Brigadier General Cain Baker

Director, Future of Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team US Army

Brig. Gen. Cain Baker is from Fayetteville, GA and a graduate from Auburn University. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Aviation Branch in 1996. Baker’s assignments have included Platoon Leader positions in both 2nd Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. While assigned to the 101st Airborne, Baker served as the Division G3 Air in support of Task Force Falcon IIIA, Kosovo. Baker was assigned to 1-227th Aviation Regiment “First Attack,” Fort Cavazos (Formerly Fort Hood), Texas as the Assistant Operations Officer during the initial invasion of Iraq and assumed multiple commands, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following command, Baker served as an observer Controller at the National Training Center Fort Irwin, CA. Baker served in the 3-101st Aviation Regiment as the Battalion Executive Officer and then the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade Operations Officer (S3), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As the Battalion Commander of the 1-227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Baker served as the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Commander, 1st Cavalry Division while also deploying to Europe. Baker served as the Principal Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from 2018 to 2021. Baker recently served as the Deputy Commanding General for Support, 25th Infantry from 2021 to 2023. Baker is married and has three daughters.