The commander of UK Space Command, Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson, has been suspended from his post pending an investigation, the Royal Air Force confirmed on Monday. Thompson, who took up the role in June, was removed "without prejudice," though the RAF has not provided details about the nature of the inquiry.

Thompson assumed command of the two-star formation less than two months ago, having previously served as the command’s deputy leader. Commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 2003, he initially joined the RAF in 1997 and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2024.

Air Commodore Darren Whiteley has been appointed as the interim commander during Thompson’s absence. UK Space Command, headquartered at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, is responsible for safeguarding British and allied space interests around the clock. The joint command includes personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and RAF, as well as civil servants and contractors.

The command plays a key role in defending the United Kingdom’s capabilities and assets in space amid growing global competition and security concerns. The RAF declined to comment further on the reasons for Thompson’s suspension or the timeline for concluding the investigation.