Army general to direct Missile Defense Agency - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Army general to direct Missile Defense Agency

The president has nominated Army Maj. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly to become director of the Missile Defense Agency. If confirmed by the Senate, O’Reilly, who is now deputy director of the agency, would succeed his boss, Lt. Gen. Henry Trey Obering III.

There is no word yet on what Obering’s future plans are —another assignment or possible retirement, said Rick Lehner, MDA spokesman. The former F-4 pilot took over as MDA director in July 2004 and is approaching his fourth year on the job. Previously he was assigned to the Space Shuttle Program.

O’Reilly would be only the second Army general to hold the post following three straight terms in which Air Force generals commanded the agency. In 1996, Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles took over for the only Army general previously to have held the job, Lt. Gen. Malcolm O’Neill.

O’Reilly has an extensive background in missile defense, including a stint as director of the Ground Missile Defense Program. He also served as project manager for the Directed Energy Programs, product manager for the Patriot PAC-3 missile and the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.