Air Force announces top staff positions for new A11 space advocate

The Air Force today announced key civilian and military staff positions that will support the service's new -- and not-yet-announced -- deputy chief of staff for space operations.

The AF/A11 role is meant to be an advocate for space programs and operations on the Air Staff. The service has yet to reveal who will fill that role, but announced in an Aug. 17 press release that Shawn Barnes will serve as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations and Maj. Gen. Pamela Lincoln will be mobilization assistant to the deputy chief of staff for space operations.

Barnes currently serves as the Air Force's deputy director of legislative liaisons. His previous roles include deputy director for Air Force planning at the Pentagon and various space control and space situational awareness positions.

Lincoln is the mobilization assistant to the commander of the 14th Air Force and to the chief of the Joint Functional Component Command for space. She previously was vice wing commander of the 310th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, CO, among other roles.

The service has identified an initial staff of 43 military, civilian and contractor employees to support the A11. The new office will declare initial operational capability Aug. 21.

"The A11 will be a strong and vocal advocate for space capabilities inside the Air Force and with our national security, commercial, and international partners," according to the statement.