SASI (Senior Aerospace Science Instructor) Lt. Col John Arias
Lt. Col John J. A. Arias is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for James F. Byrnes High School. Lt. Col Arias entered the Air Force in 1985 as a distinguished graduaate of Officer Training School. He earned his pilot wings in 1986 and was assigned to Strategic Air Command flying the KC-135A at Blytheville AFB, AR. He transitioned to the T-38 and later to the T-1A as an instructor in Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, TX. He then returned to fly tankers in the KC-135R at Fairchild AFB, WA. Following that tour he served as the Chief of Air Combat command's Flying Hour Program and later as the Chief Action Officer for Air Combat Command's Director of Operations at Langley AFB, VA. He went on to fly a second tour at Fairchild AFB as an instructor/evaluator and also served as the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron's Operations Officer, the Chief of Wing Safety and finally as the Director of Staff to the Wing Commander. Following that assignment, he served five years overseas in NATO as an executive officer in Component Command Air Izmir, Turkey and as "The Chief of NATO Future Logistics and Air Transportation Requirements" in Mons, Belgium with Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Europe (SHAPE). Lt Col Arias retired on 1 May 2011 with over 26 years of service and over 4100 hours of flight time. Through tanker operations he has directly supported Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is married to the former Laura J. King since 1989 and has four children.
ASI (Aerospace Science Instructor)
Chief Master Sergeant Mark R. Ippolito
Chief Master Sergeant Mark R. Ippolito
Chief Master Sergeant Mark R. Ippolito is an Aerospace Science Instructor at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina. Chief Ippolito enlisted in the USAF in March 1985. He completed basic training and was assigned to Altus AFB, Oklahoma for technical training in the C-141B Aircraft Loadmaster career field. In 1985 he was assigned to the 76th Military Airlift Squadron, 437 Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB,South Carolina After the 76th Military Airlift Squadron was re-designated to 16th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina Chief Ippolito was selected for Special Operations Low Level II and was 1 of 12 loadmasters qualified to perform this mission. During this time Chief Ippolito participated in operations to include Just Cause, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Haiti, and multiple humanitarian airlift missions. His expertise in airdrop operations steered him to become a C-141B Combat Crew Training School Airdrop/Airland Instructor loadmaster where he was reassigned to Altus AFB, Oklahoma in 1997. In 2000, Chief Ippolito cross-flowed to the C-5B aircraft and was reassigned to the 3rd Airlift Squadron, Dover AFB, Delaware as the chief loadmaster. Chief Ippolito led 84 loadmasters in the Global War on Terror for the next 3-years after the attacks of 9/11. He was again reassigned to the 56 Airlift Squadron, Altus AFB, Oklahoma as a Formal Training Unit Instructor Loadmaster. While assigned to the 97 Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, Oklahoma Chief Ippolito cross-flowed once again to the C-17 Aircraft and was selected as the Operations Group Superintendent were he oversaw enlisted aircrew training for over 1,200 students per year. In addition, he was the Loadmaster Functional Manager responsible for the manning, assignments, and professional development of 68 C-17 Instructor Loadmasters. He also maintained the highest standards and proficiency as a C-17 Instructor loadmaster. During his career Chief Ippolito accumulated 6,600 flying hours in 3 different aircraft. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster. Chief Ippolito earned many honors throughout his career to include Outstanding Instructor of the Year, NCO Academy Commandants Award, Non Commissioned Officer of the Year, Lance P Sijan Leadership Award, and Airlift Tanker Associations Young Leader Award.
Chief Ippolito was born October 1, 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Seminole High School, Florida in 1984. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree Univerisity of Southern Colorado in 2000. His professional military education includes resident diplomas from the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Prep School, the MilitaryAirlift Command NCO Academy, the Air Force Senior NCO Academy, and the Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course. Chief Ippolito retired from active duty October 2008. He and his wife, Elinore C. (Ellie) Ippolito of Charleston South Carolina are blessed with three children.
(ASI) Aerospace Science Instructor
Senior Master Sergeant Glenn S. Sparkman
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, two precious grandsons and most recently, a beautiful granddaughter (Ava Grace). They spend as much time as possible with four-year old Jonathan and two-year old Jason. They also enjoy attending car shows where they frequently take their national award winning 1969 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro and 1991 Syclone (Ferrari & Porche Killer).
Senior Master Sergeant Glenn S. Sparkman
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, two precious grandsons and most recently, a beautiful granddaughter (Ava Grace). They spend as much time as possible with four-year old Jonathan and two-year old Jason. They also enjoy attending car shows where they frequently take their national award winning 1969 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro and 1991 Syclone (Ferrari & Porche Killer).
