U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Sue Mashiko has been appointed deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), builder of the nation’s classified spy satellites, according to a Jan. 11 Defense Department press release.
Mashiko will become the highest-ranking military officer at the NRO, serving under director Bruce Carlson. She has held a variety of top military space jobs, including vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center and program executive officer for environmental satellites, for which she was the top military officer responsible for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System.
Mashiko’s current position, director of space acquisition in the Office of the Undersecretary of the Air Force, will be filled by Air Force Brig. Gen. John E. Hyten, who is currently director of cyber and space operations in the Directorate of Operations at Air Force headquarters.
Hyten will be replaced at his current position by Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, now commander of the 45th Space Wing and director of the Eastern range for Air Force Space Command.
