Kevin Swann, a Franklin County native from Decherd, retired as a chief master sergeant from the United State Air Force on Feb. 16, 2023, from Grand Forks Air Force Base after serving his country for 26 years.

Swann graduated from Franklin County High School in 1996 and joined the Air Force in February 1997. He completed basic training in San Antonio, Texas, and has been stationed at several Air Force bases throughout his career, including Shaw in South Carolina; Hill-Utah in Osan, South Korea; Aviano in Italy; Tyndall in Florida; Beale in California; and finally, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Swann has completed several tours of duty while serving his country. He was deployed to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar (3 times), Turkey (two times), Korea and Afghanistan.

He earned his master’s degree in aeronautical science from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a 3.9 grade point average.

One of Swann’s greatest honors and achievements was being selected as one of 30 servicemen and servicewomen to undergo enlisted flight training out of 900 who applied at the time.

He completed and earned his wings as an Air Force instrument-rated pilot from Randolph AFB in Texas. He piloted the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

This was the first flight training for enlisted servicemen and women since World War II.

During his service, Swann earned many certifications and awards, including certification in professional management, the aforementioned certification as an instrument-rated pilot, aviation-safety certification from the Federal Aviation Administration Academy undergraduate program, the Logistics Officer Association Scholarship and others.

He has extensive knowledge of unmanned aircraft systems and global Robotic Process Automation combat operations.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Swann was an operations and maintenance group senior leader and an RQ-4 pilot. He was the director of more than 1,500 military and civilian personnel across six bases.

Swann is the son of Doug and Melinda Swann of Decherd, and he is married to Deidre Gibbs Swann. They have three children, Maggie/Dylan Henrichs and Aiden and Addison Swann, and a granddaughter, Harlynn Henrichs.

His extended family includes a sister, Tiffany Anderson; two nieces, Gracie Bryan and Saylor Anderson; and a nephew, Cole Bryan.

His parents are very proud of their son and all he has achieved and say they are looking forward to family time and holiday meals together. They urge everyone to join in welcoming Kevin, Deidre, Aiden and Addison back to Franklin County.

In congratulating their son upon his retirement, his parents expressed their elation, saying: “We thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifices, Kevin. You have served with distinction and honor, and now it is time for your next chapter — we wish you health and happiness in the years ahead!”