South Carolina Air National Guard honors Brig. Gen. Barnie B. McEntire [Image 1 of 8]

EASTOVER, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

10.01.2011

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson  

South Carolina National Guard

The South Carolina Air National Guard honors the memory of its first commander and base namesake during a special ceremony Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. October marks the 50th anniversary of when Congaree Air Base was renamed in honor of Brig. Gen. Barnie B. McEntire. McEntire died May 25, 1961, when he courageously piloted his malfunctioning F-104 fighter jet away from populated areas near Harrisburg, Pa., to crash into the Susquehanna River. Five months later, then-Gov. Ernest F. Hollings presided over the ceremony renaming the heroic wing commander’s South Carolina installation from Congaree Air Base to McEntire Air Base. McEntire served as commander of the SCANG from its first muster Dec. 9, 1946, until his untimely death. He was succeeded by Brig. Gen. Robert H. Morrell. Morrell’s son, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Morrell, currently serves as the SCANG’s top enlisted leader and will make brief remarks during Saturday’s ceremony. An unveiling at the conclusion of the ceremony will reveal McEntire’s name stenciled permanently beneath the canopy of one of the 169th Fighter Wing’s two two-seater F-16s. This honor symbolizes the general’s permanent status as “wingman” to the men and women of the SCANG. More than 1,500 airmen serve their state and nation as members of the SCANG. Most are “traditional” Guard members who live and work throughout the state as full-time civilian employees and students. They stand ready and frequently deploy worldwide when called upon by our nation's leaders and or answer the governor's call in times of natural disaster or civil unrest.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2011
• Date Posted: 10.06.2011 16:47
• Photo ID: 469259
• VIRIN: 111001-F-RK459-011
• Resolution: 1800x1200
• Size: 1.17 MB
• Location: EASTOVER, SOUTH CAROLINA, US