Vice Commander
photo will be attached soon
Lt Col R. Brian Williams, CAP, serves as the Vice Commander for the Alabama Wing. A former Earhart Cadet, Lt Col Williams rejoined the CAP after his retirement from the United States Army. Lt Col Williams is a single engine land pilot, a CAP mission observer, scanner and aerial photographer. Lt Col Williams served as the Wing Finance Officer and the Deputy Commander of the 2018 and 2019 AL/MS Encampments at Camp Shelby, MS and Ft McClellan, AL and commanded the General Joe Wheeler Composite Squadron, AL134 from March 2018 to March 2021.
Colonel R. Brian Williams, Retired, served over 30 years in the United States Army. His assignments include Rifle and Anti-Tank Platoon Leader, Training Officer, Special Operations Communications Officer, Defense Support of Civil Authorities Officer and has had numerous command and staff assignments throughout his career. Colonel Williams assignments have taken him from West Germany, where he was present when the infamous Berlin Wall fell, Central America, the Pentagon, the National Guard Bureau, NORAD/USNORTHCOM at Cheyenne Mountain, a combat tour as a Combat Advisor to the Afghanistan National Army and Police Force in Afghanistan, as well as various Camps, Posts and Stations throughout the United States. Units that Colonel Williams served in include the 3rd Armored Division, 1st Infantry Division, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 218th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the Joint Staff and the Army Staff.
Lt Col Williams proudly calls Hartselle Alabama as his home, returning to Alabama after his retirement. Growing up in Decatur, he graduated from Decatur High, earned his Commission in the United States Army from Marion Military Institute and hold his Bachelors and an MBA from the University of North Alabama. His military education includes the Infantry Basic Course, Signal Advanced Course, Combined Staff Service School, Command and General’s Staff College, Combat Advisor School, Counter Insurgency Academy, various Defense Support of Civil Authorities course, Weapons of Mass Destruction courses and the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Masters in Strategic Studies.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Operation Enduring Freedom Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Joint Staff Badge, Army Staff Badge and the German Army Soldier Proficiency Badge.
Lt Col Williams is married to Jennifer Green Williams, and has three children, Katherine (Katie Beth) studying at the University of Alabama, Alexandria (Alleigh) and James (Jack), both in the Hartselle City School system. Lt Col Williams has taught Civil Air Patrol in the Hartselle City School system as an elective since 2018.
