Colonel SHANNON DASILVA

Colonel Shannon DaSilva is the Commander, Space Delta 10, Space Training and Readiness Command, Patrick SFB, Florida. She is responsible for leading Space Force wargaming and doctrine development as well as assisting with operational concept refinement, advising force design, and leading the Service’s lessons learned program. Space Delta 10 prepares Guardians for Great Power Competition while forging critical partnerships for space security across industry, academia, and numerous allied nations through events like the Schriever Wargame Series.

Prior to her current command, Col DaSilva served as the Deputy Director of Operations, Space Systems Command leading the Assured Access to Space enterprise team responsible for launch manifesting, integration, spaceflight worthiness, and current operations. Col DaSilva also worked on the Headquarters Space Force Staff as the Director for Joint Matters, and for the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy as the Deputy Director of Space Strategy and Plans.

Colonel DaSilva entered the United States Air Force in 2003 as a Distinguished Graduate of the Boilermaker Reserve Officer Training Corps at Purdue University. Her assignments include missile operations crew, spacelift range certifications, and program management, flight, and mission operations for the National Reconnaissance Office. She commanded the 2d Space Warning Squadron, leading 110 active duty, reserve and multinational personnel responsible for 24/7 operations and maintenance of the $32.2B Space-Based Infrared System, charged with decisive first-detect, first-report assessment of worldwide missile launches to combatant commanders, allies, the Secretary of Defense and the President. Colonel DaSilva transferred to the United States Space Force in October 2020.

Colonel DaSilva and her husband, Rick, have 4 children.

EDUCATION:
2003 Bachelor’s of Science in Aviation Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN
2010 Master’s of Science in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University FL
2016 Master’s of Science in Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command and Staff College AL
2020 Master’s of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Washington DC

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Jun ’03 – Jan ’04, Student, ICBM Initial Qualification Training, Vandenberg AFB CA
2. Feb ‘04 – May ’08, Minuteman III Deputy Combat Crew, Commander Combat Crew then Senior Combat Crew Commander Instructor, 490th Missile Squadron & 341st Operations Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB MT
3. May ’08 – Apr ’10, Range Control Officer and Mission Flight Control Officer, 1st Range Operations Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station FL
4. Apr ‘10 – Aug ‘11, Executive Officer, 45th Operations Group, Patrick AFB FL
5. Aug ’11 – May ’13, Spacecraft Anomaly Manager then Assistant Director of Operations, Flight Operations Division, Aerospace Data Facility Colorado, Buckley AFB CO
6. May ’13 – Jul ’15, Denver Mission Director then Director of Operations, Mission Operations Squadron/Current Operations Division, Aerospace Data Facility Colorado, Buckley AFB CO
7. Aug ’15 – Jun ’16, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB AL
8. Jun ’16 – May ‘17, Deputy Director, Commander’s Action Group, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB CO
9. May ’17 – Jun ‘19, Commander, 2d Space Warning Squadron, Buckley AFB CO
10. Aug ’19 – Jun ‘20, Student, National War College, Fort McNair, DC
11. Jun ’20 – Jul ‘22, Deputy Director, Strategy & Plans, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, VA
12. Aug ’22 – Jun ‘23, Director, Joint & NSC Matters, Office of the Chief of Space Operations, Pentagon, VA
13. Jul ’23 – Aug ‘24, Deputy Director of Operations (S3), Space Systems Command, Patrick SFB, FL
14. Aug ’24 – Present, Commander, Space Delta 10, Space Training and Readiness Command, Patrick SFB, FL

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (1 OLC)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC)
Air Force Commendation Medal (1 OLC)
Air Force Achievement Medal (1 OLC)
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant, May 28, 2003
First Lieutenant, May 28, 2005
Captain, May 28, 2007
Major, October 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel, December 1, 2016
Colonel, March 1, 2021

Current as of 12 January 2025