Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Vol. 9, No. 5
Joint Base Charleston: ‘Launch Point For The Nation's Resolve’
March 2, 2018
Exercise strengthens worldwide deployment capabilities
U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Allison Payne
Airmen participating in mobility exercise Bold Eagle are issued individual personal protection equipment Feb. 27, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Participants were required to process through a personnel deployment function line, receive necessary gear including personal protection equipment, and prepare cargo for transport through a cargo deployment function. The two-phase exercise consists of a deployment and practical phase where participants and support elements are responsible for simulating the deployment of more than 320 service members, approximately 80 short-tons of cargo and practicing their ability to survive and operate in a deployed environment. See more photos, Pages 6-7.
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – The 437th Airlift Wing and 628th Air Base Wing teamed up during mobility exercise Bold Eagle, testing their ability to rapidly deploy and operate in a contested environment. The two phase exercise began Feb. 20, with Airmen receiving notification to simulate deployment Feb. 26. Ronald Burgess, Joint Base Charleston’s installation deployment officer, is responsible for the deployment of service members and cargo to fulfill tasks all over the world. Burgess described how the personnel deployment function is important in ensuring Airmen can deploy quickly without losing efficiency. “One of the reasons we like to have exercises like these is to test for issues and to see what shortfalls we may have,” said Burgess. “We give [service members] the training they need so that when we send people downrange, they have everything they need.” Phase I of the exercise tested the joint base’s ability to rapidly deploy more than 320 people and 80 short-tons of equipment. One of the major components of the first phase included processing Airmen through a personnel deployment function line. “The PDF line is designed to streamline the process as much as possible,” said Master Sgt. Phillip Reblin, 628th LRS logistics plan superintendent and exercise evaluator. “Airmen will
see all the individual providers whether it be medical, legal or the chaplain. The intent is to bring all the support agencies together and provide a one-stop shop so Airmen deploying can go through the line and do a lot of their pre-deployment checklist. Once they finish the line, everything is done. They have their orders and equipment and are ready to deploy.” Airman 1st Class Andrew Brewer, 628th LRS individual protection equipment journeyman, supported exercise participants by issuing IPE in the PDF line and said the process was a good experience. “I think our unit did pretty well getting ready for it,” said Brewer. “I’ve never done it before. It helps me in the sense that I know what to expect when something like this actually comes up or in case we have another exercise.” Aside from prepping for deployment, other Airmen ensured the safe transport of essential cargo. Certain types of equipment are necessary for Airmen to operate effectively downrange. “We have the cargo deployment function,” said Burgess. “Airmen process the cargo from all the units, checking to make sure they’re air worthy to put onto the chalks and load onto the aircraft.” Staff Sgt. Harry Carnell, 437th Aerial Port Squadron and exercise evaluator, said the exercise provides Airmen a unique opportunity to practice performing their jobs under circumstances they might not usually see. “I’ve been deployed seven times,” said Carnell. “This is one way to show [Airmen] how a large-scale deployment
could be done if something really serious happened. They’re going to be challenged with extended hours and they’re going to get an experience that can help them in the future.” Airmen completed Phase I of the exercise, identifying challenges in the joint base’s deployment process, and helped bolster its efficiency for real-world operations. From prepping Airmen to moving cargo, Phase I completed half of Bold Eagle’s curriculum, leading into the exercise. Phase II of the exercise is focused on testing the ability of participants to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment, as well as other scenarios. "This exercise is a crucial step in ensuring our service members are equipped with the knowledge and experience to deploy quickly if needed," said U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Hudson, INSIDE Joint Base Charleston deputy commander. "The events this week tested our deployment processes at all levels, from those preparing to head overseas to the personnel and functions supporting our men and women here locally. Exercising and testing these capabilities ensures we are in a Sailor shares constant state of vigilance and journey to health readiness." See page 2
628th SFS Airmen partake in Phoenix Raven tryouts Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Allison Payne Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Ten Airmen with the 628th Security Forces Squadron tried out for positions as Phoenix Ravens Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Former Air Mobility Command Commander, Gen. Walter Kross, implemented the Phoenix Raven program in February 1997. The program consists of specially trained security forces members responsible for providing security to AMC aircraft transiting high threat areas. The two-day tryouts pushed Airmen to their physical and emotional limits through various physical training exercises. After hours of rigorous PT, also known as ‘smoke sessions’, candidates are expected to apply learned striking techniques in the RedMan qualification bouts. RedMan Training Gear is worn
by the Phoenix Raven instructors. The training suits, a vibrant red color, protect the instructors from strikes delivered by Phoenix Raven candidates. The ‘RedMan’ challenges Airmen to call on their defense skills and allows instructors to see who has the desire for the career field. The attrition rate for this training was 50 percent. “The idea with these tryouts is to take a course the schoolhouse designed and get the candidates through a mirror program,” said Staff Sgt. Jarred Alford, 628th SFS Phoenix Raven team lead. “This way, when candidates leave Charleston for the next step of training, they have an idea of what to expect at school and are more mentally prepared.” The Phoenix Raven program mission, according to AMC, is to ensure an acceptable level of close-in security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is either unknown, or additional security is needed to counter local threats. Phoenix Ravens are sometimes placed in high-stress situations, which is why it is essential for candidates to display resiliency and mental stability. “Being able to maintain mental toughness is crucial,” said Alford. “Your mind goes before your body. Without mental toughness, you give up on yourself before your body does. When I went through training, my teammates never quit on me so I never quit on them. We look for the same in our candidates.” Since the program’s foundation, Phoenix Raven teams from within the AMC have conducted more than 6,000 missions around the world combating terrorism. These teams work on all types of AMC airlift missions including theater support missions, contingencies, exercises and deployments. “There were many times I thought I couldn’t do it anymore,” said Airman 1st Class Caleb Gunter, 628th SFS installation entry controller. “I couldn’t quit on my team. Even though this training was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I really enjoyed the experience.” Once completing the course, new Phoenix Ravens receive their patch and a distinct member
INSPIRATION
PORTRAITS
Base celebrates Black History Month See page 8
RECOGNITION 437th AW honors award winners See page 11
Next Issue of the Patriot: March 16, 2018
Staff Sgt. George Carty, 628th Security Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven, demonstrates proper striking techniques to Phoenix Raven candidates Jan. 31, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. After hours of rigorous PT, candidates are expected to apply learned striking techniques in the RedMan Training Gear. The gear, worn by the Phoenix Raven instructors, are suits in vibrant red color, protecting the instructors from strikes delivered by Phoenix Raven candidates. More photos at www.jbcharleston.jb.mil.
number based on the order in which they were accepted into the unit. “These tryouts gave me a better sense of what Ravens are made of,” said Senior Airman Gunter. “I may not be at their level yet but I’m going to keep pushing to get there. Ravens are constantly under pressure but are still able to make the mission happen because pain is only temporary. You just have to keep telling yourself that you can make it, and if you truly have the drive for it, you will.” The attrition rate for this training was 50 percent. According to Alford, the success rate of those sent to the schoolhouse is 100 percent. “This training really pushed me to my limits,” said Gunter. “The experience and comradery really humbled me as a person. There were moments that sucked, but at the end of the day those moments build you as a person and show you who you are and what you’re made of.”
Weekend Weather Update for Joint Base Charleston, SC Friday, March 2 Mostly Sunny/Windy (0% precip)
High 68º / Low 41º
Saturday, March 3 Sunny (0% precip)
High 63º / Low 39º
Sunday, March 4 Sunny
(0% precip)
High 62º / Low 38º
Extended Forecast Mon. - March 5 64°/ 44° - Partly Cloudy (0%) Tue. - March 6 71°/ 46° - Partly Cloudy (10%) Wed. - March 7 66°/ 43° - Mostly Sunny (0%) Thur. - March 8 63°/ 41° - Sunny (10%) Fri. - March 9 65°/ 47° - Partly Cloudy (0%)
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