5-16-2014 The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

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Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Vol. 5, No. 19

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

Friday, May 16, 2014

Preparing for an emergency U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Kenneth Norman

Airmen from the 628th Aerospace Medicine Squadron move a simulated casualty on a litter during a National Disaster Medical System exercise May 14, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The 315th Airlift Wing hosted the NDMS exercise to enable active, Reserve and guard service members along with civilian agencies, the ability to demonstrate medical rescue and treatment skills. The NDMS is designed to augment the nation's medical response capability to assist state and local authorities dealing with the medical impacts of a major disaster during peacetime while also providing support to military and the Department of Veterans Affairs medical systems. See more photos, Page 5.

437th AW commander says farewell By Senior Airman Dennis Sloan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

“There never seems to be enough time to accomplish everything you set your sights on and as I pass the 437th Airlift Wing guidon off to my successor, I will be thinking about how fast my time here has gone by,” said Col. Darren Hartford, 437th AW commander. Hartford took command of the more than 2,200 member C-17 wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Oct. 5, 2012. Hartford led a unit that achieved several major milestones to include: flying more than 21,000 sorties, transporting an astounding 224,000 tons of warfighter material and moving 121,000 passengers … more than any other mobility wing in Air Mobility Command. But, you will never hear Hartford take credit for any of these accomplishments. “My leadership perspective has changed over time,” said Hartford. “I realize I am at the bottom of the pyramid and the Airmen are at the top. The Airmen get the job done. The job of a leader is to support and to equip the Airmen to get the job done as well as staying out of their way so they can complete the mission.”

During Hartford’s command, the 437th AW also executed a short notice PHOENIX BANNER movement requiring the wing to provide five C-17s, 11 aircrews and14 ground support Airmen to move 134,400 pounds of cargo while simultaneously executing a full-time Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff directed alert force, while continuing to provide for Air Mobility Command tasking’s, and complete previously scheduled training. When the dust settled the unit received a “Highly Effective” rating in Mission Execution. “The pride Airmen took in what they did, that will be the lasting memory for me; whether it was the fleet services Airmen, crew chiefs, loadmasters or pilots,” said Hartford. “The Airmen in the 315th as well as on the joint base side of things also took pride in getting the mission done, which in turn made it possible for us to fix, fill and fly jets.” Aside from the high ops tempo and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM support, Hartford also became a part of history as a member of the flight crew delivering the final C-17 to JB Charleston on the 20th anniversary of the first C-17 delivery. “To be a part of that event, celebrating 20 years of C-17 heritage is amazing,” said Hartford. “I’m new to the C-17 world, so it was a great honor and privilege to make that flight.”

Hartford graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1989. After flight training, he flew the C-5 Galaxy, and later, KC-135 Stratotanker before transitioning to the C-17. Aside from not flying as much as he would have liked, Hartford said he wished he would have spent more time Colonel Darren Hartford out and about with the Airmen. “The Airmen here truly care about each other, care about doing the right thing and care about the mission,” said Hartford. “I continue to challenge them to have the moral courage to care for one another, especially when it’s tough.” On May 22, 2014, Hartford will relinquish command in preparation for his next assignment as the 379th Air Expeditionary commander in Al Udeid. “I look forward to my next assignment where I will continue to lead Airmen and serve at the tip of the spear,” said Hartford. “I want to send a thank you to all the Airmen across the joint base and the community for their support, especially the families of our Airmen.”

Pomeroy back in Charleston for upload

INSIDE

U.S. Air Force photo / Eric Sesit

FIT TO FIGHT BIRD STRIKE Krav Maga available at Air Base

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Bluebird sidelines AF truck

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AWARD

Healthcare Alliance wins recognition

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USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR-316), is moored at Wharf Alpha, May 12, 2014, on Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station, S.C. Pomeroy is undergoing an on-load as part of the Military Sealift Command’s Prepositioning Program. Pomeroy contains more than 393,000 square feet of storage space on six decks with space to lash down tanks, helicopters, trucks and other large vehicles. Working alongside the 841st Transportation Battalion and the Army Strategic Logistics Activity Charleston, Joint Base Charleston serves as a major hub for the prepositioning program.

WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Friday, May 16

(10% precip)

High 80º Low 56º

Saturday, May 17

(0% precip)

High 80º Low 61º

See Joint Base Charleston on Facebook! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO

MAGENTA-OAOO

YELLOW-OOAO

BLACK 01/29/08

Isolated T-Storms

Sunday, May 18

(30% precip)

High 82º Low 57º


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