02-11-2011 The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

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Joint Base Charleston

Patriot Vol. 2, No. 6

Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!

Friday, February 11, 2011

JB CHS supports the war fighters By Airman Jared Trimarchi Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Team members of Joint Base Charleston delivered 40 pallets containing Low-Cost, Low-Velocity parachutes to Kandahar, Afghanistan for the first time Jan. 29. The LCLV parachutes, used with a Low-Cost Container are a one-time use, expendable parachute system that are a part of the Low Cost Aerial Delivery Systems program created by the U.S. Army. The parachutes deliver mission essential supplies such as gas, ammunition and food to troops in rough terrain and isolated locations. "LCLV parachutes allow planes to fly at a low altitude and deliver on-the-spot supplies to troops who are in hostile locations," said Bobby Robinson assistant operations officer from the 437th Aerial Port Squadron. "These airdrops bring the supplies closer to the troops and lowers the risk of IED attacks by taking convoys off dangerous roads. In Afghanistan, the air delivery system is being stepped up and JB CHS is supplying these parachutes." LCLV parachutes are made of woven polypropylene fabric which closely resembles the material used for sand bags, Mr. Robinson said. "LCLV parachutes look like a big Hefty bag flying in mid-air," he said. "But they are revolutionary because they are easy to make, affordable and durable. They drop from a low altitude of about 500 to 1,250 feet and can deliver to any rough location." Due to the immediate need of LCLV parachutes, JB CHS will supply approximately 2,500 pallets, each containing 12 LCLV parachutes, within the next four to five months using C-17s, C-5s and contracted 747s, in order to support war efforts in Afghanistan. "It's really rewarding to know I'm part of an important mission getting troops critical supplies," said Senior Airman David May, Air Transportation journeyman from the 437 APS, who loads the pallets from the warehouse to the aircrafts. The parachutes were made because of the high cost involved in the previous G-12 parachute and the A-22 container delivery system. The A-22 system was made to be reusable, but because of the location of the drops, they were hard to recover. The new system costs 55 percent less and is designed to be expendable, Mr. Robinson said. LCLV parachutes have a descent velocity of less than 28 feet per second and can carry a load of up to 2,200 pounds.

INSIDE NEW ARRIVAL Latest C-17 lands in Charleston See page 6

DENTAL HEALTH Saving Sailors smiles See page 8

YOU GOT TALENT!

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Trimarchi

Staff Sgt. Richard Maines, Air Transportation craftsman from the 437th Aerial Port Squadron, loads a pallet containing 12 Low-Cost, Low-Velocity parachutes onto a contracted 747. The parachutes are used to deliver critical supplies to troops in isolated locations worldwide.

About 42 pallets, or 504 LCLV parachutes, can fit inside one C-17. The parachutes will also be shipped in larger quantities by sea. Airman May enjoys loading the pallets of LCLV parachutes and compares them to loading any other pallet, but with a greater reward, he said. "We work in rain or shine, just like our fellow Airmen overseas," said Airman May. "I've been deployed before and I'm proud to help those who are fighting for our country, especially in remote forward operating bases. The new parachutes are taking away from the risks of IEDs and are saving lives."

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Chisholm

Air Force Assistance Fund drive in full swing Joint Base Charleston commander, Col. Martha Meeker takes time to donate to the Air Force Assistance Fund drive. The AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need. These organizations are the Air Force Villages, Inc., the Air Force Aid Society, Inc., the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc.

Medical Group announces temporary closings

See page 12

The 628th Medical Group will close Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. and re-open Feb. 21 for normal business hours. The Immunizations clinic will be closed Feb. 11 to relocate within the Medical Group. The clinic will re-open at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at its new loca-

Goodbye Commander's Access Channel Courtesy of Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

Courtesy photo

Local stars debut

Multiple Low Velocity Low Cost Aerial Delivery System bundles begin to descend to a preset drop zone at a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan July 16, 2010. The supplies delivered will replenish ground forces with water, food and other items needed to help sustain their living conditions.

tion next to Radiology. Anyone needing immunizations on Feb. 11 for a short notice deployment should go to the Family Health Clinic front desk for assistance. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Jessica Johnson at 963-6714.

Joint Base Charleston Facebook Now Live!

The Joint Base Charleston Commander's Access Channel is going the way of the telegram, fax machine and other outdated technologies. The channel will be cut off Feb. 18. Once a mainstay at almost every military facility around the world, the CAC provided base information via a designated channel on televisions in barracks, temporary lodging rooms and any place a television was connected to the military base's cable service. Today, base public affairs offices and other agencies use email, social networking media and base websites to provide emergency information to the base population. Recent surveys of Airmen continually show the CAC is not a useful tool to reach the intended internal audiences. Five of the 13 Air Mobility Command bases have already phased out their respective CACs.

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