AFA Awards Gagnon with Gen. Jerome F. O’Malley Space Visionary Award

Aurora, Colo. — The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) presented Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon with the “Gen. Jerome F. O’Malley Space Visionary Award” at the 2026 Warfare Symposium on February 25. The award honors vision, risk-taking, and innovation that advance U.S. Space Force operational capabilities.

As commander of U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command, Gagnon leads more than 12,000 Guardians and Airmen responsible for generating and delivering combat-ready space forces worldwide. Under his direction, Space Operations Command was restructured and redesignated as Combat Forces Command to better align with emerging offensive and defensive warfighting demands, reinforcing a readiness-first approach and a shift toward a true warfighting service.

A career intelligence officer and cyberspace operations expert, Gagnon brought a nontraditional background that enabled him to challenge legacy assumptions and drive operational innovation. He fostered a culture of experimentation, advanced intelligence integration and data analytics, and accelerated force design, training, and deployment models.

Drawing on extensive joint and intelligence experience, his leadership has reshaped how the Space Force organizes, equips, and employs combat-ready space forces, exemplifying the visionary spirit embodied by Gen. O’Malley.

The award was presented by Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess; AFA Board Chair Kathleen Ferguson; AFA President & CEO Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.); and Gen. O’Malley’s daughter, Shannon O’Malley Burg.

O’Malley was a pioneer of U.S. military spacepower who championed integrating space into everyday operations and emphasized agility, technological advancement, and forward-looking leadership. His legacy underscores the critical role of innovation in space for national security and future readiness.