Brig. Gen. Thomas L. James serves as the Commander for Joint Task Force-Space Defense at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

Prior to the transition to JTF-SD, he served as U.S. Space Command director of operations.

He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and was commissioned into the Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He also holds three Master of Science Degrees in Airpower Art and Science, International Relations and Military Operational Art and Science. He later earned a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Air War College.

James’ command assignments include Brigade Commander of 1st Space Brigade, Battalion Commander of 1st Space Battalion and Company Commander of B Company Eighth U.S. Army, Republic of Korea.

His key staff assignments include Commander, Operations, Plans and Exercises, Joint Force Space Component Command; Deputy Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space; Director, Space Implementation Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy); Deputy to the Director, U.S. Space and Missile Defense, Future Warfare Center, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Chief, Space Support Element, U.S. Army Central; Chief of the Army Element at the National Space Security Institute, Combat Development Directorate; Deputy to the Director for Space Forces, Combined Air Operations Center and Chief of Space Capabilities Branch, Directorate of Combat Developments.

James has served in several joint assignments and directly supported Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, two Joint Service Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge and Air Force Space and Missile Badge.