Joint Base Charleston
Patriot
Vol. 2, No. 8
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, February 25, 2011
333rd Fighter Squadron takes over Joint Base Charleston By Trisha Gallaway Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Seeing a C-17 in the sky over Charleston is nothing new, but as of Feb. 19, chances are people began to notice a different type of aircraft as well; a much smaller, sleeker and louder aircraft. The 333rd Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina began the process of landing 13 of their F-15E Strike Eagle's here at Joint Base Charleston in preparation for a weeklong exercise. The 333 FS is part of the 4th Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB and has a very important mission. "The wing's mission is two-fold," said Lt. Col. David Moeller, the 333 FS director of operations. "We have operational squadron's there that fly combat missions pretty much on a regular basis. Then you have two squadron's that provide formal training instruction to new students so they can be initial qualified in the F-15, and we are one of the squadrons that provide that initial qualification for the aircrew." Much like the pilots who fly the C-17, F-15 pilots must undergo initial training in the aircraft. This weeklong exercise is the culmination of eight months of training for the 22 pilots and weapon systems officers in the class. "The training is really the capstone event of the syllabus for our students," Colonel Moeller said. "The training allows the new students to bring together everything they've learned in the past eight months into an environment that is representative of what they would see over in Afghanistan." While deployed in Afghanistan, the F-15E's primary role is to provide close-air support for ground troops. In addition to the 22 students, there are also instructors who are going through mission commander upgrade. According to the F-15E fact sheet, the aircraft operates with two crew members, the pilot and a weapons systems officer. The aircraft has the capability to fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions and then fight its way out. The Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-
INSIDE AIRMEN Receive March promotions See page 4
315 AW Delivers humanitarian supplies See page 5
17 AS
Deploying Airmen See page 8
WINGMAN DAY A day of caring See page 9
air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the aircraft the capability to fight at low altitudes, day or night, in all weather. The 333 FS coordinates and executes this training exercise twice a year, and if things go well, the squadron would like to return to Charleston in the future. "The infrastructure here is great, it's well tailored to what we need and the training air space is very nice," said Colonel Moeller. "As long as we don't generate too much noise, we would like to come back." With endless possibilities for training locations, Charleston topped the list for two main reasons. "The first [reason] is Charleston's proximity to the overwater training ranges that allow us to practice our air-to-air training as well as the proximity to the air-toground training ranges, which allow us to practice [dropping simulated bombs on simulated targets] similar to how the folks would be employing over in Afghanistan," said Colonel Moeller. "The second is the proximity to Seymour Johnson. In case something happens we have options available to fix the jet if we need to." Lt. Col. Jefferson O'Donnell, the 333 FS commander says operating out of Joint Base Charleston provides a glimpse of the Air Force in a bigger picture. "Although our focus is training F-15E pilots and weapons system operators for the combat Air Force, operating at Charleston AFB enhances people and mission across a greater spectrum: maintainers; aircrew flight equipment; petroleum, oils and lubricants flight; air traffic controllers; security forces and the Jacksonville F-15C unit with whom we're integrating," said Colonel O'Donnell. "It stretches us and provides a glimpse of big Air Force that most of us don't see day-to-day." While the 437th Airlift Wing and the 4th Fighter Wing have very different missions, the end goal is the common denominator; supporting the warfighter on the ground in Afghanistan. "I'm personally grateful to the Joint Base Charleston leadership, Airmen and local community who hosted the 333 FS and trusted us to be good stewards of their time and resources," said Colonel O'Donnell.
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor
Senior Airman Matthew Sims awaits the O.K. from a pilot before removing the cockpit support on the flight line Feb. 23 on Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. The F-15E Strike Eagle can reach speeds up to 1,875 miles per hour for more than 2,000 miles. Airman Sims is a crew chief with the 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. See more photos on Page 12.
Joint Base Charleston inducts Honorary Commanders By Thomas Kistler Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
process," Ms. Kelly said. "It's not just getting in a truck and going away. There are so many details involved that can be as simple as putting on an outfit or gathering gear. It's interesting to see from a civilian point of view because we don't ever think about what goes on behind the scenes. We just see troops getting into a truck and driving away." Following their training, the inductees boarded a bus and were taken to the flightline to board their aircraft for the "flight" to their deployed location. While the aircraft remained stationery
with engines off, the Honorary Commanders had the opportunity to dine on an in-flight meal and learn about the capabilities of the C-17 More than 30 area business people and commuGlobemaster III aircraft. nity leaders became Honorary Commanders of "It's amazing to understand what goes on various Air Force and Navy organizations at Joint around the base. It's pretty awesome! I'm looking Base Charleston, Feb. 22. forward to learning more," said Don Kassing, Honorary Commanders serve a one-year term Aspire 2 Consulting president and honorary comand are charged with learning about the U.S. milimander for the Naval Consolidated Brig tary and the unit to which they are assigned, parCharleston. "The whole joint base process is fasciticipating in their military unit's social and cerenating; how the different branches of the military monial activities, and sharing their are now working together. I'm looking forexperiences with their family, ward to an exciting year and getting to meet friends and colleagues. more Airmen and Sailors." After meeting their active duty The evening concluded when Col. commander counterparts, the civic Martha Meeker, the joint base commander, leaders proceeded to a deployment and Col. John Wood, 437th Airlift Wing line where they received equipcommander administered the oath of office ment for their "deployment" such to the new Honorary Commanders. as body armor, helmets and canBill Moody, a retired certified public teens, before receiving chemical accountant and 628th Air Base Wing warfare and first aid training. Honorary Commander, said, "It's important "I knew it was going to be as to understand the relationship civilians have real and as live as they can make it with the military. Every one of these for civilians. It's been pretty interHonorary Commanders will go back to their esting," said Michelle Kelly, direcjobs and their communities and say, 'wow let U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor tor of sales, Clear Channel Radio, me tell you what I saw today on the Air Col. Martha Meeker, left, and Col. John Wood, administer the oath of Charleston. Ms. Kelly is the office to the new Honorary Commanders on board a C-17 Globemaster Force base.' That's our job, to go back to the Honorary Commander for the III Feb. 22 on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. More than 30 local area busi- community and say, 'you might not know 14th Airlift Squadron. ness people and community leaders became Honorary Commanders this but the men and women who are serving "People don't realize there are a of various Air Force and Navy organizations at Joint Base Charleston. do so much for us, thank them. That's our hundred steps to the deployment See more photos on Page 12. mission as Honorary Commanders."
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