Brig. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood is Commander, Joint Task Force–Space Defense at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. JTF-SD
is one of two subordinate commands to the newly formed United States Space Command, with a mission to conduct space superiority
operations, in unified action with mission partners, to deter aggression, defense space capability, and when directed, defeat adversaries
throughout the continuum of conflict.
Brig. Gen. Bythewood received his commission in 1992 upon graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in electrical engineering.
His career has spanned numerous acquisitions and satellite operations positions in the United States Space Force, Air Force Materiel
Command and the National Reconnaissance Office. He has commanded space operations at the squadron and group level and led
acquisitions as a squadron level Materiel Leader and three times as a wing equivalent Senior Materiel Leader.
Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. Bythewood was the Deputy Director for JTF-SD.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington
1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2003 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. by correspondence
2004 Master of Business Administration, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
2007 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1992 – June 1996, Range System Manager, 501st Range Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
2. July 1996 – August 1999, Electric Combat Analyst and Chief, Unmanned Air Vehicle Branch, Detachment 1, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
3. August 1999 – June 2002, Chief, Test and Certification, System Test Division, Milstar Joint Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
4. July 2002 – October 2005, Chief of Engineering, Operations Support Flight Commander and Operations Officer, 4th Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
5. November 2005 – July 2007, Chief, Military Satellite Communications Operations Branch, HAF/DCS, Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans, Requirements, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
6. August 2007 – May 2009, Executive Officer, SAF/SO, Air Forces Smart Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
7. June 2009 – June 2011, Commander, Space Communications Operations Squadron, Network Operations Group, Mission Operations Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Los Angeles, Calif.
8. July 2011 – July 2013, Materiel Leader, Space Based Infrared System Production, Infrared Space Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
9. August 2013 – June 2014, Director, Ground Frontiers Office, Ground Enterprise Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.
10. July 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 50th Operations Group, Schriever AFB, Colo.
11. July 2016 – December 2016, Special Assistant to the Director, Remote Sensing Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
12. December 2016 – October 2018, Senior Materiel Leader & Director, Remote Sensing Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
13. October 2018 – July 2020, Director, Space Development Corps and Program Executive Officer for Space Development, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
14. July 2020 – June 2021, Senior Materiel Leader and Director, Special Programs, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
15. July 2021 – Nov. 2022, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force-Space Defense, U.S. Space Command Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.
16. November 2022 – Present, Commander, Joint Task Force-Space Defense, U.S. Space Command Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service Medal with device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal with device
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant May 15, 1992
First Lieutenant June 1, 1994
Captain June 1, 1996
Major February 1, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel February 1, 2008
Colonel April 1, 2014
Brigadier General June 25, 2021
(Current as of July 2021)