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By Appointment
Education
MS, Industrial College of the Armed Forces
MS, University of Tennessee
BS, United States Naval Academy
About Me
Captain Willie D. Billingslea was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989 with a BS in physics. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in November 1990 and selected for training as a Bombardier/Navigator in the A-6E Intruder. He just completed a successful tour at NAVCENT as the Future Plans Cell Director, Theater Security Cooperation Director, and Exercise Director. Currently he is the CO for the Auburn/Tuskegee University ROTC consortium. He recently finished major command as the Commodore of Training Air Wing SIX in Pensacola, FL. Prior to that he served on OPNAV staff (N2/N6) as the Navy’s Combat Identification Capabilities Organization Director. Captain Billingslea has also served in Afghanistan as the Commanding Officer of the joint service multi-agency Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost in which his unit earned the Army’s Valorous Unit Award. Additionally, he has served as the Commanding Officer of Training Squadron FOUR.
Captain Billingslea’s fleet life began when he reported to VA-35 where he completed two Mediterranean deployments onboard the USS SARATOGA. After the A-6 was phased out, he transitioned to the EA-6B in 1995 and deployed with VAQ-131 onboard the USS CONSTELLATION in the Western Pacific. In 1998 he completed the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School’s system’s curriculum and then served with the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (VX-23) where he became Level I/II qualified in Acquisition and Level I/II/III qualified in Test and Evaluation. While at VX-23, he earned his master’s degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee, Space Institute, during off-duty study. Following this tour he completed his Department Head tour in an Expeditionary Prowler squadron, VAQ-142.
In March 2003, Captain Billingslea reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) and served as CNP’s Flag Aide and Special Assistant. Subsequent to being promoted to Commander, he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces where he earned a MS in national resource strategy with a specialty in acquisition. Upon graduating from War College, he deployed on his first Individual Augmenttee (IA) to CENTCOM’s Combined Air Operations Center in the billet as the Chief of Combat Operations. Following his IA, he became the Commanding Officer of VT-4 where he directed the training of future Naval Flight and Weapon System Officers in primary and intermediate aviation skills. Captain Billingslea was then selected for a bonus Command on an IA/GSA tour to Afghanistan.
Throughout his aviation career, Captain Billingslea has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in over 40+ aircraft to include the A-6E Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, F-18F Super Hornet, Mirage 2000, GR-1 Tornado, and F-16CJ. He is a proud sailor with over seven deployments. His operational experience includes cruises in the Mediterranean, Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. His awards include being named the 2001 Test Wing Atlantic Test Naval Flight Officer of the Year as well as earning a Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Army’s Combat Action Badge, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Strike Flight Air Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Achievement Medals and a number of campaign and service decorations. During his first Command tour, he led his unit in earning the following awards: CNO Safety S, CDR Theodore G. Ellyson Aviator Production Award, and the CNATRA Training Excellence Award.