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  • Portrait of U.S. Air Force Col. Adrian Meyer, commander of the 169th Maintenance Group assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Jan. 30, 2020.

    March Commander's Corner

    In order to grow and get better we must reflect on our actions both as individuals and organizations. In unprecedented times we must not accept the status quo in any aspects of our lives both personally and professionally. The last year has proven that the world is changing faster than any of us has ever imagined and we are faced with new challenges. We have witnessed a global pandemic, civil unrest and turmoil in our lives at every turn. However, as Swamp Foxes we have continued the mission, supported each other in both good and bad times, and kept faith that tomorrow will be better for us all. We must reflect on what we did well and where we have room for improvement to fulfill the hope of a better tomorrow.
  • U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Smith, 169th Maintenance Operations Flight chief at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, Feb. 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. James St. Clair, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    March Chief's Perspective

    As I sit down to prepare my thoughts for this article I cannot help but feel very humbled by recently becoming a newly minted chief master sergeant within the best organization top to bottom that I’ve ever been associated with. I have spent the last 34 years of my 36-year career as a proud Swamp Fox constantly standing in awe of just how much collectively has been achieved while our Airmen and families serve to protect our state and nation. I would like to give you my perspective on leadership, how I think we are doing currently, and where we are headed for the future.
  • U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Mylin Jarrett, flight chief for the 169th Maintenance Squadron Weapons Section, Dec. 9, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. James St.Clair, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    March Shirt Blast

    We're told from the get go that we need to be in a state of readiness. From basic, we had to hurry up and wait. In tech school, we had to be ready for class at a moment's notice. At your base now, are you ready to be deployed? I want you to think about readiness from a different, deeper perspective--about you, about your life. Are you ready for the next level (for example: promotion, goals, what's next in life)? 
  • U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shannon Vincent, 169th Fighter Wing chaplains assistant at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, Feb. 7, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    March Chaplain's Reflections

    “So, you’re like an altar boy or something?” It was perhaps the most creative guess I’ve heard when I shared my Air Force job title. This guy I met at a barbeque is now my boyfriend, despite his comparison of me to a young catholic boy in robes. More often, I get a simple, “What the heck is a chaplain assistant?” It is true that we do assist the chaplains. But dealing with weighty issues such as where you’ll spend eternity is really only a very small part of a chaplain assistant’s day-to-day responsibilities. Instead, I like to think of our job as being a life coach. Or at least a life assistant coach.
  • Michelle Walker, base fitness specialist

    March Fitness Tips

    Sprint Workout Step by Step Guide
  • Retirees from the South Carolina Air National Guard gather for their monthly luncheon at the Fort Jackson NCO Club on Feb. 7, 2020.

    March Retiree's Corner

    This will be my fifth article honoring the Desert Storm Call-Up folks, and the second of ten articles honoring the 169th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS). I have received some other information from Don McManus about key maintenance personnel assigned to the 169th Maintenance Squadron.
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Shawn Daley, South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Maintenance Squadron commander at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, Jan. 13, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Jim St. Clair, 169 Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    February Commander's Corner

    I write this column from the Red Flag 21-1 exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada. We are currently fulfilling the exercise air tasking order putting our nation’s air and space power capabilities on full display. Red Flag 21-1 demonstrates our military’s joint capabilities through a wide array of platforms and weapons systems.
  • U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. April Scott, 169th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, Jan. 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    February Shirt Blast

    “As Airmen, we are charged with upholding a culture founded on professionalism, dignity, and respect – that’s what our core values are about.” -Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James When was the last time you looked at the “Little Blue Book”? It contains a wealth of knowledge and guidance. Some people are raised on the values contained in the book, and some people are not. Either way, Core Values are taught to all Airmen at basic training.  As a refresher, let’s talk about what they are.
  • Michelle Walker, the Recreational Specialist at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., poses for her photo in the base gym on November 2, 2011. Michelle was hired to work at the base gym to train, educate and encourage McEntire�s airmen to remain �fit to fight� and excel in the new Air Force fitness standards. (SCANG photo by TSgt Caycee Cook)

    February Fitness Tips

    Here are five tips for having a healthier 2021 and a dumbbell ab workout with some surprising core-challenging moves.
  • 1st Lt. Kirby Whitley, a chaplain assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing

    February Chaplain's Reflections

    Before I joined the Air National Guard in 2012, my weekends were consumed with hauling lawn mowers around town and working many hours cutting grass. This was the result of learning the industry while I was younger. During my middle school and high school years, the summers were filled with helping the baseball coach cut the school and ball fields during the summer breaks. This is where I gained my on-the-job training. 
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