Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 6, No. 20
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, May 22, 2015 Soldiers from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade reassemble UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters on May 18, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston Weapons Station, S.C. More than 50 helicopters were reassembled over the past 10 days to fly home to Ft. Bragg, N.C. The aircraft were disassembled and flown out of Afghanistan to Rota, Spain, on C-17s, where they were loaded on a vessel bound for JB Charleston. The 841st Transportation Battalion (SDDC) coordinated the vessel discharge at Wharf Alpha and worked together with the 82nd CAB to move all cargo back to home station.
Blackhawks and Apaches
U.S. Air Force photos / Staff Sgt. AJ Hyatt
Anzio Beachhead WWII Vets visit JB Charleston
From Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
More than 80 Anzio Beachhead Veterans of World War II and family members shared their last reunion tour, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. During their tour, the veterans were able to see demonstrations of today's operations of the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the 628th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bio Environmental Flight and the 437th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment. "This is the last reunion for these veterans,"
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi
Carl Furtado and Jack Oliver grin in front of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation.
said Perri Kunofsky, coordinator for the Anzio Beachhead Veterans Reunion tour. Most of the veterans are in their nineties. "Last year, 18 of the veterans were able to make it [to the reunion tour]. We wanted to make this 'the best in show' for them," said Kunofsky. In addition to the demos, the vets and their family members were able to board a 437th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III. "I can't believe this plane can get off the ground," said John Boller, 3rd Infantry Division. "I have a new perspective and appreciation for those who fly these big airplanes." After their tour of the C-17, the veterans were able to share their stories with Airmen and Sailors. "After being rescued as a prisoner of war during WWII, I wish they would have flown me home on a C-17," said Kenneth Muston, B Company 3rd Division. "The trip would have been much shorter and I probably wouldn't have gotten sea sick." Their tour at JB Charleston concluded with a National Police Week retreat ceremony. The Battle of Anzio occurred on the beaches of Anzio, Italy in 1944. This battle was the Allied attempt to draw German troops off the Gustav Line during Operation Shingle.
U.S. Air Force graphic / Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi
Kenneth Muston, an Anzio Beachhead Invasion veteran poses for a photo in the loadmaster seat on a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 veterans from the event were in town to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with servicemembers. Muston, who is 91-years-old was a private first class from B Company 3rd Infantry Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans. See more photos online at www.charelston.af.mil
Honoring the fallen On May 30, 1868, the first official Memorial Day observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery to honor and to decorate the graves of those who died during the Civil War.
Today, Memorial Day serves as an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of more than one million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives to secure our freedoms. In addition to recognizing the service of our Airmen and fellow service members, we pay tribute to the families of the fallen, as well as to our wounded warriors and their families.
INSIDE
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi
Exercise tests JB Charleston
CRESCENT REACH Page 5
Week of recognition honors the fallen
POLICE WEEK Page 6
Riverdogs honor military spouses
SPOUSES
Page 7
(Information Courtesy of Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs)
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Mostly Sunny
Friday, May 22
(0% precip)
High 85º Low 66º
Partly Cloudy
Saturday, May 23
(0% precip)
High 84º Low 66º
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MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08
Partly Cloudy
Sunday, May 24
(10% precip)
High 83º Low 67º