Willard Shepard

NBC 6 Anchor, Reporter

Updated 10:44 AM EDT, Wed, Jul 29, 2009

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Two-time Emmy award-winning journalist and Gulf War fighter pilot Willard Shepard joined the NBC 6 staff as an anchor and reporter in March 1994. He has anchored the NBC 6 news at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and weekend editions and he specializes in military and aviation issues.

Shepard uses his unique insight to guide viewers through the world's military conflicts and terrorist actions. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his military background brought a detailed perspective on the battlefront and the current operation to re-build and secure Iraq. He has also covered the military conflicts in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, and other operations in the Middle East.

Since September 11, 2001 Shepard has closely examined the war on terrorism and its effect on America. His work detailing anti-terror efforts underwater to protect ports and cruise ships earned him an Emmy recently. In addition to his military expertise, Shepard also focuses on aviation.

Shepard came to WTVJ from CBS affiliate WJW-TV in Cleveland, Ohio, where he anchored the morning news and was a special projects reporter. He received an Emmy Award for his news series "The State of Black Cleveland." He has also been honored for his reporting by the Associated Press, United Press International and the Aviation and Space Writers Association.

In addition to his commitment to news, Shepard is a Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. His A-10 squadron was the first Air Force Reserve Fighter unit ever to go into combat. During the Gulf War, Shepard flew 52 combat sorties over Iraq and Kuwait. He was awarded six Air Medals for his support of Coalition Army Ground Forces. Shepard has also flown missions over Bosnia for NATO. He is the first Air Force pilot to fly the advanced Soviet Mig-29 fighter. His is an air officer who evaluates military programs at US Southern Command and assists high school students in obtaining ROTC scholarships and appointments to the USAF Academy.

Shepard is actively involved in the community. He currently works with the Miami-Dade County School Board’s “5,000 Role Models” program, teaching middle and high school students the values they need to succeed.

Shepard graduated cum laude from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Theater. He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas. In 1992, Shepard was a finalist for the prestigious White House Fellowship program.

Email Willard: willard.shepard@nbcuni.com