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| Resources > Biographies > COLONEL JAMES E. MCCLAIN |
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COLONEL JAMES E. MCCLAIN
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Colonel James E. McClain is Vice Commander of the 59th Medical Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, whose mission is to provide deployed and in-garrison healthcare, graduate medical education and clinical research, all designed to enhance Air Force readiness. It is the largest medical wing composed of seven groups with a staff of 6,010 military, civilian, contract employees, residents and students.
Colonel 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 to the Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB. There he worked on the development of 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. While at the test center, he conducted human-factors evaluations on multiple aircraft, missile, space, and nuclear command and control weapons systems; and competing successfully for a transfer from the line to the Biomedical Science Corps in 1991. He was then assigned to Andrews AFB in April 1992, as an aerospace physiologist. He served at the 89th Physiology Training Flight as director of information services and was selected as executive officer for the 89th Airlift Wing Commander. After Andrews AFB, he transferred to the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB in December 1995. At USAFSAM, he served as director of operations for the Department of Aerospace Physiology, director for the Human Performance Enhancement Course and staff instructor. Colonel McClain then attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB and completed the course as a distinguished graduate. Following ACSC he went to Air Combat Command Headquarters as chief of human performance in the ACC Training Support Squadron, Langley AFB. During this time, Colonel McClain provided human performance consultation for the F-22 Fighter, flight simulators, the ACC mishap review panel and multiple other combat Air Force programs. In June 2000, he was assigned to the 1st Medical Group Aerospace Physiology Unit as the flight commander where he successfully developed the wing's first Night Vision Goggle Grounds Academics Program and integrated physiology support into the Fighter Resource Management Program. From Langley, Colonel McClain took command of the 20th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, Shaw AFB. There he led the 20th Medical Group to "Outstanding" ratings and the highest honors in ACC's first combined Phase one and two ORIs. Colonel McClain then attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB and graduated in 2004. He next served as the Director of Expeditionary Medical Operations, HQ Air Force Medical Operations Agency, Air Force Surgeon General Office, Bolling AFB, until June 2006. Colonel McClain then took command of the 78th Medical Group at Robins AFB, GA. There he led the medical group to its highest HSI score in the Air Force since September 2006, received accolades as the #1 MTF in AFMC and obtained an "Outstanding" rating during the wing's 2008 ORI. From group command, Colonel McClain became the PACAF Deputy Command Surgeon at Hickam AFB. There he provided pivotal leadership and medical oversight supporting nine MTFs and medical operations throughout the Pacific region 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 In-Residence Program, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1998 Air Command and Staff College In-Residence Program, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Master of Strategic Studies, 2004, Air War College In-Residence Program, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1980 - 1982, prior enlisted (electronic warfare systems specialist)
2. 1986 - 1987, crew station design engineer, Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. 1987 - 1989, AFIT student/ROTC Detachment Support Officer, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
4. 1989 - 1992, Human Factors Analyst, AF Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
5. 1992 - 1995, Director of Information Services/Aerospace Physiologist and Program Manager, 89th Physiological Training Flight, Andrews AFB, Md.
6. 1995 - 1996, Wing Executive Officer, 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, Md.
7. 1996 - 1997, Director of Operations/Human Performance Enhancement Course Director, Department of Aerospace Physiology, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas
8. 1997 - 1998, Air Command and Staff College (student), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. 1998 - 2000, Chief of Human Performance, ACC Training Support Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
10. 2000 - 2001, Aerospace Physiology Flight Commander, 1st Aeromedical Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
11. 2001 - 2003, Commander, 20th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
12. 2003 - 2004, Air War College (student), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. 2004 - 2006, Director of Expeditionary Medical Operations, Bolling AFB, D.C.
14. 2006 - 2008, Commander, 78th Medical Group, Robins AFB, Ga.
15. 2008 - 2011, Deputy Command Surgeon, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
16. 2011 - present, Vice Commander, 59th Medical Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Valor (3)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Combat Command Team Aerospace Award Winner, 2003
USAF Field Grade Aerospace Physiologist of the Year, 2000
Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, 1998
Awarded "Outstanding Performer" and "Most Valuable Player," Brooks AFB QAFA, 1997
USAF Company Grade Aerospace Physiologist of the Year, 1994
Company grade officer of the quarter/year at the group and wing levels
Distinguished Graduate, School of Aerospace Medicine, Aerospace Physiologist Course, 1992
Blue Chip and Military Honor graduate, USAF Academy, 1986
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 28, 1986
First Lieutenant May 28, 1988
Captain May 28, 1990
Major June 1, 1997
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2000
Colonel June 1, 2005
(Current as of September 2011)
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