Even if U.S. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley doesn't shine any light on upcoming missions for the Mississippi Air National Guard contingent in Meridian this morning, the visit by the National Guard Bureau Chief and principal advisor to the U.S. Army and Air Force Chiefs of Staff should do a great deal in showcasing the installation as a place where continued air missions are warranted.
On the invitation of 186th ARW Commander Col. Franklin Chalk, McKinley agreed to a stopover visit to tour the facility. During his time on the ground, McKinley is scheduled to be briefed on air missions conducted by the wing's KC-135 tankers, tour the MC-12 Project Liberty training facility and view other operational segments of the wing.
"We wanted the opportunity to show the general what we have been doing here in terms of our mission and the MC-12 training," said Chalk Monday morning. "We are naturally proud of what we do here and we are thankful the general is taking time out from his very busy schedule to spend a couple of hours with us."
McKinley is also slated to speak to the men and women of the 186th ARW. Chalk doesn't think, however, the general will be able to tell them anything in terms of what future air missions may be coming to Key Field.
"I think it will be a pep talk of sorts to just thank our airmen and women on the job they've been working so hard to accomplish," said Chalk. "I doubt very seriously we'll get any earth shattering news of any sort."
Still, the fact such a high ranking officer who can be so influential to the future of the Mississippi Air National Guard at Key Field and Meridian will be here can't hurt.
"I don't believe he's ever been here before so yes, this is a great opportunity for us," Chalk said.
Appointed by the President, McKinley serves as principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on National Guard matters. He is also the principal adviser to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army, and the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on all National Guard issues. As National Guard Bureau Chief, he serves as the department's official channel of communication with the Governors and Adjutants General. As Chief, he is the senior uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, programs and plans affecting more than half a million Army and Air National Guard personnel.
Local News
Air Force general to visit 186th ARW
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Local law enforcement officials honored
State Rep. Greg Snowden said he remembered as a child looking up to those "men in blue."
He said police officers in uniform were larger than life, riding in their patrol cars and carrying guns to protect and serve the population. Today, he said he is still in great admiration of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that citizens can feel safe. -
MPD probes vehicle crash
Evidence of a mother's desperate attempt to save her children from harm were spread all over a car lot — and could be seen on her as well in the form of bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Tuesday night, a vehicle with three children inside crashed through a plate glass showroom floor window damaging four new cars and totaling the vehicle the children were in. -
Skeleton found in residence
Members of the forensics team of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to a dilapidated home in Chunky to probe the discovery of a skeleton.
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Police search for robbery suspects
Two men who reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a local bank are still being sought.
Mike Vick, public information officer with the Meridian Police Department, said the two men approached a woman about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the ATM of Regions Bank on North Hills Street. Vick said one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and after taking an undetermined amount of cash and the victim's car keys, the two suspects fled on foot. -
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday. -
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits. -
Team Spirit
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High Honor
The flowers and balloons Crestwood Elementary School Principal Kimberly Kendrick received at school Monday were not an early Valentines' Day gift.
Kendrick has been named Meridian Public School District's 2012 Administrator of the Year – an announcement that both surprised and wowed the 17-year veteran educator when made by MPSD Superintendent Dr. Alvin Taylor. -
Master Dance Class
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Digital system promises better communication
Hopefully in the near future you won't hear someone in the emergency services ask over the radio, "Can you hear me now?"
A digital communications system, one which is being pushed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), is a few months away and, in some cases, is already in the testing phase in Lauderdale County. - More Local News Headlines
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