Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot
Vol. 5, No. 22
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, June 6, 2014
Staying prepared at Joint Base Charleston
Courtesy graphic
The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Team Charleston members should gear up now - because it only takes one storm to do incredible damage. For more information on hurricane preparedness, see Pages 5-8.
Angel of the Battlefield: One year later
By Senior Airman Tom Brading Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
More than 2,000 service members have died and almost 20,000 have been wounded fighting in Afghanistan. Becoming one of those statistics was not what Senior Airman Taylor Renfro had in mind when she deployed there in 2013. But on May 29, 2013, two weeks before redeployment home, the vehicle she was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device during a convoy. Renfro, originally from the 628th Medical Group, was deployed with the Army, and understood the dangers of frequently going beyond the wire as a first responder. The threat of Improvised Explosive Devices had increased in her unit's area during the previous weeks putting everyone on edge. "I made a pact with other Air Force medics I was deployed with," said Renfro, a native of Jacksonville, Ill. "If anything were to happen to one of the three convoys going out that day, the other medics would come and assist." Renfro's worst nightmare came true that day. The initial explosion broke multiple bones from Renfro's neck down, and caused her right arm to get caught in the vehicle's back hatch. She later found out the gunner of the vehicle received similar
injuries and the truck commander didn't survive. Renfro was medically evacuated and received initial lifesaving operations prior to her arrival to Walter Reed National Medical Center, less than 48 hours after her initial injury. "I had always heard my supervisors talk about how quickly we had to respond once we were notified of an injury. Speed increases a person's chance of survival dramatically," said Renfro. "I had no idea that I would be the one in need of this type of care." Renfro was given a thirty percent chance of survival, but multiple surgeries and a strong will to live brought those odds up dramatically. "We are all so very proud of Taylor's resilience and determination to get well," said Col. Judith Hughes, 628th Medical Group commander. "We miss her in the family health clinic very much. She's an amazingly talented medical technician and everyone who worked with her knew that and could count on her to bring her best to work each and every day." Hughes added, Renfro's incredible journey to recovery should remind us every day how important training for deployment is, and how integral medics really are to the military mission at home and in the AOR. See Angel of the Battlefield, Page 4
Operation OVERLORD – D-Day: Part of 437th Airlift Wing history
By Stanley D. Gohl 437th Airlift Wing Historian
INSIDE
June 6 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, a very special day for all Americans but a day with particularly significance for Joint Base Charleston and the 437th Operations Group. Today's 437th Operations Group is a lineal ancestor of the 437th Troop Carrier Group which played a pivotal part in Operation OVERLORD June 6, 1944. The group was structured much the same as it is today and accomplished a mission similar to the mission of today's 437th. The group consisted of four squadrons; the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, the 84th TCS, 85th TCS and 86th TCS. The Airmen were trained to operate the C-47 and to pilot and tow the Waco CG-4A glider. The 437th TCG arrived at Ramsbury Airfield, England in Feb. 1944, and immediately began training operations to become proficient in the European Area of Operations. Although they were trained to pilot and tow the Waco glider, once in England they were introduced to the British Horsa glider which was larger, heavier and more difficult to fly. They also began extensive nighttime training which was further complicated by the infamous dense fog in England.
COMMANDER 437th Commander lists his priorities
Page 2
On May 29, the 85 TCS departed Ramsbury to Membury where they were on-loan to the 436 TCG. Three days later, on June 1st, Ramsbury was officially placed on lockdown status. No one was to enter or depart including a few local English nationals who worked on base. The day prior, the 82nd Airborne Division arrived at Ramsbury and was bed down in a tent city across from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force compound. All combat crew members were also moved to the WAAF compound to further ensure operational security. As yet another measure of security, the entire WAAF compound was encircled by barbed wire and patrolled by armed guards. The crews were restricted to their compound until the final go for Operation OVERLORD was given. The following days were consumed with briefings and mission planning. The 437 TCG were tasked to deliver the 82nd Airborne Division. Their destination was an area between the villages of Ste Mere Eglise and Neuvill-Au-Plain, to the rear of Utah beach. The area was less than ideal, with a very swampy estuary just to the west of the designated landing zone. The landing zone assigned to the 437th TCG was of the utmost importance and deemed a strategic necessity for the See Operation Overlord, Page 9
EXCHANGE SEA visits JB Charleston
Page 9
HEALTH
Run stronger, run healthier
Page 10
Courtesy photo
Senior Airman Taylor Renfro, 628th Medical Group, is seen here while on deployment in Southwest Asia in 2013. Renfro received the Purple Heart, the Army Combat Action medal and the Air Force Action medal for her service in Afghanistan. She recently received the Angels of the Battlefield award during the 8th Annual Angels of the Battlefield Gala, March 26, 2014, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., for providing life-saving treatment and demonstrating extraordinary courage during her career as an Air Force medic.
Dental Clinic closure
In preparation for new dental chair installation, the 628th Dental Clinic will be closed June 12 through June 16 when it will reopen at 12:30 p.m. The front desk staff will be available for administration purposes. If you have a dental emergency call 963-6845 during duty hours and 843-412-8961 after duty hours.
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC
Friday, June 6
Scattered T-Storms
Scattered T-Storms
High 90º Low 72º
High 85º Low 71º
(40% precip)
Saturday, June 7
(60% precip)
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, June 8
(30% precip)
High 87º Low 72º