Lieutenant General Michael A. Hamel is the Commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. General Hamel leads the research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of space and missile systems, launch, command and control, and operational satellite systems. He is responsible for more than 6,500 employees nationwide and a total annual budget in excess of $12 billion. General Hamel is the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space and is responsible for the Air Force Satellite Control Network; space launch and range programs; space-based imaging, communication, navigation, space superiority, and meteorological programs; intercontinental ballistic missile programs; and other emerging transformational space programs.
Commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the United States Air Force Academy in June 1972, General Hamel’s career includes assignments in command, acquisition, space operations and policy, systems development, intelligence, and space launch. The General has served in senior staff positions at Air Force Space Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, and as the Vice President’s military advisor on defense, nonproliferation and space policy. Prior to his current position, General Hamel commanded the 14th Air Force "Flying Tigers," where he was responsible for all U.S. Air Force space forces and operations as well as execution of assigned U.S. Strategic Command space operations.
Throughout his career General Hamel has received numerous Air Force and Department of Defense awards and decorations. Recently he received the Hartinger Medal from The National Defense Industrial Association, recognizing his significant contributions to the military space mission of the United States and the Air Force Association’s Thomas D. White Award for outstanding contributions to space.
(Current as of November 2007)
