JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - Air National Guard Readiness Center personnel welcomed a new leader Tuesday at the ANGRC here, as Air Force Brig. Gen. R. Scott Williams assumed command of the ANGRC from Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the ANG.
During the ceremony Wyatt said that Williams' integrity and leadership was why he was selected for the position. He added that he was proud of what the ANGRC has done during the last four years, and with Williams' background he is the right choice to continue to lead this world-class organization into the future.
Williams gained valuable leadership experience as the director of the South Carolina Joint Force Headquarters Joint Staff where he served as a senior advisor to the Adjutant General of South Carolina on matters of training, manning and readiness of more than 10,500 South Carolina Army and Air Guard personnel. Williams plans to leverage his experience on a national level at the ANGRC.
"My priorities will always address our mission, our people, and our future," he said. "Any decision I make will be made with these priorities in mind."
The ANGRC ensures ANG field units are properly resourced to train and equip in support of state and federal missions across the entire spectrum of military operations and provide support sustaining ANG airmen throughout their careers.
Williams' goal at the ANGRC is to continue providing the best possible support for ANG Airmen, adequately resource units to fulfill overseas and homeland mission requirements, and position the Air Guard for continued, long-range success.
"Our overarching goal will be to continue providing high quality, efficient, fully-operational forces while facing significant funding challenges," Williams said. "General McKinley as chief of the National Guard Bureau and Lieutenant General Wyatt as the director of the Air National Guard have fought hard to ensure our world-class organization's ability to meet the evolving needs of the Department of Defense without compromising the needs of our airmen and their families."
Williams follows the leadership of Air Force Brig. Gen. Brian G. Neal who served as the ANGRC commander from August 2010 to June 2012. Neal was selected to serve as the deputy director for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense, Joint Staff Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He is the primary advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in his duties as principal advisor to the secretary of defense and the president for all matters relating to antiterrorism, force protection, homeland defense, and defense support to civilian authorities.
"Brigadier General Neal's leadership as Air National Guard Readiness Center Commander was truly outstanding, Williams said. "I hope to sustain and aspire to build upon his many successes as we follow our senior leaders' strategy for our future."