Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center names new director

U.S. Space Force Col. Matthew Wroten took charge of the Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center during a change of leadership ceremony at Buckley Space Force Base on July 31.

Space Force Lt. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, U.S. Space Forces – Space commander and Combined Joint Force Space Component Command commander for U.S. Space Command, presided over the event, recognizing outgoing director Space Force Col. David Tipton and expressing confidence in Wroten as he assumed command. “As we look back over the past three years, [Tipton] absolutely hit it out of the park,” Bythewood said. “Our adversaries do not stay static… and we’re building ever more complex architectures … this makes the teamwork across the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Department of War critical to put the right sensor on the right target, optimizing the architecture for combat effect. Thank you for all the hard work… the team has done well. Matt, they understand the importance of the mission; they’re ready to move forward under your leadership.”

Wroten now leads a joint organization comprising National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and U.S. Space Command personnel who optimize a constellation of specialized satellites that detect heat signatures, including those from rocket engines and missile launches, anywhere on Earth. The center’s primary mission is the unified optimization of the Overhead Persistent-Infrared Enterprise for national-level decision-makers, warfighters and the intelligence community.

Operating around the clock, the JOPC brings sensor orchestration under one roof and works directly with worldwide collection managers to craft strategies that provide tailored support to combatant commands, partner coalition operations centers, and commercial and civil partnerships. “I’m excited and humbled to come in and be a part of this team… and to work with partners like the Missile Warning Center,” Wroten said. “To the members of JOPC, you have my trust, my ear and my promise that I’ll show up every day with a mission-first attitude… and I ask the same of you.”

Bythewood presented Tipton with the Defense Superior Service Medal, highlighting the outgoing director’s leadership and describing Wroten as the right person to lead the center forward. Since 2023, Tipton has led the $82 billion OPIR enterprise through an unprecedented 500 percent increase in missile attacks and testing, tracking threats during major combat operations across the globe. He is credited with guiding a rapid reorganization of the center and integrating highly advanced prediction models into the nation’s missile defense systems, according to the medal citation.

Tipton, who will retire after more than 24 years of service, praised the JOPC team. “… What I did was provide support to a capable and competent team who did the mission,” Tipton said. “To the JOPC, warfighters demand signal increases. You take on missions, you innovate, you’re nimble, capable… you make it look easy, and you do it all with a smile on your face. Thank you, you inspire me.”

The JOPC was created to ensure unity and integration between military and intelligence geospatial operations. Overseeing its global efforts from Aurora, Colorado, the center serves as a bridge between United States Code Title 10 warfighting authorities and Title 50 intelligence authorities, optimizing the OPIR Enterprise for national-level decision makers, warfighters, and the Intelligence Community.