Lieutenant General David N. Miller, Jr., Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements, United States Space Force, and former Commander, Space Operations Command, United States Space Force, will receive the General James V. Hartinger Award for his outstanding achievements in the advancement of military space program of the United States.
General Miller’s career and achievements have been guided by the principle of Semper Venator, which is Latin for “Always the Hunter.” His impact on combat operations in various regions, including the Middle East, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, and the Indo-Pacific has been extraordinary.
His work with coalition partners to counter ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Iraq was instrumental in leveraging space-based assets to provide critical situational awareness and targeting information. Notably, he oversaw the integration of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities into coalition operations, which significantly enhanced the effectiveness of coalition strikes against ISIS.
Lt Gen Miller’s contributions extended to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. He worked closely with Ukrainian military leaders to integrate space-based capabilities into their operations, enhancing their ability to detect and respond to Russian military activities. For instance, he oversaw the provision of space-based ISR capabilities to Ukrainian forces, which enabled them to detect and track Russian military movements, including the mobilization of troops and equipment along the Ukrainian border.
Lt Gen Miller played a key role with Israel that enhanced their space-based capabilities, particularly in missile warning. He oversaw the integration of U.S. space-based assets, including the Space-Based Infrared System, into Israeli operations, that provided critical early warning and situational awareness to Israeli forces during conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Regarding Iran, General Miller was instrumental in countering their military activities, particularly in space-based reconnaissance and surveillance. He worked closely with U.S. and coalition partners to detect and track Iranian military assets, including satellites and missile systems.
During Operation Midnight Hammer, Lt Gen Miller provided critical support to U.S. and coalition forces, enabling them to detect and track Iranian missile launches and respond with precision strikes against Iranian nuclear targets and capabilities.
In the USINDOPACOM operations, Lt Gen Miller integrated space-based capabilities into joint and combined operations, which enhanced U.S. and allied forces capabilities to detect and respond to emerging threats. His leadership, vision, and expertise in military space operations significantly contributed to the growth of Allied strategic deterrence in this region of the world.
Lt Gen Miller’s commitment to integrating space-based capabilities into joint and combined operations has enhanced the combat effectiveness of the Combined and Joint Forces. His leadership has inspired a new generation of space warfighters, and this award is exceptionally well-deserved.
Join us in congratulating Lt General Miller, recipient of Rocky Mountain NDIA’s 42nd Annual General James V. Hartinger Award for 2026.
Lt General Miller will accept the Hartinger Award at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Ball on 29 May, 2026, in Colorado Springs, CO.
