Photo By Master Sgt. Mike Lahrman | Col. Terry W. McClain, former 433rd Airlift Wing commander, accepts an American Flag...... read more read more
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Former 433rd Airlift Wing Commander Col. Terry W. McClain retired from the Air Force, March 18, 2023. Friends, family and colleagues of past and present gathered at the Inter-American Forces Academy auditorium here to celebrate the end of his career, which spanned more than 33 years.
McClain began his career in 1989 as a second lieutenant on Oct. 17, 1989, and flew both the A-10 and C-5M aircraft, achieving more than 3,200 flight hours. He also held positions as deputy commander and commander at numerous units, from the 45th/47th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to the 610th Air Operations Group at March Air Force Base, California, and finally to the 433rd AW.
In his retirement ceremony remarks, McClain counted down a top ten list of career memories. He spoke of his first flight in the A-10, naming ceremonies like the one in which McClain was given the name “Beavis” by his squadron wingmen, and commanding the air war in Iraq and Syria. McClain’s number one memory was one with which many in attendance were familiar.
“A couple years back when we got a call and, in 30 hours, launched 17 medics off to New York to go fight the COVID war,” he said. “I’ve never been prouder of the Alamo Wing than I was that day.”
McClain said he’s unsure what the next adventure is but plans to eventually make his way back to his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. McClain was joined at the ceremony by his wife Marci, his daughter Sara, his son Airman First Class Nicholas McClain, as well as other family members. The presiding officer for the ceremony was Col. James C. Miller, 433rd Operations Group commander.
| Date Taken: | 03.18.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2023 16:19 |
| Story ID: | 440700 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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