http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

March 2022

Anne C. McClain

(Lt Col, U.S. Army) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Anne C. McClain was selected by NASA in 2013. The Spokane, Washington native earned a Bachelor of Science in 

Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering from West Point. A 2002 Marshall Scholar, McClain earned a Master of Science in 

Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bath in Bath, England and a Master of Science in International Relations 

from the University of Bristol in Bristol, England. Lieutenant Colonel McClain, a Senior Army Aviator, has more than 

2,000 flight hours in 20 different aircraft. She is an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilot and instructor pilot, and a rated pilot in 

the C-12 Huron (King Air), UH-60 Blackhawk, and UH-72 Lakota. McClain most recently served as Flight Engineer on the 

International Space Station for Expedition 58 and 59.

Personal Data:

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington. McClain’s mother and stepfather are Charlotte and Don Lamp and stepmother 

is Mari Ann McClain, father is the late James McClain, all of Spokane, WA. She enjoys weightlifting, golf, biking, crossfit

and running.

Education:

Graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington, in 1997. Earned a Bachelor of Science in 

Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2002. A 2002 Marshall Scholar, 

earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bath in Bath, England in 2004. 

Earned a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Bristol in Bristol, England in 2005.

Experience:

McClain was commissioned as an Army officer in 2002 and started graduate school. Her studies at the University of Bath 

focused on the unsteady aerodynamics and flow visualization of free-to-roll nonslender delta wings and her research 

was later published through the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). She also researched the 

security burden in developing countries at nearby University of Bristol. Following graduate school, McClain earned her 

wings as an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout/attack helicopter pilot. She began her operational flying career with 2nd 

Battalion, 6th Cavalry Regiment at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii as an Air Traffic Control Platoon Leader, Aviation 

Intermediate Maintenance Platoon Leader, then later Detachment Commander. She served 15 months in Operation 

Iraqi Freedom, flying more than 800 combat hours on 216 combat missions as pilot-in-command and Air Mission 

Commander. In 2009, she attended the Aviation Captain’s Career Course and was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 14th 

Aviation Regiment at Fort Rucker as the battalion operations officer and OH-58D instructor. In May 2010, she was 

appointed Commander of C Troop, 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment, responsible for the Army’s initial entry 

training, instructor pilot training, and maintenance test pilot training in the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. She completed 

Command and General Staff College and the C-12 fixed wing multiengine qualification courses in 2011 and 2012. She 

then attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, graduating with Class 143 in June 2013 at the same time she was selected 

as a NASA astronaut.
http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

Anne C. McClain

Lieutenant Colonel McClain is a Senior Army Aviator and has logged more than 2,000 flight hours in 20 different rotary 

and fixed-wing aircraft. She is a rated pilot and instructor pilot in the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and a rated pilot in the C12 Huron (King Air), UH-60 Blackhawk, and UH-72 Lakota.

NASA Experience:

McClain was selected in June 2013 as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class. Her candidate training 

included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, 

robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. She completed astronaut 

candidate training in July 2015. 

Anne McClain most recently served as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 58 and 59. She is 

an Instructor Astronaut for Robotics, EVA, and CAPCOM.

Spaceflight Experience:

Expedition 58/59 (December 3, 2018 through June 24, 2019). The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome

aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft. McClain, who served as Flight Engineer and US Orbital Segment Lead, was joined by 

CSA Astronaut David Saint-Jacques, as well as Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko. The Expedition 59 crew contributed 

to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science, including investigations into

small devices that replicate the structure and function of human organs, editing DNA in space for the first time and

recycling 3D-printed material. McClain was lead spacewalker on two spacewalks, totaling 13 hours and 8 minutes on her 

mission into space. She has spent a total of 204 days in space.

Awards/Honors:

Army awards include a Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with Valor, two Air Medals, two Army 

Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Service Stars, Global War 

on Terrorism Service Medal, and three Overseas Service Ribbons. Awarded the NASA Spaceflight Medal. Military 

devices include the Combat Action Badge, Senior Aviator Badge, and Air Assault Badge. Distinguished Honor Graduate 

of the Army’s Command and General Staff College ILE (2011). Distinguished Honor Graduate from the Army’s Captains 

Career Course (2009). Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing School (2006). Graduated 

with distinction from the University of Bristol (2005). Marshall Scholarship (2002). Dennis Hart Mahan Memorial Award 

for excellence in Aeronautical Engineering (2002). National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-American Scholar-Athlete 

(1999 to 2002). USA Rugby Women’s National Team (2004 to 2006, 2010). Captain of USA Rugby South Women’s XV 

All-Stars (2010).

Organizations: 

Society of Experimental Test Pilots, U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Alumni Association, Women Military Aviators, Association 

of Marshall Scholars, U.S. Military Academy Association of Graduates.