Col. (Dr.) Lee Williames is the Command Surgeon, U.S. Strategic Command. He is the senior medical advisor to the Commander, USSTRATCOM, for all issues concerning disease, illness, human factors, force health protection, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Response and directed energy weapons issues. He ensures provision of comprehensive health service support for assigned and attached forces during all phases of command operations and deployment through planning and coordination with Component Commands, supporting/supported unified Combatant Commands, and other institutions as required for mission execution.
Col. Williames entered the Air Force after graduating from Georgetown University Medical School in 1996. He has completed pediatric internship and residency as well as a fellowship in developmental behavioral pediatrics and is a graduated fellow of the Maternal Child Health Bureau’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Col. Williames has worked on Air Force and Department of Defense policy in areas ranging from autism and care of special needs children to the medical components of the Personal Reliability Assurance Program. He has received a variety of teaching and research recognitions.
He has been awarded Special Experience Identifiers for Excellence in Clinical or Academic Teaching, as a Certified Physician Executive, and in Arctic Leadership. In addition to participating in a variety of medical humanitarian, embassy, and MTF support missions, leading multidisciplinary teams in Central America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, he has commanded the largest Air Force hospitals in the European and Pacific theaters and served as Alaska Command Surgeon. Prior to his current position, he was the Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
EDUCATION
1988 - 1992 BA double major Biology & Philosophy, University of Scranton, Pa.
1992 - 1996 Doctor of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, D.C.
1996 - 1999 Pediatric Residency Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, Miss.
1999 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2003 Intermediate Executive Skills Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2004 Air Command - Staff College, by correspondence
2006 - 2009 Developmental Pediatric Fellowship, Madigan Army Medical Center, Wash.
2011 Air War College, by correspondence
2016 Interagency Institute for Health Care Executives, Washington, D.C.
2018 LEADS Capstone Course for MHS Leaders, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1999 - July 2003, General Pediatrician, 55th Medical Operations Sq, Offutt AFB, Omaha, Neb.
2. July 2003 - June 2006, EDIS Flight Commander, 31st Medical Operations Sq, Aviano AB, Italy
3. June 2006 - July 2009, Developmental Pediatric Fellowship, Madigan Army Medical Center, Wash.
4. July 2009 - June 2012, EDIS Flt Commander, 48th Medical Operations Sq, Lakenheath AFB, England
5. July 2012 - July 2014, Chief of Medical Staff, 31st Medical Group, Aviano AB, Italy
6. July 2014 - June 2016, Commander, 96th Medical Operations Sq, Eglin AFB, Fla.
7. July 2016 - July 2018, Commander, 48th Medical Group, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
8. August 2018 - July 2021, Commander, 673d Medical Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
9. August 2021 - June 2023, Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
10. June 2023 - present, Command Surgeon, US Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Captain May 22, 1996
Major May 22, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel May 22, 2008
Colonel May 22, 2014
(Current as of June 2025)