Story by Maj. Dusty Culpepper, Public Affairs Officer Mississippi Air National Guard
Photos by Airman 1st Class Damara Cormier, 172nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
In a ceremony marked by honor and tradition, the Mississippi National Guard celebrated the promotion of Brigadier General Edward H. Evans, the current assistant adjutant general-Air, and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, to the rank of major general, in a ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson, Saturday, October 5, 2024.
The event highlighted the achievements and leadership of Evans who has served with distinction over a career spanning more than three decades, 28 of those in the Mississippi Air National Guard.
The Gulfport native began his military career in 1992, as a graduate of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Mississippi State University. After his four-year active-duty career ended, he joined the Mississippi Air National Guard in 1997 as a pilot candidate at the 172nd Airlift Wing in Flowood.
In his 28-year career, he held numerous positions at the squadron and wing level in Mississippi. In 2017, he was named the wing commander of the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian, then held the positions of director of operations and chief of staff at Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson.
These positions have ranged from leading combat deployments to managing statewide emergency responses, making Major General Evans a trusted and highly respected figure within the Mississippi Air National Guard community.
During the promotion ceremony, Maj. Gen. Evans was commended by the Adjutant General of Mississippi, Major General Bobby Ginn, for his exceptional service and strategic vision.
“I have no doubt that Maj. Gen. Evans will take the Mississippi Air National Guard to levels that it has never been before,” Ginn said in his comments.
“Having served in both wings in the state, and his active-duty experience makes General Evans a huge asset to the state of Mississippi,” Ginn concluded.
Evan’s uncle, Col. Sidney L. Evans Jr. (ret) gave remarks and praised Maj. Gen. Evans on his accomplishments and reflected on their family’s heritage of service to the nation.
“As proud as I am of the two stars that are about to be pinned, I’m even prouder of the fact that Gen. Evans continues to carry on our family’s 120 years of service to our nation,” Col. Sidney Evans (ret) said.
Evans’ grandfather, retired Master Sgt. Sidney Evans, was an original Tuskegee Airman with more than 33 years of military service. His father, retired Tech. Sgt. Edward Evans, Sr., and uncle, retired Col. Sidney Evans, Jr., both were U.S. Air Force members.
In accepting the promotion, Maj. Gen. Evans expressed gratitude to his family, fellow service members, mentors and friends who have supported his journey. He concluded by speculating what his grandfather would say about this moment.
“I think my grandfather would be proud,” Evans said. “Those guys fought for an opportunity and didn’t think what they were doing was a thing of heroes. They only wanted to represent themselves and others as American citizens,” Evans surmised of his grandfather and other Tuskegee airmen.
“For that opportunity, it’s out there, go seize it.”
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Maj. Gen. Edward H. Evans, Jr., the assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, is pinned with his new rank by his wife Priscilla and his uncle, retired Col. Sidney L. Evans, Jr., during his promotion ceremony at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Oct. 5, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Damara Cormier)
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Maj. Gen. Edward H. Evans, Jr., the assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, is presented with his personal flag during his promotion ceremony at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Oct. 5, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Damara Cormier)
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Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, the adjutant general of Mississippi, and Maj. Gen. Edward H. Evans, Jr., the assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, stand for the national anthem during his promotion ceremony at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Oct. 5, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Damara Cormier) (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Damara Cormier)
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Maj. Gen. Edward H. Evans, Jr., the assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, receives his personal flag during his promotion ceremony at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Oct. 5, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Damara Cormier)
