Lt. Gen. Brian A. Arnold is Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. General Arnold is responsible for managing the research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of space launch, command and control, missile systems and satellite systems. With more than 6,500 employees nationwide and an annual total budget in excess of $10 billion, SMC is the nation's center of excellence for military space acquisition. General Arnold is the Program Executive Officer for Air Force space and is responsible for the following: Air Force Satellite Control Network; space lift ranges; launch programs; the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program; the Space-Based Infrared System Program; military satellite communication programs; Navstar Global Positioning System programs; intercontinental ballistic missile programs; Defense Meteorological Satellite Program; as well as other emerging transformational space programs, such as space-based radar. The general is also responsible for managing a portfolio of space superiority system programs.
General Arnold was commissioned through Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas, in 1971. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Director of Space and Nuclear Deterrence for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. In this role, he was responsible for space and missile systems. General Arnold spent the majority of his career as a pilot in FB-111 and B-52 aircraft. He has served as a squadron commander, wing commander and subunified commander. In 2003, General Arnold received the Eugene M. Zuckert Award, which honors outstanding management achievements by a Department of the Air Force Manager.
EDUCATION
1968 Bachelor of Science degree in education, California State University, Hayward
1976 Master of Science degree in administrative education, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, Calif.
1977 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1985 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1992 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
1995 Program for Senior Officials in National Security, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1972 - December 1972, student, undergraduate pilot training, Webb AFB, Texas
2. February 1973 - May 1973, student, B-52 combat crew training, Castle AFB, Calif.
3. June 1973 - July 1974, B-52 co-pilot, 644th Bomb Squadron, K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mich.
4. August 1974 - March 1978, B-52D instructor pilot and flight examiner, 60th Bombardment Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam
5. April 1978 - July 1981, section commander and platform lecturer, Squadron Officer School, later, executive officer to the Commandant, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. July 1981 - June 1984, FB-111A pilot, flight commander, instructor pilot, flight examiner and assistant operations officer, 393rd Bomb Squadron, Pease AFB, N.H.
7. August 1984 - June 1985, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. July 1985 - March 1988, Program Element Monitor for Special Projects, Strategic Programs Division, Operational Requirements Directorate, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
9. April 1988 - August 1989, FB-111A Commander, 528th Bomb Squadron, Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y.
10. August 1989 - July 1991, B-2 Program Element Monitor, Office of Low Observables, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
11. August 1991 - June 1992, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
12. July 1992 - August 1993, Deputy Director, Power Projection Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
13. August 1993 - August 1995, Commander, U.S. Forces Azores, and Commander, 65th Air Base Wing, Lajes Field, Azores
14. August 1995 - February 1996, Commandant, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. February 1996 - February 1997, Commandant, Air Force ROTC, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
16. February 1997 - September 1997, Commander, Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
17. September 1997 - November 1999, Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
18. November 1999 - May 2001, Director of Space and Nuclear Deterrence, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
19. May 2001 - September 2001, Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
20. October 2001 - present, Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,100
Aircraft flown: FB-111, B-52D/H and T-39
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with two bronze stars
(Current as of June 2005)