NNSA welcomes new assistant deputy for military application

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Nuclear Security Administration on Friday welcomed Brigadier General Stephen L. Davis of the U.S. Air Force as principal assistant deputy administrator for military application.

Davis will assist Don Cook, NNSA’s deputy administrator for defense programs, in directing the Stockpile Stewardship Program, which maintains the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile without underground nuclear testing, a press release said.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Brigadier General Davis since he was a lieutenant and I have seen first-hand his commitment to excellence and service above self,” said U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Frank G. Klotz. “I am confident that he will excel as the senior uniformed officer in the Department of Energy. I also want to thank General Jim Dawkins for his superb service at NNSA and wish him the best of luck in his new and extraordinarily important position as director of strategic capabilities policy at the National Security Council.”

Most recently, Davis served as the assistant deputy director for nuclear, homeland defense, and current operations on the Joint Staff, J-33. Prior to the Joint Staff, he commanded the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, where he led more than 1,600 Air Force airmen in support of the nation’s land-based intercontinental ballistic missile force.

“Brigadier General Davis’ extensive experience with our nation’s strategic deterrent will be a tremendous asset in helping to guide and direct NNSA’s defense programs,” Cook said in the press release. “I look forward to working with Brigadier General Davis as we continue NNSA’s effort’s in maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, promoting first-rate science, technology and engineering, and improving the way we do business.”

Davis earned his commission through the Air Force Officers’ Training School in 1989. He has served in a variety of assignments including ICBM and space operations, staff duty at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Headquarters Air Force, and Headquarters United States Strategic Command. Davis has also commanded the nation’s only ICBM test squadron and more recently led the development and stand-up of United States Cyber Command. Prior to commanding the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, Davis was the Vice Commander, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, the release said.

He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He also has a master’s degree in business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and a master’s degree in military studies from Marine Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia; master’s degree in airpower art and science from the School of Advanced Airpower Studies at Air University, Maxwell AFB in Alabama. He was also a National Defense Fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.