David D. Thompson

David D. Thompson
Official portrait, 2023
Nickname(s)	DT
Born	(1963-02-18) February 18, 1963 (age 61) Ambridge, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Air Force United States Space Force
Years of service	1985–2020 (Air Force) 2020–2023 (Space Force)
Rank	General
Commands	Vice Chief of Space Operations Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado 45th Operations Group 2nd Space Launch Squadron
Awards	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal
Alma mater	United States Air Force Academy (BS) Purdue University (MS) Johannes Kepler University Linz
Signature
David D. Thompson's voice Thompson's opening statement at a House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee hearing on military readiness Recorded July 19, 2022

David Dean Thompson (born February 18, 1963) is a retired United States Space Force general who served as the first vice chief of space operations from 2020 to 2023. He served as the vice commander of the Air Force Space Command from 2018 to 2020.

Born and raised in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, Thompson entered the United States Air Force in 1985 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He studied at Purdue University and at Johannes Kepler University Linz as an Olmsted Scholar. A career space operations officer, he has commanded the 2nd Space Launch Squadron, 45th Operations Group, and Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado. He has served assignments in operations, acquisition, research and development, and academia.

In 2018, Thompson was assigned to Washington, D.C. to serve as the liaison of Air Force Space Command to the Pentagon and Congress during the creation of the Space Force. In October 2020, he transferred to the Space Force and assumed as the first vice chief of space operations. He was promoted to general, becoming the second general in the Space Force. He retired from the Space Force in 2023.

After retiring from the Space Force, Thompson joined the advisory board of HawkEye 360.