03-30-2012 The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

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Joint Base Charleston

Patriot Vol. 3, No. 12

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

Friday, March 30, 2012

(Left to right) Patrolmen Dennis McKinney, William Stevens and George Cunningham, 628th Security Forces Squadron Harbor Patrol Unit, patrol the Cooper River March 13. 628th SFS personnel are working to create new guidelines for the Harbor Patrol Unit at Joint Base Charleston that will satisfy both Air Force and Navy requirements for waterfront security operations. McKinney, Stevens and Cunningham are 628th SFS HPU police officers.

U.S. Navy photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Brannon Deugan

Changes lead to better waterfront security

INSIDE EARTH DAY

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brannon Deugan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

Exploring our environment See page 12

MED GROUP Goes smoke-free See page 6

TUSKEEGEE AIRMAN Fight for equality See page 10

FINAL FOUR How’s your bracket? See page 19

Weekend Weather Update Charleston, SC

Joint Base Charleston's 628th Security Forces Squadron personnel are working to create new guidelines for the Harbor Patrol Unit at JB Charleston - Weapons Station that will satisfy both Air Force and Navy requirements for waterfront security operations. The new Air Force operating instructions will be written to incorporate new Navy requirements which require the HPU to function as its own section within the 628th SFS. "I'm very excited about this opportunity," said Tech. Sgt. Ben Watrous, 628th SFS HPU coxswain. "HPU is a facet of Air Force security that few air bases have and even fewer Air Force personnel ever get the opportunity to be involved with. This is a chance to do something that is generally only done by special operations in the Air Force, but in this joint base environment, it creates a new opportunity for Airmen." According to Watrous and Petty Officer 1st Class William Carmer, 628th SFS HPU leading petty officer, incorporating the new Navy instruction into a cohesive 628th SFS operating instruction has been a complex task due to the differences in terminology. "Writing the guidelines have been challenging because of the differences in the Air Force and Navy cultures and terminologies, but we have been working it and it has been coming together very nicely," said Carmer. "The Navy realized they need personnel whose sole job is to maintain security and law enforcement on the waterfront. "Waterfront security is different from patrolling on land. You can be a seasoned patrolman, but once you get on a boat it is a completely differ-

ent operating environment and different principals apply," Carmer continued. "All of those things necessitate a completely different mindset." The Navy instructions require all Sailors to complete the Navy's Personnel Qualification Standard, an established guideline already used by Sailors Navy-wide, before being allowed to operate a harbor patrol boat. The 628th SFS has adopted the Navy's PQS as additional training for Airmen and civilians, to better prepare them for their security mission in the HPU. "Last year, the Navy came out with clear guidance on what they require for waterfront security operations," said Chief Petty Officer Vince Stephens, JB Charleston - Weapons Station 628th SFS senior enlisted advisor. "Under joint basing, the HPU is a function of the 628th SFS, but it will be a separate section within security forces." The 628th SFS HPU will also be designated with its own Unit Identification Code. As such, in the future, only Sailors with the required Navy Enlisted Classification code will be able to be assigned to the 628th SFS HPU. "When I get a new Sailor, they will already be qualified for the HPU," said Stephens. "They'll have their swim and boat qualifications. I'll verify they have all their required qualifications dictated by their NEC. The Sailors reporting here will have already conducted waterfront operations, so I expect them to be able to jump right in and conduct daily operations with no problems." "This process of establishing the Air Force operating instructions that coincide with Navy requirements is a great example of JB Charleston teamwork," Stephens concluded. "The hard work and dedication that the 628th SFS HPU Airmen and Sailors have displayed creating the foundation for the unit to move forward has been astonishing."

628th CES Fire Emergency Services tops in AMC By Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Joint Base Charleston’s 628th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services flight was named the 2011 Air Mobility Command, Ralph E. Sanborn Fire Department of the Year (large category) in an announcement made March 25 by Brig. Gen Timothy Green, AMC’s installations and mission support director. The annual award honors Chief Master Sgt. Ralph E. Sanborn, a firefighter who dedicated his 44-year career to improving Air Force fire protection capabilities and recognizes the fire

protection flight that achieves the highest degree of excellence in base mission support and fire protection management. “This award is the culmination of 130 exceptional firefighters, one extraordinary administration guru and one fire chief who was given the common sense to stay out of these superstars’ way and let them perform,” said Chief Master Sgt. Derrick Joe, Fire Emergency Services chief. “I am incredibly proud to serve with these heroes while providing fire emergency services to JB Charleston and the surrounding communities.” In 2011, FES responded to more than 1,400

emergencies. On a daily basis, the FES is responsible for protecting 23,000 people who work and live at Joint Base Charleston’s two installations as well as four runways, 23,000 acres of property, 16 miles of shoreline, three wharfs, 16 million square feet of installation facilities and 38 miles of railroads. "There's none better than our fire emergency services professionals,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Altwies, 628th CES commander. “Our base should feel comfortable knowing that no matter what time of day or what kind of emergency, the best fire department in the command is there to protect us."

Friday, March 30

Programs help conquer Pillars of Gas pumps Comprehensive Airman Fitness at Express

Afternoon T-Storms (40% precip)

High 85º Low 63º

Saturday, March 31 Scattered T-Storms (50% precip)

High 83º Low 590º

Sunday, April 1 Mostly Sunny (10% precip)

High 84º Low 62º

By Senior Airman Anthony Hyatt Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs In today’s Air Force, being physically fit is a top priority, but in addition to being fit, Comprehensive Airman Fitness includes being socially, mentally and spiritually fit. To help Joint Base Charleston Airmen achieve all four pillars of CAF, several programs exist here for their support. “Comprehensive Airman Fitness represents a ‘holistic approach to caring for our people that equips, enables and empowers everyone to grow more physically, socially, mentally and spiritually fit,’” said Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander. “CAF represents an Airman or family mem-

ber who is making responsible choices in the face of personal challenges, adversity, or coping with the rigors of military life,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michelle McMeekin, 628th Air Base Wing community action information executive director. “It’s not a program but a way of life designed to make resilient Airmen and families through a balanced foundation built on two primary cornerstones: the four pillars of fitness (social, spiritual, mental and physical) and the five “C’s” (care, commit, connect, communicate and celebrate). “The four pillars represent an individual’s overall state of well-being and resiliency; the five ‘Cs’ represent a community that is strong, resilient and supportive,” said McMeekin. See CAF, Page 4

temporarily closing Courtesy of Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Due to construction and improvements being made at the AAFES Express, the gas pumps will be temporarily closed through April 5. The AAFES Exchange management apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause their customers.

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