Retirees total over 117 years of service

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Master Sgt. Terry Jones worked his last day at the main gate of Joe Foss Field June 3. Jones will retire in July with over 41 years of service. Always sharing a wave and a fond “hello” to the members of the unit as they arrived each day, Sgt. Jones will be greatly missed. (Photo by Lt. Col. Reid Christopherson) (RELEASED)

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Retirees total over 117 years of service

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Master Sgt. Terry Jones recieved the South Dakota Air National Guard Reservist of the Year award at the Armed Forces Day ceremony held in Sioux Falls, S.D. May 21. Presenting the award was Capt. Joseph Hardin, 114th Security Forces Squadron commander.(Photo by Master Sgt. Nancy Ausland)(RELEASED)

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Retirees total over 117 years of service

Published June 15, 2011
By Master Sgt. Nancy Ausland
114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - -- This is a year of loss for the 114th Security Forces Squadron. They will see the retirement of some the unit's most senior members as they retire Master Sgt.'s Terry Jones, Lee Thedens, and Deb Tunge.

All total, these three members have 117 years and 6 months of military service. Master
Sgt. Terry Jones will retire on July 31 with 41 years and 9 months of service, Master Sgt. Lee Thedens will retire on June 30 with 40 years of service and Master Sgt. Deb Tunge will retire in December with over 35 years of service.

Master Sgt. Terry Jones, Flight Sergeant for the 114th Security Forces Squadron, ended
his career on a high note this year when he was selected as the South Dakota Air National Guard Reservist of the Year for the Armed Forces Day events held at the Sioux Falls Veterans Administration Health Care System on May 21. Master Sgt. Jones joined the Army National Guard in Redfield, S.D. on October 15, 1969. After serving with the 147th Field Artillery, Charlie Company for five years, Jones transferred to the Weapon Systems Security Flight (WSSF) in the South Dakota Air National
Guard in 1974. With no breaks in service since joining in 1969, Master Sgt. Jones has seen a lot of different duties. Most memorable to him were his state activation for the Rapid City floods in 1974 and his federal mobilization to Kuwait in 2003.

"One of the best decisions I made in my life was to join the guards", says Jones. "The
second best decision was to stay in. If I can leave any of the young troops with some advice it would be to stick it out and stay in."

Master Sgt. Terry Jones and his wife of 39 years, Julia live in Lennox, S.D. and have two
sons, Jacob and John.

Master Sgt. Lee Thedens began his distinguished career with the active duty Air Force in June 1971. After two and a half years on active duty Sgt. Thedens palace chased into
the 114th WSSF in 1974.

"I'm really going to miss working the main gate and getting the chance to see all the great people of this unit come through each day." said Thedens.

Master Sgt. Thedens and his wife of 16 years, Amanda, have four children and live in
Sioux Falls, S.D.

Master Sgt. Deb Tunge joined the 114th WSSF in March 1976 and has been Active Guard Reserve (AGR) with the unit since 1994. She has served in several positions within the unit but is best known both locally and nationally for her expertise on security clearances.

Master Sgt. Tunge and her husband Terry live in Sioux Falls, S.D. and have two children.