February 19 - March 4, 2016 - The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

Page 1

Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Patriot

Vol. 7, No. 4

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

February 19, 2016

Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton honors legacy By Ens. Brittany Zirulnick, USCG USCG Hamilton (WMSL 753)

The Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society and the Navy League of the United States-Charleston Council, held a commemoration ceremony onboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton on Jan. 29, 2016. The event, held while the cutter was moored at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, honored the former Treasuryclass Cutter Alexander Hamilton (WPG 34), which was sunk by a German U-Boat during World War II. Coast Guard Capt. Scott Clendenin, Hamilton's commanding officer, began the festivities by recounting the story of how the former cutter Alexander Hamilton was torpedoed off the coast of Iceland during WWII on that exact day to the hour, 74 years earlier. The attack resulted in the loss of 26 coast guardsmen. The audience of approximately 200 included a mix of veterans, active duty military members, civilians, Citadel cadets, historians, the news media and the fifth great grandson of Alexander Hamilton, Doug Hamilton. "Hamilton crewmembers today bear the responsibility of living up to the legacy of service and sacrifice for our nation demonstrated by legions of cuttermen before us; like the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alexander Hamilton who we gather to honor once again today," Clendenin said. Aron Arngrimsson, a dive team member from Iceland, visited the Alexander Hamilton several years ago at its resting place, 28 miles off the coast of Iceland and 311 feet below the surface. While there, Arngrimsson placed a plaque aboard the undersea monument. During the ceremony, the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society presented an exact replica of the plaque to be prominently mounted in the new Hamilton. Arngrimsson attended the event representing the deep sea dive team and presented the ship with a glove that actually touched the ship as he mounted the plaque during his deep sea dive.

USCG photo / PO1 Lehmann

Rand Sholet, president, Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society (far left), presents Capt. Scott Clendenin, USCG Hamilton (WMSL 753), commanding officer (center), with a full size replica of the plaque mounted on the Treasury-class Cutter Alexander Hamilton (WPG 34), which was sunk by a German U-Boat during World War II. Others in attendance (from left to right), Doug Hamilton, fifth great grandson of Alexander Hamilton (left); Dave Downey, Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society and Aron Arngrimsson, dive team member. The ceremony was held onboard the USCG Hamilton (WMSL 753) while moored at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center on January 29, 2016.

The last known Alexander Hamilton survivor, 96-yearold Larry Bradley, was linked with the crew and attendees via SKYPE from his home in California. "Watching two generations of cuttermen interact virtually so that Mr. Bradley could tell his WWII sea stories was inspiring," Clendenin shared after the event.

Also part of the ceremony, Captain Pat Keaveny (USN, ret), president of the Navy League of the United StatesCharleston Council, presented Clendenin with an official Navy League certificate of adoption. The adoption formalized the Charleston Council's commitment to enhance the spirits and support the Hamilton's crew and their families.

Responses to questions posed at recent 628 ABW Commander's Call Lowcountry Warriors, After our 628th Wing Commander's Call last week, we captured a number of themes from the questions you asked via the smartphone app we used. We compiled those into the questions that follow, and I asked the subject matter experts across the wing to compile some brief answers. Our leadership team wanted to share those responses with you. Best regards, Robert Lyman, Colonel, USAF Commander, Joint Base Charleston

***Q&A***

Q1: How are decisions made about which units get First Sergeants? A1: First Sergeant 101210 AF Manpower Standard lists the manpower matrix that determines if a unit earns a First Sergeant. This was recently revised 18 September 2015 with some significant changes. Across JB CHS some units no longer earned a first sergeant according to the manpower standard. However, we were able to combine squadrons with the end result of no loss of first sergeant billets assigned to JBC. If a unit earns a first sergeant there are several factors considered when assigning a First Sergeant to a unit. - How long have they been a first sergeant? We typically send brand new first sergeants to a smaller unit to gain experience before sending them to a larger unit. - What unit has the greatest need? Each unit is assigned a priority based mainly on overall members assigned. The 628th and 437th Command Chiefs reviewed and validated the priorities.

SC licenses still valid ID at JB Charleston

INSIDE

Many Joint Base Charleston Team members have seen articles on various news outlets and social media regarding state identification cards no longer being valid for federal installations. The current South Carolina State driver's license will still be accepted as an authorized form of identification at Joint Base Charleston. The Department of Defense has not yet released a timeline for implementation of a REAL ID Act policy; therefore, until Headquarters Air Force provides further guidance, visitors will continue to be vetted in the same manner using the same authorized forms of identification. The Joint Base Charleston Visitor Control Center will advertise in advance when/if requirements change. For any further information, contact Security Forces Plans & Programs section at (843) 963-3623.

There is a resolution

COMPLAINT? Page 2

- We try not to assign a First Sergeant to a unit for which they have an AFSC. For example we typically won't send a SNCO with a 3P AFSC back to the SF squadron. - Additionally, based on personality of the First Sergeant, Commander, Chief and unit the CCM tries to assign the First Sergeant that would be the best fit for that unit. - Timing of when we have inbound First Sergeants is also a factor.

meetings, they do a drive-around on the joint base evaluating any potential problem areas. For crosswalks in particular, they look for proper painting/striping, lighting where appropriate, visibility limitations due to trees/blind spots, and other factors. When there is a troublesome location, they can install mitigating measures, such as traffic safety bollards (reflective stanchions) in the middle of the crosswalk. Most recently, they worked with the Medical Group facility manQ2: What mental health support is ager, as well as our Civil Engineers, to install available for our civilians? mitigating measures at two crosswalks on A2: Services through the Military & Arthur Drive. If you have any concerns Col. Rob Lyman Family Life Counselor (MFLC) are availabout crosswalks or any input for our Base Joint Base Charleston commander able if the civilian is a dependent of a miliTraffic Council, please contact Lt Col Ralph tary member. We have MFLC's that specialize in school-age "E.T." Taylor at 963-2200 or e-mail: ralph.taylor.1@us.af.mil. youth, children, and adults. Those in need of an MFLC can Q5: What is the status of projects to repair the playcontact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 843-9634406 or the Navy Fleet and Family Center at 843-794-7480. grounds on the AB? GS employees in crisis can be escorted to the Mental Health A5: There are two playground projects underway right now Clinic (MHC) for a risk assessment and disposition. Referral on the Air Base (including Hunley Park). The playground can then be made to off base care within the network of their near the Youth Center (ADA compliant) is under repairs and health insurance. The bottom line is that Mental Health sees any will be complete in the May/June 2016 timeframe. There is a patient who presents themselves to the clinic; they do not turn new playground going in just south of the Forest City (FC) any patient away until an evaluation has been made. Community Center (project sponsored by FC) which will be When there is a suspicion of a substance use problem, GS complete in the Mar/Apr timeframe. As a part of this same employees may voluntarily participate in a full assessment in project, FC will be refurbishing the flooring of the Hunley ADAPT to determine diagnosis and level of care. We will Park playground...also to be completed in the Mar/Apr timeassist in finding a treatment facility and make the phone call frame. The playground off Touhey Blvd is going to get some to get them connected. resurfacing work done and that project is set to be completed Although these services are not available to contract per- by the end of March. sonnel we will consult with their supervisor or commander Q6: Where can I go to learn more about Palmetto and make recommendations in situations where there is immiScholars Academy and other local school options? nent risk of harm to self or others. A6: JB Charleston employs a full-time School Liaison Q3: What additional arming policies are being consid- Officer (SLO) that can assist families with understanding their ered at JB CHS? school options and help them work through school-related A3: SFS has instituted weekly arming of select back office issues. Our SLO is Ms. Sharon Gardner who can be contacted staff personnel as a force protection random antiterrorism at (843) 963-4438. Palmetto Scholars Academy on the Air measure. The Mission Assurance Working Group (MAWG) is Base officially opened this month, Feb 2016. It is a school for reviewing options for isolated facilities to request open carry grades 6-12 with a maximum population of 504 students. arming of M9 under the unit marshal program. The MAWG is Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year lottery, there is a also reviewing concealed arming with privately owned 20 percent "set-aside" for children of military members stafirearms for off-duty security forces members assigned to JB tioned at JB Charleston. More information on PSA can be CHS under authority of LEOSA. Additionally, SFS investiga- found at www.palmettoscholarsacademy.org or you can tors are arming up daily with an open carry M9 while on-duty. always contact the SLO. Q4: What is the status of risk mitigation efforts at our crosswalks? A4: The Base Traffic Safety Engineering Coordination Group (BTSECG or Base Traffic Council) is constantly evaluating our crosswalks to ensure the safety of our pedestrians. The Base Traffic Council meets regularly and prior to their

Meetings planned for Feb. 22 & 25

TOWN HALL Page 3

Questions and answers

ZIKA VIRUS

Next Issue of the Patriot: March 4, 2016

From the 628th Air Base Wing

Page 6

Q7: Is there a plan to renovate locker rooms in the base gyms? A7: Projects have been submitted and prioritized for the locker rooms at both the AB & WS Fitness Centers. The scope of these projects includes replacing the showers, See Commander’s Call, Page 3

WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

Friday, Feb. 19

(0% precip)

High 62º Low 44º

Saturday, Feb. 20

(0% precip)

High 71º Low 50º

Extended Forecast

Partly Cloudy

Sunday, Feb. 21

(0% precip)

High 74º Low 54º

Mon. - Feb. 22 72°/54° - Cloudy (20%) Tue. - Feb. 23 67°/52° - Thunderstorms (80%) Wed. - Feb. 24 60°/39° - AM Thunderstorms (80%) Thur. - Feb. 25 56°/35° - Sunny (10%) Fri. - Feb. 26 59°/37° - Mostly Sunny (0%)

See Joint Base Charleston at www.Facebook/TeamCharleston - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO

MAGENTA-OAOO

YELLOW-OOAO

BLACK 01/29/08


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.