Colonel Brian C. Pierce was commissioned as an Aviation Officer upon graduation from the Officer Candidate School Class OC 91-04 at Fort Benning Georgia on 16 August 1991. He attended Initial Entry Rotary Wing training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and upon completion was assigned as a liaison officer with the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 1^st-130^th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) who was mobilizing in support of Operation DESERT STORM.

Over his career, COL Pierce served throughout the ARB in the following positions: Attack Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Attack Company Commander, S1, S2, AS3, and Liaison Officer (LNO). He took command of the 1^st-130^th ARB on 22 June 2010 where under his leadership the 1^st-130^th ARB was recognized with the Walter T. Kerwin Award, a national level recognition for having the highest state of readiness across all Army National Guard and Army Reserve units in the U.S. In addition to his assignments at the ARB, he served in positions throughout the 449^th Theater Aviation Brigade. His assignments included, S2, AS3 Air, AS3, S3, S4, Executive Officer and Brigade Commander. He additionally served on the General Staff for the North Carolina National Guard as the Mobilization and Readiness Division Chief and the Deputy Chief of Staff, J5, Strategic Plans, Policy, and Legislative Liaison Officer and later Director of Aviation and Safety.

During the Global War on Terror, Colonel Pierce commanded B Company, 1-126^th Combat Support Aviation Battalion, a UH-60 Blackhawk company, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM III. His other combat deployments included Operations and Training Officer (S3) for the Multinational Corps – Iraq Aviation Brigade and Aviation Task Force Intelligence Officer in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and included named operations DESERT FOX I/II.

COL Pierce’s military education includes Airborne School, Air Assault School, Air Traffic Control School, Primary Leadership Development Course, Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Joint Firepower Control Course, Electronic Warfare Officer Course, the Command and General Staff College Course, the U.S. Army War College and numerous certifications in training, financial management, aviation and safety.

COL Pierce’s awards, decorations, and badges include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/ OLC, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/3 OLC, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (3^rd Award) and several other Federal and State awards and medals.  COL Pierce is authorized the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Airborne Badge and is a Master Army Aviator who was a Pilot-in-Command rated in the UH60, UH1, OH58, AH64 A and D Models with 900 combat flight hours.

COL Pierce resides in Cary, NC with his wife Jennifer and their two children, Jordan Taylor and William Charles (Charlie).