Shawn J. Barnes

Mr. Shawn Barnes, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Assistant Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command, Washington, D. C. Mr. Barnes is responsible to the Vice Commander of Air Force Space Command in carrying out Air Force space missions and integrating space policy, guidance, coordination and synchronization of space-related activities, and issue resolution for Air Force Space Command and the Department of the Air Force.

Mr. Barnes initiated his civil service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he assisted with research on, and vaccine development for, some of the world’s most dangerous infectious animal diseases.

Mr. Barnes left the USDA to join the U.S. Air Force in 1985 and retired from the Service in 2013 as a colonel. He served in a wide variety of ICBM and space operations and staff positions including instructor, crew commander, executive officer, and Chief of Special Operations. He commanded the 12th Space Warning Squadron at Thule Air Base, Greenland, and the 595th Space Group at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Barnes was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Space Operations, Headquarters U. S. Air Force.