Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 5, No. 10
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Navy Region Southeast Commander visits Joint Base Charleston
Rear Adm. Rick Williamson, Commander, Navy Region Southeast, chats with Sailors after an award ceremony March 11, 2014, at the Redbank Club on Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station, S.C. Williamson recently assumed command of NRSE and made the trip to Charleston, along with members of his staff, to learn about the benefits of joint basing and to chat with Sailors and their leadership.
See story, Page 5.
U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Clayton Cupit
FY15 President's Budget released: Commanders confident JB Charleston remains vital to US global operations From Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
INSIDE
Leaders at Joint Base Charleston-Air Base announced plans March 10, 2014, that could reduce force structure positions at the base. Those cuts would come if Congress approves the Air Force's proposal to convert eight C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from primary to back-up inventory status as laid out in the Fiscal Year 2015 Presidential Budget. These changes, which, if approved, could include the loss of one of Joint Base Charleston's four flying squadrons, reflect an Air Force-wide transition to a leaner, more costeffective force, as the U.S. draws down from the longest conflict in its history. Base leaders remain optimistic that Charleston will continue to fill a robust place in the Air Force's mission to conduct operations on the global stage. "We will, in fact, become slightly smaller, but I'm confident that the country's combat power is very capable of providing for our nation's defense," said Col. James Fontanella, 315th Airlift Wing commander. "The number of C-17s here wouldn't change under the President's budget proposal," Fontanella said. "The planes would stay on our ramp and would be allowed to be scheduled and receive maintenance, inspection and repairs. But their new status would drive a reduction in the associated manpower authorizations, because the crew ratios are tied to wartime requirements." Col. Darren Hartford, 437th Airlift Wing commander, said these proposed changes are essentially a right-sizing effort. "These changes reflect the fact that for more than a decade, we've had roughly 12 C-17s in the shop for preventative maintenance at any one time, but had manpower based on 100 percent of the aircraft being ready," Hartford said. "This move to recategorize some of the fleet would align our status with reality and, in so doing, adjust the manpower to support the combat-capable fleet." For the remaining 36 C-17s in primary inventory status, the crew ratio would reduce even further, from 4.5 to 4.0, as part of an AF-wide effort to rebalance the force in a postAfghanistan environment, Hartford said. Altogether, base leaders could expect to lose flying aircrews and the associated maintenance crews. In addition to cuts in the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings, the 628th Air Base Wing also would reduce some positions. "Our primary job here at the 628th is to support our 53 mission partners," said Col. Jeffrey DeVore, 628th Air Base Wing commander and the Joint Base's installation commander.
TUSKEGEE AIRMAN Lt. Col. Mann visits JB Charleston
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"Our authorizations correlate directly with their numbers, so a change for them often triggers an adjustment for us." According to Air Force officials, leaders from the active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and two state adjutants general, contributed to the decision process that led up to these proposed changes, with the intent of preserving capability and stability across the Total Force. The air base will continue supplying combat-ready servicemembers for the deployed mission, while supporting and conducting inter-theater airlift operations, DeVore said. Fontanella stressed the possibility of Airmen who are being cut from Active Duty, whether through force management programs or base restructuring, finding positions with the Reserve. "I encourage anyone who may be interested to consider this option. The Reserve is looking for quality people, especially as budget constraints cause the Air Force to rely on the Total Force for more of its mission," Fontanella said. Members who are interested in the Reserve can contact an on-base, Reserve recruiter at (843) 963-5358. For more information on proposed AF and DoD restructuring, As of right now, there are no significant force structure visit the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review at http:// changes proposed for the Joint Base Charleston-Naval www.defense.gov/pubs/2014_Quadrennial_Defense_Review.pdf. Weapons Station.
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Dennis Sloan
The final U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, P-223, is rolled off the Boeing assembly line and placed on the flightline during a ceremony celebrating 20 years of delivering C-17s to the U.S. Air Force Sept. 12, 2013, at Long Beach, Calif. The C-17 was flown from California to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., by pilots to include Gen. Paul Selva, Air Mobility Command commander, Lt. Gen. James Jackson, Air Force Reserve commander, and Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke, Air National Guard director. This historical event comes more than 20 years after the 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th Airlift Wing took delivery of the very first C-17 to enter the Air Force inventory June 14, 1993 and marks the successful completion of C-17 production for the U.S. Air Force.
MUDRUCKERS Reservists hit the mud pits
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DODGEBALL
628th Med Group wins challenge
Page 10
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Sunny
Friday, March 14
(0% precip)
High 63º Low 49º
Saturday, March 15
(0% precip)
High 72º Low 54º
See Joint Base Charleston on Facebook! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08
Rain & Thunder
Cloudy Sunday, March 16
(70% precip)
High 66º Low 50º