Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Vol. 9, No. 11
Joint Base Charleston: ‘Launch Point For The Nation's Resolve’
June 1, 2018
Left, attendees tour a U.S. Coast Guard cutter during an open house at Coast Guard Sector Charleston, S.C., May 19, 2018, to observe the kickoff for National Safe Boating Week. The event, which runs from May 19-25, allows the Coast Guard and its federal, state and local safe boating partners to teach boaters how to responsibly explore and enjoy the waterways of the Charleston area.
Below, attendees tour U.S. Coast Guard boats, cutters and vessels during the open house at Coast Guard Sector Charleston, S.C., May 19, 2018.
USCG Sector Charleston hosts open house Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrea Salazar Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Members of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston and port partners held an open house at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, S.C., May 19, 2018, to observe the kickoff for National Safe Boating Week. During National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 19-25, the U.S. Coast Guard and its federal, state and local safe boating partners teach boaters how to responsibly explore and enjoy the waterways of the Charleston area. “This week is the kickoff for 2018. This open house demonstrates what Charleston’s Coast Guard and our maritime partners have to offer when it comes to boating safety,” said Ensign Phillip Vanderweit, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston response enforcement officer. “There is a very strong boating community here in Charleston, so it’s very important to get the public informed on steps they can take, such as appropriately planning their trips on the water, having the necessary safety equipment, and communicating to their loved ones about where they’re going.”
This 60th annual event featured booths and displays showcasing information about Sector Charleston and their maritime partners along the 287-mile coastline they are responsible for. The event also featured free safety equipment and vessel inspections for attendees. “We have several missions such as marine stewardship, marine safety and marine security,” said Vanderweit. “Today we’re focused on the marine safety aspect. We want to reduce the ‘search’ part of ‘search and rescue’ so we can get to you faster and the way we can accomplish this is by informing people on how to keep themselves and their families safe while out on the water.” The event gave local community members the opportunity to learn about boat safety, tour Coast Guard boats, cutters and sector facilities. “This event helps get people thinking about the importance of safety and what it really means to maintain personal safety and the safety of others on the boat,” said Capt. John Reed, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston commander. “We’re giving the community a chance to see what the Coast Guard’s capabilities are, while also giving us the chance to interact and educate them on what they can do to help make their boating season a safe one.” For more information about NSBW, visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com/.
JB Charleston shows air capabilities with large formation exercise
Story and photos by Senior Airman Christian Sullivan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Approximately 15 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings provided airdrop support for the U.S. Army’s 509th Infantry Regiment, Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 22 through a large formation exercise. During the flight, the C-17s flew over several prominent landmarks in South Carolina, including the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the South Carolina State House, while performing various training exercises. The exercise helped showcase Joint Base Charleston’s ability to execute and sustain rapid global mobility by launching the fleet of C-17s and dropping heavy equipment and Army paratroopers. Additionally, the training allowed for low-level tactical maneuvers and aerial refueling. “This exercise helps us simulate and train for the global response force,” said Col. Jimmy Canlas, 437th AW commander. “It helps our ability to strategically project power anywhere in the world to meet our objectives.” Teaming up with the Army, JB Charleston was able to successfully drop more than 200 paratroopers from the 509th Infantry Regiment into a designated drop zone in Fort Polk, La. “Essentially in the C-17 world, by nature, we’re joined with the Army, helping deploy them downrange,” said Canlas. “We sent six of our planes to drop paratroopers for this exercise.”
Cargo is dropped from a C-17 Globemaster III during a large formation exercise at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., May 22, 2018. During the exercise, JB Charleston successfully launched 15 C-17s from the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings to provide airdrop support for the U.S. Army’s 509th Infantry Regiment, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Paratroopers and critical equipment were dropped to simulate a joint forcible entry of the global response force.
INSIDE
‘I DO’
Airmen marry aboard C-17 See page 3
HURRICANE ‘Tis the season to begin preparations See pages 6 & 7
SPAWAR
Scholars offered post-grad education See page 8
Next Issue of the Patriot: June 15, 2018
Weekend Weather Update Col. Jimmy Canlas, 437th Airlift Wing commander, talks to civic leaders in the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III during a large formation exercise at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., May 22, 2018. Honorary commanders were invited to fly during the exercise to get a firsthand look at JB Charleston’s capabilities.
Planning and training to execute an exercise such as this took a lot of effort from multiple agencies to ensure everyone was proficient in the tasks required for a successful mission. “It’s very intricate, it took a lot of training,” said Canlas. “Twelve hours a day, our training cell has been working scenarios and planning all the products required for the exercise.” Although a lot of time and effort went into the coordination of the exercise, thanks to leadership and good planning, the exercise was prepped for and executed successfully. “The coordination was simple,” said Capt. Michael Menna, 437th AW lead exercise planner. “At Charleston, we have leadership who support our vision and goals, helping us accomplish trainings and exercises like these.” Agencies such as the airlift squadrons, the logistics readiness squadron, the maintenance squadrons, among others, all played a first-hand role in the exercise, which in turn helps their proficiency. “Trainings like these really help us with our proficiency and capabalities,” said Staff Sgt. William Reed, 14th AS loadmaster. “It helps us see what would go on in the aircraft in a real-world situation.” As the exercise ended, Canlas took pride in the fact that it was a team effort by all of JB Charleston. “I’m very proud of our Airmen,” said Canlas. “We can’t do any of this without them. It’s incredible what they do to generate, load and launch these airplanes in such a timely manner.”
for Joint Base Charleston, SC Friday, June 1 PM T-Storms
(40% precip)
High 93º / Low 75º
Saturday, June 2 Partly Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 93º / Low 74º
Sunday, June 3
Isolated T-Storms
(30% precip)
High 91 / Low 74º
Extended Forecast Mon. - June 4 Mostly Sunny (20%) - 88°/ 68° Tue. - June 5 Sunny (10%) - 87°/ 69° Wed. - June 6 PM Showers (40%) - 88°/ 69° Thur. - June 7 Partly Cloudy (20%) - 86°/ 70° Fri. - June 8 Partly Cloudy (20%) - 88°/ 71°
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