Shariful M. Khan

Last updated
Shariful M. Khan
Col Shariful M. Khan.jpg
Khan in Colonel insignia
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Air Force
Years of service1997 — present
Rank Brigadier
Commands 379th Space Range Squadron
310th Space Wing
Awards See List

Shariful M. Khan is a brigadier general in the United States Air Force, who is currently serving as Director of Staff, Golden Dome for America, assigned at The Pentagon. He is the first bangladeshi origin american to obtain this rank. [1]

Contents

Career

Khan began his career in 1997 as Assistant Regional Director of Admissions at the University of Michigan before completing Undergraduate Space and Missile Training at Vandenberg AFB in 1998. He then served at Onizuka AFS with the 5th Space Operations Squadron and 21st Space Operations Squadrons in roles including Upper Stage Operations Officer, Chief of Upper Stage Operations, and Executive Officer, alongside a deployment to Kuwait at Ali Al Salem Air Base with the 386th Air Expeditionary Group. [2] [3]

From 2002 to 2010, he took on a series of leadership positions in space operations. These included Chief of Command and Control Branch (NRO), Flight Commander and Operations Support Flight Commander with the 76th Space Control Squadron, duty with the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron, and later roles as Flight Commander and Assistant Operations Officer with the 380th Space Control Squadron. During this time, he also attended Squadron Officer School.

His education and strategic assignments continued from 2010 to 2016. He studied at the National Defense Intelligence College, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and later the Naval War College. Between studies, he served as Military Deputy in the Air Force Strategy Division at the Pentagon and commanded the 379th Space Range Squadron at Schriever AFB. [4]

From 2017 onward, his career centered on senior leadership. He was the Executive Officer to the Chief of Air Force Reserve, then Director of U.S. Air Force Reserve Programs and Integration at the Pentagon. He went on to command the 310th Space Wing from 2020 to 2023, before serving as Mobilization Assistant to Chief Strategy and Resourcing Officer and Commander of Space Training and Readiness Command, two senior U.S. Space Force roles. Since July 2025, he has been Director of Staff for Golden Dome for America at the Pentagon. [5]

Dates of promotion

RankDate
US Air Force O1 shoulderboard rotated.svg Second Lieutenant May 28, 1997
US Air Force O2 shoulderboard rotated.svg First Lieutenant May 28, 1999
US Air Force O3 shoulderboard rotated.svg Captain May 28, 2001
US Air Force O4 shoulderboard rotated.svg Major December 6, 2006
US Air Force O5 shoulderboard rotated.svg Lieutenant Colonel August 10, 2012
US Air Force O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg Colonel July 17, 2017
US Air Force O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg Brigadier General June 30, 2025

Awards and decorations

Khan has received numerous awards, which are shown below.

Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Joint Service Commendation Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air and Space Commendation Medal ribbon.svg
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two Oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air and Space Achievement Medal ribbon.svg
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one Oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon.svg Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four Oak leaf cluster
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame.png Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Air and Space Longevity Service Award.svg
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with one silver Oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
Air and Space Training Ribbon.svg Air and Space Training Ribbon

References

  1. "Bangladesh-born Shariful M Khan promoted to brigadier general in US Air Force". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  2. প্রতিবেদক, কূটনৈতিক (2025-08-22). "মার্কিন সামরিক বাহিনীর ব্রিগেডিয়ার জেনারেল হলেন শরিফুল খান". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  3. "Bangladeshi-American Shariful Khan Promoted to Brigadier General in US Military". rtvonline.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  4. বার্তা ২৪, Barta 24. "Bangladeshi-born Shariful Khan makes history as first Brigadier General in US Army". Barta 24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-08-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. Air Force, United States. "About Us - Brigadier General SHARIFUL M. KHAN".