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    HomeAbout UsBiographiesDisplay      Biography for Brigadier General Scott A. CainEFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
                
                Second Lieutenant                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                May 31, 1995First Lieutenant                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 May 31, 1997Captain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          May 31, 1999Major                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            July 01, 2005Lieutenant Colonel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               March 01, 2009Colonel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          June 01, 2015Brigadier General                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                June 19, 2020Major General                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    December 05, 2023Engage OnFacebook PostsYour browser is incompatible with this widget.
                        
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        Biography for Brigadier General Scott A. CainMajor General SCOTT A. CAINMaj. Gen. Scott A. Cain is the Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the Technology Executive Officer, supporting both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. He leads a $3 billion science, technology and innovation enterprise in accelerating the discovery and development of solutions for Airmen and Guardians. He is responsible for formulating a comprehensive technology portfolio that anticipates future warfighter needs, while promoting risk-taking and problem-solving across a 6,000-member government workforce. He accelerates the delivery of cross-domain solutions through partnerships with industry, academia and international allies, and executes an additional $3 billion in externally funded research and development. Through the laboratory's technology and functional directorates, AFWERX and the 711th Human Performance Wing, his team produces a deep technical and medical bench, pushes the boundaries of modern technology and improves the science for tomorrow.
Maj. Gen. Cain received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1995, where he was a distinguished graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in Astronautical Engineering. The general attended undergraduate pilot training in 1995 and was selected to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. After completion of F-16 training, he served as an operational F-16 pilot in Kunsan Air Base, Korea, and Misawa AB, Japan, flying combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch. He previously commanded the 96th Test Wing, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin AFB, Florida. Prior to his current assignment, Maj. Gen. Cain served as the Director, Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command.**EDUCATION**
1995 Bachelor of Science, Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2003 Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder
2003 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2005 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Air Force Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va.
2011 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School, Washington, D.C.**ASSIGNMENTS**
1. September 1995–October 1996, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2. November 1996–February 1997, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. February 1997–October 1997, Student, F-16 Fighting Falcon Qualification Training, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. October 1997–September 1998, F-16 Pilot, Chief of Training, Kunsan Air Base, Korea
5. October 1998–November 2000, F-16 Pilot, Chief of Current Operations, Misawa AB, Japan
6. December 2000–December 2004, F-117 Nighthawk Pilot, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Holloman AFB, N.M.
7. January 2005–December 2005, Student, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
8. January 2006–April 2008, Developmental Test Pilot, 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
9. May 2008–May 2009, Air Force Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va.
10. June 2009–May 2010, Operations Officer, classified location
11. June 2010–July2012, Commander, 40th FTS, Eglin AFB, Fla.
12. August 2012–July 2014, Senior Military Evaluator, Air Warfare, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test & Evaluation, Washington D.C.
13. August 2014–June 2015, Student, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
14. July 2015–June 2017, Commander, 412th Operations Group, Edwards AFB, Calif.
15. July 2017–July 2019, Commander, Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Arnold AFB, Tenn.
16. July 2019–Jun 2022, Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.
17. July 2022–June 2023, Director, Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air AFB, Ohio
18. June 2023–present, Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, AFMC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio**FLIGHT INFORMATION**
Rating:  command pilot
Flight hours:  more than 2,800 hours
Aircraft flown:  41 aircraft including F-35, F-16 and F-117**MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS**
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award**EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION**
Second Lieutenant May 31, 1995
First Lieutenant May 31, 1997
Captain May 31, 1999
Major July 1, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel March 1, 2009
Colonel June 1, 2015
Brigadier General June 19, 2020
Major General Dec. 5, 2023
(Current as of December 2023)
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