Major Adam Lucero

Major Adam "Lucky" Lucero is California's state lead for military innovation and Director of Innovation at the Hap Arnold Innovation Center (HAIC), the innovation hub of the California Air National Guard's 163d Attack Wing at March Air Reserve Base. He also serves as the National Guard Bureau Counter-UAS Co-Chair, working closely with Joint Interagency Task Force 401, the Department of War's lead organization for countering small drones, and with the Guard in all 54 states and territories. He still flies the mission as a current MQ-9 combat pilot with more than 870 combat hours.

Lucero directs a portfolio of more than 40 initiatives spanning UAS and counter-UAS, directed energy, advanced manufacturing and AI. He architected the Joint Unmanned Systems Task Force concept that became the California Military Department's counter UAS working group with the Joint Staff, a model since replicated by the Oregon National Guard. At the Adjutant General's request, he developed a counter-UAS solution to drone contraband deliveries into state prisons, work that contributed to roughly $8 billion in narcotics seizures in 2025. He recruited the manager of a $270 million AFWERX SBIR portfolio into residency at the HAIC, and in 2026 a member of Congress requested his UAS expertise by name.

His career began on the hangar floor. He enlisted as an A-10 crew chief, flew UH-60 Black Hawks in the Alaska Army National Guard, led F-22 and F-35 maintenance at Nellis Air Force Base, and flew MQ-9 combat missions in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield.

He is also an inventor and founder. He took his own patented product, GoTie, from concept to a licensing agreement with PVH and $30 million in retail sales through Kohl's and JCPenney. Today he builds AI software through his venture, Airyis.

Lucero holds an M.S. in Engineering (Product Design and Development Management) from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is the 2026 Air National Guard winner of the U.S. Air Force Alison Award for Character and Innovation.