Brig. Gen. Shariful M. Khan serves as the Director of Staff, Golden Dome for America, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this role, he synchronizes strategy, policy, plans, positions and cross-functional issues for all Golden Dome for America initiatives, including establishing partnerships with industry, academia, national labs and other government agencies to rapidly develop and field next-generation missile defense capabilities.
Brig. Gen. Khan earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1997. He has operational experience in space control, space systems, launch and as a satellite operator with the National Reconnaissance Office. In 2001, Brig. Gen. Khan deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, and deployed again in 2007 when he served as the Deployment Commander for Operation Silent Sentry.
Brig. Gen. Khan has commanded at the squadron and wing levels, including the 379th Space Range Squadron and the 310th Space Wing at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado where he directed the operations and staff activities of approximately 1,500 military personnel at 19 units and three direct reporting units. He has also served on the Office of the Secretary of Defense staff.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Political Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2005 Master of Science, Space Systems Operations Management, Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.
2011 Master of Science, Strategic Intelligence, National Defense Intelligence College, Washington D.C.
2012 Master of Philosophy, Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2022 National Security Fellow, Seminar XXI, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
2023 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Senior Officer Policy Course, NATO School Oberammergau, Oberammergau, Germany
2024 Executive Leadership Program in Organizational Culture and Leadership, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1997–April 1998, Assistant Regional Director of Admissions, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2. May 1998–August 1998, Student, Undergraduate Space and Missile Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
3. April 1998–April 2000, Upper Stage Operations officer, 5th Space Operations Squadron, Onizuka Air Force Station, Calif.
4. April 2000–April 2001, Chief, Upper Stage Operations, 5th Space Operations Squadron, Onizuka AFS, Calif.
5. April 2001–March 2002, Executive Officer, 21st Space Operations Squadron, Onizuka AFS, Calif.
6. December 2001–March 2002, 386th Air Expeditionary Group, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait
7. March 2002–March 2003, Chief, Command and Control Branch, Operating Division-4 (NRO), Onizuka AFS, Calif.
8. July 2002–August 2002, Student, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. March 2003–March 2005, Flight Commander, 76th Space Control Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
10. March 2005–August 2006, Operations Support Flight Commander, 76th Space Control Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
11. August 2006–August 2007, Operations Support Flight, 26th Space Aggressor Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
12. August 2007–August 2008, Flight Commander, 380th Space Control Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
13. August 2008–June 2010, Assistant Operations Officer, 380th Space Control Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
14. June 2010–July 2011, Student, National Defense Intelligence College, Washington D.C.
15. July 2011–June 2012, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
16. June 2012–August 2014, Military Deputy, Air Force Strategy Division, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
17. August 2014–July 2016, Commander, 379th Space Range Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
18. July 2016–July 2017, Student, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
19. July 2017–August 2018, Executive Officer to the Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
20. August 2018–August 2020, Director of U.S. Air Force Reserve Programs and Integration for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Integration, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
21. August 2020–July 2023, Commander, 310th Space Wing, Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.
22. August 2023–July 2024, Mobilization Assistant to Chief Strategy and Resourcing Officer, U.S. Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
23. July 2024–July 2025, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command, U. S. Space Force, Colorado Springs, Colo.
24. July 2025–present, Director of Staff, Golden Dome for America, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Air Force Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal National Defense Service Medal
(Current as of August 2025)