Susan K. Mashiko

Susan K. Mashiko is a retired United States Air Force major general who served as the Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Virginia. Her responsibilities include assisting the director and principal deputy director in managing the strategic and tactical operations of the NRO. Also, as the commander, Air Force Space Command Element, she manages all air force personnel and resources assigned to the NRO and serves as the senior adviser to the DNRO on all military matters. Mashiko is the first Japanese American woman to be promoted to flag rank.

Early life
Mashiko was born in Glendale, California.

Education
Mashiko earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from U.S. Air Force Academy. In 1986, Mashiko earned a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Air Force Institute of Technology.

Career
Mashiko's career has spanned a wide variety of space and acquisition assignments, including chief of the Programs Division in the Office of Special Projects, executive officer to the Department of Defense Space Architect, and Director of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle System Program. She has also served as the program executive officer for Environmental Satellites; commander, MILSATCOM Systems Wing; and vice commander, Space and Missile Systems Center. Prior to her current assignment, she was director, space acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.

In July 2014, Mashiko retired as Deputy Director of National Reconnaissance Office.

Major awards and decorations
Her major awards and decorations include:


 * 1998 John J. Welch Award for Excellence in Acquisition Management, Secretary of the Air Force
 * 1998 Strategic Acquisition Reform Award for Contracting Excellence, Secretary of the Air Force
 * 1999 David W. Packard Award for Acquisition Excellence, Department of Defense
 * 2003 Unit of the Year (Director), Air Force Association

This article contains information from the United States Federal Government and is in the public domain.

Dates of promotion

 * Second Lieutenant - May 28, 1980
 * First Lieutenant - May 28, 1982
 * Captain - May 28, 1984
 * Major - Oct 1, 1991
 * Lieutenant Colonel - Nov 1, 1996
 * Colonel - March 1, 2001
 * Brigadier General - September 7, 2006
 * Major General - November 20, 2009