Kernan retires from Air National Guard after 24 years
‘I hope I've helped prepare the next generation’
EASTFORD — After 24 years of honorable service in the Rhode Island Air National Guard, Senior Master Sgt. Charles H. Kernan, of Eastford, celebrated his retirement on Saturday, Oct. 3, in a ceremony at the 143rd Airlift Wing, Quonset Air National Guard Base, in Rhode Island. The ceremony took place within the Logistics Readiness Squadron.
According to an official announcement posted by the 143rd Airlift Wing on social media, “Kernan demonstrated outstanding leadership and operational expertise in the Fuels Management Flight [throughout his career], helping keep the wing’s C-130 aircraft ready to fly. His dedication extended to supporting state emergency operations and mentoring fellow Airmen as a Unit Career Advisor.”
Kernan spent his entire 24-year military career with the Fuels Management Flight in the Logistics Readiness Squadron.
“While I held additional roles and responsibilities within both the squadron and the Wing throughout my career, my primary assignment and focus remained with the Fuels Flight,” Kernan told the Communicator. “After 24 years of service, I felt the time was right to retire.”
After nearly a quarter century in one role, Kernan said his favorite part of serving with the Air National Guard was the experiences he shared with his colleagues, memories that will last.
“It’s the stories we’ve collected along the way,” he said. “Whether during a drill weekend or somewhere else entirely, it’s the experiences I shared with people at different points in my career that stay with me. And years later, when I get together with them, those are the stories we find ourselves telling over and over again.”
With Veterans Day right around the corner, our nation’s veterans should see a renewed spotlight shined on their service by a grateful nation — but while serving in the military has been a rewarding experience for Kernan, he said service in the military remains a “deeply personal” decision that should not be taken lightly by anyone thinking about making that commitment.
“Over the years, I’ve had people ask me whether I think they should join the military, and my answer has always been the same — I don’t know,” Kernan said. “I say that because joining the military is a deeply personal decision. It begins with a commitment to serving your country, to being part of something bigger than yourself. And those are important ideals. They’re the foundation of military service. But what I’ve learned over the past 24 years is that those ideals alone aren’t what sustain a career or an organization. Somewhere along the way, you realize that success is rarely about the individual. It’s about the people around you.”
This notion of teamwork, preparation, and intentional leadership is highlighted by mentorship, a role Kernan said cannot be overstated.
“Not everyone who joins the military is fortunate enough to have great mentors. I was,” he said. “I had people who saw potential in me, who challenged me, who invested their time in my development, and who helped shape me into the leader and person I am today. I believe that’s one of the real secrets to the military’s enduring success. It’s not simply the equipment, the technology, or even the missions we accomplish. It’s the commitment, generation after generation, to preparing those who will come after us. I was fortunate to have people invest in me as my career progressed. I came to understand that I had a responsibility to do the same for others. I hope I’ve lived up to that responsibility. I hope I’ve helped prepare the next generation of Airmen who will lead the flight, the squadron, and the Wing now that I’m gone. At the end of the day, the measure of our success isn’t just what we accomplished while we were here. It’s what we leave behind, and whether we’ve prepared the next generation to accomplish even more.”
As Oct. 3 officially marked the end of Kernan’s military service, he said he was looking forward to spending more time at home.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my military career,” he said. “But I also wanted to achieve a better work-life balance and dedicate more time to my family and other priorities.”
The 143rd Airlift Wing concluded their message to Kernan on Oct. 3 with the following note of congratulations.
“Thank you for 24 years of dedicated service and for the lasting impact you’ve made on your fellow Airmen,” the message read. “Congratulations on your retirement, and best wishes as you begin your next chapter.”
Senior Master Sgt. Charles H. Kernan, of Eastford, 143rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Rhode Island Air National Guard, retired on Saturday, Oct. 3, after 24 years of honorable military service. “I felt the time was right to retire,” he said. Photos courtesy of United States Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Kristi Burmeister