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  • Portrait of U.S. Air Force Mr. Christopher Bernard, assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing Safey Office at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Sept. 24, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    Safety Spotlight

    Managing personal physical fitness is very important for a healthy life, especially for members of the military. They must maintain an ongoing state of readiness and have availability for worldwide deployment. For this reason, taking a few minutes to consider safety during physical fitness training is prudent. A major part of the three component Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) is the aerobic component, otherwise known as the “Cardio” test. For a majority of members taking the PFA, that means a 1.5 mile run. As you may know, you cannot expect to successfully pass the run without proper training. Gone are the days when you can run around the track a few times once a year to “pass” your PT test. Physical fitness is taken seriously by the military, as deployment tempo increases with a higher demand frequency for mission essential personnel.
  • U.S. Air Force Chief Master. Sgt. Anthony Terry, 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Component Repair Flight superintendent at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, Sept. 29, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Jim St.Clair, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    October Chief's Perspective

    For this month’s perspective, I would like to take the opportunity to thank our Drill Status Guard (DSG) members for the outstanding professionalism and dedication to mission accomplishment they displayed throughout our most recent AEF deployment. It’s easy sometimes to take their service for granted and lose sight of the unique challenges that come with managing a civilian career and completing all pre-deployment requirements in time for an on-time departure.
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Peter Maes, South Carolina Air National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters first sergeant, August 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. James St. Clair, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    October Shirt Blast

    All of us have been new and inexperienced in the workplace.  You have career goals and a plan for your future, yet you don’t have a well-defined path to achieve your objective. If you only had more experience and knowledge, you could make a solid plan to realize your goals.  
  • Retirees from the South Carolina Air National Guard gather for their monthly luncheon at the Fort Jackson NCO Club on Feb. 7, 2020.

    October Retiree's Corner

    This will be my tenth Desert Storm article honoring all Desert Shield/Storm Call-Ups, and the seventh of ten articles honoring the 169th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. I have expanded more key personnel listings, and my goal is to name and honor as many people as I possibly can in this article and subsequent articles.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Kirby Whitley, 169th Fighter Wing chaplain at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, May 4, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    October Chaplain's Reflections

    Have you thought that this moment in time is particularly made for you? You’ve worked hard to condition your mind, spirit, and physical abilities; along with keeping track of your training and skills. After all of those items, do you still consider that you were made for such a time as this?  In a world that constantly changes, we have to adapt and continue to condition ourselves to overcome whatever challenge we face.
  • 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)

    October Fitness Tips

    Fun Fall Exercises and Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beckham, an F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., completes aircraft status records after arriving at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 in preparation for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. U.S. Air Force F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcons arrive to participate in ACE 19. ACE19 is a Nordic aviation exercise, and this year will include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. U.S. force’s participation, as part of the European Deterrence Initiative, demonstrates steadfast commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

    September Commander's Corner

    “SCRAMBLE… SCRAMBLE… SCRAMBLE…” We’ve all heard it over the giant voice followed by alert fighters blasting down the runway a few minutes later. But what exactly is the Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission? And how does the Swamp Fox team contribute to the defense of the American homeland? This article provides a brief rundown for all SCANG members and community partners to become more familiar with this 24/7/365 mission.
  • U.S. Air Force Master. Sgt. Brian Wright, 169th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, Sept. 8, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Jim St.Clair, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    September Shirt Blast

    Hello fellow Swamp Foxes and for those of you recently returning from deployment, we are happy to have the Swamp Fox team back together once again. In fact, it is the diversity and strength of the Swamp Fox team that will be the topic of my article this month.
  • U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Johnson, 169th Communications Squadron superintendent, August 12, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. James St. Clair, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    September Chief's Perspective

    As I reflect on my career, I cannot help thinking about “How did I get here?” Here meaning 35 years of service and becoming a chief master sergeant. I ask “How” because it was not my plan to serve this long. Nor did I think about becoming a Chief. I have always loved my career field. But I had to learn to love the journey. I say this because I did not join the military out of some sense of patriotic duty or love of country but more to escape a small town.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Melissa Benedict, 169th Fighter Wing chaplain, August 15, 2021 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

    September Chaplain's Reflections

    Do you have moments in your life you can recall vividly?  Maybe it was the moment you graduated basic training. All of those hours of sweat, determination, pain and yelling.  All those early mornings and late evenings, the marching, the formation, the "Yes Ma'am" "Yes Sir", the pushups and sits ups and even possibly throwing up. It was finally all worth it as you marched across the field and were announced as an official part of the military. In that moment do you remember those feelings of accomplishment, achievement, success and survival?  
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