Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Vol. 9, No. 4
Joint Base Charleston: ‘Launch Point For The Nation's Resolve’
February 16, 2018
Active-duty Marines incorporate combat experience into USMC Reserve training Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Approximately 90 U.S. Marine Corps reservists completed routine training at the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Training Center here Feb. 11, sharpening Military Occupation Specialty specific requirements. Nine active-duty U.S. Marines, Detachment 3 Supply Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 451, facilitated the training by teaching the technical aspects of motor transport and sharing their real experiences in a combat environment. Part of the training focused on was planning a tactical convoy operation. “A handful of these Marines, including myself, have been deployed and have participated in a mission brief,” said U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Justin Golden, Det. 3 Supply Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 451. “Today’s brief was centered on the terrain model. We reviewed everyone’s position in the convoy. We discussed the routes, security elements, the overall mission and everything the Marines would be doing as part of the convoy.” U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Austin Sedicavage, Det. 3 Supply Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 451, said although these briefings may challenge some Marines, understanding how to plan for real-world operations is critical. “For Marines who aren’t experienced with convoys, it’s a new skill with a steep learning curve,” said Sedicavage. “If we said ‘hey, we need you to go here,’ and that’s it, they wouldn’t know anything else. That’s being thrown to the wolves or being in the dark. By planning [convoy operations] we’re eliminating the possibility of human error.” U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Mathaniel Sweet, Detachment 3 Supply Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 451 During the training, Marines used rocks and shrubbery to motor transportation technician, practices briefing a simulated tactical convoy operation as part of a three day training event identify landmarks on a simulated convoy route. While using a at Joint Base Charleston’s Weapons Station Feb. 11, in South Carolina. U.S. Marine Corps reservists train with active-duty map the Marines took turns briefing certain aspects of the mis- Marines at Joint Base Charleston’s U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Training Center to maintain combat readiness and increase sion. Military Occupational Specialty skills. “Laying out a terrain model with everyone’s tasks gives everybody a clear picture,” said Golden. “There shouldn’t be any questions about where we’re know we’re capable and competent enough.” U.S. Marine Corps reservists can be deployed anywhere in the world where terrain can vary. going and what we’re doing when we get there. It’s really helpful to everyone.” Sedicavage appreciates the quality of the training, emphasizing the real-world experiences Golden explained, even though their job centers on logistics they could be “promoted” to infantry at any given time. and care the instructors incorporate into the criteria takes the experience to a higher level. “These Marines are motor transport but they need to understand they may have to fight,” said “The instructors we have are combat veterans,” said Sedicavage. “They understand it, they’ve experienced it. They want to ensure we can implement what we learn during our annu- Golden. “There’s a structure we have to follow to make sure everything goes as smooth as posal training because we might be in a situation one day where they aren’t there. They want to sible. The training is realistic because if these Marines deploy, they will face these situations.”
Mobility, Contingency Response Airmen team-up during Exercise Crescent Moon Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
NORTH AUXILIARY AIRFIELD, S.C. – Airmen of the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, here, and 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey., combined capabilities and shared assets during Exercise Crescent Moon from Jan. 29 to Jan. 31. The mobility exercise tested the airmen’s ability to operate in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment. Lt. Col. Mike Durband, 321st Contingency Response Squadron commander, said North Auxiliary Airfield is an ideal location to conduct training like this, providing a quality environment and a chance to build upon partnerships. “The Joint Base Charleston Airmen and CRW Airmen have worked together all over the world,” said Durband. ”So Joint Base Charleston is a natural location. It’s a place we’re used to and we like to come here to continue our relationship.” The exercise tested Mobility and Contingency Response Airmen’s readiness to conduct mobility operations in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment. Participants were required to complete airfield tasks during Mission Oriented Protective Posture levels and while wearing personal protective equipment.
Aircrews from the 437th AW provided C-17 Globemaster III airlift support to add realism to the training experience for Airmen on the ground. Airmen were required to load cargo on-and-off a simulated contaminated aircraft safely while in MOPP level 4, a level where Airmen are required to wear all PPE. “For the 621st CRW, we provided a realistic environment where a plane actually came in, assault landed quickly, exited the runway and opened up to receive an on-load,” said 1st Lt. Dennis Parker, 14th Airlift Squadron U.S. Air Force Airman Dalton Degeneffe, 321st Contingency executive officer and exercise partici- Response Squadron, 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint pant. “It was definitely a challenge for Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, participates in both teams to operate under the limit- Exercise Crescent Moon Jan. 30, at Joint Base Charleston’s ed communication ability which is North Auxiliary Airfield near Orangeburg, South Carolina. To incurred in that environment. This maintain readiness, Airmen from the 621st CRW trained with airallowed them to experience and know crews from the 437th Airlift Wing to conduct mobility operations in a simulated chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear enviwhat they might be dealing with.” ronment. See more photos at www.jbcharleston.jb.mil. Staff Sgt. John Lee and Senior Airman Paul Chavis, both of the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management, set up a Contamination Control Area, providing Contingency Response Airmen an opportunity to get hands-on training. Lee and Chavis also provided instruction, if needed, and evaluated the Airmen’s proficiency during the decontamination process. “If they get ‘dirty’ in a contaminated environment the CCA is designed to help them get clean and safe,” said Chavis. “Learning the best practices through this exercise is going to help them in the long run. This is very important in terms of the mission and making sure we’re doing it safely. This CCA helps them do their jobs safely and securely without being contaminated.” From transporting cargo to decontaminating themselves, Airmen of the 621st CRW sharpened their skills during Exercise Crescent Moon alongside aircrews from the 437th Airlift Wing. “Other units have supported us and now it’s our turn to give back and support them in their training,” said Parker. “Now Airmen involved in both ground and air aspects of the fight know the difficulties and how to overcome them in these types of environments.” “Being able to operate in a simulated CBRN An Airman from the 321st Contingency Response environment, the Airmen learn and reinforce their Squadron, 621st Contingency Response Wing, training,” said Durband. “It really builds confi- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, pardence. You can tell they’re a little unsure in the ticipates in Exercise Crescent Moon Jan. 30, at Joint beginning but, by the end, they’re operating and Base Charleston’s North Auxiliary Airfield near doing their job. The CRW is proving it out here.” Orangeburg, South Carolina.
INSIDE
USCG JAMES Cutter has eventful 2017 See page 2
NATO VISIT PA members meet Airmen See page 2
HOME AGAIN! 437th MXG and 15th AS return See page 8
Next Issue of the Patriot: March 2, 2018
Weekend Weather Update for Joint Base Charleston, SC Friday, February 16 Partly Cloudy
(10% precip)
High 81º / Low 57º
Saturday, February 17 Mostly Cloudy
(10% precip)
High 69º / Low 55º
Sunday, February 18 Partly Cloudy
(10% precip)
High 70º / Low 56º
Extended Forecast Mon. - February 19 76°/ 60° - Mostly Cloudy (20%) Tue. - February 20 80°/ 64° - Partly Cloudy (10%) Wed. - February 21 80°/ 61° - AM Showers (40%) Thur. - February 22 77°/ 59° - Partly Cloudy (20%) Fri. - February 23 76°/ 58° - AM Clouds/PM Sun (20%)
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