Speakers

Colonel Cotton is the Director, Training, Development, & Force Generation Headquarters, Space Operations Command, Peterson SFB, Colo. In this role, he is responsible for the training, evaluations, combat readiness and development and Space Force Generation for USSF’s combat forces, leading and synchronizing critical readiness efforts toward the USSF’s combat preparation for near-peer and peer competition in world-wide operations. This entails planning, defining requirements and measuring results to present combat ready forces to execute USSF’s $100 billion global network of Missile Warning, GPS, space-domain awareness, SATCOM and protect & defend weapon systems while also synchronizing efforts with USSF’s $1 billion operational test and training infrastructure, evolving operators for combat operations. Col Cotton earned his commission as a Distinguished Graduate from Air Force ROTC and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Wyoming in 2004. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserves in 2005 where he has operational experience with the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, Defense Support Program/Space Based Infrared Systems, and the Space Test and Training Range. He has served as an Assistant Director of Operations, Squadron Commander, Instructor at the USAF Weapons School and Reserve Advisor to multiple senior Air and Space Force leaders. While stationed at Nellis AFB, Nev., Lt Col Cotton became the first Reservist to complete Weapons Instructor Upgrade for the Space Superiority Weapons Instructor Course. He has deployed for five major exercises at the 607th Air and Space Operations Center, Osan Air Base, Korea and the 613th Air and Space Operations Center, Hickam AFB, Hi., working space support to the Joint Personnel Recovery Center and as the Deputy Chief of Special Technical Operations. Finally, from 2015-2022, he was an operations and integration subject matter expert and adjudicator in multiple Schriever, Global Engagement, AFWIC Future and Globally Integrated Wargames Advanced and Special Access Program Cells building integrated space protect and defend courses of action and working through various tactical operations, resourcing, policy and legal determinations.