policy [J-5], the Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 14. June 2020–December 2020, Director of Space Forces (Deployed), Air Forces Central, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar 15. July 2019–July 2021, Commander, Delta 21, Aerospace Data Facility East, Fort Belvoir, Va. 16. July 2021–March 2024, Director of Requirements [TIER-3], Headquarters Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 17. March 2024–July 2025, Director of Strategy and Requirements [S5], HQ USSF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 18. August 2025–present, Commander, U.S. Space Forces Central and Combined Forces Space Component Commander, MacDill AFB, Fla. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2017–July 2019, Chief of Space and Missile Defense Policy Division, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate [J-5], the Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a colonel 2. June 2020–December 2020, Director of Space Forces, Air Forces Central, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as a colonel 3. August 2025–present, Commander, U.S. Space Forces Central and Combined Forces Space Component Commander, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., as a brigadier general MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal with service star Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star device Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with two service stars Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and oak leaf cluster Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Navy Expert Rifle Medal with “E” device (Current as of February 2026)