Photo By Randall Burlingame | Tysha M. Wiggins shakes the hand of 2nd Lt. Nathaniel Donnachie, 104th Maintenance...... read more read more
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BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts (Oct 11, 2018) – Yoga instructor. Solar panel worker. Motivational speaker. Private pilot. Former professional athlete.
Tysha M. Wiggins is all of those things and recently became the newest crew chief at the 104th Fighter Wing when she enlisted into the Massachusetts Air National Guard Oct. 11, 2018, here.
She joined the 104th FW on the day before her 40th birthday, the age cutoff for enlisting into the Air National Guard, and the same day as her anticipated wedding to Chimia Coleman.
Wiggins said she chose to enlist at this point in her life because it is something she has always wanted to do. She said she chose the 104th FW because of the people.
“For me, it was more about the people,” said Wiggins. “I look forward to coming to work. I look forward to serving my country and giving my family the opportunity to have an extended family.”
Wiggins said this has been a long time to come for her. She was offered a pilot slot to fly the F-15E after graduating Smith College in Air Force ROTC. She said she didn’t take the opportunity because her family and friends were not supportive of the decision.
“Now I have a friend of 22 years by my side day in and day out, saying ‘go after your dreams,’” said Wiggins, smiling and looking towards Coleman sitting next to her. “I’m manifesting that right now by making it happen. It’s like life is coming full-circle.”
Wiggins credited much of her being able to enlist before the age cutoff to Staff Sgt. Kayla Gallagher, Massachusetts Air National Guard production recruiter, who worked with other members of the MANG recruiting team to help facilitate the enlistment.
“A special thanks to Sgt. Schuster, Sgt. Gallagher, and Sgt. Compton,” said Wiggins. “They really went above and beyond in this process.”
Gallagher brought up how important family is to Wiggins and said they discussed things like family events during the enlistment process.
“It’s not that we just welcome the new member, we welcome the entire family,” said Gallagher. “The membership doesn’t only apply to the member in the Massachusetts Air National Guard.”
Both Wiggins and Coleman could be heard throughout the enlistment speaking to their daughter, London Lindo, about the 104th FW being their new second family.
“It’s a story of perseverance and resilience,” said Wiggins. “Just never giving up on your dreams and aspirations.”
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| Date Taken: | 10.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.13.2018 11:24 |
| Story ID: | 296214 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 268 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, 104th Fighter Wing’s newest crew chief has life come full circle, by Randall Burlingame, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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