Colonel Bryon McClain is the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base (AFB), California. He directs a diverse portfolio of over 30 programs and $9B+ encompassing a wide range of mission areas, which include space domain awareness, space control, strategic warning and surveillance, defensive cyber operations, and innovation and prototyping. His responsibilities include approving program strategies, delivering programs to meet warfighter needs, and engaging with Headquarters United States Space Force, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and other Departments and Agencies.
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
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March 2001 – February 2003, Command and Control Advanced Development Project Officer, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
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February 2003 – March 2004, Air Operations Center System Engineer, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
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March 2004 – July 2005, Lead Electrical Engineer, Global Hawk Operational Test, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
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July 2005 – August 2006, Lead Engineer, B-52 Operational Test, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
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August 2006 – May 2008, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
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May 2008 – July 2009, Advanced Extremely High Frequency Planning Element Lead, Military Satellite Communications Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
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July 2009 – July 2010, Executive Officer to the SMC Vice Commander, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
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July 2010 – Jan 2011, Chief, Space Vehicle Integration, Global Positioning System Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
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January 2011 – July 2014, Deputy Program Manager, J-39, Joint Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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July 2014 – July 2015, Student, Command and Staff College, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va.
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July 2015 – July 2018, Materiel Leader, Rapid Acquisition Branch, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
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July 2018 – June 2019, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
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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.
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July 2021 – July 2023, Senior Materiel Leader; Director, Advanced Capabilities Group, Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
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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
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)