CAPT T.R. Williams

Commanding Officer

Captain Thomas R. Williams is the Professor of Naval Science, Auburn University . Originally of Matthews, Georgia , he was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at Auburn University in March 1979.

Upon completion of the Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) Basic Course and Main Propulsion Assistant School , CAPT Williams reported to USS DECATUR (DDG 31) where he served as B-Division Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant until 1982. In December 1982, he reported to the re-commissioning crew of USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) as the Boilers Officer. During this tour he completed an 11-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Central America , and the Eastern Mediterranean where NEW JERSEY provided naval gunfire support to U.S. Marines ashore in Beirut.

Departing USS NEW JERSEY in 1984, CAPT Williams completed the SWOS Department Head Course and reported to USS ALAMO (LSD 33) as Chief Engineer in 1985. In 1987, he transferred to USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14) where he served as Chief Engineer until 1989. From March 1989 until March 1990, CAPT Williams attended the Naval War College and Salve Regina College in Newport , Rhode Island where he earned degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies as well as International Relations.

Upon graduation from the Naval War College , CAPT Williams reported to U.S. Central Command as a Naval Operations Action Officer. During this tour, he served eight months in Riyadh in General Schwarzkopf’s Joint Operations Center during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In 1992, CAPT Williams reported to USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40) where he served as Executive Officer until 1994. He served as Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five from April 1994 until December 1995. During this tour, he participated in Operation COMBINED SHIELD, the final amphibious withdrawal of forces and equipment from Somalia .

In 1996, after completing the SWOS Prospective Commanding Officer Course, CAPT Williams reported to Commander, U.S. Naval Surface Force Pacific as the Force Operations Officer. CAPT Williams took command of USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40) in a change of command ceremony in Cairns , Australia in August 1997. After decommissioning FORT FISHER in February 1998, he took command of USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47), the West Coast “Smart Ship.” From 1999 until 2001, CAPT Williams served at Navy Warfare Development Command developing concepts for the “Navy After Next.”

CAPT Williams was then assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea where he served until his transfer back to Auburn , Alabama as Commanding Officer of the Auburn University NROTC Unit.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).

CDR J.R. Jones

Executive Officer

Commander John R. Jones hails from Jasper, Florida. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and earned his commission as an Ensign on 11 December 1987.Prior to attending college he made two deployments as an enlisted aircrewman with the "Scouts" of VS-24 in USS NlMlTZ (CVN 68) flying in the S-3A Viking. He attended college as an Officer Candidate enrolled through the Navy's Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) and was a member of the Naval ROTC Unit.

Following completion of Aviation Indoctrination in Pensacola, FL, Commander Jones was assigned to initial flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor and T-2C Buckeye at NAS Pensacola with the "Cosmic Cats" of VT-10. After selecting the jet pipeline in April 1989, he continued his training with the "Sabrehawks" of VT- 86 flying the T-47 Citation and the TA-4 Skyhawk aircraft. He earned his Naval Flight Officer (NFO) wings in August 1989, before reporting to the "Seawolfs" of Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) VS-27, at NAS Cecil Field, FL for initial training in the S-3B Viking.

Upon completing the FRS in June 1990, he reported to the "Topcats" of VS-31 at NAS Cecil Field. He completed two deployments in USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. He served as the Schedules Officers, Armament Division Officer, and NATOPS Officer. His first shore duty assignment was as a student at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. In March 1995, he earned his Master of Science degree in Management. During his second sea tour he served as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer (Shooter) in USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) homeported at NAS Alameda, CA and Naval Station Everett, WA, deploying to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. In August 1998, after an FRS instructor tour with the "Shamrocks" of VS-41 at NAS North Island, CA. CDR Jones reported as a Department Head, to the VS-22 "Checkmates" at NAS Jacksonville, FL. Serving as the Quality Assurance Officer and Maintenance Officer he deployed in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in support of Operations DESERT FOX, DENY FLIGHT, and ALLIED FORCE. In August 2000, he returned to VT-86 as the Administrative Officer and advanced NFO flight instructor flying the T-39G/N Sabreliner. CDR Jones’ next sea billet was as the Combat Direction Center Officer in USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) homeported at NAS North Island. After a deployment to the Western Pacific and a homeport change to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, WA, he reported in August 2005 to his present assignment as Executive Officer of NROTC Unit Auburn University in Auburn, AL. While serving at Auburn NROTC, he deployed as an Individual Augmentee to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Commander Joint Task Force 76.

His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/3 gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (w/2 gold stars) as well as various unit and service awards.

NWRS ID number: 1229