James Banta

James Banta is an experienced aerospace professional currently serving as Deputy Crew Commander and Chief of the Space Safety Operations Branch for the United States Space Force since June 2020. Prior to this, Banta held various leadership roles in the United States Air Force from September 2011 to June 2020, including Director of the OPIR Battlespace Awareness Center, where coordination and systems integration for a $4 million weapon system were key responsibilities. Additional roles included serving as a Space Liaison, educating Army Division leadership on space capabilities, and managing a unit budget, as well as Chief of Training, leading a team to develop and execute extensive training programs. Banta holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Central Washington University, earned in June 2006.