2016 Family Day

Swamp Fox Airmen and families gather during the 169th Fighter Wing Family Day for fun and fellowship at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., May 14, 2016. Local businesses and base support programs, provided food and event activities to show their appreciation for the continued service of South Carolina Air National Guard and 169th Fighter Wing families and Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

2016 Family Day

Swamp Fox Airmen and families gather during the 169th Fighter Wing Family Day for fun and fellowship at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., May 14, 2016. Local businesses and base support programs provided food and event activities to show their appreciation for the continued service of South Carolina Air National Guard and 169th Fighter Wing families and Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson)

2016 Family Day

Swamp Fox Airmen and families gather during the 169th Fighter Wing Family Day for fun and fellowship at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., May 14, 2016. Local businesses and base support programs provided food and event activities to show their appreciation for the continued service of South Carolina Air National Guard and 169th Fighter Wing families and Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Floyd)

2016 Family Day

Swamp Fox Airmen and families gather during the 169th Fighter Wing Family Day for fun and fellowship at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., May 14, 2016. Local businesses and base support programs provided food and event activities to show their appreciation for the continued service of South Carolina Air National Guard and 169th Fighter Wing families and Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ashleigh S. Pavelek)

2016 Family Day

Swamp Fox Airmen and families gather during the 169th Fighter Wing Family Day for fun and fellowship at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., May 14, 2016. Local businesses and base support programs provided food and event activities to show their appreciation for the continued service of South Carolina Air National Guard and 169th Fighter Wing families and Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago)

Swamp Fox Airmen and Families Celebrate History and Diversity

Published May 26, 2016
By Senior Airman Ashleigh Pavelek
169th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs

MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. -- Family, fun and fellowship fueled the atmosphere here during May's training weekend, May 14.

Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard and their families gathered for the 169th Fighter Wing's Family Day celebration to participate in numerous activities designed to entertain and educate them on the unit's mission.

"Family Day is a chance for us to show our Airmen and their families that we are thankful and appreciate their hard work and dedication," said 1st Lt. Sherryl Linkous, the health systems supervisor for the 169th Fighter Wing.

Families toured various show and tell exhibits and feasted on catered refreshments while accompanied by a live band. Children of all age groups played in bounce houses, received face paintings, toured the Department of Natural Resources' heritage trailer and climbed on and around static aircraft displays, just to name a few of fun activities offered.

"I love seeing all the families," said Airman 1st Class Kevin Fountain, a cyber systems operations apprentice assigned to the 169th Communications Flight. "My family had a great experience, and I feel closer to them knowing that they know what my mission is here at McEntire."

Static displays of a P-51 and TF-51 Mustang World War II vintage aircraft, a Swamp Fox F-16 fighter jet, Apache AH64-D and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the S.C. Army National Guard, and McEntire fire trucks provided hands-on fun for everyone.

Revving engines of race cars and a car and motorcycle show excited adults and children, while others time traveled "Back to the Future" with the familiar movie replica DeLorean car on display.

Children and parents kept a watchful eye on the sky to watch an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet in flight, and an aerial demonstration by a remote controlled miniature of a SCANG F-16, tail number 543.

"All in all, this year's Family Day celebration was a huge success and team Swamp Fox is very proud of our families and the sacrifice they make for us every day we wear our uniform," said Linkous.

In conjunction with this family day event, Airmen watched a performance of the "Tinikling" dance by the Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia during the 6th annual Diversity Day that celebrated cultural diversity in the military.

Various family support programs supported the event which included Family Readiness, Yellow Ribbon, Veterans' Assistance, McEntire Federal Credit Union and Military One Source.