Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 6, No. 18
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, May 8, 2015
C-17 fleet celebrates 3,000,000 flying hour
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi
Base leadership and honorary commanders pose for a group photo in front of a C-17 Globemaster III May 5, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., during an event celebrating the C-17 surpassing the three millionth flying hour. Aircrew members from JB Charleston flew the plane here from Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The first C-17 flight was Sept. 15, 1991 and the Air Force currently has 222 C-17’s in the fleet.
By Airman 1st Class Clayton Cupit Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
The C-17 Globemaster III has proved yet again that it remains the world's premier airlifter after the total C-17 fleet celebrated the historical milestone of achieving 3,000,000 flying hours on May 5, 2015. The C-17 is the only strategic airlifter in the world that has tactical capabilities that allow it to fly between continents, land on short, austere runways and airdrop supplies precisely where they are needed. The C-17 fleet is in its 22nd year of operation since it was first delivered in June 1993. Getting to the 3,000,000th flying hour all started on September 15, 1991 when the aircraft made its maiden flight. The C-17 passed the 1,000,000 hour mark in March 2006 and the 2,000,000 hour mark in December 2010. A ceremony was held at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and Joint Base Charleston, S.C. to commemorate this milestone for the C-17 fleet. As part of the ceremony, a combined JB Charleston aircrew and Boeing Team flew a ceremonial flight commemorating the milestone. "It is such a great privilege and an honor to be a part of the C-17 program," said Col. Amanda Meyers, C-17 System
Program director. "In the C-17's relatively short history, it has done extraordinary things. The platform provides unparalleled strategic and tactical airlift and airdrop capability to our nation as well as eight other partner nations," said Meyers. "It has become the airlifter of choice for our Air Force. The incredible partnership between our active-duty, Reserve forces and National Guard make the C-17 a huge enabler for the United States of America. It not only allows us to fight and win our nation's wars, but also to provide humanitarian assistance at an international level." The USAF has ownership of 222 C-17s and our International Allied Partners have 44 of these strategic airlifters. "Our partner nations also benefit greatly from the capabilities that the C-17 brings to their defense organizations and national global contributions," said Meyers. Meyers, who became the C-17 program director last summer, realizes now how much heavy lifting the C-17 does. "Every time the news is on and there's a call for assistance or unquestionable capability, the C-17 is part of the story," she said. "Last summer, I turned on the news to see a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 conducting a dignified transfer after the MH17. "Last week, I turn on the news to hear about the earthquake in Nepal and see an Indian Air Force C-17 pro-
viding humanitarian help, quickly followed by C-17s from the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. The C-17 is where and when the nation calls, wherever that is, to go to war or promote peace," said Meyers. "Our mission is to acquire and obtain safe, effective and unrivaled global reach capability." Along the flight with Col. Meyers was Maj. Gen. (ret) Robert McMahon, Boeing director of Field Operations. "As many of you know, this is Boeing's 100th anniversary, and we have challenged each employee to build something better," said McMahon. "I will tell you, that with the C-17, we have accomplished just that. The world's premier airlifter." McMahon recognized that the success of the aircraft lies with the people that built it, maintain it and fly it. "We and Boeing are tremendously proud of those that designed and built this aircraft, those today that maintain and sustain this aircraft and those the currently operate the aircraft," he said. Overtime, the world has come to see the C-17 as the vehicle that carries hope and freedom. "What makes [the C-17] special is each and every day, no matter the condition, this aircraft carries something very special, and that is hope to the people on the ground," said See C-17 Fleet, Page 3
Holly Petraeus, CFPB Senior Federal Executive Office of Servicemember Affairs, brings financial tips to JB Charleston By Staff Sgt. AJ Hyatt Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
INSIDE
Holly Petraeus, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau senior federal executive of the Office of Servicemember Affairs, visited Joint Base Charleston, S.C., May 4, 2015 to hold a town hall meeting discussing her office's role and to share personal financial advice with the military community. Petraeus was accompanied by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who was first elected as South Carolina's 51st Attorney General in 2010 and was re-elected on Nov. 4, 2014. As South Carolina's Attorney General, Wilson is the state's chief prosecutor, chief securities officer and the state's chief legal counsel. Established in 2011, the Office of Servicemember Affairs, works in partnership with the Department of Defense to help ensure that military families receive the education needed to make the best possible financial decisions. Additionally, the Office of Servicemember Affairs monitors complaints from military families, the responses to those complaints by the CFPB and other agencies and to see that federal and state agencies coordinate their activities to improve consumer protection measures for military families. "I feel very fortunate to do this job," said Petraeus. "I grew up in the military - it's my extended family and if I can have a positive impact on their finances by working for an agency that is there to protect them and their transactions, then I'm happy to do that." Previously, she has served as the director of the Better Business Bureau's Military Line program. This program is a partnership with the Department of Defense Financial
CDC recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month
WALK THE LINE
Page 4
Readiness Campaign that provides consumer education to active and retired service members and their families. Petraeus is the daughter of Army Gen. William Knowlton. Her son, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in the Armed Forces. She has also been a military spouse for more than 37 years. During the base visit, Petraeus and Wilson met with Joint Base Charleston's Airman and Family Readiness Center and Fleet and Family Support Center personnel. The visit provided an opportunity for the military community to learn about emerging issues impacting the financial readiness of the force and actions underU.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi way to protect them from potentially harmful business practices that could hurt Holly Petraeus, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau senior federal executive of the Office of Servicemember Affairs, greets Command Chief Master Sgt. Shawn the financial fitness of service members. Hughes during a table discussion with base leadership May 4, 2015 at Joint Base According to Petraeus, the agency has Charleston - Weapons Station, S.C. Patraeus and South Carolina Attorney General a couple of initiatives they are currently Alan Wilson participated in a town hall meeting with Airmen and Sailors to educate working on. them about their financial rights. Hughes is the 437th Airlift Wing command chief. "The military has a financial class at basic training, but basic training is a very stressful time," she think about what they're going to do financially when they get said. "It's hard to focus. We thought we could help by doing a lit- out, but we've found out that the plan they make in TAP might tle education piece for them before they get to basic training. It's not turn out to be very workable when they get out," said an online curriculum that's going to be very basic and they can Petraeus. "We are going to provide some time with a certified financial coach to help re-tool their financial plans." take the course while they are in the Delayed Entry Program." Wilson stated that he was at Joint Base Charleston to help Also, she addressed a plan to help recently discharged veteducate service members about the unscrupulous business erans re-tool their financial plans. See Patraeus Visits, Page 3 "Transition Assistance Program helps [military members]
Events planned for May 11 - 15
POLICE WEEK Page 5
Picnic held for JB Charleston
FUN FOR ALL Page 7
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Showers Friday, May 8
(60% precip)
High 80º Low 67º
Saturday, May 9
Scattered T-Storms
PM T-Storms
High 84º Low 67º
High 84º Low 66º
(50% precip)
See Joint Base Charleston on Facebook! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08
Sunday, May 10
(50% precip)