Capt. Shawnee Kazaka takes command of the U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade’s newly established Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Satellite Communications Directorate, Dec. 11, 2020, at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s headquarters on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. (U.S. Army photo)

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade’s recently established Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Satellite Communications Directorate, received a new commander on Dec. 11.

Capt. Shawnee Kazaka, who previously served as the administration and personnel detachment in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson, said she was excited to take on her new duties.

“I look forward to being a part of the team and sharing in what the future has in store for us,” Kazaka said. “To the Soldiers, civilians and partners, I look forward to working with each and every one of you.”

Kazaka, originally from St. Augustine, Florida, spent the first 11 of her 16 years of military service as an enlisted Soldier. In 2015, she commissioned as an officer following her graduation from Texas A&M University.

Her previous assignments include: strength manager for the 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; S1 officer-in-charge, 720th Military Police Battalion, Fort Hood; as well as additional assignments at Fort Lee, Virginia; Kadena Air Force Base, Japan; and a deployment to Iraq.

Col. Stephen Parrish, Satellite Operations Brigade commander, said he has full faith and confidence in Kazaka.

“Keep people first and you will not fail,” Parrish said. "You are a first-rate officer who will bring much to this organization and this critical no-fail mission.”

HHC SATCOM Directorate is responsible for providing seamless integration and operation of Department of Defense wideband and narrowband satellites, as well as space-domain operational support for 11 combatant commands, federal agencies, non-governmental agencies and coalition partners.