Lieutenant Colonel Brian Willis is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After graduating from the US Air Force Academy in 2005, he attended Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. Following pilot training, Lt Col Willis served in various duties as a C-17A Evaluator Aircraft Commander, including serving as the Deputy Chief of Nuclear Operations for the only unit in the Department of Defense tasked to airlift nuclear cargo. Lt Col Willis also served as the Strategic Analysis Branch Chief and Lead Strategist at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s China Strategic Focus Group, where he advised senior leaders on U.S.-China relations and China’s military strategy. Prior to his current position, Lt Col Willis served as the Deputy Commander of the 306 Flying Training Group and was the Commander of the 306th Operations Support Squadron Commander, charged with providing soaring, parachuting and powered flight training as character building operations focused on enhancing the airmanship and leadership of USAFA cadets. Lt Col Willis has logged over 3,000 flying hours in the T-6, T-1, C-17A, TG-16A, and UV-18B, including over 500 combat hours in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Lt Col Willis is also a Fulbright Scholar and is highly proficient in Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese.

Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science and International Affairs, University of California San Diego (2022)

Master of Arts, Military Operations, School of Advanced Military Studies (with Honors) (2019)

Master of Arts, Military Operational Arts and Science, Air Command and Staff College (with Academic Honors) (2018)

Master of Business Administration, International Business, University of Nebraska (2011)

Fulbright Scholar, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2006)

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy (2005)

Assistant Professor, Department of Faculty Political Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO (2025-Present)

Deputy Commander, 306th Flying Training Group, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO (2025)

Commander, 306th Operations Support Squadron, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO (2023-2025)

Director of Operations, 94th Flying Training Squadron, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO (2022)

Ph.D. Candidate, Political Science and International Affairs, University of California San Diego, CA (2019-2022)

Student, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, KS (2018-2019)

Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (2017-2018)

Strategic Analysis Branch Chief/Lead Strategist, China Strategic Focus Group, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI (2014-1017)

C-17A Evaluator and Instructor Pilot, Group Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Nuclear Airlift Ops, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA (2008-2014)

Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Student, Vance AFB, OK (2006-2008)

Fulbright Scholar, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2005-2006)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

2016 Air Force Analytic Innovation of the Year Award

2005 Fulbright Scholarship

International Relations

Great Power Competition

Security Cooperation

Future Conflict

Asian Security

China