Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot
Vol. 4, No. 31
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
EOD trains for real world contingencies
U.S. Air Force photo / Tech. Sgt. Rasheen Douglas
Staff Sgt. Aaron Clark, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, walks toward a simulated suspect device with his bomb suit and equipment to examine the device further during an anti-terrorism exercise Aug. 22, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station. S.C. The scenario was one of many designed to test JB Charleston personnel to perform their duties under heightened security conditions. See more photos on Page 7.
Before the last C-17: So the bird may fly
INSIDE
Story and photos by Senior Airman Dennis Sloan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
ALL PAWS
Wounded Sailor gets new companion See page 6
PLAY BALL
RiverDogs hosts military night See page 8
UEI COUNTDOWN 95 Days Begins December 2, 2013
Weekend Weather Update JB CHS, SC
Friday, August 30
Isolated T-Storms (30% precip)
High 87º Low 74º
Saturday, August 31
Isolated T-Storms (30% precip)
High 87º Low 75º
Sunday, September 1
Isolated T-Storms (30% precip)
High 90º Low 75º
Editor's Note: For more than 20 years, the C-17 Globemaster III has delivered rapid air mobility at a moment's notice around the world. With the last U.S. Air Force C-17 scheduled to roll off the Boeing assembly line Sept. 12, 2013, we look back on the continuing impact this signature Charleston aircraft makes to the United States Air Force through our series, "Before the last C-17." The moment the last U.S. Air Force C-17, fresh off the Boeing production line, touches down at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and the smoke from the wheels dissipates, a team of crew chiefs will be set and ready to marshall the aircraft into place and perform the first recovery and maintenance inspections on the aircraft. For more than 20 years the mission of a 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs has been to maintain Charleston's C-17 fleet and ensure the aircraft is ready at a moment's notice to either carry cargo or troops anywhere in the world. "Knowing I am going to be here for the final C-17 delivery is definitely special to me since this is the Senior Airman Cody Richman, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-17 Globemaster III flyaircraft I work on day and night," said Senior Airman ing crew chief, stands in front of a C-17 Aug. 12, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, Cody Richman, 437th AMXS flying crew chief. S.C. ensures the aircraft is working properly and is safe to fly at a moment’s notice. See more Richman grew up in Warren, Ohio, where he photos on Page 5. worked on cars with his stepdad after school. When Richman graduated high school he knew that he wanted to join the Air enced his first deployment in 2011 where he performed maintenance in Southeast Asia for six months. Force and aircraft mechanics was going to be a big part of his career. "The job doesn't really change much when we deploy," said Richman. "I came into the Air Force open general mechanics, because I loved "The biggest difference I noticed was actually seeing the impact of our working on cars and figured aircraft would be just as fun," said Richman. work up-close and in-person. If we fail at fixing an issue then the mission After basic training, Richman attended technical school training at Sheppard stops and we can't afford to have that happen." Air Force Base, Texas, to become a C-17 crew chief. Richman came to Joint Recently selected for staff sergeant, Richman enjoys his day-to-day Base Charleston shortly after where he finalized his crew chief training. duties on the flight line whether it's as a ground or flying crew chief. "Walking the flight line as a crew chief, ready to fix any problem at any "I love working on the aircraft and performing tasks I've never done time makes me feel like I am truly contributing to the Air Force mission," before, so I'm ready and capable to face any challenge a crew chief may said Richman. come across," said Richman. "Working on the C-17 is a highlight of my Richman recently transitioned from a ground crew chief to a flying job for sure, but the Airmen who I work alongside make it easy and fun." crew chief and has completed three missions. The Air Force's last C-17 is scheduled to arrive Sept. 12, 2013, at JB "Flying with the crew and seeing the mission from start to finish gives Charleston Air Base, S.C. me a great perspective on how important our job is to the mission," said "It'll be awesome to say I saw the last C-17 in the Air Force be delivRichman. "The proudest mission I've done as a flying crew chief was perered to my base," said Richman. "I look forward to keeping that bird forming presidential support." healthy and flying for many years to come." Since the C-17 plays a critical role in supporting Operation Enduring See more photos on Page 5 Freedom the aircraft and its aircrew deploy frequently. Richman experi-
Don’t end your summer this way
The Labor Day holiday weekend is here. Because the weather will soon start to change, everyone wants to make the most of this long weekend; the last summer “bash.” But you don’t want it to end tragically. The National Safety Council has found that, for this weekend, traffic fatality estimates increase this weekend more than other holiday weekends. Don’t become a statistic! The Air Force wants all Airmen, their families, friends and co-workers to return home Safe ’n Sound. This is the time to review all the chapters of the Critical Days of Summer. Each one offers valuable information for activities everyone enjoys over the Labor Day weekend. The estimates from AAA are that 33.0 million travelers will take trips of at least 50 miles away from home during this holiday. More information is available from these websites: http://www.nsc.org/Pages/NSC-releases-traffic-fatality-estimates-and-safety-tips-for-Labor-Day-weekend.aspx http://www.charleston.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123269999 http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/labor-day-travel-tips-from-the-better-business-bureau-36617 http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/alcohol/PartiesRock/section1-4.html
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