COLONEL JAMES G. WILLIAMSON
Col James G. Williamson is the Deputy Commander, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK. The 176th Wing provides the U.S. Air Force capabilities of Global Reach and Vigilance through combined operations of Personnel Recovery, Strategic Airlift, and Air Sovereignty missions. He assists the Wing Commander in the recruiting, retention, and training of more than 1,500 Air National Guard members, operating a diverse mix of C-17, HH-60, and HC-130J aircraft, Guardian Angel, and Air Defense Squadron, plus a full array of agile combat support capability for in-state and world-wide deployment. The 176th Wing maintains a constant watch and commitment for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command, and Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.
Col Williamson commissioned through the Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2004, and deployed with the 1-14 Infantry Battalion to Iraq. He transitioned to the Military Police Corps in 2007, and later commanded the 164th Military Police Company at Fort Richardson, Alaska, where he oversaw deployment preparation, base security, and a rapid response force for the USINDOPACOM theater. Throughout his Army career, Col Williamson served as a military advisor in both Iraq and Afghanistan and staff officer at the battalion and brigade levels. He transitioned to the Alaska Air National Guard in 2014, serving as the 213th Defense Force Commander and 268th Security Forces Squadron Commander at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska. He secured a strategic Protection Level 1 radar station and managed security for the $1.2 billion Long-Range Discriminating Radar construction project, crucial to NORAD's early warning capabilities. In 2019, Col Williamson transferred to Joint Forces Headquarters, Alaska National Guard, where he served as the Deputy J3. During this time he planned and executed multiple domestic operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and served as the Adjutant Generals principal planner directing Joint DOMOPs for four components, two Wings, three Brigades and 4200 personnel and served as the coordinating agent for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multi-national bilateral strategic plans. He is a joint qualified officer with a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas
2004 Basic Officer Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
2007 Military Police Captain Career Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
2007 Special Reaction Team Training, Criminal Antiterrorism and Police Intelligence Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
2015 Security Forces Officer Course, Camp Bullis, Texas
2018 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2023 Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I.
ASSIGNMENTS
- October 2003 - February 2004, Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia
- February 2004 - July 2004, Basic Officer Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- July 2004 - July 2007, S1 Adjutant and Company Executive Officer, 1-14 Infantry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (S3 Battalion Plans and Operations, Kirkuk, Iraq)
- July 2007 - June 2008, Captains Career Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- July 2008 - September 2009, Iraqi Security Forces Advisor, 1st Infantry Division, JSS Rasheed, Iraq
- October 2009 - December 2010, Company Commander, 164th Military Police Company, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- December 2010 - January 2012, Brigade Plans Officer, 2d Engineer Brigade, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska
- January 2012 - June 2014, S3 Battalion Plans 793d Military Police Battalion, JBER, Alaska (Afghanistan Police Training Advisor, Camp Justice, Afghanistan)
- June 2014 – October 2017, Defense Force Commander, 213th Space Warning Squadron, Clear Air Force Station, Alaska
- October 2017 – October 2019, Commander, 268th Security Forces Squadron, Clear Air Force Station, Alaska
- October 2019 - October 2020 Deputy J3, Joint Forces Headquarters Alaska National Guard, JBER, Alaska
- October 2020 – June 2022, J5, Joint Forces Headquarters Alaska National Guard, JBER, Alaska
- June 2022 – June 2023, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island
- June 2023 – September 2024, Deputy Commander, 176th Mission Support Group, JBER, Alaska
- September 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 176th Wing, JBER, Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with four numeral devices
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters
Army Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Alaska Governors Distinguished Unit Citation
Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 19, 2004
First Lieutenant August 19, 2005
Captain April 1, 2007
Major December 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel March 27, 2019
Colonel October 4, 2024
(Current as of December 2024)