Colonel Shariful M. Khan has made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi American to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force. The promotion ceremony took place at the Pentagon on August 20, with the oath administered by Gen. Sean Bratton, Vice Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force.
Brig. Gen. Khan now serves as the Director of Staff for the “Golden Dome for America” program, overseeing policy coordination, strategic planning, deployment, and interagency collaboration for the nation’s advanced missile-defense system. His new role involves shaping the future of next-generation missile defense capabilities in the United States.
An alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Khan was commissioned in 1997 and has held critical positions in satellite operations, space management, and strategic military operations. He served in Kuwait at Ali Al Salem Air Base in 2001 and was Deployment Commander during Operation Silent Sentry in 2007. Khan has also commanded the 379th Space Range Squadron and the 310th Space Wing at Schriever Space Force Base, overseeing nearly 1,500 personnel.
The promotion was attended by distinguished guests, including former U.S. Ambassador to Fiji M. Osman Siddique, a fellow Bangladeshi American. Siddique praised Khan’s achievement, saying on social media, “I congratulate Brigadier General Khan for his loyalty, dedication, and service to our country.”
Brig. Gen. Khan holds a B.S. in political science from the U.S. Air Force Academy and advanced degrees in space systems operations management, strategic intelligence, military strategy, and national security studies from prestigious institutions such as Webster University, the National Defense Intelligence College, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and the U.S. Naval War College. His professional education includes the MIT National Security Fellowship, NATO Senior Officer Policy Course in Germany, and an executive leadership program at Georgetown University.
Khan’s historic promotion is a source of pride for the Bangladeshi diaspora and Bangladesh itself, highlighting the global achievements of the country’s talented citizens. His journey from Bangladesh roots to the upper echelons of the U.S. military underscores the potential for cross-cultural excellence and leadership on a global stage.
Bangladeshis worldwide have celebrated Khan’s accomplishment as an inspiring milestone, demonstrating the enduring impact of the nation’s contributions to international leadership, science, and defense.
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