Our Instructors
Colonel Wilkinson
SASI
Colonel Jeff Wilkinson is a Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI) at Ashley Ridge High School where he is responsible for the leadership and management of a highly decorated and dynamic AFJROTC program. Colonel Wilkinson received his commission in January 1990 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Syracuse University, in Syracuse, N.Y. He spent most of his career in Air Force Special Operations, with time split between active duty, traditional Air National Guard duty and Active Guard Reserve duty as both a special tactics officer and combat rescue officer. He has participated in multiple overseas deployments, including Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as numerous national joint service exercises and natural disaster response missions. Colonel Wilkinson has commanded at the squadron, wing, and joint forces headquarters levels, most recently serving as Assistant Adjutant General in the Kentucky Air National Guard. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with 1 oak leaf cluster), Gallant Unit Citation, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor device and 5 oak leaf clusters). Colonel Wilkinson is retired from active service and assumed duties as Senior Aerospace Instructor at SC-20081, Ashley Ridge High School in July 2022.
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Msgt Angela Powell
ASI
Master Sergeant Angela D. R. Powell is a retired First Sergeant from active duty after 24 years and 18 days of service. She was the First Sergeant for the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron and the 437th Maintenance Group, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. She was responsible for the health, welfare, and safety of enlisted personnel and the principal advisor to the commanders on all enlisted matters.
MSgt Powell was born in Spartanburg, SC. She graduated from East Forsyth Senior High School in Kernersville, NC in 1984. After attending Winston-Salem State University for a short period of time, Sergeant Powell entered the Air Force on active duty in 1987 as a Security Specialist. Her first duty station was Grand Forks, ND. She relocated to Comiso AS, Italy in 1989 after attending Ground Launch Cruise Missile training. She then moved to Scott AFB, IL in 1990 and was assigned as an Elite Gate Guard member for Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command. MSgt Powell was a supervisor, training leader and later became the Law Enforcement Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. In 1995 she subsequently relocated to Nellis AFB, NV when she cross-trained into the Law Enforcement career field. MSgt Powell was a patrol officer until she was selected to be the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Elite Gate Guards and later the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Resource Protection. In 1998 MSgt Powell cross trained again into Aviation Resource Management and relocated to Langley AFB, VA. She was Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Exercises and Training Scheduling while assigned to ACC Headquarters DOOT and later Superintendent of the 94th Fighter Squadron in the 1st Fighter Wing. MSgt Powell was selected to be a First Sergeant in 2005 and moved to Charleston, SC where she was assigned to three different squadrons during her tenure. She was an active member of the First Sergeants Association, the TOP 3 Association, and the African American Heritage Committee. She briefed over 500 Airmen on Discipline, Ethics, Standards, Customs and Courtesies, Financial Management and Family Care responsibilities. MSgt Powell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and Associates Degrees in Security Administration, Business Administration Aeronautics/Aviation Management and Human Resource Management from the Community College of the Air Force. MSgt Powell has deployed several times in support of the war on terrorism. She deployed with 2nd Air Force as a liaison for Airmen attending Army Combat Skills Training at Fort Lewis, WA, Fort McCoy, WI and Fort Sill, OK. She deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar with the 17th Airlift Squadron in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. She is married to retired MSgt Dwayne Powell and they have four daughters.
Msgt Jason Blake
ASI
Master Sergeant Jason A. Blake is an Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI). He was born in Oakland, CA but raised in several cities across the United States. As a military dependent he’s lived in San Diego, CA, Honolulu, HI, East Meadow, NY, and Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach was the city where he entered the Air Force in 1996. He attended Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, TX in June 1996 and completed Munitions Systems Technical Training at Sheppard AFB, TX in October 1996. Master Sergeant Blake’s first duty assignment was with the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. As a Munitions Storage Crew Chief, Sergeant Blake assisted the safe and secure bed down of 62 munitions laden vehicles containing over 1.4 million pounds of explosives with no incidents. In June of 1999, Sergeant Blake received a short notice remote assignment to the 8th Maintenance Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea. He worked as a Conventional Munitions Crew Chief and was key to the 400 ton munitions build up that supported 370 joint service training missions, deterring any North Korean aggressions in the Pacific. After his assignment to Korea, he reported to the 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Langley AFB, VA in June 2000. Sergeant Blake held duties as a Munitions Controller, and eventually as Precision Guided Munitions Supervisor. He was instrumental in the software upgrade of 232 tactical missiles, directly supporting Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. In June of 2007, Master Sergeant Blake was hand-picked for a special duty assignment as a technical school instructor with the 363rd Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, TX. As a Munitions Systems Apprentice Instructor Supervisor, he oversaw 200 Airman, 25 instructors, and $10 million in resources daily. Sergeant Blake surpassed 3,000 teaching hours with a 98% pass rate and earned “Master Instructor Certification” with the Community College of the Air Force. In June 2011, Master Sergeant Blake was selected for another special duty assignment, enlisted accessions Air Force Recruiter. He was assigned to the 336th Recruiting Squadron, Moody AFB, GA and was responsible for the Summerville, SC recruiting office as well as 3 vacant recruiting offices that covered 10 thousand square miles and supported 100 area schools. Sergeant Blake enlisted and sent 209 civilians to Air Force Basic Military training. Earning him four Air Force “Silver” recruiting badges, “Top-5″ recruiter three years in a row, “Silver” and “Bronze” Air Force Recruiting Service medallions, and squadron SNCO of the year in 2013. In August 2015, Master Sergeant Blake was assigned to his last duty station where he was Munitions Operations Section Chief for the 5th Munitions Squadron, Minot AFB, ND. While assigned to Minot, he managed 12 personnel that oversaw the accountability of $213M in munitions assets that directly supported 33 munitions accounts supporting the 5th Bomb and 91st Missile Wings who are significant wings assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command. Master Sergeant Blake was recognized as Maintenance Support Professional of 2015 for the 5th Bomb Wing. It was here that he concluded his 21 dedicated years to his country and retired from active duty. MSgt Blake’s professional education includes a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University, three Associates in Applied Science degrees in Human Resources, Munitions Systems Technology, and Instructor of Technology and Military Science from the Community College of the Air Force. Sergeant Blake has been awarded the Occupational Instructor Certification, Master Instructor Certification, Certified Recruiter, and Professional Manager Certifications through the Air Force. Master Sergeant Blake has received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters. Sergeant Blake lives with his wife Linsey, and they have 2 sons.
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