Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Vol. 9, No. 12
Joint Base Charleston: ‘Launch Point For The Nation's Resolve’
CATM instructors support joint warfighter
June 15, 2018 From left to right, Senior Airman Dylan Ricketts, Staff Sgt. Alexander Elder and Staff Sgt. Howard, all 628th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors, prepare to instruct an M-4 rifle qualifying course June 5, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. CATM instructors at Joint Base Charleston support all military branches and are responsible for qualifying service members and civilians on various weapons.
Below, Ricketts teaches the fundamentals of an M-4 rifle during a classroom session. See the story on Page 3.
Innovation competition funds new squadron initiatives Story and photo by Staff Sgt. William A. O’Brien Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – The 437th Airlift Wing received $450,000 to be divided among each of its squadrons as part of the Air Force Squadron Innovation Fund, an effort to revitalize squadrons. Wing commanders were authorized to use 20 percent of those funds on proposals they felt could positively impact multiple squadrons. To determine what would be done with their $90,000, 437th Airlift Wing leadership hosted a panel consisting of the wing commander, vice commander and command chief to hear ideas from Airmen across the wing. “We wanted our Airmen at the lowest levels to feel empowered and for their ideas to be heard,” said Col. Jimmy Canlas, 437th Airlift Wing commander. “I think we succeeded in that endeavor, but still have room for much more improvement. I am very proud of all our presenters and the spirit of innovation displayed during this competition. I hope it lays the groundwork for a culture of innovation, where it becomes second nature in our daily activities.” The program gave Airmen the opportunity to present an innovative idea that could benefit squadrons in front of the panel. This was done to provide a fair chance to every member of the wing to evaluate how they felt they could improve any aspect of how things currently operate. The call was answered by five Airmen who presented ideas ranging from incorporating new technologies to streamline processes to preserving our heritage at a lower long-term cost. “We’re the greatest Air Force in the world because we’re on the cutting edge,” said Maj. Ron Johnson, 16th Airlift Squadron assistant director of operations and Squadron Innovation Program presenter. “You have to have innovation to stay ahead. It’s important that it comes from all ranks and nobody feels they are being left out or their opinion doesn’t matter because that’s how we would miss out on some of the best ideas. Innovation is the key to us maintaining our position in the world.” Each participant was allotted five minutes to make their pitch. Following each presentation, they had a 10-minute question and answer session with the panel to aid them in refining and better understanding the ideas in order to make a more informed decision when determining funding. “We opened it up to the wing to come up with any ideas and Col. Canlas’ goal was to empower Airmen of all ranks to have an opportunity to better their offices, improve the mission and
enable their units to do business in a more effective way,” said Maj. Daniel Cascio, 437th AW Commander’s Action Group chief. Nobody knows the problems a squadron faces more than the members of the squadron dealing with those problems every day. The innovation program gives those members a chance to voice their opinions on the best solutions for completing the mission in the most effective and efficient ways possible. “It’s a good step toward making squadrons know their voices matter,” said Johnson. Col. Patrick Winstead, left, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Col. Jimmy Canlas, middle, “Rather than feeling ideas 437th Airlift Wing commander, discuss a proposal to enhance runway operations at North flow from the top down with Auxiliary Airfield, North, S.C., with Maj. Ron Howard, 437th Operations Squadron assistant the squadrons left to imple- director of operations, during the Squadron Innovation Fund panel meeting June 4, 2018. To ment those ideas. This allows determine what would be done with the $90,000 the 437th Airlift Wing received from the Air for the ideas to come from Force Squadron Innovation Fund, wing leadership hosted a panel consisting of the wing comthe Airmen who work closest mander, vice commander and command chief to hear ideas from Airmen across the 437th AW. “It was very inspiring for me to witness our Airmen wanting to those problems.” All five presenters sat in the conference room together as to improve not only at the squadron level, but also at the wing, each pitched their idea. This allowed them to participate in the AMC and even AF level,” said Canlas. “I was also impressed creative process as the ideas were fine-tuned in the question as each Airman listened to other presenters. I can see the and answer session. It also allowed each of them to gain per- wheels turning as they were learning from one another.” spective and understanding of the issues other units within their wing face. 437th Change of “What’s interesting, is in my career field, I have a very Command scheduled operations-centric vision of what’s important,” said Cascio. Col. Jimmy R. Canlas, “What the wing needs and when you sit in on something like 437th Airlift Wing that panel, you just think, ‘Wow. Everybody else has problems commander, will and ideas that I haven’t even considered because I just don’t relinquish command to Col. Clinton R. know that world enough to even consider it.’” U.S. Army celebrates ZumBrunnen To ensure these ideas were acted on as quickly as possible, 243 years at 9 a.m., July 12, 2018, the panel reconvened later that afternoon to discuss how the in Nose Dock Two at See page 4 money would be allotted amongst the proposals. The top Joint Base Charleston, S.C. choice for funding was tablets for each squadron in order to increase access to training documents and allow for studying Next Issue of the Patriot: July 6, 2018 during extended flight missions. Each of the other ideas received funding as well after follow-up changes were made.
INSIDE
HAPPY B-DAY!
New site allows visitor passes to be arranged online By Bob Trout, Section Chief 628th Security Forces Squadron
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – To sponsor a guest or visitor on Joint Base Charleston has always previously required qualified members to physically verify sponsorship authority at the Visitor Control Center. In May, the process was streamlined a bit with the creation of an EIM Site through Air Mobility Command. The 628th Security Forces Pass & Registration/Visitor Control Center will now be able to view, print and prepare visitor passes in advance with personnel assigned to Joint Base Charleston who have a .mil account. The new EIM site will allow authorized customers to request visitor passes online, saving unnecessary phone calls or visits to the Visitor Control Centers on both Air Base and Weapon Station. The EIM site provides one of two necessary forms to complete, along with instructions and uploading information. The Guest Listing Function Worksheet will be used when there are
more than 10 guests. This worksheet is used for large events such as retirements, picnics, weddings, etc. This request must be filled out, signed and uploaded 10 duty days prior to the date of the event. Everyone else will fill out the guest worksheet, answer all necessary questions, sign and upload to the EIM site. The VCC staff will vet all personnel and, depending on which form is used, will have passes ready at the VCC -- or an Installation Access List will be prepared and sent to the gates. The sponsors will not be required to go to the VCC. Also, sponsors will be informed if any of the guests on the list have been denied. The EIM site will allow for faster processing of pass requests, conformance to AFIs, and provides a more convenient pass submission process. This should reduce wait times even more at the VCC. Current information about the Real ID Act is also available on the new site. To view or try the new EIM site, visit https://eim. amc.af.mil/org/628sfs/VCC. The site is just another way the 628th Security Forces is working hard to find innovative ways to better serve Team Charleston.
Weekend Weather Update
for Joint Base Charleston, SC Friday, June 15 PM Thunderstorms (80% precip)
High 90º / Low 73º
Saturday, June 16
Thunderstorms (80% precip)
High 87º / Low 74º
Sunday, June 17
AM Thunderstorms (40% precip)
High 89 / Low 74º
43 YEARS
Volunteer honored for service See page 5
INSPECTION Units help base ‘meat’ food standards See page 9
See Joint Base Charleston at www.Facebook/TeamCharleston - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO MAGENTA-OAOO YELLOW-OOAO BLACK 01/29/08