Cary C. Chun
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General Cary Comperido Chun (born August 23, 1963) is the former Commander of 50th Space Wing
, Schriever Air Force Base
, Colorado. In this position, he was responsible for more than 3,100 military personnel, and Department of Defense
civilians and contractor personnel, serving at 50th Space Wing operating locations worldwide. The wing supports more than 170 Communications communications
, navigation
and surveillance
satellites, with their associated systems valued at more than 66 billion.
in 1981. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985. He gained extensive space operations experience working with the U.S. Space Command, the Air Force Space Command
, the 14th Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office
, and the Central Air Forces. He is a graduate of the Space Warfare Center's Space Tactics School. Additionally, he has supported the President and First Lady as a White House social aide. He earned a M.S. in Space Operations in 1990 from the Air Force Institute of Technology
.
at Vandenberg Air Force Base
, California; the NRO Operations Group at Onizuka Air Force Station
, California; and the Space Operations Wing at the Aerospace Data Facility, Buckley Air Force Base
, Colorado. He has also served as the Director of Space Forces while deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his current assignment, General Chun was the executive officer to the Commander, Air Force Space Command.
50th Space Wing
The 50th Space Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force under the major command of Air Force Space Command . It was activated on 30 January 1992, replacing the 2d Space Wing, which was deactivated on the same date.-Overview:...
, Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.-Overview:...
, Colorado. In this position, he was responsible for more than 3,100 military personnel, and Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
civilians and contractor personnel, serving at 50th Space Wing operating locations worldwide. The wing supports more than 170 Communications communications
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
, navigation
Global Navigation Satellite System
A satellite navigation or SAT NAV system is a system of satellites that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line-of-sight by radio from...
and surveillance
Spy satellite
A spy satellite is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications....
satellites, with their associated systems valued at more than 66 billion.
Early life
General Chun was born in Cavite, Philippines, at Sangley Point Naval Air Station, when his father was on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard. He graduated from Amador Valley High SchoolAmador Valley High School
Amador Valley High School is a public high school in Pleasanton, California, USA, a city east of San Francisco. Amador Valley is one of four high schools in the Pleasanton Unified School District, which includes Foothill High School, Village High School, and Horizon High School. The school was...
in 1981. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985. He gained extensive space operations experience working with the U.S. Space Command, the Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
, the 14th Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office
National Reconnaissance Office
The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
, and the Central Air Forces. He is a graduate of the Space Warfare Center's Space Tactics School. Additionally, he has supported the President and First Lady as a White House social aide. He earned a M.S. in Space Operations in 1990 from the Air Force Institute of Technology
Air Force Institute of Technology
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education that is part of the United States Air Force. It is located on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT has been...
.
US Air Force career
General Chun commanded the 614th Space Operations Squadron614th Space Operations Squadron
The 614th Space Operations Squadron was a squadron of the United States Air Force under Air Force Space Command . By AFSPC order the unit inactivated 24 May 2007. Its mission and members moved to the Combat Operations Division of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center...
at Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
, California; the NRO Operations Group at Onizuka Air Force Station
Onizuka Air Force Station
Onizuka Air Force Station was a United States Air Force installation in Santa Clara County, California, just outside the city limits of Sunnyvale, at the intersection of U.S. Route 101 and State Route 237...
, California; and the Space Operations Wing at the Aerospace Data Facility, Buckley Air Force Base
Buckley Air Force Base
Buckley Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Aurora, Colorado, that was established by the U.S. Army in 1943. The base was named in honor of the World War I Army pilot 1LT John Harold Buckley.-Overview:...
, Colorado. He has also served as the Director of Space Forces while deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his current assignment, General Chun was the executive officer to the Commander, Air Force Space Command.
Major Awards and decorations
- Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
Other
- 1991, Outstanding squadron graduate, Squadron Officer School
- 1997, Top 25 percent graduate, Air Command and Staff College
- 2000, Field Grade Officer of the Year, California Air Force Association
- 2005, National Reconnaissance OfficeNational Reconnaissance OfficeThe National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
Leadership Award - 2006, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award
- 2007, National Security AgencyNational Security AgencyThe National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
Bronze Medallion - 2007, National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal