Chief Caron retirement
Chief Master Sgt. Jim Caron, senior loadmaster for the 97th Airlift Squadron, retired in
a ceremony Saturday, April 6 after a career spanning 36 years and a McChord
Field record of 15,558 flying hours in the C-141 Starlifter and the C-17
Globemaster III. His squadron commander and retiring officer, Lt. Col. Garin
Tentschert, said the chief will be missed and his retirement "leaves a big
hole in the squadron." The commander went on to say that the chief has built
an outstanding team. "He has laid a path so that the enlisted aircrew in the
squadron will continue to be taken care of." When members of the 97th AS were
asked for words describing Caron, they came up with "exceedingly
cheerful," "patriotic," and "dedicated." When asked if he would stay if his
high-year tenure hadn't mandated his retirement, Caron said he'd "do
another 30 years." (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Cabellon)