Charleen Laughlin has joined the U.S. Space Force as Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, a new standalone role central to the service’s digital modernization push. 

The restructuring separates cyber functions from operations and nuclear oversight, enabling greater focus on AI, machine learning, and data protection. Laughlin succeeds acting Deputy Col. Nathan Iven and will help advance the Space Force’s growing ground moving target indicator (GMTI) and air moving target indicator (AMTI) mission capabilities.

Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, reportedly announced the move during a Mitchell Institute event, noting Laughlin’s appointment follows her tenure as Chief Digital and AI Officer for the Joint Staff and other senior Department of Defense cyber posts.

Before that, she served as Deputy Director of the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) cross-functional team and as chief of staff to the Department of Defense chief information officer, along with holding several other cyber-focused positions within the DOD.