SCAPR welcomes Col Bryon McClain for our SECOND May Luncheon!  Col McClain is the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base (AFB), California.

Please note, the venue for this event has changed to the Embassy Suites, LAX South off Imperial Blvd.  We’re excited to be back at the Embassy Suites as they have completed their renovations.

Details

Date: Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Location: Embassy Suites El Segundo (1440 E Imperial Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245)

Agenda:

• 11:30 Networking
• 12:00 Lunch
• 12:30 Speaker
• 13:00 Adjourn

As always, members are free with RSVP. Guests of members can be purchased on the website for $40.  Please RSVP no later than 1pm on 4/29.

Speaker Biography

Col McClain is a core acquisition officer with program office experience in command-and-control systems, satellite systems, as well as global information systems through his time at Hanscom AFB, Los Angeles AFB, and while on the Joint Staff, J-39, at the Pentagon. He has operational test experience on the RQ-4 Global Hawk and B-52 Stratofortress. He also has satellite experience as the Materiel Leader/Program Manager for rapidly acquiring military satellite communications systems.

Additionally, he has satellite launch experience as the satellite program manager on the successful Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 mission. Previously, he served as the Director, Advanced Capabilities Group, and Senior Materiel Leader at the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico where he oversaw space-based research, development and acquisition activities for classified space acquisition programs.

Col McClain was selected to transition to the U.S. Space Force in February of 2021.

EDUCATION

2001 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
2008 Master of Science, Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2015 Master of Science, Military Operational Art and Science, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Va.
2019 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

ASSIGNMENTS

March 2001 – February 2003, Command and Control Advanced Development Project Officer, Electronic Systems Center,

February 2003 – March 2004, Air Operations Center System Engineer, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.

March 2004 – July 2005, Lead Electrical Engineer, Global Hawk Operational Test, 31^st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.

July 2005 – August 2006, Lead Engineer, B-52 Operational Test, 31^st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.

August 2006 – May 2008, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio

May 2008 – July 2009, Advanced Extremely High Frequency Planning Element Lead, Military Satellite Communications Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

July 2009 – July 2010, Executive Officer to the SMC Vice Commander, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

July 2010 – Jan 2011, Chief, Space Vehicle Integration, Global Positioning System Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

January 2011 – July 2014, Deputy Program Manager, J-39, Joint Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

July 2014 – July 2015, Student, Command and Staff College, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va.

July 2015 – July 2018, Materiel Leader, Rapid Acquisition Branch, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

July 2018 – June 2019, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

June 2019 – July 2021, Assistant Professor and Director, Senior Acquisition Course, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

July 2021 – July 2023, Senior Materiel Leader; Director, Advanced Capabilities Group, Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

July 2023 – Present, Program Executive Officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

1993 – Distinguished Graduate, TOW/Dragon Missile Electronics Repairer
1995 – Distinguished Graduate, Basic NCO Course
2000 – Honor Graduate, Ordnance Officer Basic Course
2005 – Superior Logistician, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course
2007 – Distinguished Graduate, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course
2018 – Military Volunteer of the Year, Fort Huachuca, AZ
2022 – BSA Silver Beaver Award

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Program Management, Level III, System Planning, Research, Development and Engineering, Level III, Test and Evaluation, Level II, Fully Qualified Joint Officer

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant Jan. 12, 2001
First Lieutenant Jan. 12, 2003
Captain Jan. 12, 2005
Major Oct. 01, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 01, 2015
Colonel March 01, 2020

(CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 2023)