Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 7, No. 12
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
June 17, 2016
Staff Sgt. Will Favalora, 437 Airlift Wing loadmaster, assists 1st Lt. Jonathan Dieckman, 82nd Airborne Division jumpmaster, as he pulls parachute lines back into the aircraft following an airdrop into Poland as part of Exercise Swift Response June 6, 2016. Swift Response will exercise U.S. and Allied airborne forces’ ability to operate together as a high-readiness team. U.S. military forces routinely train alongside Allies and partners in Europe.
AMC provides precise airdrop for Exercise Swift Response Story and photo by Staff Sgt. William A. O'Brien Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
TORUN, Poland – Airlifters and air refuelers from across Air Mobility Command airdropped approximately 5,000 U.S. Army paratroopers and allied forces into Poland as part of Exercise Swift Response June 7, 2016. Swift Response is an exercise involving U.S. and Allied Air Force and airborne forces, jointly demonstrating their ability to conduct a complex and large-scale insertion of forces. C-17s were selected in this exercise for their ability to perform direct delivery inter-theater airlift. This capability allows
high value cargo or other assets to be delivered directly to the battlefield user anywhere in the world at any time. "Cargo can be moved a lot of different ways, such as boats or on the ground or with smaller aircraft such as C-130s However, the C-17 has the ability to put anything anywhere in the world in one flight," said Capt. JohnRoss Wendler, Exercise Swift Response Air Mission planner. The 437th Airlift Wing was selected to lead the aerial delivery mission because of its multifaceted C-17 mission. Wendler, a weapons officer who is also trained to the Special Operations Low Level II standard, was selected as lead planner for the airdrop portion of the exercise. Planning a large-
scale airdrop in foreign airspace required complex coordination with multi-national partners. Details ranged from airspace deconfliction and air-to-air tanker coordination to ground maintenance support. "All the planning and everything that goes into it while coordinating with all of the different agencies is a lot of work," said Wendler. "At the start of the mission, when engines were turning and aircraft were taking off, it was such a good feeling. But to get to our objective with six of the aircraft and have every drop be completely successful was even more rewarding." See Exercise Swift Response, Page 5
From orphan to Air Force maintainer
Story and photo by Airman Megan Munoz Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
After three weeks, a friend of their mother, Vadik, found and fed them and got Evan and his sister into an orphanage. They remained in the first orphanage for a "I was born Vanya Smirnoff Germanovich in Odessa, year before moving to second orphanage which Ukraine," said Airman 1st Class Evan Hittle. "I lived in an offered schooling for the children. Hittle and Natasha apartment with my parents, Gera and Aleynea, and my older lived in that orphanage for approximately six years sister, Natasha. We were poor and always moving to new before being adopted, in 2007, by Jerry Hittle and apartments. There isn't very much for young kids to do in Laura Alvstad, who lived in Beaverton, Ore. "When we first brought Evan and Natalia home, Odessa so it was common to see them smoking or drinking." they were so tired," said Alvstad. "We mostly commuHittle's mother and father were both addicted to heroin. "My dad died of a heroin overdose first," said Hittle. "I nicated through our broken Russian and their newly remember the ambulance coming to take him away. We never learned English. After Evan's first year with us, he Airman 1st Class Evan Hittle, a 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instrument and flight control systems specialist, stands in front of a Csaw his body again. After that, my mother was very grew six inches and gained 100 pounds." 17 Globemaster III aircraft at Joint Base Charleston, June 11, 2016. Hittle Shortly after the adoption, Hittle and Natasha were depressed. She overdosed 10 days later. Again, an ambulance was five-years-old and his sister was seven when their parents passed given the option of choosing new names. They chose came and took her away forever." away and they were orphaned in the Ukraine. A few years later, Hittle Without parents to pay the rent, the landlord evicted Hittle and Evan and Natalia. Both siblings learned English very and his sister were adopted in the U.S. and transitioned to a new life. his sister from the apartment. Hittle, who was five years old and quickly and graduated from high school on time with Hittle now plans to make the U.S. Air Force a career. his sister who was seven at the time spent a few days with neigh- their peers. With the help of his new family Hittle overcame his chal- Squadron instrument and flight control systems specialist, bors but eventually began living in treehouses built by other kids lenging childhood. Now a 437th Aircraft Maintenance Hittle is recognized by his coworkers as an outstanding from Odessa, scavenging for stale bread or anything to eat. Airman in the 437th AMXS. "Hittle defines resilience and what it means to overcome adversity," said Maj. Robert Ryder, 437th AMXS commander. "In today's Air Force, we strive to ensure all our Airmen are resilient and give them tools on how to deal with adversity. Lowcountry Warriors, June 14 is an important day for our oldest miliEvan has used his unfortunate childhood and turned it into a tary service as well as for one of our nation's oldest positive. He learned to take on the most difficult situation symbols. On Tuesday of this week, both the U.S. imaginable, push through it and found ways to move forward, Army and our national flag celebrated their birthto live. This internal drive that was forced upon him made him days. the person and Airman he is today." On June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress As an instrument and flight control systems specialist, approved the one year enlistment of riflemen to Hittle is responsible for performing maintenance and solving serve the United Colonies. When the final numbers malfunctions on C-17 Globemaster III aircraft through the use from the colonies were crunched, the Continental of technical publications, wiring diagrams and schematics. Army numbered more than 25,000 men. From the Revolutionary War to today, the U.S. His job also includes ensuring autopilot, fuel, flight control, Army has grown to a force of more than 1,000,000 men and women. The Army has distinindication and data recording systems are working properly. guished itself in every conflict in which the United States has been involved. Currently, "Hittle is extremely positive, hardworking and thinks he's a Army men and women are deployed across the country and around the world, many in harm's way, defending freedom while comedian," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Pock, a 437th AMXS defeating terrorism and tyranny. instrument and flight control systems specialist and Hittle's Two years after the establishment of the U.S. Army, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the flag as the supervisor. "At work he's always the first on the line and the United States' national symbol. Congress was very specific in the design of the "Stars and Stripes," requiring that the flag of last off. His enthusiasm and work ethic are two of the many the 13 United States be 13 stripes alternating red and white while the union be represented by 13 white stars on a blue field, things setting him apart from other Airmen. I can walk into the representing a new constellation. That constellation has expanded during the intervening years, but "Old Glory" still flies proudshop asking for a volunteer and he will immediately step up ly around the globe as an enduring symbol of freedom and promise. without even knowing what the task is. One time a broken CLet's salute our American flag and our Army teammates, wishing both a very Happy Birthday! 17 arrived on Christmas needing a crew to repair it. Hittle Timothy G. Sparks, Captain, USN See From Orphan To Maintainer, Page 2 Deputy Commander, Joint Base Charleston
Base commander answers questions
ACTION LINE
Page 2
New commander takes the helm
NAVY BRIG
Page 4
Helping hold our families together
SPOUSES
Next Issue of the Patriot: July 1, 2016
INSIDE
Honoring our nation’s oldest military service
Page 6
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Mostly Sunny
Friday, June 17
(20% precip)
High 97º Low 70º
Cloudy Saturday, June 18
(10% precip)
High 84º Low 64º
Extended Forecast
Sunny Sunday, June 19
(10% precip)
High 84º Low 65º
Mon. - June 20 87°/69° - Sunny (0%) Tue. - June 21 92°/73° - Sunny (0%) Wed. - June 22 92°/75° - Mostly Sunny (0%) Thur. - June 23 92°/74° - AM Thunderstorms (50%) Fri. - June 24 93°/75° - Partly Cloudy (20%)
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