Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Darnell became the new commander of the Space Warfare Center in a change-of-command ceremony here June 20. Darnell replaces Brig. Gen. Douglas Fraser, who is assuming command of the Directorate of Air and Space Operations for Air Force Space Command. Gen. Lance Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command, presided over the ceremony.
As commander of the SWC, located at Schriever, Darnell will be responsible for designing and testing methods that enable war fighters to make full use of space-based assets.
“Today we are fortunate to have somebody of high standards and high performance to take the reins of the Space Warfare Center,” said Lord. “The challenges are many, especially as we move through space integration to forging space dominance.”
Darnell is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, where he earned his commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program. He has commanded at the flight, squadron, group and wing levels, and is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours.
Darnell’s most recent assignment was as commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB, Nev, where he was responsible for 26 squadrons comprising the Air Force’s largest, most diverse flying wing.
“We want our community to have a space cadre exactly how it’s meant to be,” Darnell said. “We want to take it to the next level – that is No. 1.”
