Page 114 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
bases loaded
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform during the Keesler and Biloxi Air and Space Show in Biloxi, Mississippi, May 5, 2019.
A Military
COAST
story by Jeff Clark photos courtesy of Keesler Air Force Base, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Air National Guard and Gulfport Coast Guard Station
South Mississippi has a long history with the U.S. Armed Forces. It is home to a major Air Force training base, a storied Seabee base and other military organizations. It is also a veteran-friendly community. The Armed Forces Retirement Home sits on U.S. Highway 90 near the Gulfport/Biloxi line and Mississippi Veterans Affairs Director Stacey Pickering has announced plans to build a new VA hospital on the Tradition campus in Biloxi. The military and its veterans are part of the fabric of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The U.S. Coast Guard Station in Gulfport helps to protect the Port of Gulfport. It also conducts law enforcement and search and rescue missions.
The Air National Guard’s Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center is the home to the 255th Air Control Squadron and the 209th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron.
The Keesler Air Force Base freestyle drill team performs their routine at the Levitow Training Support Facility drill pad.
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Navy Petty Of cer 3rd Class Gino Pansera cuts a pipe during the construction of the future Ali Oune, Djibouti, Women’s Medical Clinic.
114 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2019
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