(SER-AL-001) Alabama Wing
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Wing Commander

Colonel R. Brian Williams, serves as the Commander of the Alabama Wing, Civil Air Patrol. He assumed this duty on the 1st of April of 2023. Colonel Williams joined CAP as a Cadet in 1982 and achieved the Earhart Award and rose to the Cadet rank of Major before being commissioned in the United States Army. Colonel Williams rejoined CAP in 2016, shortly after retiring from the Army. He has held positions on staff and command to include Wing Vice Commander, Wing Finance Officer, Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets, and Squadron Commander of the General Joe Wheeler Squadron, a school-based unit. Colonel Williams holds a master level in Cadet Programs and Command track as well as the Wilson Award. His is a private pilot and instructs Mission Scanner and Mission Observer at NESA-South.

Colonel Williams served over 30 years in the United States Army. His assignments include Rifle and Anti-Tank Platoon Leader, Training Officer, Communications 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 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.

Colonel 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 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, and the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Masters in Strategic Studies.

Colonel Williams volunteers with various organizations to include Rotary (past President Hartselle Rotary Club), the American Legion (past Commander Post 52), Disabled American Veterans, Hartselle Historical Society and serves a member of the Hartselle City Parks and Recreation Board.

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.

Colonel Williams is married to Jennifer Green Williams, and has three children, Katherine (Katie Beth), Alexandria (Alleigh) and James (Jack).

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