Mississippi Air National Guard Establishes Recruiting Flight
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Air National Guard conducted a guidon unfurling and assumption of command ceremony for its first-ever Recruiting Flight at Mississippi National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters July 31, 2026.
Brig. Gen. Tommy Tillman, the commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, hosted the event, and Maj. Dustin “Dusty” Culpepper assumed command of the recruiting flight.
The event formally marked the establishment of the Mississippi Air National Guard’s newest unit.
Prior to the creation of the recruiting flight, the Mississippi Air National Guard’s nationally recognized recruiters worked under leadership at the 172nd Airlift Wing, 186th Air Refueling Wing, and Combat Readiness Training Center Gulfport.
Establishing the new recruiting flight under Headquarters of the Mississippi Air National Guard allows statewide strategic oversight, command, and control.
The new model also provides supporting staff such as administration, marketing, and medical processing professionals to support the mission, allowing recruiters to focus on identifying the next generation of leaders in the Air National Guard.
Maj. Culpepper, who was the officer in charge of statewide recruiting for a year prior to the unit’s creation and his assumption of command, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the recruiting flight.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to step into this role as the flight commander for the inaugural Mississippi Air National Guard Recruiting Flight,” Maj. Culpepper said. “Maintaining our force strength is the foundation of everything we do. It ensures we can answer the call, whether at home or abroad, and recruiting the next generation of Airmen ensures we will remain a ready, lethal force for decades to come.”
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