Meet Shay
Shay Williams honorably served nearly 30 years in the United States military as a helicopter pilot and senior leader in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. Over his career, he flew UH-60 Blackhawks, MH-65 Dolphins, and MH-60 Jayhawks, leading crews in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. His missions ranged from combat and air assault operations to medical evacuation, search and rescue, law enforcement, and counter-narcotics, always with a focus on protecting lives and completing missions safely.
Shay began his aviation career as a U.S. Army Warrant Officer, earning his wings through one of the military’s most demanding flight training pipelines before flying UH-60 Blackhawks with the 82nd Airborne Division. He later conducted life-flight medical evacuation missions in Hawaii, rescuing both military members and civilians, and experienced firsthand the weight of responsibility that comes with flying when lives are on the line. After transferring to the U.S. Coast Guard, he flew search and rescue missions out of New Orleans and played a key leadership role in the response to Hurricane Katrina, helping rescue more than 90 people during one of the largest aerial rescue operations in U.S. history. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In later assignments, Shay flew maritime missions from Coast Guard cutters throughout the Caribbean and Straits of Florida, rescuing and intercepting migrants in distress and conducting law enforcement operations at sea. He went on to serve as an Instructor Pilot and aviation program manager, where he trained new pilots, evaluated operational units, and led major modernization efforts for the Coast Guard’s helicopter fleet valued in the billions of dollars. His career culminated in senior leadership roles directing joint and international counter-narcotics operations and serving as executive leadership at a large Coast Guard air station responsible for search and rescue, humanitarian response, and national security missions.
A third-generation military service member, Shay’s career embodies the values of honor, respect, teamwork, and devotion to duty. After nearly three decades of service, he continues that commitment at home—running for Florida’s 14th Congressional District to bring principled leadership, operational experience, and a service-first mindset to Washington on behalf of the families, veterans, and communities of the district.
Stand With Shay Williams
Help fuel a grassroots Republican campaign fighting for conservative values in Florida’s 14th.