Major General Gainey serves as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa in Vicenza, Italy, and he also serves as the Deputy Commanding General for Africa at U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Maj. Gen. Gainey most recently served as the Commanding General for the 56th Artillery Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Before that he was the Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the 3rd (French) Division in Marseille since July 2022.
Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer and has since served in a variety of key leadership positions throughout the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.
During his career, he has had the distinct privilege to lead Soldiers in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Gainey commanded troops at the brigade and battalion level, most notably as the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas, and later as the Commander of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (HIMARS) at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.
While serving as the Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 1st Infantry Division, he commanded the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters (Forward) in Poland.
Maj. Gen. Gainey’s staff experience includes Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Senior Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense and Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary Defense.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree from Kansas State University, and a master’s degree from the United States Marine War College.
His awards include the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Office of the Secretary Defense Identification Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
Maj. Gen. Gainey and his wife are most proud of their three beautiful daughters.
Click here for a PDF (w/ ACU command photo) of this biography
Click here for a PDF (w/ AGSU command photo) of this biography