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  • U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Troy Hammond, 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron, South Carolina Air National Guard at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, May 19, 2015. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson/Released)

    December Chief's Perspective

    Hello Swamp Foxes! First, I'd like to start by welcoming all of our recent deployers home and thanking each of you and your families for your service and sacrifice. Let’s take a moment and remember our fellow Airmen that are in harm’s way and won’t be home with their friends and families this season. As we come out of celebrating Thanksgiving with
  • U.S. Air Force retired Master Sgt. Bob Barkalow from the South Carolina Air National Guard at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, is recognized as an honorary Chief Master Sgt., on Oct. 13, 2014 at an unknown location. Barkalow writes the monthly Retiree's Corner for the SCANG's eNewsletter. (U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo)

    December Retiree's Corner

    We had about 65 folks to show for our November Luncheon and we had two speakers, unusual, but not the first time this has happened. Also, we had some folks show up that we haven’t seen in a month of Sundays, they were George Grubbs, Dewey Daniels, John Wesley Taylor, Steven George, Mike Hale, and Cheryl Metz. We had no first-timers this time.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Gray, a chaplain assigned to 169th Fighter Wing, at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Feb. 6, 2018. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Megan Floyd)

    December Chaplain's Reflections

    Hello Swamp Fox family! As we gather together at this December drill, the days grow short and the nights long. The wind bites with a chill and it may seem, to some, to be a season without hope. Yet there is ALWAYS hope so long as we have breath. As you may know, our state motto is “Dum Spiro Spero” “While I breathe, I hope”. This December there are
  • U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Carl Clegg, a broadcast journalist assigned to 169th Fighter Wing, at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C, March 3, 2018. He was selected as the 169th Fighter Wing's Senior NCO-traditional for 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Megan Floyd)

    December Shirt Blast

    Awards and Shakespeare Scars Many Airmen say, “I don’t care about awards.” Humility is an admirable virtue, much like integrity, selflessness and excellence. However, it is not braggadocio to wear awards; with few exceptions, ribbons are a colorful record of your service. They will one day help you remember your service. In Henry V, William
  • Portrait of U.S. Air Force Col. Scott Bridgers, commander of the 169th Maintenance Group at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Oct. 28, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Floyd)

    December Commander's Corner

    In order to remain a relevant combat-ready force for the defense of our nation, change and adaption is necessary. That is exactly what we are doing with our lethal Swamp Fox fleet of F-16s. To explain all that we are doing to increase the lethality of our fleet, I’m providing the following details about the evolution of our own F-16CM Block 52
  • 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)

    December Fitness Tips

    Stretches to Relieve Tight Shoulders: Upper Trapezius StretchStart standing or sitting tall, and place one hand on your lower back, the other hand on the opposite side of your head.Pull your head toward your shoulder, looking straight ahead, until you feel a stretch in your neck.Hold for at least 30 seconds and then repeat on the other
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Mascetta, commander of the 316th Fighter Squadron, at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Oct. 13, 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Megan Floyd)

    November Commander's Corner

    Service before self. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard countless times. It seems simple enough at face value, but I will argue that this core value is deeper and more challenging than at first glance. It is also a critical trait for all leaders and supervisors throughout an organization. This is obviously just one person’s perspective, but hopefully,
  • Maj. Christina Pittman portrait

    November Chaplain's Reflections

    As we enter the season of Fall embracing all the transitions of color and weather, I consider the idea that change is not all bad. Even nature is aware that transitions are a part of the new growth that will follow the harshness of winter. The same is true of us, we are in transition of life. What are some changes you are experiencing now? You may
  • U.S. Air Force retired Master Sgt. Bob Barkalow from the South Carolina Air National Guard at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, is recognized as an honorary Chief Master Sgt., on Oct. 13, 2014 at an unknown location. Barkalow writes the monthly Retiree's Corner for the SCANG's eNewsletter. (U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo)

    November Retiree's Corner

    The October Luncheon was a bit different this time, we had many featured speakers, the reason being we didn’t have a featured speaker, so some of us chimed in with various stories about our McEntire experiences, some humorous and others historical. I am positive no stories were enhanced or embellished? I noted that a story would trigger another
  • U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Travis

    November Chief's Perspective

    Thirty-four years goes by faster than you think. I’ve had a long and outstanding career here at McEntire. I’ve been to remote locations and had experiences with fellow guardsmen that created memories that will never be forgotten. But, along the way I’ve learned plenty of lessons, some the hard way. Whether donning gas masks in Saudi Arabia during
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