After serving his country for more than three and a half decades, Col. Charles S. McMillan is retiring from the Georgia Air National Guard. His retirement ends a storied career that began in 1970 when he joined the Marine Corps Reserves.  

In 1974 he transitioned to the Georgia Army National Guard and its combat engineers. He found his home in the Georgia Air National Guard and the 165th Airlift Wing in 1980, serving in ever increasing positions of responsibility.

Col. McMillan began his service in the 165th Airlift Wing as a services staff officer and eventually, services flight commander. In 1994 he was transferred to command the 165th Security Forces Squadron where he served until 1999 and his appointment to the position he retires from, commander of the 165th Mission Support Group.

He was awarded a considerable number of service commendations during his career, most notably the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four devices.

Col. McMillan and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Charla and Terrell, and a stepson, Joseph. They are residents of Wadley.

Lt. Col. Todd Freesemann has been promoted to colonel and will assume command of the 165th Mission Support Group, an element of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard.  

Col. Freesemann previously served as the director of support. His new command includes direct supervision of civil engineering, logistics readiness, mission support, communications, services, contracting, medical and aerial port.  

A graduate of West Point, Col. Freesemann began his military service as an engineering officer. After nine years of service in the Army, he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and the 165th Airlift Wing serving in the civil engineering squadron.

Col. Freesemann and his wife, Penny, have one child, Katherine. They are residents of Savannah.

The 165th Airlift Wing has selected the new commander of the 165th Civil Engineering Squadron, Lt. Col. Salvador Sanchez-Troche.  

A native of Humacao and Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Lt. Col. Sanchez-Troche’ military career began in 1985 when he joined the Texas Air National Guard. Later that same year he was commissioned as an officer in the 149th Civil Engineering Squadron.  

Since a transfer in 1988, Lt. Col. Sanchez-Troche has served in the 165th Airlift Wing in a number of supervisory roles within the civil engineering squadron.  

The squadron is an element of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, headquartered at the Savannah International Airport.

Lt. Col. Sanchez-Troche and his wife, Dr. Dalia R. Merced, M.D. have two children; Salvador III and Gabriel. They are residents of Savannah.