People and Events

SC State Guard Aviation Detachment commander to address Black Creek Aeronautical Society

South Carolina State Guard Aviation Detachment Commander Col. Greg Stidom will address the Black Creek Aeronautical Society (EAA Chapter 1058) at its meeting on June 30 at 7 p.m. at the Hartsville Airport.

Col. Stidom will discuss the activities and purpose of the Aviation Detachment as it relates to the overall mission of the SC State Guard.

The Aviation Detachment was formed in January 2008 to provide airborne support capability for the Guard, an all-volunteer military organization serving under the direction of the South Carolina Adjutant General and Governor. The Guard is trained and stands ready to provide assistance to law enforcement and other government agencies in times of special needs or emergencies.

Col. Stidom is a chartered financial consultant who joined the SC State Guard in 2002.  He served in various communications and electronics positions until assuming command of the Aviation Detachment upon its formation. 

In 2006, Col. Stidom served as officer-in-charge of South Carolina State Guard personnel responding to the governor’s declaration of a state of disaster in the town of Great Falls.  He was responsible for the more than 100 State Guard personnel who donated over 4,500 hours of service during the disaster. He personally directed the two-day air assault on the fire with the use of specially equipped South Carolina National Guard firefighting helicopters.

Col. Stidom is an instrument-rated private pilot with over 600 hours of flight time, mostly in his Piper Arrow II based at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Col. Stidom is married to the former Lynn Jordan.  They have three children and two grandchildren.

Darlington Armory to receive $80,000 in federal stimulus funds for upgrades
WASHINGTON - The S.C. Army National Guard Armory in Darlington will receive $80,000 in federal stimulus funds, U.S. Rep. John Spratt announced Thursday.
Five military facilities in the 5th Congressional District are receiving funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to Spratt.

“Direct investment in these facilities has been expedited by the passage of the Recovery Act,“ said Spratt, “a law that I supported, partly because I knew it would have a positive impact on the lives of service men and women in the 5th District.“

The law provides funding for energy upgrades to four South Carolina Army National Guard armories in the 5th District, including Darlington: Bennettsville Armory, $60,000; Clover Armory, $45,000; and Sumter Armory, $38,000.

“These upgrades will enable the Guard to conduct its activities in a more energy efficient and cost effective manner,“ Spratt said.

Examples of energy upgrades include replacing inefficient windows and wall insulation, replacing HVAC systems, modernizing power plants and antiquated electrical infrastructure, installing new exterior insulation systems, and installing sewage, steam, and water meters.

“The upgrades come with several benefits,“ said Spratt. “They help the local economy by employing architects, engineers, craftsmen, laborers, and suppliers; they reduce the backlog of projects and help to slow the deterioration of the facilities, reducing costly future expenditures; and they improve the quality of life for our service members and their families.”