Photo By Tech. Sgt. Melissa Dearstone | Airmen with the 134th Force Support Squadron pose for a group photo with Bill Conner,...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. — Airmen assigned to the 134th Force Support Squadron traveled from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, for annual training July 13–24, sharpening mission-essential skills while strengthening the teamwork needed to support future missions.
Over the course of two weeks, Airmen completed hands-on and classroom instruction that took them beyond their typical home-station responsibilities. Training included forklift operations, search and recovery missions, lodging operations, field feeding, mortuary and casualty operations, squadron physical training, and community service projects, culminating in an exercise designed to simulate deployed conditions.
“My biggest priorities during annual training this year were ensuring all Airmen received value-added training to help them perform their jobs more effectively, while also giving them opportunities to participate in morale events and build relationships across the squadron,” said Capt. Kelsi Davis, 134th FSS commander.
For many Airmen, the opportunity to practice skills outside their everyday duties was one of the most valuable aspects of the training.
“The Airmen were able to practice a lot of skills we do not typically get to train on at home station, primarily mortuary and casualty operations,” Davis said. “I also love to see services get out of the kitchen. They gained valuable hands-on experience with search and recovery, lodging, field feeding, and mortuary operations.”
The training concluded with a realistic exercise that challenged Airmen to apply the skills they had learned while working through simulated operational scenarios. Success depended on communication, adaptability, and teamwork—qualities Davis said are essential for Guard members preparing to deploy. “Being ready to deploy is why we are in the Guard,” Davis said. “Training like this is essential to ensure we are ready when called upon.”
Beyond technical training, the squadron also focused on building relationships. Airmen participated in physical training, volunteered during a community cleanup project, and took part in team-building events that brought together members from every flight.
“We did an Amazing Race-style event, where teams of eight from different units raced through various obstacles,” said Senior Airman Bradley Padgett, 134th FSS personnel journeyman. “Before you know it, everyone is racing together, having fun, laughing, and building camaraderie.”
For Davis, that camaraderie became one of the biggest successes of the trip.
“This year’s annual training was especially meaningful because we traveled as an entire squadron,” Davis said. “What made me most proud was the camaraderie I saw across the flights. It was great to see that level of morale and connection.”
The experience left Airmen returning to Tennessee with more than new technical skills. They returned with stronger connections across the squadron and a greater understanding of how each career field contributes to the mission.
“Connected,” Padgett said when asked how the training brought the squadron together. “It feels like this trip really brought everyone together. We’ve been working across all the flights, and it feels like we’re one FSS team rather than separate career fields.”
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| Date Taken: | 07.17.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2026 14:47 |
| Story ID: | 570612 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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