Col Steve McCain, USAF (Ret)

Colonel Steve McCain, USAF (Ret) is the Director of Defense Policy Practice at the law firm K&L Gates. He retired from the Department of Defense (DOD) after twenty-six years of service and now focuses on national security policy and appropriations. He provides analysis and counsel for the defense, energy, and homeland security industries, academia, and other nonprofit organizations regarding federal business development, budget and acquisition, as well as congressional actions.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Colonel McCain was the director of legislative affairs, U.S. Pacific Command, and principal advisor to the combatant commander for all congressional liaison from 2002 to 2005. He advocated directly with Congress and professional committee staff for programs, budgets, and policies, and executed legislative strategy which improved global defense force capability. Colonel McCain supported visiting congressional delegations in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region and provided critical support for senior military leadership testimony before Congress.

In the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom, he served as commander of an Air Expeditionary Wing where he led support and combat operations of Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and coalition forces in Afghanistan. He also commanded a combat search and rescue operations group, where he was responsible for flying, training, maintenance, and deployment of personnel and aircraft to combat operations worldwide.

In his capacity as the principal deputy legislative assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he coordinated legislative efforts with senior military leaders which helped secure support for the largest military pay raise in seventeen years and galvanized congressional support for billions of dollars in healthcare reform, operational readiness, and weapon modernization programs. Prior to his tour with the Joint Staff, he was the director of legislative affairs in the Washington, D.C. office of the U.S. Special Operations Command, where he built congressional advocacy for special operations missions and for significant funding increases in key classified programs.

His experience also includes service as a Branch Chief of Aircraft Systems at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Georgia, where he managed aircraft and helicopter modification programs. In this capacity, he resolved acquisition, contracting, and logistics challenges with the defense industry.

Colonel McCain has over 2500 hours in various aircraft, including 150 in combat. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters.