Lt Col Troy McLain

Detachment Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Troy A. McLain is the Professor of Aerospace Studies, Chairman of the Department of Aerospace Studies and Commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 355 at Boston University. He is responsible for commanding, educating, training, developing and commissioning approximately 50 cadets from as many as 9 major universities in the Boston area.

Lt Col McLain is a graduate of Gannon University, Pa., and entered the Air Force in 2003 through the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School. He has served in a variety of positions as an instructor and evaluator Air Battle Manager at multiple E-3 units.  Additionally, he served in leadership staff positions for the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 2, and the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Headquarters, Requirements Division, NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Lt Col McLain is a senior air battle manager with over 2,300 flying hours in the US E-3B/C and NATO E-3A. He has logged over 670 hours of combat missions in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, and has served as the Senior Duty Officer for the Jordanian Air Defense Liaison Team in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col McLain was the Director of Operations for the NATO E-3A Aircrew Training Squadron, NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Gannon University, Erie, Pa.
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Master of Science, Space Studies, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2017 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. August 2003 – September 2004, Air Battle Management Student, 325th Air Control Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
  2. September 2004 – August 2005, E-3 Air Weapons Officer Student, 552d Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
  3. August 2005 – July 2007, E-3 Air Weapons Officer, 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
  4. July 2007 – June 2008, E-3 Electronic Combat Officer, 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
  5. June 2008 – August 2008, FTU Instructor Electronic Combat Officer, 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
  6. August 2008 – June 2009, Assistant Flight Commander, 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
  7. June 2009 – March 2010, Flight Commander, 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
  8. March 2010 – January 2012, Chief, E-3 Mission Crew, 3d Operations Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
  9. January 2012 – March 2012, Chief, Programmed Flying Training, 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
  10. March 2012 – March 2013, Chief of Training, 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
  11. March 2013 – November 2014, test director, Detachment 2, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.
  12. November 2014 – July 2016, Chief, Enterprise Information Division, Detachment 2, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Eglin AFB, Fla. (April 2015 – October 2015, Senior Duty Officer, Jordanian Air Defense Liaison Team, Amman, Jordan)
  13. July 2016 – September 2017, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  14. September 2017 – August 2018, Staff Officer, Requirements Division, NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, Geilenkirchen, Germany
  15. August 2018 – June 2019, Deputy Chief, Requirements Division, NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, Geilenkirchen, Germany
  16. June 2019 – July 2020, Formal Training Unit Director of Operations, NATO Operations Squadron, Geilenkirchen, Germany
  17. July 2020 – present, commander, AFROTC Detachment 355, Boston University

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating:  senior air battle manager
Flight hours:  more than 2,300 including more than 670 combat hours
Aircraft flown on:  E-3B/C, NATO E-3A

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Aug. 8, 2003
First Lieutenant Aug. 8, 2005
Captain Aug. 8, 2007
Major Dec. 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2018

(Current as of July 2020)

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