CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Master Sgt. Shawn McKeen is a member of the 437th Force Support Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB for more than 3 years.
He is currently deployed to the Middle East, and is assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.
In his deployed unit, Sergeant McKeen is the Lodging NCO in charge. He supervises lodging support to bed down temporary deployed, permanent party and transient personnel as well as distinguished visitors. He and his team are also responsible for maintaining all lodging facilities.
While at Charleston AFB, Sergeant McKeen performs duties as the honor guard NCO in charge, as well as works to provide Team Charleston with a fully trained and functional honor guard team.
Sergeant McKeen is a member of the Top 3 at both Charleston AFB and his deployed base. In addition, he volunteers as an assistant coach for peewee football and t-ball.
He said the most interesting aspect of his deployment was the first Friday he performed retreat at the wing's headquarters building.
"The whole base was out there right behind the formation participating as well," he said. "It was awesome."
According to Sergeant McKeen, what he likes best about his job is the opportunity to be a role model for his Airmen.
"I love the interaction and mentoring I have with young Airmen. They go from not knowing anything, to strong professional Airmen."
Sergeant McKeen said he supports Team Charleston's mobility mission by providing the basic necessities of life to armed forces personnel.
"If you don't eat you die. If you don't sleep you die. If you don't have recreation you go crazy. We are just as important as the pilots dropping bombs on the enemy. If they don't get these things they can't complete their mission and we don't win the war."
Sergeant McKeen said his goal is to continue his career in the Air Force until he receives his Master's degree in education.
This "warrior of the week" hails from Tacoma, Wash. He has been in the Air Force for 20 years and joined to continue with his family's military service tradition. His hobbies include fitness and sports. He said he loves to play football and basketball, work out and stay in shape.
"Sergeant McKeen recently came on board as program manager for the Charleston AFB Honor Guard," said Donna Collins, 437th Force Support Squadron mortuary affairs coordinator. "He comes to us from the Fitness and Sports Center where he received numerous awards and accolades for his application of knowledge and outstanding service to the men and women who frequent the fitness center. We are excited to have him on board and anxiously await his return from deployment."