Colonel Andrew S. Menschner is the Deputy Commander, Space Systems Command, headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. He leads more than 15,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel worldwide and an annual budget of $15.6 billion, while managing the research, design, development, acquisition, launch, and sustainment of satellites and the associated command and control systems. Space Systems Command’s extensive portfolio includes military satellite communication, missile warning, navigation and timing, space-based weather, space launch and test ranges, space superiority, responsive space and other emerging evolutionary space programs.
Prior to his current assignment, Col. Menschner was the Commander of Mission Delta 31, Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., and was responsible for operations, sustainment, and acquisition of the GPS constellation and Satellite Control Network.
Col. Menschner received his commission from Drake University in 2001. He has served in a variety of command and staff roles within Space Systems Command, Space Operations Command, Space Development Agency and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, Drake University, Iowa
2003 Master of Science in Biology, University of Texas-San Antonio, Texas
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Master of Business Administration, Colorado State University, Colo.
2011 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence)
2015 Master of Science in Military Operational Arts and Sciences, Air University, Ala.
2016 Air War College (correspondence)
2017 Senior Program Manager’s Course, Defense Acquisition University, Naval Base Point Loma, Calif.
2023 Master of Science in Strategic Studies, Air University, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2001 – Apr 2004, Program Manager, CBRN Defense, 311th Human Systems Wing, Brooks AFB, Texas
2. May 2004 – Nov 2007, Project Manager, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va.
3. Dec 2007 – Dec 2010, Commandant of Cadets, Air Force ROTC Det 250, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
4. Jan 2011 – May 2012, Chief, DEW Effects Branch, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla.
5. Jun 2012 – Jun 2014, Squadron Section Commander, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla.
6. Jul 2014 – Jun 2015, IDE Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. Jul 2015 – Jun 2016, Chief, Ground Contingency Operations Branch, GPS Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
8. Jul 2016 – Jun 2019, Materiel Leader, GPS III Contingency Operations, GPS Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
9. Jul 2019 – Dec 2019, Deputy, Tactical Airlift, SOF and Training Aircraft Division, Global Reach Directorate, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Pentagon, Va.
10. Jan 2020 – August 2020, Deputy, Support Cell, Space Development Agency, Pentagon, Va.
11. Sep 2020 – May 2021, Deputy Director, Security Assistance Office-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
12. Jun 2021 – Jun 2022, Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Pentagon, VA
13. Jul 2022 – Jun 2023, SDE Student Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. Jul 2023 – Oct 2023, Senior Materiel Leader, Acquisition Delta – GPS, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
15. Oct 2023 – July 2025, Commander, Mission Delta 31, Peterson SFB, Colo.
16. July 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Non-Article 5 NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major Jan 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel Apr 1, 2016
Colonel Jul 1, 2022
(CURRENT AS OF AUG 2025)