Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Joint Base Charleston: ‘Launch Point For The Nation's Resolve’
Vol. 8, No. 11
June 2, 2017
Team Charleston LFE supports nation’s GRF
A formation of C-17 Globemaster IIIs fly over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston, S.C., during a Large Formation Exercise, May 25, 2017. The LFE tested the 437th and 315th AW’s abilities to complete a joint forcible entry airdrop with the 82nd Airborne Division from Pope Army Airfield, closing Exercise Bonny Jack 2017, a three-part mobility exercise. See the photo spread on Pages 6-7.
INSIDE
SUMMER
School’s out! Watch for the kids See page 2
NEW CLINIC
Women’s health facility opens on base See page 3
MED EXPO
Skills exercise enhances readiness See page 9
Next Issue of the Patriot: June 16, 2017
Weekend Weather Update for Joint Base Charleston, SC Friday, June 2 Partly Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 88º / Low 69º
Saturday, June 3 Partly Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 89º / Low 71º
Sunday, June 4
PM Thunderstorms (50% precip)
High 86º / Low 72º
Extended Forecast Mon. - June 5 85°/72° - Thunderstorms (80%) Tue. - June 6 85°/66° - Thunderstorms (80%) Wed. - June 7 83°/65° - Mostly Sunny (20%) Thur. - June 8 84°/66° - Mostly Sunny (10%) Fri. - June 9 84°/69° - Mostly Sunny (10%)
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Munoz Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – The 437th Airlift Wing executed a Large Formation Exercise with 21 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to complete a joint forcible entry airdrop with the 82nd Airborne Division at Pope Army Air Field, North Carolina, May 25. “On order of our commander in chief, we can deliver the 82nd anywhere in the world at a moment's notice,” said Col. Louis Hansen, 437th Operations Group commander and mission commander. “Our capability is much more than bringing combat power to bear. We can also provide humanitarian support, whether through airlift, airdrop or aeromedical evacuation.” Three of the aircraft flew to Pope AAF with equipment and Container Delivery Systems the day prior to the formation. CDS bundles contain a resupply of ammunition, food and water for the Soldiers. The other 18 aircraft flew to Pope AAF May 25 to pick up nearly 1,600 paratroopers from the 82nd Abn. Div. to be dropped at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 82nd Abn. Div. was created Aug. 5, 1917. The division is nicknamed “All American” since the original members came from all 48 states at the time. Soldiers from the 82nd Abn. Div. celebrate their heritage with a series of sporting and regimental events annually during All American Week. The culmination of All American Week is an Airborne Review which includes an air assault, artillery and engineer explosive demonstrations and the joint forcible entry airdrop. Due to high winds and safety concerns, the para-
troopers and equipment drops were canceled. “We definitely do not want anyone getting hurt in a training exercise so we made the decision not to drop and took everyone back to Pope,” said Hansen. “Our crews have specific tolerances and standards they follow to help minimize safety issues as best we can. However, you can never completely eliminate risk, so we have to always be aware of dangers.” Charleston usually conducts LFEs once a year to practice joint forcible entry. According to Hansen, the training is invaluable to all involved. . Approximately 650 Airmen with the 437th Maintenance Group worked 12hour shifts three days prior to the aircraft launch, amounting to 7,800 hours maintaining and preparing the C-17s for takeoff. “Maintenance is absolutely important,” said Maj. Bert Secrest, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer. “We don’t want an aircraft to take off from here and have to come back because we overlooked something.” “Successfully executing an exercise of this magnitude is a good confidence builder for our entire wing,” said Col. Jimmy Canlas, 437th AW commander. “This provided us with the chance to sharpen numerous skill sets across the base and every unit of our wing. The LFE demonstrated that our maintainers can generate a large amount of aircraft on a compressed time schedule, how our mission planners work under operational constraints and assumptions to create an intricate plan, and that our operators can go execute the plan. If and when the nation calls, we can answer without hesitation: we are ready. I am extremely proud of our entire team, including the support from the 628th Air Base Wing to make this happen.”
JB Charleston participates in National Police Week Story and photos by Senior Airman Christian Sullivan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – The 628th Security Forces Squadron hosted several events throughout the week of May 15-19 in commemoration of National Police Week. The purpose of Police Week is to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty, along with showcasing law enforcement officer skills. “I think Police Week is important because it gives us an opportunity to reflect on those who came before us, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who are still in the field today, keeping the community safe,” said Senior Master Sgt. Chad Hashley, 628th SFS superintendent. “Not only in the military, but those in the civilian community as well, what they do every day gives us something to celebrate.” Members from across Joint Base Charleston participated in numerous events to support the security forces squadron during Police Week. The 628th SFS hosted several events throughout the week, some of which included the National Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony, a chili cook off, M4 carbine and M9 pistol firing competitions, a retreat ceremony and more. “We were fortunate to have Charleston members participate in events. We had extraordinary support from our local departments. Members from Charleston County sheriff’s Office, Berkley County Sheriff’s Office, North Charleston Police Department and others attended, showing our brotherhood within the blue line,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Calo, 628th SFS flight chief. With all the events and moving parts, Calo said Team Charleston successfully completed the week while honoring law enforcement members. “I believe this Police Week was a huge success,” said Calo. “Numerous members from the base continue to complement our squadron members on their efforts throughout the week and beyond.” While Police Week honors the fallen, it also gives people the opportunity to see the faces of those who still serve in law enforcement. “This year’s Police Week was a solemn reminder of the sacrifices paid by our law enforcement brothers and sisters across the nation,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Clouse, 628th SFS commander. “It was also a great
opportunity to interact with the joint base community and remind them of the service we provide. I was encouraged by the support we received from many of the civilian law enforcement agencies across the Lowcountry.”
Szultan, 628th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, poses before a training session at Joint Base Charleston, May 16, 2017. Szultan took part in a K-9 training exercise during a security forces exposition for Police Week. See more photos online at www.JBCharleston.jb.mil
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