Lt Gen Mary O'Brien, USAF (Ret.)

Mary O’Brien retired from the Air Force as the Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer/Cyber (C4) and Chief Information Officer, J6, on the  Combined Force command and control issues, and evaluated requirements, plans,  programs, and strategies for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

Commissioned as a 2Lt after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a  Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, her education also includes a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from The George Washington University and a Master of  Strategic Studies from the Air War College. 

During a career spanning more than three decades, she saw a pivotal shift toward modern warfare's reliance on technology and was assigned to units at the forefront of employing these emerging technologies. Her 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. 

Mary was an early advocate for networked capabilities which improved the speed,  precision, and lethality of military operations and allowed 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.

Since retiring in October 2023, Mary is still committed to our national security. She now leads Mary O'Brien Strategies, LLC, providing consulting services that offer strategic insights into the ever-evolving landscape of national security and technological advancement.