Senior Master Sergeant Merche S. Copeland is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 186th Medical Group, Mississippi Air National Guard, Meridian, MS. She advises the commander concerning welfare, morale, development and training of 54 personnel, optimizing medical readiness and high reliability of medical assets in the execution of the annual budget. She serves as the lead enlisted medical advisor to the 186th Air Refueling Wing members and leaders, providing guidance on all medical matters and programs. As the Health Systems Specialist Manager, her responsibilities include management of health services, medical readiness planning and operation, human resource management, medical staffing, and informing leadership of all issues affecting the medical readiness of nearly 1100 Airmen.
Sergeant Copeland enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard in December 2001. In January 2002, she attended Basic Military Training where she displayed great leadership through her position as an element leader. She later proceeded to Pensacola, Naval Air Station, Florida, to complete Nondestructive Inspection Apprentice School. During 2003, Sergeant Copeland was activated in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM for a total of one year. She received the Air Force Achievement Medal for her outstanding support throughout both operations. Sergeant Copeland continued her education at Mississippi State University, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration with concentration in Management. After nearly 8 years in Maintenance, she transitioned to Aviation Resource Management in 2009. She was initial cadre for Project Liberty and played an instrumental role in the development and implementation of its training program. During this period, she participated in various operations to include PROJECT LIBERTY, ODYSSEY DAWN, and UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Sergeant Copeland received the Air Force Commendation Medal for her unwavering support of the RC-26, KC-135R, MC-12W, and C-27J aircraft simultaneously. As a result of her leadership and dedication to the mission, she received the state’s highest award, the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Patriot Leader Award. In 2016, she deployed and served as NCOIC in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and INHERENT RESOLVE. In addition to her primary duties, she served as an AMC IG Inspection Augmentee and on the Wing Inspection Team as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to the Operations Group. In February 2018, Sergeant Copeland was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her outstanding skill, knowledge, and leadership. Prior to her current position, she served as the 186th Group Medical Superintendent of Health Services Management and continues to serve as a SME on the Wing Inspection Team.
EDUCATION
2006 Airman Leadership School, Knoxville, TN
2011 Bachelor of Business Administration, Management, Mississippi State University, MS
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Non-Residence)
2012 Associate in Applied Science, Nondestructive Testing Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Associate in Applied Science, Aviation Management, Community College of the Air Force
2013 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Non-Residence)
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II (Non-Residence)
2024 Senior Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) Enhancement
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2001 – March 2009, Nondestructive Inspection, 186th Maintenance Squadron, Meridian, MS
2. March 2009 – July 2020, Unit Training Manager, 186th Operations Group, Meridian, MS
3. March 2009 – May 2022, Supt. Aviation Resource Management, 186th Operations Squadron, Meridian, MS
4. May 2022 – Supt. Health Services Management, 186th Medical Group, Meridian, MS
5. Feb 2025 – Present, Facilitator, SNCO Enhancement Course, National Guard Bureau
6. May 2025 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 186th Medical Group, Meridian, MS
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Mississippi Medal of Efficiency
Mississippi War Medal
Mississippi Emergency Service Medal
Mississippi Service School Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School, Knoxville, TN
2008 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
2006 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School, Knoxville, TN
2008 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
2015 Coined on behalf of AMC IG – Unit Effectiveness Inspection
2021 Coined on behalf of AMC IG – Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection
2024 Coined on behalf of NGB/SG – Foundational Readiness Inspection
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS [optional for all]
MS Children’s Museum Partners Steering Committee
Mississippi State University Veteran’s Advisory Group
Mississippi Air National Guard Enlisted Association
Meridian Symphony Association League
Baptist Anderson Advisory Group
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION [MILITARY ONLY]
Airman First Class, 01 December 2001
Senior Airman, 07 December 2002
Staff Sergeant, 06 April 2006
Technical Sergeant, 31 July 2009
Master Sergeant, 10 September 2011
Senior Master Sergeant, 17 October 2018
(Current as of September 2025)