Tech. Sgt. David Caldwell, 2012 Non Commissioned Officer of the year

Tech. Sgt. David Caldwell, with the 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., poses for his portrait on Jan. 24, 2013. Tech. Sgt. Caldwell was selected as the South Carolina Air National Guard Non Commissioned Officer of the year for 2012. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson/Released)

Senior Airman Joshua Pelletier, (Traditional) 2012 Airman of the year

Senior Airman Joshua Pelletier, with the 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., poses for his portrait on Jan. 17, 2013. Airman Pelletier was selected as the 169th Fighter Wing (Traditional) Airman of the year for 2012. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson/Released)

Tech. Sgt. Walter Gordon Jr., 2012 (Traditional) NCO of the year

Tech. Sgt. Walter Gordon Jr., with the 169th Mission Support Group at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., poses for his portrait on Jan. 13, 2013. Tech. Sgt. Gordon was selected as the (Traditional) 169th Fighter Wing Non Commissioned Officer of the year for 2012. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson/Released)

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Thibault, 2012 (Traditional) SNCO of the year

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Thibault, with the 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., poses for his portrait on Jan. 13, 2013. Senior Master Sgt. Thibault was selected as the (Traditional) 169th Fighter Wing Senior Non Commissioned Officer of the year for 2012. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson/Released)

First African American General in the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Calvin H. Elam makes his remarks during a ceremony at McEntire Joint National Guard Base on January 13, 2013. Elam becomes the South Carolina Air National Guard's first black general officer. Elam has served as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air for the South Carolina National Guard since January 2012. As a civilian, he is Chief Executive Officer for Elam Financial Group. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)

First African American General in the South Carolina Air National Guard.

South Carolina Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., administers the oath of office to newly promoted Brig. Gen. Calvin H. Elam, at a ceremony at McEntire Joint National Guard Base on January 13, 2013. Elam becomes the South Carolina Air National Guard's first black general officer. Elam has served as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air for the South Carolina National Guard since January 2012. As a civilian, he is Chief Executive Officer for Elam Financial Group. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)