Colonel Rhea E. Dobson, USAF (Ret), is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for the AFJROTC Program at James F. Byrnes High School, Unit SC-932, in Duncan, South Carolina.

Colonel Dobson entered the Air Force after graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.  His educational experiences include a Master of Science, Administrative Science from the University of Montana; a Master of Science, Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama; and a Master of Strategic Studies, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. 

Colonel Dobson began his active service as a student in Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas.  After graduating and earning his pilot wings in June 1988, he served as an Instructor and  Evaluator Pilot in the T-37B for the 33d and 35th Flying Training Squadrons, and the 64th Operations Group.  In 1992, he volunteered for transition to rotary-wing aircraft, earning his helicopter rating at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  From there he moved to Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana where he flew the UH-1N Huey with the 40th Rescue Flight supporting ICBM operations and flying search and rescue missions.  He is credited with seven saves and five assists during rescue operations.

In 1995, Colonel Dobson transitioned to the MH-53J Pave Low helicopter, completing the MH-53J Flying Training Course with the 551st Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Following graduation, he was assigned to the 31st Special Operations Squadron, Osan AB, Korea, where he served as the Chief of Safety and an MH-53J Aircraft Commander.  He traveled extensively throughout Asia, working with partner nations’ special operations forces.  In 1997, he was re-assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida where he was an Assistant Operations Officer and MH-53M Evaluator.  During this period he deployed several times to Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait and to Italy as the Operations Officer for USAF helicopter operations for the war in Kosovo.

In July 2000, Colonel Dobson was selected to attend the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama.  After graduation he moved to Kalkar, Germany as the Offensive Plans Combat Search and Rescue Officer at the NATO Combined Air Operations Center 2 in Kalkar, Germany.  While in Kalkar, he traveled extensively across Europe teaching Combat Search and Rescue command and control procedures, and he led a NATO team to Agoya, Russia, to complete the Russian Combat Survival Course, the first NATO-Russia cooperation event of its kind.  In 2004, he was returned to flying a Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia, flying the T-6 Texan II trainer with the 3d Flying Training Squadron.  He served as the Operations Officer and later as the Commander of the unit, ensuring the next generation of Air Force pilots was prepared for their follow-on training.

In 2007 Colonel Dobson moved to Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where he attended the US Army War College.  Upon graduation, he stayed at Carlisle working with the Army as the Chief of Air Force Integration at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute.  While there, he worked with the Department of State and the United States Combatant Commands, advising on peacekeeping, stability, and reconstruction activities to ensure viable transitions from military operations in regions around the world.

In December 2008, Colonel Dobson deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as the Vice Commander of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and Chief of Staff for the Coalition Air Force Transition Team.  He was responsible for overseeing training and advising teams all over Iraq working to rebuild the Iraqi Air Force.  After returning from Iraq, he was assigned to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, serving as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Squadron Officer College and culminating his career as the Vice Commandant of the Air Command and Staff College.  

Colonel Dobson retired from active service on 30 June 2014.   He is a Command Pilot with more than 4,000 flight hours in the MH-53J/M, TH-53A, UH-1N, UH-1H, T-37B, T-38A/C.  His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and NATO Medal.  

He is married to the former Leisa Murphy from Versailles, Kentucky; they have one daughter, Kaelyn. 

Senior Master Sergeant Glenn S. Sparkman is an Aerospace Science Instructor at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina.

Sergeant Sparkman was born August 3, 1962 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He graduated from Tennessee High School in 1981. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from National-Lewis University in 2003. His professional military education includes resident diplomas from the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Prep School, the Military Airlift Command NCO Academy and the Air Force Senior NCO Academy.

Sergeant Sparkman enlisted in the USAF in September 1982. He completed basic training and was assigned to Chanute AFB, Illinois for technical training in the Minuteman II missile career field. In 1983 he was assigned to the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri. In 1986, he applied for and was selected to become a flight engineer.

After completing C-141 aircraft flight engineer training at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, Sergeant Sparkman was assigned to the 76th Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina. During this time Sergeant Sparkman was selected to represent the Wing as a member of the “Airlift Rodeo” airdrop competition team flying the C-141 aircraft. He also supported the Intermediate Nuclear Force (INF) treaty verification by flying missions to the Soviet Union. Sergeant Sparkman participated in Operations Golden Pheasant, Just Cause, Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

In 1992, Sergeant Sparkman was assigned to the 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, McClellan AFB, California to fly on the WC-135 aircraft. He flew on Polar (North Pole) missions collecting data vital to National Command Authorities and Operations American Express and Pony Express. He was selected for the initial cadre for the OC-135 aircraft which flew the “Open Skies” nuclear treaty verification mission.

While Sergeant Sparkman was attending the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in 1993, the 55th shut down operations at McClellan AFB and moved to the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Arriving at Offutt in December 1993, Sergeant Sparkman flew for the next 11 months in the WC-135, TC-135, KC-135 and the OC-135 aircraft. In 1995, Sergeant Sparkman was selected for special duty assignment with the 1st Military Airlift Squadron, Andrews AFB, Maryland. He quickly upgraded in the VC-137 and the VC-135 aircraft. He held positions in the squadron as the Superintendent of Training and Standards Evaluation. In 1997, he moved to the 89th Operations Group Standards Evaluation. During this assignment, he authored a flight crew information electronic distribution and tracking process and developed a basic flight engineer conversion course for the Wing’s flight mechanics. He was also selected as an augmentee to the Presidential aircrew flying Air Force One, the President’s aircraft. In 2001, the Presidential Airlift Group was established, and Sergeant Sparkman became a full time crew member aboard Air Force One. At the Presidential Group he held the position of Superintendent of the flight engineers and the Operational Risk Management Program for the unit.

During his career Sergeant Sparkman accumulated over 7000 flying hours in eight different aircraft. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

Sergeant Sparkman retired from active duty in June 2005. He and his wife, Darlene R. (Becky) Sparkman, are blessed with two grown children and two precious grandsons. They spend as much time as possible with Jonathan and Jason. They also enjoy attending car shows where they frequently take their national award winning 1969 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro.

Senior Master Sergeant Adam Clarke is an Aerospace Science Instructor at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management, Ashford University, an Associate in Applied Science degree in Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force.

Sergeant Clarke entered the Air Force in November 1998 as an aircraft electrical and environmental systems technician. After graduating from Basic Military Training and Technical Training, he was assigned to the 354th Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska where he maintained both F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Warthog aircraft. In 2002, he was assigned to the 16th Helicopter Generation Squadron, then the 1st Special Operations Helicopter Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida where he maintained MH-53 Pave Low helicopters. While stationed there, he deployed to northern Kuwait for the push into Iraq, then he deployed three more times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2008, he was assigned to the 437th Maintenance Squadron at Charleston AFB, South Carolina where he maintained C-17 Globemaster aircraft. While at Charleston, Sergeant Clarke was selected as a Quality Assurance inspector and he deployed to ensure contract compliance and oversee MQ-9 Reaper maintenance operations in Niger and MQ-1 Predator maintenance operations in Ethiopia in support of the fight against ISIL and Boko Haram. In 2015, Sergeant Clarke was selected to become a First Sergeant. After graduating from the United States Air Force First Sergeant Academy, he was assigned to the 15th Airlift Squadron, then to the 437th Aerial Port Squadron as the principle advisor to the commander in maintaining discipline, standards, morale and welfare.  In 2018, Sergeant Clarke received his final active duty assignment to Detachment 5, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama where he supported 1,900 military, civilian, and contractor personnel in their day-to-day operations as the Information Technology leaders for the Air Force Community. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Sergeant Clarke retired from active duty in September 2020. He and his wife Amanda have four children and they enjoy spending time with family and exploring lakes on their boat.