CPT Alaina M. McLaughlin

CPT Alaina McLaughlin is an instructor in the Department of Geography & Earth Sciences at the United States Military Academy.

She is dual-branched in Army Aviation and Military Intelligence, with operational experience in aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). She commissioned from the United States Military Academy in 2017 as an aviation officer and is qualified in the UH-72, C-12, MC-12, RC-12, and DHC-7 aircraft.

McLaughlin deployed to Djibouti as the commander of the newly established EMARSS Aerial Exploitation Detachment in support of United States Army Intelligence and Security Command and Joint Special Operations Air Component-Africa. She led aerial ISR support to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration, supported planning for the Presidential Address to Congress, and flew Joint Task Force-North missions along the southern U.S. border at Fort Hood, Texas. Most recently, CPT McLaughlin commanded the RC-12 Guardrail Bravo Company, 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

She holds a master’s degree in environment and natural resources from The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in intelligence studies from American Military University, and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the United States Military Academy. Her current research focuses on integrating wildlife telemetry and Geographic Information Systems to study avian movement and support conservation decision-making.