Maj. Gen. Phillip C. Baker , Commanding General, AVCOE and Fort Rucker

Major General Cain Baker is from Fayetteville, GA and a graduate from Auburn University. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation Branch in 1996.

MG Baker’s assignments have included Platoon Leader positions in both 2nd Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. While assigned to the 101st Airborne, MG Baker served as the Division G3 Air in support of Task Force Falcon IIIA, Kosovo. MG Baker was assigned to 1-227th Aviation Regiment “First Attack”, 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, MG Baker served as an Observer Controller at the National Training Center Fort Irwin, California.

MG Baker served in 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 1-227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom. MG Baker served as the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Commander, 1st Cavalry Division while also deploying to Europe. MG Baker served as the Principal Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from 2018 to 2021. MG Baker served as the Deputy Commanding General for Support, 25th Infantry Division from 2021 to 2023. MG Baker recently served as the Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team overseeing requirements for Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), Launched Effects, Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS), and the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). As the Future Capability Director, MG Baker is responsible for all Army Aviation concepts, requirements, and experimentation efforts.

MG Baker is married to the former Courtney Sherman of Ocala, Florida. They have three daughters: Hannah, Caitlin, and Ashley.