Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 7, No. 16
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
August 19, 2016
Everyone, everything needs fuel
Airman Seth Roy, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, smiles while holding a fuel hose July 18, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Last year, over 50 Airmen of the 628th LRS fuels flight provided the base with more than 36 million gallons of fuel for missions throughout the base.
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Jared Trimarchi Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
Much like the pit crew for a high performance race car ensures their vehicle remains topped off with petroleum, oil and lubricant while navigating the track, Airmen provide the necessary fuel for non-stop Air Force missions around the world. Last year, more than 50 Airmen from the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight provided the base over 36 million gallons of fuel for missions happening throughout Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Charleston's fleet of C-17 Globemaster IIIs are known for their global reach. Flying equipment, people and supplies around the world at a moment's notice but without
fuel, the mission would stall. Not only are the Airmen charged with fueling the flightline, they also fuel all the government vehicles on base including those on the JB Charleston - Weapons Station. Additionally, they fuel the security boats that patrol the waters of the Cooper River. "Every mission on base involves fuel," said Senior Airman Desiree Mosher, 628th LRS fuels distribution operator. "That's what I love about this job; we are not only fueling C-17s, we fuel any type of aircraft that lands here. We also work with the Navy, to ensure their equipment, vehicles and boats keep moving." There are more than 50 Airmen who make-up the fuels flight four sections: fuels laboratory, fuels distribution, fuels service center and fuels fixed facilities.
Airmen start at the distribution section straight out of technical school to learn the job, said Mosher. In distribution they learn how to deliver fuel to the flightline using three types of vehicles: R11, R12 and R300 refuelers. R11s and R300s have fuel tanks but the R12, which is favored by some Airmen, does not. The R12s use fuel lines which connect to underground fuel pumps on the flightline to distribute fuel to aircraft. "The operations tempo of the flying units on base directly impacts our fuel runs to the flightline," Mosher added. "I've had days where I delivered fuel 10 times. The average time spent fueling is 30 minutes but can last up to two hours." All of the action happening in the fuels section begins at the fuels service center, which receives up to 40 calls a day See Fuel, Page 4
When the local Navy College Office closes, how do I pursue my educational goals?
From Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center
With the announcement of the closings of 16 stateside Navy College Offices on Oct. 1 of this year, and the remaining four (Norfolk, Virginia, San Diego, California, Jacksonville, Florida and Kitsap, Washington) closing by Oct. 1 2017, many Sailors are asking how they will start or continue their education. After Oct. 1, the majority of Voluntary Education services in the Continental United States will be provided by the edu-
cation counselors at the Navy College Program's Virtual Education Center (VEC). According to Ernest D'Antonio, Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center's VOLED program director, the goal of restructuring service delivery is to provide Sailors the educational tools and information when and where they need it. The VEC call center hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday - Friday and may be reached by calling: (877) 8381659 or DSN 492-4684, or by email at VEC@navy.mil. "This new VOLED structure will make educational programs, including counseling, Tuition Assistance and testing
services accessible for all Sailors in the continental U.S. through a combination of self-service and virtual services," said D'Antonio. "The colleges themselves will still have access to bases for teaching courses and counseling students." The Charleston Navy College Office will close on Oct. 1, but academic institutions with partnership agreements will continue to provide services as they have in the past. Currently, Charleston (serving the Weapons Station) is served by: Columbia College of Missouri; Trident Technical College; and Thomas Edison State University. See Educational Goals, Page 11
Some IDs may be invalid as of Aug. 15
By Toni Smith Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
Command Chief’s son competes
JR. OLYMPIAN Page 3
EOD post-blast analysis practice
BOOM!
Page 6
Tech. Sgt. earns doctorate
DR. LOUGH
Next Issue of the Patriot: September 2, 2016
INSIDE
WASHINGTON – Individuals will no longer be able to access Air Force installations with a state-issued identification card or driver's license from Minnesota, Missouri, Washington or American Samoa beginning Aug. 15. This new change aligns the Air Force's installation access policy with requirements of the Real ID Act, which focuses on improving the reliability of state-issued identification documents and helps prevent a person's ability to evade detection by using a fraudulent form of ID. While ID's that do not meet security and data-collection guidelines will not be accepted, alternate forms of identification will be allowed. Some of the more common alternatives include a valid U.S. or foreign government issued passport, an employment authorization document that contains a photograph, or ID cards issued by federal state or local government agencies that include a photo and
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biographic information. According to Air Force officials, all individuals attempting to gain access to an Air Force installation without a Defense Department ID card will be subject to a routine background check. Those who do not have the accepted documentation for installation access will not be permitted to enter the base without an approved escort. "If an individual is escorted, the sponsor is required to be physically present with the individual for the duration of the visit to the base," said Lt. Col. Tony Castillo, the branch chief of police services. "Installation commanders may still deny access and issuance of access credentials if their background check determines the individual represents a threat or negatively impacts the safety or security of an installation's personnel or resources." For a full list of Real ID Act compliant and non-complaint states, visit the Department of Homeland Security's website.
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Scattered T-Storms
Friday, August 19
(60% precip)
High 93º Low 76º
Scattered T-Storms
Saturday, August 20
(60% precip)
High 94º Low 77º
Extended Forecast
PM T-Storms
Sunday, August 21
(60% precip)
High 95º Low 77º
Mon. - August 22 93°/74° - PM T-Storms (40%) Tue. - August 23 89°/72° - Partly Cloudy (20%) Wed. - August 24 86°/71° - Mostly Sunny (10%) Thur. - August 25 88°/72° - Mostly Sunny (0%) Fri. - August 26 90°/73° - Sunny (10%)
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