BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES E. MCCLAIN Brig. Gen. James E. McClain is the Commander, Air Force Medical Support Agency, Falls Church, Virginia. The agency oversees execution of Air Force Surgeon General’s policies and programs in support of Air Force expeditionary capabilities and national security strategy. AFMSA provides expert consultative leadership for the entire medical service supporting the activities of more than 44,000 personnel serving 2.6 million beneficiaries through 76 military treatment facilities worldwide with a $6.1 billion budget. General McClain also serves as Chief, Biomedical Sciences Corps, providing mentorship and professional advocacy for more than 2,300 officers in 18 Air Force specialty codes. General McClain originally enlisted in the Air Force in October 1980 as an electronic warfare systems specialist and later attended the Air Force Academy in June 1982. Upon graduation in 1986, he was assigned as a crew station design engineer with the Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. There, he developed advanced cockpit display technology used in today's high-performance aircraft while completing his first master's degree. His next assignment was as a human factors analyst at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M., where he conducted human-factors evaluations on multiple weapons systems until competing successfully for a transfer into the Biomedical Science Corps in 1991. He was then assigned to Andrews AFB, Md., as an aerospace physiologist serving as the 89th Physiology Training Flight Director of Information Services. In December 1995, he transferred to the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas. There he served as Director of Operations for the Department of Aerospace Physiology. General McClain then attended Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., completing the course as a distinguished graduate. Following ACSC, he went to Air Combat Command Headquarters as chief of human performance, during which General McClain provided human performance consultation for the F-22 pilot training system, ACC mishap review panel and multiple other combat Air Force programs. In June 2000, he was assigned as the 1st Medical Group Aerospace Physiology Flight Commander. There he developed the wing's first Night Vision Goggle Grounds Academics Program and integrated physiology support into the Fighter Resource Management Program. Next, General McClain commanded the 20th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.; leading to the medical group’s "Outstanding" ratings in ACC's first combined phase one and two Operational Readiness Inspections. In 2004, General McClain graduated from Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Subsequently, he served as Director of Expeditionary Medical Operations, Headquarters Air Force Medical Operations Agency until June 2006. General McClain then took command of the 78th Medical Group, Robins AFB, Ga., leading the 78th MDG to the Air Force highest Health Services Inspection score, the group receiving accolades as top military treatment facility in Air Force Material Command and obtaining an "Outstanding" rating during the wing's 2008 ORI. From group command, then-Colonel McClain served as PACAF Deputy Command Surgeon at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, providing oversight of nine medical treatment facilities and medical operations throughout the Pacific region. In 2011, he served as Vice Commander of the 59th Medical Wing and provided key leadership in the San Antonio (Texas) Medical Health System. There, he led daily operations of seven groups with 6,200 employees, residents and students until his current assignment. EDUCATION 1986 Bachelor of Science, Human Factors Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1989 Master of Science, Systems/Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 1992 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 1998 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2004 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. October 1980 - June1982, prior enlisted (electronic warfare systems specialist) 2. July 1986 – July 1987, Crew Station Design Engineer, Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 3. September 1987 - April 1989, Student AFIT, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 4. April 1989 – June 1992, Human Factors Analyst, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M. 5. June 1992 – January 1995, Director of Information Services, 89th Physiological Training Flight, Andrews AFB, Md. 6. January 1995 – January 1996, Wing Executive Officer, 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, Md. 7. January 1996 – August 1997, Director of Operations/Human Performance Enhancement Course Director, Department of Aerospace Physiology, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas 8. August 1997 – June 1998, Student, Air Command and Staff College , Maxwell AFB, Ala. 9. June 1998 - May 2000, Chief of Human Performance, ACC Training Support Squadron, Langley AFB, Va. 10. May 2000 – June 2001, Aerospace Physiology Flight Commander, 1st Aeromedical Squadron, Langley AFB, Va. 11. June 2001 – July 2003, Commander, 20th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C. 12. July 2003 – June 2004, Student, Air War College , Maxwell AFB, Ala. 13. June 2004 – June 2006, Director of Expeditionary Medical Operations, Bolling AFB, D.C. 14. June 2006 – October 2008, Commander, 78th Medical Group, Robins AFB, Ga. 15. October 2008 – June 2011, Deputy Command Surgeon, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii 16. June 2011 – August 2013, Vice Commander, 59th Medical Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas 17. September 2013 – present, Commander, Air Force Medical Support Agency, Falls Church, Va. MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three oak leaf clusters Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Air Force Good Conduct Medal National Defense Medal with oak leaf cluster Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Nuclear Deterrence Service Medal OTHER AWARDS AND HONORS 1986, Blue Chip and Military Honor graduate, U. S. Air Force Academy 1992, Distinguished Graduate, School of Aerospace Medicine, Aerospace Physiologist Course 1994, U.S. Air Force Company Grade Aerospace Physiologist of the Year 1998, Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College 2000, U.S. Air Force Field Grade Aerospace Physiologist of the Year EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 1986 First Lieutenant May 28, 1988 Captain May 28, 1990 Major June 1, 1997 Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 2000 Colonel June 1, 2005 Brigadier General Nov. 2, 2013 (Current as of July 2016)