History of SC-952

The South Carolina-952 Viking Air Corps was established at Emerald High School on July 1, 1995.  It is located in Rooms 121 and 122 on the Fine Arts Wing.  The Senior Aerospace Science Instructor is Lt Col Bernard Taylor and the Aerospace Science Instructor is SMSgt Gary R. Esham.

The mission of SC-952 is to educate and train students to be successful and productive adults upon graduation from Emerald High School.  We strive to instill in each cadet a sense of patriotism and service to country and promote personal responsibility.  Lastly, we focus on building teamwork and providing instruction in basic military skills.

School Year 1996-1997
- Cadet Joshua Todd receives appointments to USAF Academy and US Naval Academy.
- Cadet Micheal Kanelli wins first place in Tiger Drill Meet Knockout Competition.

School Year 1997-1998
- Cadet Joshua Crane awarded a 3-year AFROTC scholarship.
- Cadet Anthony Hunt awarded a $20,316 US Army scholarship.
- Unit designated Outstanding Adopt-a-Highway Group of the Year in Greenwood County.
- New SASI, Lt Col Bernard Taylor, hired effective 1 July 1997.

School Year 1998-1999
- Unit receives Palmetto Pride $1,000 grant from Governor's Task Force on Litter.
- Cadet Anthony Taylor receives appointment to USAF Academy and a 4-year AFROTC scholarship.
- Lt Col Bernard Taylor, SASI, selected as Outstanding AFJROTC Instructor for the 1998-1999 academic year.
- ASI, MSgt Dennis Ledesma, leaves in December 1998.

School Year 1999-2000
- Unit earned Vice Commander's Unit Award based on "Excellent" inspection rating.
- Twenty-two cadets received airplane rides through Young Eagles Flight Program at Greenwood Airport.
- Six cadets were inducted into Kitty Hawk Air Society (26 Apr).
- Unit held first Awards Pass-In-Review Parade (18 Apr).
- Unit presented colors at Presidential candidate George Bush function in EHS gymnasium.
- Cadet Justin Goldstein receives a 4-year AFROTC scholarship.
- Unit began school recycling program.
- New ASI, MSgt Virginia Pulver, hired effective 1 July 1999.

School Year 2000-2001
- Unit receives Palmetto Pride $1,000 Grant from Governor's Task Force on Litter.
- C-I-A field trips to Fort Jackson Army Post and McEntire Air National Guard Base (7 Sep), Clemson University Military Appreciation Day (16 Sep), Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah GA (1 Nov).
- Cadets formed a recycling program (paper, plastic, aluminum) at EHS.  Recyclables are collected each Thursday morning throughout the school. (Sep)
- Non-C-I-A field trip to Clark's Hill National Guard Training Site to challenge the obstacle course. (30 Sep)
- Color Guard performed at a Fuji Grand Opening ceremony with the Governor and many other state political dignitaries in attendance. (16 Feb)

School Year 2001-2002
- Six cadets attended Summer Leadership School at Converse College (Patrick Welton, Jonathan Wilson, Andrew Luu, Joey Bundrick, Jonathan Link, Brandon Platt)
- C-I-A Field Trips to Shaw AFB SC (28 Aug), Clemson University's Military Appreciation Day (22 Oct), Patriots Point in Charleston SC (21 Mar), Navy Blue Angels Air Show at Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station (27 Apr).
- Seventeen cadets worked the Capsugel Fundraiser (15 Sep)
- Six cadets inducted into Kitty Hawk Air Society on 30 Sep (Joe Greene, Patrick Welton, Joey Bundrick, Samantha Mobley, Colin Krause, Jonathan Link)
- Cadet fundraiser parking cars at County Fair on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday--$600.00 from this event donated to the United Way's Katrina National Relief Fund.
- Cadets hosted the school's first ever Veterans Day Program on 9 Nov 2001--a third of the student body attended (over 300 students).
- JROTC program received $3,500 grant from the Governor's Council on Beautification and Litter.
- Non-C-I-A Field Trips to Greenville Growl Hockey Game (9 Feb) and Carowinds (18 May).

School Year 2002-2003
- Thirteen cadets attended Summer Leadership School at Converse College.
- Overall third place winner at Tiger Drill Meet, Sep 2003.
- Eleven cadets inducted in Kitty Hawk Air Society on 1 May 2003 and 3 on 8 December 2003.
- Thirty-five cadets marched in annual Greenwood Christmas Parade on 7 December 2003.
- Color Guard earned second place out of 26 teams in Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet, units first placement in any drill competition.
- New ASI, CMSgt Terrance Christie, is hired effective July 2002.

School Year 2003-2004
- Unit received AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award.
- External Staff Assistance Visit by Area Administrator - received highly satisfactory rating (9 December 2003).
- Placed 2nd in Element, Unarmed at Clemson University Tiger Drill Meet (9 November 2003).
- Lt Col Bernard Taylor, SASI, selected by WSPA TV-7 in Greenville to receive GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Award; televised on 19 February 2004; submitted by Mrs. Judy Link, parent of an AFJROTC cadet.
- Seventeen cadets attended Summer Leadership School at Converse College (Summer 2004).
- Cadet Jonathan Link receives AFROTC 4-year scholarship.
- Three cadets inducted into Kitty Hawk Air Society.

School Year 2004-2005
- Unit received AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award.
- Cadet Justin Goldstein became first graduate of EHS that was a JROTC cadet to be commissioned a 2d Lt in USAF (4 Sep).
- Placed 3rd overall at Clemson University Tiger Drill Meet (15 Oct).
- Placed 2nd in Basic Flight, Armed at Clemson University Tiger Drill Meet (15 Oct).
- Nine cadets attended the Converse College Cadet Leadership School.  Two (Cadets Nix and Alexander) earned Outstanding Flight Cadet Awards.
- Placed 2nd in Basic Element, Unarmed at Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet (5 Mar).
- Placed 3rd in Basic Flight, Unarmed at Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet (5 Mar).
- Ten cadets inducted into Kitty Hawk Air Society (23 Mar).
- Unit transitioned from squadron to group based on increased enrollment (19 Jan).

School Year 2005-2006
- Unit received AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award.
- Four cadets inducted into Kitty Hawk Air Society (Cadets Benefield, A. Childs, Lewis, Satcher) on 18 December.
- Thirty-five cadets marched in annual Greenwood Christmas Parade (3 Dec).
- Placed 3rd out of 16 in Unarmed Flight at Clemson University Tiger Drill Meet (18 Oct).
- Placed 7th and 11th place out of 64 in Knockout Competition at Clemson University Tiger Drill Meet (18 Oct).
- Ten cadets attended the Converse College Cadet Leadership School (Cadets Kayla Boyd, Eric Hight, Andrew Cline, Terra Callaham, Cynthia Collins, Tony Cobb, Buster Alexander, Aaron Satcher, Lewis Nix, and Bryan Rollins).  Cadet Hight earned Top Personal Appearance Award and Cadet Rollins earned Cadre Leadership Award.  (18 Jun).
- Held fourth annual Awards Ceremony/Pass-In-Review at football stadium (27 Apr).
- Placed 3rd in Basic Individual, Armed at Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet (4 Mar).
- Placed 3rd in Basic Flight, Unarmed at Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet (4 Mar).
- Placed 4th in Knockout at Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet (4 Mar).
- Three cadets inducted into Kitty Hawk Air Society (Cadets Alexander, Nix, Wilson).

School Year 2006-2007
- Unit received AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award with Merit; fourth consecutive year.
- "Exceeds Standards" rating received from External Unit Evaluation by Area Administrator, Col Wade Williford on 6 Feb 2007.
- C/Lt Col Lewis Nix assumed command of the Group vice C/Lt Col Bryan Rollins on 15 Feb 2007.
- Held 12th annual Military Ball on 24 Feb 2007 at American Legion Post 20.
-  Thirty cadets went on field trip on 16 Mar 2007 to Patriot's Point Naval Maritime Museum and The Citadel.
- Did no participate in annual SC Flying Gamecock Invitational Drill Meet (State) on 31 Mar 2007 due to scheduling conflict with the Junior/Senior Prom and a Track Meet.
- Held annual Pass-in-Review at the football stadium on Thursday, 10 May 2007, 6:30 pm.
- C/Maj Tony Cobb assumed command of the Group vice C/Lt Col Lewis Nix on 16 May 2007.
- For second consecutive year, joined Disabled American Veterans organization in placing flags on graves of military veterans for Memorial Day.  Placement on 25 May 2007; retrieved on 7 Jun 2007.
- Eight cadets attended the Converse College Cadet Leadership School 10-16 Jun 2007.  Cadre - Tony Cobb and Aaron Satcher.  Basics - Aishia Childs, Kevin Cooper, Kamie Luu, Matthew McCravy, Ryan Turner, Zane Vickery.  Cadet Zane Vickery graduated with "Honors."
- Cadet Adam Newton received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.  He reported in Jun 2007.
- CMSgt Terrance A. Christie, Sr., departed SC-952 on 26 Jun 2007.  Chief Christie was ASI at SC-952 for five years.
- SMSgt Gary R. Esham, arrived SC-952 on 1 Jul 2007 as the new ASI.
- Forty-one cadets marched in the Greenwood Christmas Parade on Sunday, 3 December 2006.
- Four cadets inducted into KHAS on 18 December 2006 (Cadets Paul Benefield, Aishia Childs, Amelia Lewis, and Aaron Satcher).
- Cadets donated 45 hours in support of the Salvation Army Red Kettle Program on 13 and 14 December 2006. 

School Year 2007-2008
- Nine cadets attended the June 2008 Converse College Cadet Leadership School.  Cadre (Cadets Kamie Luu, Aaron Satcher,
Zane Vickery); Basics (Cadets Christopher Adams, Cody Cannon, Elizabeth Gilchrist, Brian Hicks, Travis Jackson,
Johnathan Sullivan).  Award winners included Cadet Aaron Satcher as Outstanding Staff Officer; Cadets Kamie Luu and Zane Vickery as Outstanding Flight Cadre.
- One cadet (Zane Vickery) attended the July 2008 Converse College Cadet Leadership School.
- C/Lt Col Aaron Satcher assumed command of the Group vice C/Lt Col Tony Cobb on 15 May 08.
- Held 13th annual Military Ball at American Legion on 17 Nov 2007.
- Eighteen cadets went on field trip to Charleston AFB Open House on 26 Apr 2008 (featured attraction "The Thunderbirds).
- Pass-in-Review rained out for first time ever; held awards program indoors on 15 May 08.
- For third consecutive year, placed flags on graves of military service personnel for Memorial Day.  Placement on 23 May 08; retrieved on 27 May 08.
- SMSgt Gary Esham, ASI, retired on 30 Jun 2008.  He was with SC-952 for one year.
- Twenty-seven cadets marched in the Greenwood Christmas Parade on Sunday, 2 Dec 07.
- Twenty-seven cadets marched in the Greenwood Veterans parade on Sunday, 11 Nov 07.
- Four cadets were inducted in the KHAS on 12 Dec 07; six on 15 Mar 08.
- Dining-In held on Saturday, 15 Mar 08 in the Cafeteria, 6:30 pm.
- Sixteen cadets donated 55 hours in manning the red kettles for Salvation Army on 11 and 12 Dec 07.
- Cadet Aaron Satcher was the first Emerald cadet to ever attend the AFJROTC Aerospace and Technology Honors Camp.  The site was the University of Oklahoma, 12-17 Jul 08.
- Participated in the Clemson University Tiger Drill Meet on 10 Oct 07.
- Twelve cadets assisted organizers with the March of Dimes Walkathon on 19 Apr 08.