In a moment of unusual continuity by name, the Mississippi Air National Guard passed the mantle of senior enlisted leadership from one Myers to another during a change of responsibility ceremony Friday at Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson.
Chief Master Sgt. Kevin L. Myers assumed duties as the state command chief, succeeding Chief Master Sgt. John W. Myers, who served in the role for nearly three years.
“These two gentlemen have more than just a name in common,” said Maj. Gen. Edward H. Evans, assistant adjutant general – Air and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard. “They both embody the Air Force core values in all they do.”
Speaking specifically about Chief Kevin Myers, Evans added, “His expertise and willingness to serve and to always get it right made him the right choice for this position.”
“He was always willing to go the extra mile, do more, and make himself available anytime he was asked,” Evans said.
“At every level, when he had increased responsibility, he had increased results — which eventually took him to the National Guard Bureau as their first sergeant.”
During the ceremony, Chief Kevin Myers addressed the force with a message of unity and readiness.
“While I stand here as your state command chief, I stand here along with all of the enlisted force of the Mississippi Air National Guard,” Myers said.
“We stand front and center to meet all the challenges, both from our state and national missions, and we will meet and persevere through those challenges.”
“I am proud to stand here together with you,” Chief Kevin Myers said.
Chief Kevin Myers brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as the senior enlisted leader for the 172nd Airlift Wing Mission Support Group and as chief enlisted manager at Joint Force Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard.
As state command chief, he will advise senior leaders on issues affecting the health, morale, welfare, readiness, and professional development of Mississippi’s enlisted Airmen.
Chief John Myers will continue serving the force as he assumes a new national role as the Air National Guard command first sergeant career field manager at the Office of the Air National Guard Command Chief. In this role, he will oversee the career management of approximately 800 first sergeants — a key special duty position that shapes enlisted leadership across the nation.
Maj. Gen. Evans said Chief John Myers is dedicated to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and the Mississippi Air National Guard. He added that Myers has increased the visibility of the position by serving on the national level, facilitating the Air National Guard’s Chief Master Sergeant course.
“I thank him for his service to our state and wish him the best in his new role,” Evans said.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to be your state command chief,” John Myers said.
“Stay focused on the mission and continue to be skilled experts in your craft, while being brilliant at the basics and relentlessly focused on mission execution.”
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Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Myers assumes responsibility as the state command chief from Maj. Gen. Edward Evans, Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, during a Change of Responsibility at Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Aug. 1, 2025. Myers previously served as the senior enlisted leader for the 172nd Mission Support Group and as the Chief Enlisted Manager at Joint Force Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Dawson Carter)
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Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Myers, the incoming state command chief, renders a salute to Maj. Gen. Edward Evans, Jr., the assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi, Aug. 1, 2025. During the ceremony, Myers became the 15th command chief master sergeant of the Mississippi Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Shardae McAfee)
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Chief Master Sgt. John Myers receives a token of appreciation during the state command chief Change of Responsibility at Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Aug. 1, 2025. Myers served in this position for three years and is set to take over as the Air National Guard Bureau's command first sergeant. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Dawson Carter)
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Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Myers addresses the audience during the state command chief Change of Responsibility at Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Aug. 1, 2025. Myers previously served as the senior enlisted leader for the 172nd Mission Support Group and as the Chief Enlisted Manager at Joint Force Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Dawson Carter)
