AFRL to welcome new lab commander during June ceremony
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) – Brig. Gen. Scott A. Cain will assume command of the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, during a change of command ceremony hosted by Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, June 5, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Hangar 2.
Cain will assume command of AFRL from Maj. Gen. Heather L. Pringle, who has led AFRL since June 2020.
Brig. Gen. Scott A. Cain
Cain received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1995, and he is assuming command from Pringle, who is retiring after 32 years of service.
With a background in astronautical engineering, aerospace engineering and national resource strategy, Cain is coming to AFRL after serving as the director for Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he was responsible for shaping the workforce and cyber infrastructure to test, field and sustain agile war-winning capabilities.
As AFRL commander, Cain will lead a workforce of more than 11,500 Airmen, Guardians, DOD civilians and contractors, and manage an annual budget of $3 billion. Cain will lead a science, technology and innovation enterprise in accelerating the discovery and development of solutions for Airmen and Guardians.
Cain will be responsible for formulating a comprehensive technology portfolio that anticipates future warfighter needs, while promoting risk-taking and problem-solving. He will accelerate the delivery of cross-domain solutions through partnerships with industry, academia and international allies, and execute an additional $3 billion in externally funded research and development. Through the laboratory’s technology and functional directorates, AFWERX and the 711th Human Performance Wing, Cain will oversee a team that produces a deep technical and medical bench, pushing the boundaries of modern technology and improving science.
Immediately after the change of command ceremony, Lt. Gen. Tom D. Miller, deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters United States Air Force, will preside over Pringle’s retirement ceremony.
Attendees can join in person at Hangar 2, 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, or virtually at https://youtube.com/live/kFsxMcRwCtg.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 11,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.