03-09-2012 The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

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Joint Base Charleston

Patriot Vol. 3, No. 10

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

Friday, March 9, 2012

628th SFS tops in AMC

Climbing high

By Staff Sgt. Nicole Mickle Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Air Mobility Command officials named Joint Base Charleston's 628th Security Forces Squadron the Outstanding Active Duty Large Security Forces Unit in the 2011 Security Forces Unit Awards announced Feb. 29. "Reading the litany of outstanding individual and unit accomplishments in the award submission left no doubt in my mind that this recognition would not pass the 628th SFS Defenders by," said Col. Richard McComb, Joint Base Charleston commander. "Thank you, SFS members, for representing this wing and this installation in such a superb manner." The squadron earned an outstanding rating in AMC during the 2011 Operational Readiness Inspection, the first in more than two years. They prepared for the ORI by participating in three fly-away mobility exercises where they made zero major errors. During the 2011 Joint Base Charleston Air Show, 600 law enforcements officers ensured the safety of more than 80,000 spectators, 20,000 vehicles and $1.5 billion in joint assets. Their efforts were a significant reason the Air Force Thunderbirds awarded JB Charleston the "Best Air Show in 2011." The 628th SFS grew during the Joint Base initiative last year. They successfully implemented a joint mission organization chart that added 491 active duty and civilians as well as an $80 million budget, 20 functions and two locations with a total of 23,000 acres. "Security Forces members have a tradition of persevering through difficult times," said Capt. Matthew Foisy, 628th SFS operations officer. "Over the past year I have been amazed at how our Airmen, Sailors and civilians have adapted to the challenges of joint basing, tougher work schedules and a continued fast paced deployment schedule. With all that was thrown at them, they still managed to stay on target and earn an outstanding rating during the 2011 ORI. The 628th SFS Defenders truly lived up to our motto of "Ready ... Willing ... Able!" The 628th SFS will represent AMC in the up-coming Air Force-level competition.

Air Base housing scheduled for water main flushing Courtesy of Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

U.S. Navy photo / Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Hudson

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Swab climbs a radio/cell tower to conduct repairs on the grounding system that was damaged due to lightning at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base March 6. Swab is a 628th Communications Squadron RF transmission systems non-commissioned officer in charge.

The 628th Civil Engineer Squadron will conduct water main flushing in the main base housing and Air Base work facilities at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base from March 19 through May 4. During this time, housing residents may notice a discoloration in their water. This can be corrected by running your bathtub faucet or running your empty washing machine through a cycle. For questions or concerns, contact the 628th CES at 963-2392.

15th Airlift Squadron returns home By Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs More than 130 Airmen from the 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing returned home from a 120-day deployment to Southwest Asia when

Weekend Weather Update Charleston, SC Friday, March 9 Mostly Cloudly (0% precip)

High 77º Low 50º

Saturday, March 10 AM Clouds/ PM Sun

U.S. Air Force phot / Airman 1st Class George Goslin

Lisa Rahn, wife of Lt. Col. Curtis Rahn, waits outside the Joint Base Charleston Passenger Terminal for the return of the 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing March 6. More than 130 Airmen from the 15th AS returned home from their 120-day deployment to Southwest Asia to reunite with their family and friends. Lt. Col. Rahn is the 15th AS assistant flight commander.

(20% precip)

High 64º Low 49º

their aircraft touched down at Joint Base Charleston March 6. “Our squadron did a fantastic job during the deployment and it is such a relief to have everyone back safe and sound,” said Lt. Col. Rebecca Sonkiss, 15th AS commanding officer. “It still amazes me to hear how our families supported us from home, letting our Airmen safely execute the mission downrange”. Family members eagerly anticipated the moment of being reunited with their loved ones as they watched the aircraft taxi to the Passenger Terminal. “It feels great to be welcomed home as a whole group. Usually I deploy by myself,” said Master Sgt. Jadirra Wells, 15th AS first sergeant. “While still on the plane I got really excited because I could see my youngest child moving to the front of the crowd, following his brother and my loving husband.” “I was so excited I didn’t sleep all night,” said Gail Miller wife of Ret. Army Col. Robert Miller. Miller and her husband were at the Passenger Terminal to welcome Staff Sgt. Danny South, a 15th AS loadmaster whose pregnant wife couldn’t make it to the homecoming. “Homecomings have changed so much since Vietnam,” said Miller. “Today, the public welcomes the service members home with open arms and smiles.” While supporting flying operations with the C-17 Globemaster III, the 15th AS Airmen flew nearly 2,300 sorties and logged almost 6,500 combat flying hours. The men and women comprising the deployment team also performed 20 Aeromedical Evacuation Missions, transporting 39 patients. They were also instrumental in transporting 22,300 service members See Welcome Home, Page 3

Sunday, March 11

INSIDE

Partly Cloudly (20% precip)

High 71º Low 54º

CULTURE SWAP DRUG TESTING Service members host exchange students Page 4

DoD expands program Page 5

RESCUE

FORRESTAL

Short Stay staff saves fisherman

A survivor’s story

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Joint Base Charleston Facebook Now Live! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base!

CYAN-AOOO

MAGENTA-OAOO

YELLOW-OOAO

BLACK 01/29/08

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