Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Michael Guetlein Receives 2025 Wash100 Award

Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force, was presented with the 2025 Wash100 Award during a recent visit by Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson.

Garrettson founded the Wash100 Award in 2014 to honor the most notable executives shaping the future of the government contracting industry. These impactful leaders are handpicked based on their effective governance, innovative foresight, and pivotal contributions to the GovCon sector.

Commenting on Guetlin’s first Wash100 win, Garrettson stated, “Gen. Guetlein is a forward-thinking leader who is reshaping the future of space operations. His commitment to integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into national security strategies underscores his dedication to innovation. Under his guidance, the U.S. Space Force is developing an international strategy to strengthen alliances and partnerships, ensuring a collaborative approach to space security.”

“Additionally, Gen. Guetlein is spearheading the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve initiative, aiming to harness commercial space capabilities to enhance national defense. His visionary leadership is propelling the Space Force into a new era of technological advancement and international cooperation,” continued Garrettson.

Spearheading Space Force Innovation and Domain Authority

Guetlein is leading the advancement of space and counterspace capabilities to enhance national security and maintain the U.S. edge in the space-warfare domain. He emphasized the need to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning in strengthening national security against emerging threats. The Space Force is also bolstering its domain awareness by leveraging data gathered by a new space tracking system that the Department of Commerce is developing.

The Space Force executive also stressed the importance of enhancing domain superiority through stronger military and civilian collaborations by investing in testing and training in space domain awareness and command and control. In addition, the Space Force aims to integrate international allies and partners in the early stages of concept development and planning. This will enable the development of systems that are “allied by design.”

Under Guetlein’s tenure, the service branch intends to boost the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve program and award up to 20 contracts to advance commercial space capabilities in peacetime and conflict.

Read Guetlein’s Wash100 profile to learn more about why he was inducted into the 2025 class of the Wash100 Award.

Congratulations to Michael Guetlein on his first Wash100 Award!