Lt. Gen. Mary O’Brien

Mary O’Brien is a retired U.S. Air Force three-star general and former Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer/Cyber (C4) and Chief Information Officer, J6, on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. In this role, General O’Brien led the development of C4 capabilities essential for the United States’ defense and strategic operations. Her role involved providing critical guidance on Joint and Combined Force command and control issues, and evaluating requirements, plans, programs, and strategies for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

General O’Brien held command positions at every level–squadron, group, wing, and numbered air force. As the 25th Air Force commander, she led 30,000 people at more than 65 locations around the globe conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for every combatant commander. They also developed and integrated multiple new technologies to expand collection and analysis capabilities.

O’Brien was a leader in the pivotal shift toward modern warfare reliance on technology and she was at the forefront of employing emerging technologies. She was an early advocate for networked weapons systems and new types of intelligence sensors, which improve the speed, precision, and lethality of military operations and allow for coordinated attacks and enhanced situational awareness through real-time data sharing among dispersed units. Her focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies into operations led to better decision-making and increased mission success.

General O’Brien’s innovative approach to integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), networked weapons, and new types of intelligence sensors significantly advanced the strategic and operational capabilities of the U.S. military. By championing the use of UAVs since 1994, she enabled more efficient and safer reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, minimizing risks to personnel and extending the reach of intelligence capabilities.

Through her innovative employment of emerging technologies, General O’Brien demonstrated a profound understanding of the strategic advantages these tools offer. Her dedication to modernizing the U.S. military’s capabilities ensures that it remains capable of facing current and future challenges with confidence and agility.

General O’Brien graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She also received a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from George Washington University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College