Richard P. De Fatta, one of only two three-star “civilians” on Redstone Arsenal and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s most senior civilian leader, was officially named USASMDC deputy to the commander, Lt. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler last week.
In his new role, De Fatta will provide leadership for Army space and missile defense programs, acquisition, personnel, and resource management. His primary role will be to ensure the command understands and executes the commanding general’s priorities as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command while directly supporting U.S. Northern Command’s missile defense mission.
De Fatta said he was excited and honored to continue to serve the command.
“I’ve experienced the command’s accomplishments from all levels – from leading the Kwajalein Missile Range team through high operational tempo missile defense testing, managing the development of critical technologies in the SMDC Technical Center, and shepherding capability development activities to transform Army space for multi-domain operations,” De Fatta said. “As deputy to the commander, I will be able to concentrate on enabling the SMDC team’s continued success across the entire command.”
De Fatta said he will concentrate on the business operations of the command, staff and major subordinate elements that will enable success for operational formations performing their no-fail 24/7 missions all around the world.
“Integration of ongoing efforts both inside the command and across external commands will be a major focus for me,” he said.
De Fatta previously served as the director of the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence (SMDCoE) where he made general program policy and had a primary role in bringing space and missile defense capabilities and concepts to the warfighter.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and retired as a colonel in 2005. He spent more than seven years in senior contractor positions providing systems engineering, integration, test, program management, and technical support to Department of Defense programs responsible for the development, production and fielding of missile defense weapon systems.
De Fatta was appointed to senior executive service in 2013 and has served as acting director of the SMDC Future Warfare Center; director of Capability Development and Integration; acting director of the SMDC Technical Center; and director of Air and Missile Defense.
While serving in the civilian sector, De Fatta provided direct support to SMDC and the air and missile defense enterprise with technical, analytical and management expertise.
“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role my entire career,” De Fatta said. “I will look to integrate efforts across the command to the greatest extent possible, shepherd our limited personnel and fiscal resources, and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the entire extended Space and Missile Defense family. My door will always be open.”
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