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Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4 “Shadows”

Commander Kirby Williams

Commanding Officer, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4

XO
XO
CDR Kirby WIlliams
XO
Photo By: LTJG Anthony Donofrio
VIRIN: 200102-N-AA987-1001

A native of Compton, California, Commander Williams graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.  He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School, NAS Pensacola, FL in August 2005 and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, TX for primary flight training in January 2006.  After being selected to fly the E-6B Mercury, he earned his “Wings of Gold” in May 2007 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK.  CDR Williams reported to the VQ-7 “Roughnecks” in July 2007 for initial fleet training as an E-6B pilot. 

CDR Williams began his operational flying in November 2007 with the “Ironmen” of VQ-3.  While an Ironman, he made numerous deployments in support of Commander, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and Strategic Communications Wing ONE tasking.  He deployed twice to Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar conducting over 40 mission flights in the E-6B as a convoy support relay during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  During this tour, CDR Williams was selected as Lead Pilot NATOPS Instructor and VQ-3’s Instructor Pilot of the Year for 2010. 

CDR Williams returned to NAS Corpus Christi, TX in February 2011 for instructor pilot duty with the “Wise Owls” of VT-31.  Amassing over 1200 hours of instructional flight time, he was hand-selected to be the Training Air Wing FOUR T-44 Standardization Officer and NATOPS Program Manager.  CDR Williams furthered his education during this tour, earning an Executive MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2013. 

CDR Williams reported aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) in March 2014 for duty as a catapult and arresting gear officer or “shooter”.  During this tour as V-4 (fuels) Division Officer, he took part in the successful execution of the Navy’s first three-carrier “hull swap,” in addition to a Southern Seas deployment with Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON in 2015. 

CDR Williams returned to the E-6B fleet as a Department Head with the VQ-4 “Shadows” in January 2017.  During this tour, CDR Williams served as Administrative Officer, Safety Officer, and Maintenance Officer, and also completed Joint Professional Military Education (Phase I) through the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. 

Following his department head tour, CDR Williams reported to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, TN where he served as assignments and placement officer for the VQ community, as well as placement officer for CNATRA staff and VT pilot training commands.  He was selected for squadron command in March 2020 and reported to VQ-4 as Executive Officer in May 2022. 

CDR Williams has accumulated over 3,100 flight hours in six aircraft, including over 40 combat missions.  His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service awards and ribbons. 

Leaders

Commander Kirby Williams

Commanding Officer, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4

Commander Cody M. Scarborough

Executive Officer, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4

Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Leonard C. Eugene

Command Master Chief, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4


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