Obituary of Ret. LTC Brady W. (Buster) Swinney

Brady W. (Buster) Swinney Jr.

Lt. col USAF (Ret.)

Madison, MS

Retired Lt. Col. Brady Swinney Jr 66., Known by everyone as Buster’, passed away peacefully at home Saturday Morning, 5-12-18. A proud graduate of Callaway High School Class of 1970 and Mississippi State University in 1974. Mr. Swinney was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force on June 5, 1974 immediately following his graduation from Mississippi State University.

He attended undergraduate pilot training, survival school, C-130 aircraft conversion and was first stationed with the 773 Tactical Airlift Squadron (MAC) at Dyess AFB, Texas.

In October of 1976 he transferred to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172 MAG at Thompson Field in Jackson, MS. where he was to serve for the next 32 years before his retirement in 2008 as a Lt. Col.

During his tenure with the Mississippi Air Guard he went through three aircraft conversions including the C-130H, the C-141 and the C-17. He participated in several Air Guard operations including hurricane relief in Charleston, SC; Grenada; and Panama operation Just Cause as well as being activated for 11 months for operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was instrumental in the planning and execution of the C-141 glass cockpit conversion and air refueling conversion. He was also influential in establishing a flow of aircraft to the all-important, Balad, Afghanistan re-supply/air evacuation of wounded servicemen and women during the conversion from the C-141 to the C-17 aircraft. He logged over 6000 flying hours during his 32 years of service. He played in four Air National Guard golf tournaments in Tucson AR. He was a member of the National Guard Association

He was preceded in passing by his parents Brady W. Swinney Sr. & Hazel Christene King Swinney, Infant Twin Sons, and two loving siblings.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Mrs. Valarie Scroggins Swinney of Madison, MS., two children, Brady “Brad” W. Swinney III., Katie Swinney Martin and her husband Earnest., Grandchildren, Levi and Rylee Kathryn Marin. One sister Tanya Holt and her husband Ronnie. One nephew Ryan and one niece Pam.

Rev. Sage will officiate the service.