Welcome to Shaw and Sumter Guide 2024

Shaw & Sumter Welcome to

15 INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS TO MAKE ANY HOUSE A HOME

2024

GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY WITH OUR LOCAL GUIDES AND LISTS Base leadership Golf and disc golf courses Medical centers Public art Shooting ranges Pet-friendly places Dining downtown

PLUS: FIND THINGS TO DO LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY: MUSEUMS, HIKING, VOLUNTEERING AND MORE! SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 1

2 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 3

4 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

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Table of

CONTENTS

SHAW SUMTER GUIDE

15 interior decorating tips to make any house a home.................. 11 Medical centers and Team Sumter base partnerships.................... 14 Hiking day trips.............................................................................. 16 Base leadership.............................................................................. 20 Pet-friendly places.......................................................................... 30 At a glance: workforce impact and demographics ........................ 32 Shooting ranges in the area........................................................... 34 Exercise Iron Hand 23-08............................................................... 36 Golf courses in the area.................................................................. 42 Sumter Family YMCA programs for all ages.................................. 47 Public art in downtown Sumter...................................................... 50 Volunteering and networking in the community............................ 54 Visit the Sumter Military Museum................................................... 56 Guide to downtown dining in Sumter ........................................... 60 Farmers markets in the area .......................................................... 62 Public safety information ............................................................... 64 Stay connected with free newsletters from The Sumter Item ........ 66 List of schools and colleges with contact information ................... 68 Parks and recreational opportunities ............................................. 70 Disc golf courses in the area ......................................................... 72 20th FW employs SCEWR in new dynamic airspace exercise........ 74 List of elected officials with contact information ........................... 78

Note: this is not an Air Force publication.*

“The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”

ON THE COVER The Duncan family shows their patriotism in the heart of downtown Sumter. Sgt. First Class Joseph Duncan is stationed at Shaw Air Force Base with U.S. Army Central. His wife, Marcia Duncan, is a third-grade teaching fellow at Liberty STEAM Charter School. Their son, Aaron Duncan, attends third grade at Liberty.

Photo by Micah Green

PUBLISHER Vince Johnson EDITOR Kayla Green COPY EDITING Rhonda Barrick Melanie Smith

EDITORIAL Bryn Eddy Alaysha Maple Shaw Air Force Base PHOTOGRAPHY 20th FW Public Affairs Adam Flash Micah Green Sumter Item archives

6 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

LAYOUT Janel Strieter AD DESIGN Cary Howard Janel Strieter AD SALES Karen Cave Devin McDonald Mark Pekuri

36 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-1238

Home of the Free, Thanks to the Brave.

In times of war and peace, the men and women of our military dedicate themselves to serving our country. Their commitment, patriotism, sacrifice and courage keep our country safe and strong.

We honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and salute those who have served and are serving today.

Family Values. Forward Vision.

SM

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 7

8 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Welcome from

The Sumter Item

On behalf of The Sumter Item, I’d like to welcome you to the Sumter community. We’re glad you’re here.

In the last few years, the growing connections between the Shaw and Sumter communities have been evident and inspiring. Our connected communities make our events more lively, support our vibrant local business scene and help us all live more fulfilled lives.

My personal friendships with members of the Shaw community have been some of the most rewarding, lasting many years and continuing across numerous regions of our world.

Whether you’re in Sumter for a few days, months or years, I’d encourage you to make those cross-community connections and embrace everything Sumter has to offer. From Sumter’s bustling and growing downtown to community parks and numerous local gatherings, Sumter is a place to explore and enjoy.

The Sumter Item is the 130-year-old leader in local news, and today, we’re connected not only through our local newspaper, but also through TheItem.com, local video shows, hosted events, email newsletters and more.

Here are three ways to stay connected: Sign up for our free daily newsletter at TheItem.com/newsletter.

Follow The Sumter Item on Facebook, Instagram and X. Take advantage of a special digital subscription offer for the military community at TheItem.com/ShawOffer.

Our staff at The Sumter Item is committed to keeping you informed about everything you need to know while you’re in Sumter.

I hope you enjoy this magazine.

Best regards,

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 9

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10 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

HONORARY COMMANDER AT SHAW

How to

make your house a home, even for a little while

Nicole Norris: Interior designer and owner of Nicole Norris Design Studio Nicole Norris grew up a military brat.

So, she’s moved around a lot, both in childhood and in her adult life.

Now she owns Nicole Norris Interior Design Studio in Sumter.

She knows what it’s like to have to move all the time.

And she doesn’t think that living a transient life should bar anyone from making their home a beautiful place.

“So, when I was young, like a senior in high school, we moved to a house in Germany, and I had the best time rearranging my room,” she said.

Norris recalled strategically dividing up her room to make a good place for clothes while still having room to decorate.

Rebecca Compton of Gallery 406 Interiors in Sumter said anything a transient person can do to minimize typical moving stresses is well worth it. She’s helped a few military families and other people move through the years without sacrificing elements that make their home “home-y” and said that at its core, organization is key.

Combined, Norris and Compton have 15 practical ideas - some cost efficient and some might be a splurge - to help make constantly moving constantly smooth and good looking.

1. Do not label anything as miscellaneous.

Compton said labeling a box as miscellaneous might seem easy in the moment, but when it comes time to unpack in the new place, one might regret that label; however, some items are just random! No one takes stock of every belonging and assigns it a category, so what can you do when you need to box and label miscellaneous items for a move? Label the box for what room it will likely go in. “Bathroom.”

“Kitchen.” “Pantry.” “Outdoor shed.” You get the idea.

2. Stuff in storage doesn't do anybody any good.

Sometimes, storage units are handy, but if you can’t recall exactly what’s in storage, then you might be forgetting you even own it, so why keep it? Storing heavy coats during summer or baby furniture until the possibility of a new family member might make sense, but it will reduce one’s stress when it’s time for a move if just about everything you own can fit into your home.

3. Don’t toss sentimental things.

Transient people are likely familiar with purging or spring cleaning. It’s easy to get into the toss it mindset, but don’t throw away something that’s dear to you if you can help it.

Sentimental items should move with you when possible, both Compton and Norris said, because when you move and you’re in a new environment, having something that you hold dear will help you establish that sense of home quickly. Take this advice with a grain of salt, though, if you’re someone who finds sentimentality in too many items.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 11

4. Ask for help.

Moving is hard. So, ask for help. Ask for help with packing and unpacking. And if you’re someone who does find sentimentality in too many things, talking through it with an objective person can help you prioritize what is really that dear to you and worth moving.

If it’s in the budget, consider asking for professional help.

Compton said she remembers helping a military family years ago. When the movers dumped everything they own into a single room of their new home, they became overwhelmed.

“I know when she first called me, she was in a panic because the movers had dropped the furniture at the house, and everything was all crammed in a little patio,” she said. “I talked with her and was able to calm her nerves, then we got to work and had everything in a more manageable spot in just a couple of days.”

5. Take it one room at a time.

With packing and unpacking, take it one room at a time.

Norris said to start with the most important room, the bedroom. Before anything else, set up your bed.

“My mom taught me to make my bed first,” she said.

“So, when I haven’t gotten a lot done and there’s lots to unpack, at least I can get into bed with my bedding all set up and feel good about being in a new place.”

6. Get some plastic shallow tubs and dual-purpose furniture.

Like Compton said, organization is key to making moving go as smoothly as possible. According to Norris, shallow plastic tubs are helpful because they can slide under furniture. They’re easy to get out of the way quickly, thus reducing clutter and stress.

And on a more aesthetic note, dual-purpose furniture can have much the same effect, Norris said. There are lots of pieces of furniture that discreetly store items, like footrests that open up for blanket storage or headboards with shelving.

7. If it suits your style, larger pieces of furniture should be neutrally colored.

Maybe you look at moving as an opportunity to redesign things and try new styles, so if you want to do that but don’t want to buy all new items, Norris said that neutrally colored large pieces like couches can enable you to dress them up differently as often as you’d like with things like accent pillows.

Interested in learning more about Nicole Norris Design Studio?

Their highly specialized team works with residential and commercial clients for projects large and small from the planning stage through the completion of the project. Helping clients feel proud of what they have done. They are not just decorators: they are planners and coordinators. They make beautiful, as well as functional spaces.

www.nicolenorrisdesign.com 12 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

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Welcome to the

Sumter Shaw Family

A

s you arrive and get settled in the community, you will soon discover the people of Sumter have great patriotic pride in supporting the base mission, military personnel and their families and demonstrate an overwhelming show of support for deployed personnel and their families. Base personnel return that support to the community through their unselfish work to improve the quality of education, medical care, spiritual life and humanitarian activities.

Shaw Air Force Base is located within city limits. City of Sumter government and staff works closely with Shaw on a daily basis, with a team of former and current elected officials, city staff and military retirees in support of Shaw’s airmen, soldiers and their families.

Land use near military installations is always a concern. New residential and commercial development along with increasing competition for land, airspace and water access can constrain training, testing and other base activities. Sumter has an active land protection program around Shaw, with over 3,000 acres of land surrounding the base to keep development from encroaching too closely.

The City of Sumter partners with the base through the following programs: • • • • • • • • •

South Carolina Military Base Task Force Shaw-Sumter Community Council Honorary Commanders Program Weasel Welcome Program ARCENT Newcomers Briefing Taste of Sumter Community Bus Tours Shaw Spouses Club Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee • Joint public safety training and support programs through fire and police departments • Events on and off base to support active duty, retirees, personnel and their families

14 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Medical Centers/ Clinics: • Sumter VA Clinic 407 North Salem Ave. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 938-9901 Sunday: Closed Monday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Thursday: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Columbia (Dorn) VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 (803) 776-4000 • Florence VA Clinic 514H Dargan St. Florence, SC 29501 (843) 292-8383 • Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System 109 Bee St. Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 577-5011

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Hiking DAY TRIPS

16 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

i Table Rock State Park

Crowders Mountain State Park

Table Rock State Park

Travel a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of the South Carolina border and get a view of Charlotte from Gaston County, North Carolina, on Crowders Mountain.

Trek along Crowders Trail to Rocktop Trail Loop, a 5.8-mile climb to the top of Crowders Mountain for a view of the North Carolina landscape and a distant outlook of Queen City and the East.

For a tougher hike, climb the park’s Pinnacle Trail, a 4.2-mile out-and-back trail featuring a view of the state’s west side.

The park is a three-hour-and-15-minute drive to Pickens, South Carolina.

For a moderate, at times strenuous, hike, climb Table Rock Trail, a 6.8-mile trail with rewarding views of both a lake and mountain landscape.

For a tougher, more challenging hike, climb to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain Trail, an 8-mile out-and-back trail featuring views and waterfalls.

5.8 mi.

4.2 mi.

Congaree National Park

Travel a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Cleveland, South Carolina, to hike the surrounding of Raven Cliff Falls, a nearly 400-foot waterfall surrounded by an abundance of vegetation.

For a moderate hike, trek a 4-mile out-and-back trail along Raven Cliff Falls Trail to see the waterfall.

For a more difficult hike, travel down the Raven Cliff Falls and Dismal Trail Loop, a nearly 9-mile loop with more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain featuring a suspension bridge over the waterfall and the falls floor.

3.30 HOURS

Edisto Beach State Park Take a two-hour drive south to get a hiking and beach day experience at Edisto Beach State Park for many easy, flat trails for hikers and bikers alike.

A popular site to see includes a 1.8-mile trail along the Botany Bay Beach Walk.

1.8 mi.

3.15 HOURS

2.5 HOURS

Caesars Head State Park

4 mi.

6.8 MI. 8 MI.

2 HOURS

An hour west of Sumter lies Hopkins, South Carolina’s national treasure with a ton of easy family-friendly trails at one of the country’s famous National Parks.

Although there are many trails to explore, the 2-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail is the most popular, featuring South Carolina’s native species in a swamp-like environment.

2 mi.

1 HOUR

Poinsett State Park Stay close to home and travel to Pinewood, South Carolina, for family-friendly hikes or mountain biking at Sumter County’s own state park.

Although most trails are easy, take on the moderate Poinsett Loop trail to get the entire park experience in 14.8 miles.

14.8 mi.

30 MINUTES

*Time estimates are based on time traveled from downtown Sumter

Photos by Jason Stoddard and Melanie Smith

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 17

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Base Leadership 20th FW commander Col. Kristoffer R. Smith

Col. Kristoffer R. Smith is the commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He is responsible for the mission readiness of the wing’s 79 aircraft, 18 squadrons, stewardship of Shaw and the health and welfare of 8,000 active-duty airmen and civilians. Furthermore, Col. Smith supervises the support of the 31,000 local military retirees and 29 geographically separated units across nine states. Col. Smith received his commission as a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy in June 1999. He has commanded at the squadron and operations group level, and is a graduate of the National Intelligence University, Eisenhower School, and a distinguished graduate of the USAF Weapons School. He is a command pilot with more than 1,900 hours in the F-16 “Viper” and deployed in support of Operations Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, and Odyssey Dawn.

20th FW deputy commander Col. Kevin D. Hicok

Col. Kevin D. Hicok is the deputy commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He is second in command of a 19-squadron wing including three F-16CM fighter squadrons. As deputy commander, he assists the commander in the formulation and direction of command policies and procedures and supervises and coordinates activities of the wing staff. Additionally, Col. Hicok chairs numerous councils and committees in support of the health and welfare of 8,114 active-duty airmen, soldiers and civilians and more than 8,000 family members. Furthermore, he helps supervise the support of the 31,000 local military retirees and 29 geographically separated units across nine states. Col. Hicok received his commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2001. He has served as an F-16 pilot, instructor pilot, flight examiner, weapons officer and instructor at the USAF Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Col. Hicok also served as the commander, 51st Operations Support Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea. Prior to his current position, he served as the operations integration branch chief for the Joint Staff deputy director for Global Operations, Special Technical Operations Division at the Pentagon.

20th FW command chief Chief Master Sgt. Christopher D. Griste

Chief Master Sgt. Christopher D. Griste is the command chief, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He advises the commander on matters influencing the readiness, training, education and resiliency of 7,110 active-duty airmen and civilians and more than 8,000 family members. Further, he supervises the support of the 31,000 local military retirees and 29 geographically separated units across nine states. The wing’s mission is to sustain operational suppression of enemy air defenses by way of the three F-16 Fighting Falcon units for a 79-aircraft fleet worth $1.7 billion to ensure combat readiness to deploy, employ and sustain air superiority.

20 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 21

9th AF commander (AFCENT) Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich

Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich is commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, and the Combined Forces Air Component commander for U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia. In these roles, the general is responsible for developing contingency plans and conducting air operations in a 21-nation area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.

9th AF assistant deputy commander (AFCENT) Maj. Gen. Clark J. Quinn

Maj. Gen. Clark J. Quinn serves as the assistant deputy commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. In this position, he assists with the development of contingency plans and the execution of air operations for the 20-nation U.S. Central Command area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.

9th AF command chief (AFCENT) Chief Master Sgt. Katherine A. Grabham

Chief Master Sgt. Katherine A. Grabham is the command chief master sergeant for Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central). As the command chief, she is the senior enlisted advisor to the commander on all matters affecting the readiness, training, professional development and effective utilization of all assigned and attached personnel. Additionally, she coordinates with the headquarters staff, commanders and senior personnel on the development and implementation of command policy and direction. As the air component senior enlisted leader to both Ninth Air Force and United States Air Forces Central, the chief champions and directs enlisted efforts in direct support of air operations (unilaterally or in concert with coalition partners) and the development of contingency plans in support of national objectives for USCENTCOM’s 20-nation area of responsibility in Southwest Asia.

15th AF commander

Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski is the commander, 15th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Fifteenth AF organizes, trains, and equips its headquarters to be a deployable, operational-level Joint Task Force and its subordinate commands to prepare for and execute expeditionary taskings. Additionally, 15th AF commands 13 wings and three direct reporting units in the U.S., ensuring the operational readiness of about 800 aircraft and more than 47,000 active-duty and civilian members.

15th AF deputy commander Brig. Gen. Steven G. Behmer

Brig. Gen. Steven G. Behmer is the deputy commander, 15th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Fifteenth Air Force organizes, trains and equips its subordinate commands to prepare for and execute expeditionary taskings. Additionally, 15th Air Force advises, assists, advocates and assesses 13 wings and three direct reporting units in the U.S., ensuring the operational readiness of about 800 aircraft and more than 47,000 active-duty and civilian members.

22 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 23

15th command chief

Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy L. Unterseher Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy L. Unterseher is the command chief master sergeant for 15th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He advises the commander and staff on matters influencing the health, welfare, morale and effective utilization of all assigned personnel. 15th AF organizes, trains and equips its subordinate commands to prepare for and execute expeditionary taskings. Additionally, 15th Air Force commands 13 wings and three direct reporting units in the U.S., ensuring the operational readiness of about 800 aircraft and more than 47,000 active-duty and civilian members. CMSgt. Unterseher entered the Air Force in August of 1995 and graduated from Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal in June 1996. His background includes various duties in the Explosive Ordnance career field at unit, MAJCOM and HAF levels.

25th Attack Group commander Col. Trevor T. Merrell

Col. Trevor T. Merrell is the commander, 25th Attack Group, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He is responsible for leading more than 1,000 personnel within five squadrons located across three geographically separated installations. The group provides 24/7/365 global MQ-9A operations for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and provides global attack options to combatant commands in support of national and theater-specific objectives.

Prior to assuming his current position, Col. Merrell served as the J-32 Force Management Division chief. He led a team that developed and staffed DoD’s annual global ISR allocation plan, provided ISR sourcing recommendations in response to CCMD emergent requirements, ensured PED is aligned with Global Force Management ISR allocation and provided ISR subject matter expertise to other DoD and Joint Staff processes.

Col. Merrell commissioned in 2003 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program, Arizona State University. He graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, as a distinguished graduate in 2004. He is also a graduate of the USAF Weapons Instructor Course and School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.

Col. Merrell is a senior pilot with combat time in the F-16, MQ-1 and MQ-9 supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

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24 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

YEAR AFTER YEAR

SERVING SUMTER & THE SURROUNDING AREAS FOR 44 YEARS!

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 25

25th Attack Group senior enlisted leader Chief Master Sgt. Tina M. Gilson

Chief Master Sgt. Tina M. Gilson is the senior enlisted leader, 25th Attack Group, Shaw AFB, South Carolina. She is the advisor to the commander on issues affecting combat operations and readiness, mission effectiveness, morale, welfare, safety, training, proper utilization and professional development of the group’s 18 Air Force Specialties totaling 1,050 active duty, civilian and contract personnel. The 25th Attack Group is a combat group comprised of five squadrons across three bases providing mission support, dominant worldwide persistent strike and strategic reconnaissance operations to six combatant commands flying the MQ-9A Reaper in support of 24/7, 365 overseas contingency operations.

Chief Master Sgt. Gilson entered the Air Force in September 2000. She graduated from the air traffic control specialist course at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, in March 2001.

Her background includes various duties in the air traffic control career field at the unit level.

Throughout her career, she has filled a myriad of roles, including watch supervisor, NCOIC of Training and Standardization, additional-duty first sergeant, chief controller, flight chief and group senior enlisted leader. Her assignments include bases in Georgia, New Mexico and Florida. She has also served in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, three overseas remote tours in South Korea and a 365 Deployment to Qatar. Prior to her current position, she served as the senior enlisted leader for the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group at Al Udeid Air Base deploying out of the 436th Operations Group Senior Enlisted Leader position at Dover Air Force Base.

U.S. Army Central commanding general Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank – “Lucky 6”

Lt. Gen. Frank graduated from St. Bonaventure University and was commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer.

Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of command and staff assignments. His previous assignments include: commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk; deputy commanding general and acting senior commander of 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas; executive officer to the commander ISAF Resolute Support; executive officer to the vice chief of staff of the Army; commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team “Spartans,” 10th Mountain Division - deployed in the surge of forces to Kandahar, Afghanistan, for Operation Enduring Freedom XII-XIII; 1st Infantry Division G-3; commander of 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry “Black Lions,” 4th IBCT, 1st Infantry Division - deployed to Baghdad as a part of the surge during Operation Iraqi Freedom-V; aide to the secretary of the army; deputy G-3 and Brigade S-3 in the 101st Airborne Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom-I; company commands in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, where he also deployed as a staff officer in support of Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and a tour with the 3rd Infantry Division, Germany, in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Prior to assuming command of USARCENT, Lt. Gen. Frank served as the chief of staff, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida.

Lt. Gen. Frank earned a bachelor of arts in finance; a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University; a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College; and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Lt. Gen. Frank’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge and Parachutist Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge.

26 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

U.S. Army Central command sergeant major CSM Jacinto Garza

CSM Jacinto Garza is a native of Jasper, Texas. He entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 19, 1996, and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia, as a Supply Specialist (92Y).

CSM Garza’s previous assignments include: Unit Armor and Supply Specialist for the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Drum, New York; Assistant S4 NCOIC for HHD 187th Medical Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Supply Sergeant and HQs Platoon Sergeant, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment (CURRAHEE) Camp Greaves, Korea; Supply Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant for 297th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; S4 NCOIC for the 180th Transportation Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; Senior Drill Sergeant, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; First Sergeant, Echo Company, 3rd Battalion 47th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; the J4 (FWD) NCOIC/Support Operations NCOIC, ISFLPD United States Forces, Iraq; First Sergeant, D Company, 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; Battalion CSM for the 43D Special Troops Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado; Brigade CSM for the 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, Fort Carson, Colorado; CJ4 Sergeant Major in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve; CSM for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; and his most recent assignment was in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, & Technology (Pentagon), Washington D.C. His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (Honor Graduate), Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (Honor Graduate), the First Sergeant Course (Honor Graduate), U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School (Honor Graduate), Squad Designated Marksman Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Ranger School. He is a graduate of the United States Army’s Sergeants Major Academy Class 62. CSM Garza has a master in business administration with a concentration in government contracting and acquisition and a bachelor in health sciences from American Military University.

CSM Garza’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3rd Award); Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award); Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal (7th Award); Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award); National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War On Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers’ Professional Development Ribbon; the Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Medal; Ranger Tab, Parachutists Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and other decorations.

CCTC IS THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CCAF. ENROLL NOW.

Central Carolina Technical College has financial aid options for military-affiliated students, including the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA).

Active Duty military and family members are given in-state tuition status immediately upon completion of a military active duty verification or military dependent verification form. Conveniently located on Shaw AFB.

LEARN MORE: cctech.edu | 803-778-1961 Central Carolina Technical College does not discriminate in employment or admissions on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, religion, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation, disability, or any other protected class.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 27

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 29

Pets welcome Where you can bring the dogs out

P

ets are family, and more people are choosing to include them in their living plans and outings. While health and safety regulations prevent your pet pals from enjoying some spaces, you will find that Sumter also contains many places where your furry (and not-sofurry) friends are more than welcome!

From parks and campgrounds to a cozy B&B, outdoor dining, a rooftop brewery and two dog parks, there are plenty of opportunities to get your pets in on that family selfie, night out or evening under the stars.

Hotels • • • •

Candlewood Suites Hyatt Place Quality Inn Rodeway Inn

Restaurants • • • • •

Sumter Original Brewery (rooftop) Sidebar (outdoor seating) Pelican’s Snowballs (outdoor seating) Sonic (Broad Street and McCrays Mill Road) Starbucks (outdoor seating)

Shopping

Leashed pets are welcome at numerous chains, including Petco, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight and more. Call for individual store policies.

Dog-friendly parks • • • • • • • • • • • •

Dillon Park (off-leash dog park) Sumter Dog Park (off leash) Gen. Thomas Sumter Memorial Park Memorial Park Woods Bay State Park Palmetto Park SPCA Bark Park (off leash, membership) Poinsett State Park Patriot Park Mill Creek Park Cypress Park and Trail Palmetto Trail

For more pet-friendly fun than you can wag your tail at, visit LoveSumter.com or call the Sumter Convention & Visitors Bureau at (803) 436-2640.

30 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 31

SHAW & SUMTER BY THE

NUMBERS

The workforce

Out of the eight military installations in South Carolina, Shaw has the third-largest military presence by total volume of military-related activities, behind only Charleston and Columbia. $1.5 billion: Shaw’s overall annual economic impact on Sumter region

$2.1 billion: Shaw’s overall annual economic impact on South Carolina

Demographics Population: 104,012 Veterans: 10,824

$1 billion: Labor income generated for Sumter region

People under 18: 23.6% People over 65: 17.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 11,671: Employment impact

Black: 47.9% White: 47.7% Hispanic or Latino: 4.5%

31,000+: Active duty, military family and retirees living in Sumter Source: Love Sumter | SumterSC.gov/community/military

32 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Median gross rent: $879 Median household income: $45,661 High school graduate or higher: 85.5% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.3%

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 33

SHOOTING

RANGES Outdoor and indoor opportunities available in area for firearms enthusiasts

OUTDOOR

Wateree Rifle and Pistol Range

Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports

Access: Public

Access: Public

About: Operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Wateree Rifle and Pistol Range just two miles across the Sumter County line and over the Wateree River Bridge is a manned range with an officer on duty at all times. It consists of 14 rifle stations with targets up to 100 yards and 12 pistol stations up to 25 yards away. It is part of a larger facility that includes a shotgun sports facility next door.

About: Nestled just south of Camden and near the Interstate 20 interchange in Kershaw County, Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports is a sporting clays course on a 1,500-acre tract. Similar to skeet shooting, the sport of shooting “clay pigeons” first developed in England and was introduced in the U.S. in 1980.

Location:14069 Garners Ferry Road (U.S. 378) Eastover, SC 29044 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Web: www.dnr.sc.gov/shooting/ ranges/wateree.html Phone: (803) 240-7368 34 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Location: 2362 Tickle Hill Road, Camden, SC 29020 Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5:30 p.m.

Web: www.hfsporting.com Phone: (803) 432-0210

INDOOR

Ricochet Range

Access: Private (membership packages available) About: Ricochet opened in 2020 and features a 10-lane training bay range, a state-of-the-art target retrieval system, a “smokeless range” simulator, classrooms and a retail area. Several classes are also offered.

Location: 1410 U.S. 15 South Hours: Winter, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; rest of the year, Wednesday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Web: www.ricochetrange.com Phone: (803) 938-5713

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 35

Light, fast and lethal;

Shaw brings the heat during Exercise Iron Hand 23-08

By Staff Sgt. Kelsey Owen 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

N

ORTH, S.C. – U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to Shaw Air Force Base participated in Exercise Iron Hand 23-08 at North Auxiliary Airfield.

Exercises like Iron Hand are designed to test the ability of the 20th Fighter Wing to operate under the Air Force’s new Agile Combat Employment operating concept, which shifts the generation of airpower from large, centralized bases to networks of smaller, dispersed locations.

According to Air Force Doctrine Note 1-21, developed by the Air University’s Curtis E. LeMay Center and signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.: ACE is an operational concept that supports joint all-domain operations. Joint force operations are increasingly interconnected, interdependent and challenged. Anti-access and area denial threats, reduced freedom of maneuver and rapid proliferation of advanced technologies challenge the Air Force’s ability to operate. The successful employment of ACE positions the force to observe, orient, decide and act in concert across all domains.

“ACE is the Air Force’s response to get after more dynamic force employment by moving aircraft around, moving facilities around to make it harder for the adversary to hit us,” said Maj. Benjamin McComb, 20th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering flight commander. “ACE is light, fast and lethal. We have to keep moving, keep the adversary on their toes - complicate their targeting in order to stay alive.”

For Exercise Iron Hand 23-08, a team of 90 airmen took to the (air)field to practice ACE concepts over the span of a week: setting up, maintaining and defending the small “tent city” that acted as their living quarters, dining facility and command and control headquarters, while also generating combat airpower.

Prior to the exercise, airmen went through training to become multi-capable airmen, an initiative set in place to reduce the number of airmen who must be put in harm’s way to carry out the mission.

“The MCA training prior to coming to Iron Hand 36 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

helped me a lot,” said Airman 1st Class Luis Bohorquez, 79th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member. “If no one went through that training, they wouldn’t know what to do during an attack.

Since most of us went through the MCA training, we all just got up, put our gear on, and tried to fight back.”

MCAs are able to provide advanced readiness skills outside of the airman’s primary duty, in areas such as mission generation, command and control and base operations support. Teams of these airmen are more agile and responsive than traditional large, highly specialized teams.

There are two tiers of MCA training: Tier 1, which covers basic skills for force protection and trauma care, and Tier 2, which is where airmen begin to step outside of their functional communities.

From a medical standpoint, preventative medicine and clinical specialists learn how to perform aspects of each other’s jobs to ensure airmen are taken care of despite having a shortage or lack of one or the other, McComb said.

“On the maintenance side, you’re cross-pollinating ammo troops, loadmasters and crew chiefs so that we can still arm aircraft and get them up off the ground with fewer people.”

Exercise Iron Hand is a reflection of what we expect to see in future warfighting environments as we transition out of the Middle East and turn our focus toward the Pacific and European theaters.

“Exercises like Iron Hand 23-08 shape how the 20th Fighter Wing is operationalizing ACE and define how 20th Fighter Wing airmen will operate in a modern, contested environment,” said Col. Matthew Tuzel, 20th Operations Group commander. “It’s exciting and reassuring to know that our airmen — including fighter pilots, maintainers, and the associated support personnel — here at Shaw have exercised the transition to a wartime footing and the ability to deliver combat power to the point of need at the speed of relevance in an austere environment.”

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 37

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 39

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 41

Hit

the

l nks Numerous area courses offer wide variety for all players

Golfing is a pastime and sport wellloved in the South and across the country. With the area's climate that is pleasant much of the year, sunny skies and wide-open spaces, courses abound in the Sumter region. From public and semiprivate to private and exclusive, each course offers a different experience. Keep going back to your favorite one, or make your way through this entire list.

Either way, fore!

SUMTER

Beech Creek Golf Club Access: Semiprivate

Beech Creek Golf Club is nestled in the historic “High Hills of the Santee” and opened for play in 1989. The golf course is located on one of the most scenic pieces of property in Sumter County with elevation changes that allow for views that can go for miles.

Beech Creek is an 18-hole course that’s fun to play.

1800 Sam Gillespie Blvd., Sumter (803) 499-4653

Carolina Lakes Golf Course Access: Special-access – Shaw AFB

Carolina Lakes Golf Course offers 18 lush, emerald Bermuda greens and fairways tucked in a gently rolling landscape. A fully stocked pro-shop, driving range and restaurant are also at the course. The restaurant overlooks the scenic 18th hole and has a panoramic view of the course from nearly every seat.

400 Stuart St., Shaw Air Force Base (803) 895-1399

42 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Crystal Lakes Golf Course Access: Public

Crystal Lakes is an 18-hole, 6,264-yard course (blue tees) that welcomes all levels of players.

A driving range, putting green and practice area for pitching complement a clubhouse and snack bar for a fun and affordable outing. Seniors, children and serious golfers alike enjoy walking or riding in carts at this Sumter County course that has a new entrance and parking lot.

1305 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, Sumter (803) 775-1902

The Links at Lakewood Access: Semiprivate

The Links at Lakewood has been under new management and ownership since May 2016. The Links’ goals are to provide a good, quality golf course to play, but at the same time keep it affordable. These goals have led The Links to be voted best golf course in Sumter County four consecutive years in The Sumter Item’s Best of Sumter readers choice contest.

3600 Green View Parkway, Sumter (803) 481-5700

Quixote Club Access: Private

Quixote Club is a world-class golf course with a skillfully crafted clubhouse and first-class staff. Quixote invites generous, philanthropic-minded individuals from across the country to participate in a club that prides itself in leaving a legacy behind for future generations to enjoy. Based on the East Lake Foundation model in Atlanta, Quixote’s philanthropic mission is to support ongoing high-quality, free public education in the form of Liberty STEAM Charter School, Sumter’s first public charter school.

1005 Golfcrest Road, Sumter (803) 775-5541

CLARENDON

The Players Course at Wyboo Access: Semiprivate

Nestled along the shores of Lake Marion, The Players Course has been voted the best golf course in Clarendon County four consecutive years in The Sumter Item’s Best of Clarendon readers choice contest. The Players Course is carved from wooded terrain and features large, undulating greens. The contrasting styles of the front and back nines make for a great round.

1560 Players Course Drive, Manning (803) 478-2500

Shannon Greens Golf Club Access: Semiprivate

Shannon Greens is one of the oldest golf courses in Clarendon County. The layout is made up of 18-hole championship tees. The course has five par 3s and five par 5s, making it a par 72 layout. There are tall pines, ponds, creeks and dog legs that give the course great character. The signature hole is No. 7, the island green. The pro shop is full of golf inventory, and there is a full-service bar and lounge area.

1435 Davenport Drive, Manning (803) 435-8752

Wyboo Golf Club Access: Semiprivate

Wyboo Golf Club is regarded by many as the best public-access golf course in the region because of its premier condition and layout. During the summer of 2021, Wyboo did a total renovation of the greens with Tifeagle Bermuda grass.

Amenities include a driving range, practice putting green, fully stocked pro shop, snack bar and bar in a newly renovated clubhouse area.

2565 Players Course Drive, Manning (803) 478-7899

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 43

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 45

46 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

YMCA programs to explore It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle, whether you’re piloting Shaw’s F-16 Fighting Falcons or taking care of your military family. The Sumter Family YMCA has something for everyone, from classes and gyms to Parents Night Out and afterschool programming. Here are some popular programs. Scan the QR code to learn more.

Aquatics

Wellness

Athletics

YFIT: 8-week educational program looking at all aspects of lifestyle and how to overcome barriers and make changes to improve personal well-being.

No fee with physician referral and complimentary membership.

For youth and adults; swim teams for ages 5-21; Lap swim and fitness swim.

Basketball: Leagues for youth (ages 5-15) OctoberFebruary and men (ages 25 and up) September-October; personal training and clinics for youth (ages 7-16).

Flag football: Leagues for youth (ages 7-13) MarchApril.

Soccer: Leagues for youth (ages 3-8) March-April.

Gymnastics: Classes from preschool to adult; competitive team for girls; cheer and tumble clinics; birthday parties.

Summer camps: For ages 3-14. Camp Mac Boykin, specialty camps (aquatics, basketball, gymnastics and nutrition).

Fitness: Personal training; group exercise classes; nutrition consultations; Enhanced Fitness (program for individuals with arthritis); Exercise Is Medicine (bridge program from physical therapy); Women On Weights (program on proper mechanics for lifting).

StrongHeart: 12-week program for heart attack and stroke survivors or individuals at risk for both. Medical clearance from physician necessary to participate.

Diabetes Exercise Program: 12-week activity/ educational program. No fee with physician referral.

Medical clearance from physician necessary.

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program: 16-week program that is a 1-on-1 with a Healthy Heart ambassador to track and improve blood pressure. No fee with physician referral.

Youth: Birthday parties; afterschool programs; Kids Night Out event monthly.

Active Older: Adult Activities: Arts and crafts; monthly movies; holiday-themed activities; field trips.

Scholarships

Assistance is available for membership and programs.

(Forms located on website or at front desk).

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 47

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Fluttering into downtown Sumter:

9 new butterflies featured in 2nd round of art project

S

Downtown Sumter blooms on a butterfly. Unnamed by Meredith Rogers

pectacular hues and artistic brilliance have, once again, taken flight in downtown Sumter, leaving the city aflutter with vibrant charm as the second round of installations for the Main Street Society’s butterfly project is complete.

The invasion started in 2019, when the first round of butterflies was announced, funded by the Main Street Society members and sponsorships. It wasn’t until 2020 that the seven crafted creatures were painted and installed across the Central Business District down both Main and Liberty streets.

Three years later in February 2023, the society and City of Sumter called for more local artists to spread their creative wings for the chance to paint seven more butterflies. The answers were more than they could’ve imagined.

“This time, we had a lot of people come forward, and we had a lot of proposals, and I mean, we had to not use some great proposals because we got more than we needed,” said Leigh Newman, downtown development coordinator with the City of Sumter. “I think for the new butterflies, we got 20 submissions, and the last time, we got eight for seven butterflies.”

Newman explained there are sponsorship opportunities for the butterflies. With $500, a sign can be placed alongside the butterfly with the name of the artist and the willing sponsor. Sponsorships are offered to the Main Street Society members and then to the general public. In the past, sponsorships have honored family members and deceased loved ones. They have not installed the signs yet, Newman said.

This year’s submissions varied in style and sentiment, just as Jenna Binion, president of Main Street Society, and Newman wanted. In front of the Church of the Holy 50 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Comforter, 213 N. Main St., one butterfly depicts a detailed scene of downtown Sumter, painted by Meredith Rogers.

About two blocks down near the old Main Attractions Barber, at 101 N. Main St., a butterfly honors the efforts of animal rescue in Sumter, done by Abbie Mason. A short stroll to 21 N. Main St., a butterfly with the defining elements of Sumter - including Swan Lake, elements of Shaw Air Force Base and the iconic clock - greets patrons on their way into the Sumter Opera House, designed

by Mandi Windham Chiappone. The recently opened El Paso Tacos and Tequila Restaurant, at 154 S. Main St., was accompanied by a butterfly with a still of downtown Sumter, depicted in hues of yellow and orange, courtesy of Carolina Grace Hoppmann.

Two of the new butterflies were installed at previously selected locations. Erin Duffie’s artwork was reinstalled next to the Opera House parking lot after a fresh coat of paint and coating to prevent fading under the sun’s rays. Near Sumter Cut Rate Drug Store, at 32 S. Main St., rests a new butterfly, repainted with a true wow factor in a pop-art style, illustrated by Julie Watts.

The remaining three butterflies are the work of Hannah Morris, with her multi-colored, shape-filled butterfly at 133 S. Main St.; the retro robotic, primary-colored floral scene painted by Matthew Morse, at 12 W. Liberty St.; and Laila-Vice Johnson’s cool-toned Swan Lake scene at 100 W. Liberty St. Newman and Binion discussed branching out to Calhoun and Bartlette streets for butterfly locations. However, once boots were on the ground, they realized there were fewer light poles in that area. The 14 total locations, seven new and two replaced, are spread out enough to where the city and the society are satisfied. If any further rounds are

announced, it would be to replace the original seven installed.

The lifespan of these exquisite beings in downtown is unclear. Whether it’s two years or two decades, once removed, they will find their way back to their sponsors, providing a timeless connection to local art and the heartbeat of Sumter, Newman shared.

For now, this fluttering fleet of creative creatures has been an enjoyment for frequent flyers of the downtown area, as the response “has been great,” according to feedback Newman received. She and Binion have no doubt this new fleet will bring both color and camaraderie to the city.

“We really want people to come down when the weather gets a little bit nicer because they’re all walkable. Easily within 30 minutes, you can walk all around downtown and see all the different butterflies,” she said. “We want people to have things to do downtown. If they come down and, you know, they wanna eat dinner and are like hey, let’s go walk around and look at the butterflies. It’s really just kind of another activity that also is beautification.”

“I am so excited about the second round!” Binion expressed. “We were blown away by the talented artists who participated in this project and inspired by the diverse styles and themes the artists brought to their individual pieces. The final butterflies are each so unique and creative - just like our community! We have a beautiful downtown and adding local, one-of-a-kind art only makes it better.”

Beautiful Comfort

BUTTERFLY LOCATIONS All butterflies are located in downtown Sumter Swallowtail (original) Artist: Cleo Klopfleisch Sponsored by: Heidi Burkett Location: 2 N. Main St. Unnamed (new) Artist: Carolina Grace Hoppmann Location: El Paso Tacos and Tequila Restaurant Unnamed (original) Artist: Connie Brennan Sponsored by: Barbara and Harry Burchstead Location: Old Sumter County courthouse All These Little Creatures (original) Artist: Matthew Morse Sponsored by: Matthew Morse and Jenna Brown Location: The lighted walkway between Berenyi Inc. and The Sumter Item Lucidity (original) Artist: Nurai Tucker Sponsored by: Jere and Bobbi Pound Location: Rotary Plaza Variegated Flutter (replaced) Artist: Erin Duffie Sponsored by: Hobby and Greg Williams Location: Sumter Opera House

Brown’s

“Where Quality Matters”

Winged Revival (original) Artist: Liz Duffy Sponsored by: Heart of Sumter Location: Sumter Opera House

Unnamed (new) Artist: Meredith Rogers Location: Church of the Holy Comforter Unnamed (new) Artist: Abbie Mason Location: Main Attractions Barber Unnamed (new) Artist: Mandi Windham Chiappone Location: Sumter Opera House Unnamed (replaced) Artist: Julie Watts Location: Cut Rate Drug Store Unnamed (new) Artist: Hannah Morris Location: 133 S. Main St. Unnamed (new) Artist: Matthew Morse Location: 12 W. Liberty St. Unnamed (new) Artist: Laila-Vice Johnson Location: 100 W. Liberty St.

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From planning to coordinating, event design to florals, rentals to honeymoons, officiant services to wedding etiquette consultations and appetizers to desserts, we have nearly every aspect of your special day covered. Trust our team to bring your vision to life with our seamless and professional execution.

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Get involved

VOLUNTEERING

Give back Want to give back to the community while meeting new people? Volunteering is a great way to find purpose and people. Support children at Crosswell Home for Children or the Sumter YMCA Family. Help families at Habitat for Humanity or Midlands Fatherhood Coalition. Support the arts at the Sumter Opera House, provide for seniors at Meals on Wheels, love on animals at the SPCA, or help provide emergency services through a faith-based mission at Sumter United Ministries.

For more information and links, go to Love Sumter at sumtersc.gov/discover-sumter/living-here/volunteer-opportunties

Network Sumter has civic and hobby clubs that range from Master Gardeners and Red Hat Society to Sumter Artists Guild and Sumter Digital Camera Club.

For more information and links, go to Love Sumter at ssumtersc.gov/discover-sumter/living-here/volunteer-opportunties

Volunteer opportunities in Sumter are just a phone call away. Whatever your passion, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities in our community including, but not limited to: • • • • • • • • •

American Red Cross Children’s School Programs City of Sumter Crosswell Home for Children Habitat for Humanity Meals on Wheels Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Prisma Health Tuomey Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands

• • • • • • • • •

Shepherd’s Center SPCA Sumter County Sumter County Active Lifestyles Sumter County Cultural Center Sumter County Gallery of Art Sumter County Genealogical Society Sumter County Museum Sumter County Recreation Department

• • • • • • • •

Sumter Green Sumter Little Theatre Sumter Opera House Sumter Senior Services Sumter United Ministries Sumter Volunteers United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties YMCA

Additionally, groups and clubs are a great way to volunteer your time. Most groups are actively involved with our local community and numerous philanthropic efforts.

• • • • • •

American Legion Chess Club Diabetes Support Group Friends of Swan Lake Lions Club Master Gardeners

54 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

• • • • • •

Newcomers Group Optimist Clubs Pilot Clubs Red Hat Society Rotary Club Sumter Artists Guild

• • • •

Sumter Digital Camera Club Sumter Easy Riders Bike Club Sumter Junior Welfare League VFW

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56 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

VISIT THE

Sumter Military Museum Take a walk down memory lane and learn about local military men and women at the Sumter Military Museum.

Located at the James Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center, 129 S. Harvin St., a display of memorabilia honors all veterans who served their country, regardless of birthplace. All items have been donated by past and present military members and their families – from uniforms and

photographs to medals, cannisters and dog tags.

The Sumter Military Museum was brought to life by local historian Sammy Way and his wife, Rita, and is supported by the Sumter community and the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority.

Way is a walking encyclopedia of Sumter’s history, not only as a historian, but also as a Hall of Fame high school

track coach. He welcomes all to visit the museum to witness the collection on display and learn about Sumter’s past and present war heroes.

The Sumter Military Museum is open Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and Sundays 2 to 4 p.m. Families and groups can request a tour in advance by calling (803) 469-7827. This number can also be called for more information.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 57

May 1941

Sumter is awarded the development of an airfield to be built at $3 million, covering 2,830 acres of land. It is designated to serve as a basic flying school for the United States Army Air Corps.

July 1941

The American Legion Sumter Post 15 adopts a resolution recommending the airfield be named the Sumter Army Basic Flying School in honor of First Lt. Ervin David Shaw, a Sumter County native who was among the first combat pilots – and the only aviator from Sumter – to die in World War I.

August 1941

The airfield is officially named after the Sumter County native, and construction is underway for the Shaw Army Air Field. It isn’t until the end of the month that Shaw Air Field opened with a mission to train air cadets how to fly.

October 1941

Flying activities over Shaw begin in Sumter with the first airplane landing at Shaw Field. It is a basic trainer piloted by Shaw Field Commander Maj. Burton M. Hovey, along with passenger Capt. H. G. Gerdes, the engineer in charge of construction. Lt. Col. Emory J. Close transfers to Shaw at the end of the month to take Gerdes’ place in constructing the $4 million air school.

November 1941

Thirty-three of the 236 commissioned officers to be stationed at Shaw Field arrive in Sumter, 15 of whom bring their wives and children to become Sumter residents.

December 1941

The Empire of Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Commanding officer Maj. Burton M. Hovey announces that orders from the war department in Washington, D.C., order construction work and grading at Shaw resume on a 24-hour basis following defense protocols after the attack. Shaw Field later begins operating with security protocols in place at the base’s entrance. Guards are strapped with weapons, and everyone must present a pass to enter or leave the grounds.

January 1942

Shaw Field officers and cadets fly 4,750 hours in first few months of operations without a mishap.

January 1943

Twenty-two states, the District of Columbia and England are represented by aviation cadets who receive basic training at the flight school on Shaw Field.

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59

Your guide to dining

19.

Downtown F

rom scones to filets, salads to chicken prepared this way or that, from breakfast coffee to late-night drinks over ping pong or karaoke, there is something for everyone in Historic Downtown Sumter. It’s a perfect mix of storied icons, found in diner booths with

a whirly ding and in glass shadow boxes hanging over your burger named after someone you’ll just have to ask about, and of newer must-eats, from Southern soul food to Tex-Mex tastes.

And don’t you dare balk at the brisket.

1 2.

3.

9.

8.

4.

6.

5 7

17.

10.

11.

12.

18.

13.

14.

15.

16.

2.

Map Source: City of Sumter Downtown Master Plan, July 2019. Future visualization included.

1. Baker’s Sweets Bistro & Bakery 119 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 2. El Paso Tacos and Tequila 154 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 3. Sidebar 34 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 4. Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant 39 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 5. Hamptons 33 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150

60 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

6. La Piazza 33 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 7. Rafters 33 N. Main St., floor 2, Sumter, SC 29150 8. Main Street Tavern 24 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 9. Hyatt Place Sumter/ Downtown 18 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 10. Brubaker’s Café and Bakery 13 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150

20-23

12.

Sumter Original Brewery

Sumter Original Brewery is the very first brewery to open in Sumter.

This 30,000-square-foot facility has three floors with large floor games like pool and ping pong on the second and a rooftop.

Hours

Mon./Tues.– Closed Thur. 4 – 10 p.m.

Fri. 3 – 11 p.m.

1.

Sat.11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Sun. noon – 6 p.m.

Type of Food Bar food

Baker’s Sweets

This longtime bistro and bakery, which is known for its cakes and desserts, moved to this spot from the hospital during COVID-19. They offer breakfast, soup, salads and sandwiches as well as sweet treats and a whole menu of specialty coffees.

You can find them also on Alice Drive.

Hours

Type of Food

Saturday & Sunday closed Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

16.

Bistro & Bakery

Jeffrey Lampkin’s Country Boy Kitchen

The bistro serves country-style classics including the Harriet, chicken and pancakes, honey fried chicken and shrimp and grits along with a variety of Southern sandwich options.

Hours

Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. closed.

Tues. – Wed. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Thurs. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

11. Subway 9 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150 12. Sumter Original Brewery 2 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 13. J. O’Gradys 5 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 14. J. O’Gradys After Hours 5 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 15. Cut Rate Drug Store & Coffee 32 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 16. Jeffrey Lampkin’s Country Boy Bistro 18 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 * Not visible on map

Type of Food Southern

17. Sub Station II 15 N. Harvin St., Sumter, SC 29150* 18. Chinese Cuisine & Thai Food 130 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150 19. Tony’s Pizza 1 E. Calhoun St., Sumter, SC 29150 20. McDonald’s 101 N. Lafayette Drive, Sumter, SC 29150* 21. Taco Bell 25 N. Lafayette Drive, Sumter, SC 29150* 22. Wendy’s 216 E. Hampton Ave., Sumter, SC 29150* 23. KFC 215 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150*

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 61

GO STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE

CERTIFIED SC GROWN Choose local, choose fresh.

South Carolina has nearly 25,000 farms that cover about 5 million acres.

Thanks to our rich soil, warm weather and more than 360 growing days a year, there’s always something fresh.

See what’s in season now, as well as where you can buy local all over the state, by going to certifiedsc.com.

62 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

There are local farms open to the public that sell different produce and products.

About 40 miles outside of downtown Sumter sits a big, bright red barn nestled along a tree-lined, lush green pasture.

Richard Harrington Farms, located at 380 Myrtle Beach Hwy., is a small rural farm, home to Willie the rooster, Badonkadonk the donkey, chickens and a herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats. Every animal is cared for on the farm, and fresh eggs, bales of hay and goats are sold. Its hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

On the outskirts of Sumter, Dorr Farms offers produce fit for each season. In the spring, strawberries are ripe and bright, blueberries and blackberries shine in the summer, and pumpkins are

perfect for picking in the fall. The farm hosts fun days that include picking what is in season, games, hay-less hayrides, a petting zoo and learning about honeybees.

Dorr Farms is located at 5225 Dorr Acres Road, Gable, SC, and is open Monday-Friday.

Make your Christmas memories merrier with Coleman Family Farms.

Starting in October, bring a piece of the farm home with one of their Christmas trees.

Custom ornaments, fresh eggs, homemade cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookie dough can be pre-ordered through the farm’s Facebook page. The rows of Christmas trees serving as a beautiful backdrop are sure to make holiday pictures festive and bright. Coleman Family Farms is open from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., located at 2165 Lloyd Drive.

SUMTER FARMERS MARKET

200 Miller Road Founded in 2017, the Sumter Farmers Market offers local farmers, artisans, bakers, food trucks and other vendors without a storefront a venue to sell their products directly to the consumer.

Produce farmers grow at least 75-80% of what they sell, and livestock farmers humanely raise their animals on pasture with no antibiotics or added growth hormones. The market is governed by its own board and held weekly on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. from April 1 through Nov. 18.

Follow them on Facebook for vendor updates at facebook.com/sumterfarmersmarket.

AMERICAN LEGION FARMERS MARKET

2 S. Artillery Drive Open on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., this market offers fresh produce, locally raised meat products, crafts and gift items and ready-to-eat food. The best part? It’s inside a building on the American Legion and county fairgrounds, so they can stay open year-round.

Follow them on Facebook for vendor updates at facebook.com/Americanlegionfarmersmarket or learn more at americanlegionfarmersmarket. com.

SOUTH SUMTER FARMERS MARKET

312 Manning Ave. This market offers fresh produce and other craft and community items seasonally in an area of Sumter that does not have nearby access to fresh produce. There’s usually someone cooking hot meals at the market. SFMNP senior and WIC vouchers are accepted. The market is open JuneOctober on Fridays between 2 and 6 p.m.

DOWNTOWN SUMTER FARMERS MARKET

Corner of Main and Liberty streets Open May through September on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., this small market offers locally made produce and food.

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 63

Public Safety

INFORMATION Who to call for non-emergency help

Knowing the law of any new land is vital to fully integrating into the community. To keep you well-acquainted with the law-abiding faces that serve and protect Sumter, get to know your public safety agencies.

Sumter Police Department • • • •

Police Chief Russell Roark Assistant Police Chief Jeffery Jackson Responds to calls for businesses, venues and neighborhoods within the city limits Hosts community events including Black History Art/Essay Contest in February, National Night Out and Halloween-themed events in October, Cram-A-Cruiser during Christmas and more throughout the year.

To report a crime, call the emergency or non-emergency number, file a report in person with the Citizen’s Assistance Unit in the headquarters’ front lobby or visit h www.sumterpd.com/contact/ Located at 335 Lafayette Drive I

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2700

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office • • • •

•

Sheriff Anthony Dennis Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner Responds to calls within the Sumter County limits including zip codes 29040, 29150, 29151, 29153 and 29154 Hosts Community Relations Advisory Board meetings to maintain a positive and interactive rapport with citizens and increase public confidence in law enforcement and public safety matters in the community; Citizen’s Academy, a free six-week course where attendees get behind-the-scenes look at four weeks of police academy training; and holiday-themed and awareness community events To report a crime, call the sheriff’s office at (803) 436-2000 or call 911 Located at 1281 N. Main St. I

64 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2774

Sumter County Emergency Medical Services •

EMS Director Kent Hall • Established in 1969 out of the Tuomey Regional Medical Center; taken over by county government in 1997 • Responds to ~ 22,000 calls for service and transports ~ 18,000 people annually • Operates seven ambulances daily, two quick-response vehicles and two additional contract ambulances through Guidance Ambulance • Two substations in the county: • Medic 2 located at 3231 Frierson Road in Dalzell; responds to Dalzell, Rembert, Cherryvale and parts of Wedgefield communities • Medic 6 located at 10565 Douglas Swamp Road in Lynchburg; responds to Shiloh, Lynchburg, Mayesville and Olanta communities Located at 131 E. Hampton Ave. I

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2415

Sumter Animal Control • • •

Primary role is to limit number of stray animals on the streets Responds to calls of vicious animals running at large, dog or cat bites and nuisance animals To report: • Animal running at large and nuisance animals, call (803) 436-2066 • Animal bites or and suspected cruelty or neglect, call (803) 436-2775 • Suspected dog fighting, call the Narcotics Division at (803) 436-2759

Located at 1240 Winkles Road

Sumter Fire Department and sub fire stations • • •

Chief Karl Ford Assistant Chief Ernie Dollard (city operations) Assistant Chief Brian Christmas (county operations) • Five full-time fire stations • 17 volunteer substations throughout the county Located at 315 Lafayette Drive I

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2600

In case of an emergency, call 911.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 65

! o ll e H

FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR.

M

y name is Bryn Eddy, and I am The Sumter Item’s newsletter editor. I came back to work at The Item after interning here in college. The newsletter editor position caught my attention because it presented itself as an opportunity to exercise my casual writing skills. As someone with an English degree and bookshelves full of classic literature, I have always been close friends with “fancy writing,” but the point of our daily newsletter, which is called the Daily Item, is to give our readers content that’s easily accessible on the platforms you’re already using. So, I like to write like I am right now - casually and conversationally. The newsletter is intended to pop into Item supporters’ inboxes at about the time they return from their lunch breaks.

It only takes a few minutes to read and scroll through.

The top has a quick intro, which most of the time is written by me. It could be about a cool thing I tried in Sumter, or it could be a mini sermon on supporting local news. Then under that are our top headlines. Readers can get the gist of all things public safety, entertainment, government, sports and more. The newsletter is also designed to be a quick way for readers to engage with our content and provide feedback at their convenience. By just hitting reply, you have a direct route to my inbox, and I always have my email notifications on, so odds are, I’ll reply pretty quickly.

It’s free to sign up, and you’ll get the Daily Item Tuesday-Saturday, the days our newspaper is printed. I also send other newsletters that vary in being free or for our paying subscribers. They’re all meant to help you feel more connected with your community. Oh, and I also cover Shaw Air Force Base and the military beat for The Item, so if you see me around or have a story idea, give me a shout.

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803-435-2651

320 W. Liberty St., Sumter

803-773-9381

222 N. Church St., Lake City

803-774-2275 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 67

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Sumter School District 1345 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC (803) 469-6900

Elementary Schools Alice Drive Elementary School 251 Alice Drive, Sumter (803) 775-0857 Cherryvale Elementary School 1420 Furman Drive, Sumter (803) 494-8200 Crosswell Drive Elementary School 301 Crosswell Drive, Sumter (803) 775-0679 High Hills Elementary School 4971 Frierson Road, Shaw AFB (803) 499-3327 Kingsbury Elementary School 825 Kingsbury Drive, Sumter (803) 775-6244 Lemira Elementary School 952 Fulton St., Sumter (803) 775-0658 Manchester Elementary School 200 Clark St., Pinewood (803) 452-5454 Millwood Elementary School 24 Pinewood Road, Sumter (803) 775-0648 Oakland Primary School 5415 Oakland Drive, Sumter (803) 499-3366 Pocalla Springs Elementary School 2060 Bethel Church Road, Sumter (803) 481-5800 Rafting Creek Elementary School 4100 Hwy. 261 North, Rembert (803) 432-2994 R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy 345 Eastern School Road, Sumter (803) 495-3247 Shaw Heights Elementary School 5121 Frierson Road, Shaw AFB (803) 666-2335 Wilder Elementary School 975 S. Main St., Sumter (803) 773-5723 Willow Drive Elementary School 26 Willow Drive, Sumter (803) 773-5796

Middle Schools

Alice Drive Middle School 40 Miller Road, Sumter (803) 775-0821 Bates Middle School 715 Estate St., Sumter (803) 775-0711

Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy 68 Market St., Sumter (803) 774-5549 or (803) 469-6058

Chestnut Oaks Middle School 1200 Oswego Road, Sumter (803) 775-7272

Sumter Christian School 420 S. Pike West, Sumter (803) 773-1902

Ebenezer Middle School 3440 Ebenezer Road, Sumter (803) 469-8571 Furman Middle School 3400 Bethel Church Road, Sumter (803) 481-8519 Hillcrest Middle School 4355 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell (803) 499-3341 R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy 345 Eastern School Road, Sumter (803) 495-3247

HIGH SCHOOLS / CAREER CENTER Crestwood High School 2000 Oswego Road, Sumter (803) 469-6200 Lakewood High School 350 Old Manning Road, Sumter (803) 506-2700 or 803-506-2704 Sumter High School 2580 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter (803) 481-4480 Sumter Career and Technology Center 2612 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter (803) 481-8575

Alternative School Sumter Academy for Support and Intervention 475 Crosswell Drive, Sumter (803) 774-5900

Adult Education Sumter County Adult Education 905 N. Main St., Sumter (803) 778-6432

Charter School 68 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

Liberty STEAM Charter School Administrative Office 117 N. Main St., Sumter (803) 720-5652

Thomas Sumter Academy 5265 Camden Hwy., Rembert (803) 499-3378 Wedgefield University for Kids 6220 Wedgefield Road, Sumter (803) 494-3887 Westside Christian Academy 554 Pinewood Road, Sumter (803) 774-4406 Wilson Hall 520 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter (803) 469-3475

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Central Carolina Technical College 506 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter (803) 778-1961 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 398 Shaw Drive #112, Shaw AFB (803) 666-7401 Morris College 100 W. College St., Sumter (803) 934-3200 Saint Leo University 2751 S. Wise Drive, Sumter (803) 469-0026 Troy University 465 Rast St., Sumter Sumter campus (803) 773-0025; Shaw campus (803) 666-3313 University of South Carolina Sumter 200 Miller Road, Sumter (803) 775-8727 Webster University 398 Shaw Drive, Shaw AFB (803) 666-2254

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 69

Parks & Recreation Find a free place to play, relax or exercise

Here is a list of public parks in Sumter County. For more information, including amenities, addresses and hours, go to www.sumtersc.gov/community/ outdoor.

County parks

State parks • • • •

Poinsett State Park (pet friendly*) Thomas Sumter Memorial Park (pet friendly*) Woods Bay State Park (pet friendly*) Manchester State Forest

• • • • •

Cypress Park (pet friendly*) Dillon Park (pet friendly, with offleash option inside dog park) Mill Creek Park (pet friendly*) Patriot Park (pet friendly*) Veterans Park

City parks

PATRIOT PARK 380 General Drive, Sumter, SC 29150

SWAN LAKE IRIS GARDENS 822 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150

70 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

*All pet-friendly locations require pet to be on a leash, unless otherwise stated

Benton Park • Shot Pouch Greenway Birnie HOPE Park • Spray Parks Chamber Park • South Sumter Park College Park • Swan Lake Iris Gardens Crosswell Park (open Friday of Memorial Day Dunway Park Weekend through Labor Day) Eastwood Park • North HOPE Park Fulton Park • V.I.M. Park Grier Street Park Herbert Circle Try one of Sumter’s five free splash pads, Jenkins Center all with green spaces for picnics: Lawton Park Lindley Park • Crosswell Park, corner of Lafayette Logan Park Drive and Yeadon Street; Memorial Park • North HOPE Park, 904 N. Main St.; (pet friendly*) • South Sumter Park, corner of South Moore Street Park Sumter and Atlantic streets; North HOPE Park • Birnie HOPE Park, 210 S. Purdy St.; and Optimist Park • Palmetto Park, off Theatre Drive, Palmetto Park between the tennis center and ball (pet friendly*) fields.

Palmetto Park Parker Street Park For more information, call (803) 436-2640 Riley Park Rolling Creek Park

Palmetto Tennis Center The Palmetto Tennis Center is located inside Palmetto Park. It boasts state-ofthe-art hard tennis courts and four new pickleball courts all lit for night play, and four on-site tennis pros offer private lessons and group clinics for beginner to advanced players from ages 3 and up.

Other amenities include a tennis shop, two ball machines, stringing service, tournament-training building and restrooms.

Admission for regular tennis or pickleball play is FREE of charge and first come, first served. Check in at the main office prior to entering a court.

Bugs only belong one place in your new home.

OUTSIDE. Call us to provide all your Pest Control, Termite, Mosquito, Nuisance Wildlife and Moisture Control Needs.

DOING BUSINESS FOR OVER 65 YEARS

1570 Airport Road Sumter, SC (803) 469-PEST (7378)

Contact for more information

Phone: (803) 774-3969 Email: palmettotennis@sumtersc.gov Where: 400 Theatre Drive, Sumter, SC 29150

Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday: 1-9 p.m. * Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, events and during inclement weather.

Dr. Felicia L. Goins • Dr. Lisbeth W. Poag Dr. Sharlene G. Martin • Dr. Joshua A. Durrant

Learn more at sumtersc.gov/tennis.com

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 71

The game of

DISC GOLF

Shaw Air Force Base

Established: 2019 Course: 9 holes Availability: Year-round, military/DoD ID holders have all-day access. EAL individuals have weekend access. Non-DoD ID holders can ride with military/DoD ID anytime Course details: Brand new Innova DisCatcher Pros, tee signs/next tee signs and pads. Red (short) pads for beginners, white/blue (long) league alternate pads to make 18 holes. Elevation change.

Moderately wooded.

Some water hazard.

Tees: Concrete Targets: DISCatcher Pro (original) Property: Mixed use, military base, private land Services: cart friendly Where: Shaw Air Force Base Cost to play: Free

Dillon Park

Established: 2015 Course: 20 holes Availability: Year-round

72 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Course details: Mostly flat going in and out of the woods. A mix of tightly wooded holes and open.

Two creeks coming in to play on almost all the holes.

Tees: Concrete, grass, dirt, outdoor carpet Targets: Veteran Property: Mixed use, public park Services: Dogs allowed, cart friendly, restrooms available, drinking water available Where: Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, Sumter Cost to play: Free

Live Oak Park

Established: 2021 Course: 18 holes Availability: Year-round Course details: Compact technical course with vines hanging as obstacles Tees: Grass Targets: Liberty Property: Mixed use, public park Services: Dogs allowed, cart friendly Where: Live Oak Park,

Sumter (intersection of U.S. 15 and Clipper Road) Cost to play: Free

Lindley “Hidden” Park

Established: 2020 Course: 9 holes Availability: Year-round Course details: Open, some trees, flat. A short pitch and putt for novice players or for working on upshots. Distances range from 90 to 230 feet, with most around 150 feet.

Neighborhood backyards surround the course with dogs in many.

Tees: Grass Targets: Mach New II Property: Mixed use, public park Services: Dogs allowed, cart friendly Where: Lindley Avenue, Sumter (access across from Lesesne Court at intersection of Lesesne Drive or on Lindley Avenue between Lesesne Drive and Benton Drive. It looks like a driveway, but it’s not.)

Cost to play: Free

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 73

Shadows in

the night: 20th FW employs SCEWR in new, dynamic airspace exercise

By Staff Sgt. Madeline Herzog 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE – A distinct humming sound surrounds you as you fall asleep. The consistent hum is unusual for this hour and piques your interest. The clock says 1 a.m., and you ask yourself, “What am I missing?”

The noise is that of 18 F-16 Fighting Falcons taking off from the base, rattling the installation as they launch into a new, improved training environment and employ high-level training tactics in a never-before-practiced construct.

During the week of Feb. 13, the 20th Fighter Wing (FW), with the assistance of a U.S. Air Force 6th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew based out of MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, personnel from the U.S. Air Force 337th Air Control Squadron based out of Tyndall AFB, Florida, personnel from the U.S. Air Force 552nd Air Control Wing based out of Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), successfully accomplished the crucial next step in an innovative initiative that is building the premier East Coast training environment to prepare Wild Weasels, fighter pilots and combat aircrew for current and future combat operations, by conducting a large force exercise in the middle of the night and using local airspace in new ways.

Just three months after meeting with the FAA in

74 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

preliminary talks at Jacksonville Air Route Control Center, Shaw successfully launched 18 sorties in rapid succession to integrate with partner units for a large force employment scenario as part of the South Carolina Electronic Warfare Range (SCEWR) strategy.

SCEWR provides 20th FW pilots with improved and more realistic training by enabling the use of expanded airspace and different surface-to-air threat emitters during the early morning hours of the night when commercial air traffic is sparse, in contrast to the limited size and altitude of the standard military use airspace construct in South Carolina and along the Eastern seaboard.

This boost in shared airspace takes the worldclass training Wild Weasel pilots already receive to an even greater level, better preparing them for potential future combat scenarios.

The exercise went beyond testing the capabilities of the 20th FW pilots and maintainers, and also tested the scope of airspace and training threat emitters at different ranges, better replicating Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) threats that combat aircrew could face from potential adversaries.

“It’s a historic moment for the 20th Fighter Wing,” said Lt. Col. Joshua “Chunk” Moffat, 20th Operations Support Squadron commander

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 75

and SCEWR visionary. “For multiple years, we’ve been attempting to improve our training environment, and through some collaboration with our partners of total force, including the South Carolina Air National Guard, the U.S. Air Force Reserves and the FAA, we were able to receive a large amount of airspace for a large-force exercise.”

The 20th FW’s collaboration with Jacksonville Center capitalized on the night timeframe to take advantage of less congested commercial air traffic and creatively expand airspace over the ocean. This allowed pilots to surge airspace profiles and accomplish supersonic training not normally conducted in standard training airspace.

“Some of the training airspace on the West Coast connects geographically separated airspace in the middle of the night, when there is not a lot of air traffic, so they can have a much larger airspace to train in,” said Moffat. “We took that model and applied it here, connecting several local airspace and range complexes to create a much larger environment for us to train to a modern threat. We believe the future of airspace is sharing and time and not just trying to take more overall.”

The SCEWR initiative is a direct result of airmen at the 20th FW striving to provide the highest quality, most realistic training to pilots, aircrew and maintainers.

While the pilots experienced a new level of training in the air, maintainers also reaped benefits of the exercise.

“It is our job as maintainers to provide combat-ready, safe aircraft at any time and any place the mission dictates,” said Col. Angela Edmondson, 20th Maintenance Group (MXG) commander. “From our perspective, this was about the flexibility required to bring our capabilities to bear at a different time of the day. This was an excellent opportunity to show that we can be flexible and to push ourselves to be a little uncomfortable. It was a great way for the airmen to test that in a safe and controlled environment and give ourselves the ability to grow.”

The 20th MXG ensured all five different squadrons, totaling nearly 1,800 airmen, were ready and able to flex their unique capabilities at the same time during the exercise.

“The SCEWR initiative is a perfect example of one of Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.’s, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, commonly used phrases, ‘We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,’” said Edmondson.

“There is a distinct difference between being uncomfortable and being unsafe. As maintenance leaders, it’s our responsibility to provide an environment where our airmen can figure that out and learn that they can still be safe and also push themselves beyond the limit they thought they had. SCEWR provided us an exceptional scenario to test this in a home station training environ-

76 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

ment.”

The Wild Weasels used several surface-to-air emitter sites that replicated enemy surface-to-air radars, which allowed pilots to use the reserved airspace and train as if they were going up against real enemy threat systems, as well as train against adversarial aircraft represented by a portion of the 20th FW team.

“We [had] this combined surface-to-air and air-to-air threat [we were] training against, which we don’t normally get the opportunity to do based on the size of our airspace,” said Moffat.

The implementation of SCEWR brings together the flying community, the civil engineer squadron, operations support personnel, and weapons and tactics specialists in the South Carolina Range Assessment Team to contrive the best possible training environment to produce combat-ready pilots who can get after the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses mission.

“Here at the 20th FW, we are laser-focused on readiness for whatever we are tasked to do by our military and civilian leaders, and we hope to show that this SCEWR initiative can add value to our training on a regular basis,” said Moffat. “The end goal of all of this is to be ready against a modern adversary.”

According to Moffat, this program is ultimately a joint effort that will benefit not only Shaw AFB, but also the wider joint team in South Carolina and across the East Coast. It integrates 20th FW assets with the FAA, the 169th FW at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, and in the future, has the potential to involve joint partners across the state, such as aviation units from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

Col. Kristoffer Smith, the 20th Fighter Wing commander, shares that vision.

“The SCEWR initiative is shaping the future of our combat training and will enable us to continue to outpace our adversaries by creating an ideal training environment right here on the East Coast – not just for us, but for our partners across the state and across military services,” said Smith.

“Our airmen have put an immense amount of time and creativity into transforming our current available training construct into one that will further challenge our pilots and prepare them to face any real-world scenario downrange, all with the help of our partners at the FAA. I’m proud to say we’ve taken the next step to modernize and create the U.S.’ next world-class training range, right here at Shaw.”

EPPS ORTHO THOMAS W. EPPS, DMD

BRACES INVISALIGN TEETH WHITENING MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY THERAPEUTIC & ESTHETIC BOTOX B OTOX DERMAL FILLERS NO REFERRAL NECESSARY ALL ORTHODONTIC INSURANCES ACCEPTED

ORTHODONTICS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

St. James Lutheran Church

welcomes you to attend

Sunday morning worship 10am Sunday School 9am Wednesday Bible Study 12 noon and 7pm

1137 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC

(803) 773-2260 www.stjamessumter.org @sjlssumter SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 77

ELECTED OFFICIALS SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS OFFICE • Patricia Jefferson, director • 141 N. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150 • (803) 436-2310 • Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REPRESENTING SUMTER COUNTY Lindsey Graham (R) 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-5972 508 Hampton St., Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 933-0112 www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/ Tim Scott (R) 104 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6121 1901 Main St., Suite 1425 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-6112 www.scott.senate.gov/ Ralph Norman (R) 569 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5501 454 S. Anderson Road, Suite 302 B Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 327-1114 norman.house.gov/ James E. “Jim” Clyburn (D) 200 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-3315 1225 Lady St., Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-1100 clyburn.house.gov/ STATE SENATORS To email a member of the state Senate: bit.ly/2C2JWGK Thomas McElveen, (D-Sumter) District 35 Sumter 508 Gressette Bldg.

Columbia, SC 29201 Business: (803) 212-6132 Sumter Office: (803) 775-1263 Columbia Office: (803) 212-6132 Home: (803) 778-0597 Kevin Johnson, (D-Manning) District 36 Clarendon, Darlington, Florence, Sumter 606 Gressette Bldg.

Columbia, SC 29201 Business: (803) 212-6024 Home: (803) 435-8117

78 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

STATE REPRESENTATIVES To email a member of the state House of Representatives: bit.ly/2s7h1R6 Will Wheeler III, (D-Bishopville) District 50 Kershaw, Lee, Sumter 422B Blatt Bldg.

Columbia, SC 29201 Bishopville Office: (803) 484-5454 Columbia Office: (803) 212-6958 Home: (803) 428-3161 David Weeks, (D-Sumter) District 51 Sumter 308D Blatt Bldg.

Columbia, SC 29201 Sumter Office: (803) 775-5856 Columbia Office: (803) 734-3102 Home: (803) 775-4228 Fawn Pedalino (D-Manning) District 64 Clarendon, Sumter 422D Blatt Bldg.

Columbia, SC 29201 Business: (803) 212-6929 Home: (803) 938-3087 Murrell Smith, (R-Sumter) Speaker of the House District 67 Sumter 525B Blatt Bldg.

Columbia, SC 29201 Sumter Office: (803) 778-2471 Columbia Office: (803) 734-3144 Home: (803) 469-4416 SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL Council meets at 6 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday at 13 E. Canal St. Carlton Washington (D) District 1 13 E. Canal St. Sumter, SC 29150 Home: (803) 436-2102 cwashington@sumtercountysc.org Artie Baker (R) District 2 3680 Bakersfield Lane Dalzell, SC 29040 Home: (803) 469-3638 council@sumtercountysc.org Jimmy Byrd Jr. (R) Vice Chairman District 3 P.O. Box 1913 Sumter, SC 29151 Mobile: (803) 468-1719 Fax: (803) 436-2108 jbyrd@sumtercountysc.org

Charles Edens (R) District 4 3250 Home Place Road Sumter, SC 29150 Home: (803) 775-0044 Mobile: (803) 236-5759 charlestedens@gmail.com Vivian Fleming-McGhaney (D) District 5 9770 Lynches River Road Lynchburg, SC 29080 Home: (803) 437-2797 Business: (803) 495-3247 vmcghaney@sumtercountysc.org James T. "Jim" McCain Jr. (D) Chairman District 6 317 W. Bartlette St. Sumter, SC 29150 Home: (803) 773-2353 Cell: (803) 607-2777 jmccain@sumtercountysc.org Eugene "Gene" Baten (D) District 7 P.O. Box 3193 Sumter, SC 29151 Home: (803) 773-0815 council@sumtercountysc.org SUMTER CITY COUNCIL Council meets on the first Tuesday at 1 p.m. and the third Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., 4th floor. Trustees are nonpartisan.

David Merchant Mayor (803) 773-1086 dmerchant@sumtersc.gov Anthony Gibson Ward 1 (803) 565-0760 agibson@sumtersc.gov James Blassingame Ward 2 (803) 840-1029 jblassingame@sumtersc.gov Calvin Hastie Sr. Ward 3 (803) 774-7776 chastie@sumtersc.gov Steve Corley Ward 4 (803) 305-1566 scorley@sumtersc.gov Colin Davis Ward 5 (803) 494-3337 cdavis@sumtersc.gov Gifford Shaw Ward 6 (803) 773-5918 gshaw@sumtersc.gov

SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Attend virtually by searching “Sumter School District Board Meetings” on YouTube, or watch on Facebook @SumterSCSchools. Trustees are non-partisan.

Daniel Palumbo District 1 6585 Hidden Haven Rd. Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 883-6119 daniel.palumbo@sumterschools.net Brittany English District 2 6760 Spring Hill Rd. Rembert, SC 29128 (803)968-8899 brittany.english@sumterschools.net Ralph Canty Sr. Chairman District 3 104 S. Salem Ave. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 983-1469 ralph.canty@sumterschools.net Tarah Cousar Johnson District 4 4770 Narrow Paved Rd. Lynchburg, SC 29080 (843) 412-4811 tarah.cousarjohnson@sumterschools. net Shawn Ragin Clerk District 5 3835 Quiet Court Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 464-6859 Shawnragin89@gmail.com Matthew "Mac" McLeod District 6 2985 Bruce Circle Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 938-2701/Cell mac.mcleod@sumterschools.net Shery White District 7 1300 Goodson Rd. Sumter, SC 29153 (803) 983-7157 shery.white@sumterschools.net Jeff Zell District 8 440 Veranda Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 607-0797 jeff.zell@sumterschools.net Bonnie Disney Vice Chairwoman District 9 Swan Lake Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 983-0268 bonnie.disney@sumterschools.net

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE 79

SUM TER

WELCOME WEASELS!

Sumter wants to show you what we have to offer!

Join us on the FREE 2-hour Taste of Sumter Tour to discover the best of your new home!

Find out what amenities the City of Sumter has available - from food, recreation, & shopping to relocation resources, we’ve got you covered.

Contact the M&FRC to find out when you can take the tour!

Stop in and visit or call: Military & Family Readiness Center 524 Stuart Ave. (803) 895-1253

80 SHAW AIR FORCE BASE

Sumter Visitor Center

822 West Liberty St. (803) 436-2640