Bridgeboro resident and Retired Navy Commander Claven Williams, who serves as military liaison coordinator for Albany State University, hosted the college’s fourth annual Aviation and Military Awareness Days celebration from March 22 to 24 at the Albany airport. The main attraction, as in years past, came thundering in at approximately 4 p.m. that Friday afternoon as Williams’ son Lieutenant Commander Chris Williams landed his Navy F-18 fighter jet at the regional runway.
In addition to the F-18, the static aircraft display also featured five 0H-58 helicopters this year. As Commander Williams explains, “It has become an annual thing. And now, every year we try to coordinate with military and civilian organizations to bring the aircraft in for the students and the community, as well as faculty and staff at the university.”
According to the ASU liaison, the annual display helps shed a positive light on the military, it helps with recruiting efforts, and it teaches local youth that they can achieve anything they set out to accomplish. Lt. Commander Chris Williams, now just one rank below his father, is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. But, travelling at twice the speed of sound, the younger Williams can touch down in Albany to promote the Navy and visit his family within 45 minutes.
After graduating from ASU, Commander Claven Williams attended officer candidate school in the Navy. Ultimately, the elder Williams flew sub hunters during the Vietnam War. He first began this Aviation Awareness campaign in Savannah in 1990. Now, Lt. Commander Chris Williams is a prime example of potential realized through hard work in the U.S. military. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy, the Lt. Commander will likely surpass his father to become an admiral before he retires.
And, the father and son aim to show that anyone can achieve these goals if he or she is dedicated. Commander Williams says, “Minority recruitment is a big effort, and it’s promoted by kids like Chris who come back to show that you can be whatever you want to be. Barriers that may have existed in the past are not there now.”