September 1 - 14, 2017 - The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

Page 1

Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Vol. 8, No. 17

Patriot Joint Base Charleston: ‘Launch Point For The Nation's Resolve’

September 1, 2017

U.S. Air Force photos / Senior Airman Thomas T. Charlton

Senior Airman Justin Hampton, 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, hangs the state flag of Texas prior to takeoff of a disaster relief mission Aug. 29. Hampton is a Texas native who was excited to help out his home state in their time of need.

INSIDE

USCGC JAMES A day in the life of a Coast Guard Cutter See page 2

JB Charleston provides aid to hurricane victims By Staff Sgt. William A. O’Brien Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Two C-17 Globemaster III’s left Joint Base Charleston carrying 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria, Louisiana in response to Hurricane Harvey Aug. 29.

RETENTION Taking on the “Aircrew Crisis” See page 3

SWIM!

Training and qualifying at JB Charleston See page 6

Next Issue of the Patriot: September 15, 2017

Weekend Weather Update for Joint Base Charleston, SC Friday, September 1 AM Thunderstorms (40% precip)

High 88º / Low 74º

Saturday, September 2 Scattered Thunderstorms (50% precip)

High 86º / Low 71º

Sunday, September 3 (10% precip)

Sunny

High 88º / Low 70º

Extended Forecast Mon. - September 4 89°/ 72° - Partly Cloudy (10%) Tue. - September 5 88°/ 73° - Mostly Sunny (20%) Wed. - September 6 86°/ 72° - Partly Cloudy (20%) Thur. - September 7 81°/ 70° - Mostly Cloudy (20%) Fri. - September 8 81°/ 67° - Partly Cloudy (10%)

Tech. Sgt. Joe Joiner, 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, guides a member of the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., as they load a cargo pallet on to the C-17 Globemaster III at the Robins AFB Aug. 29. The mission carried a total of 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria, La.

Once the aircraft arrived in Louisiana, the cargo was offloaded and delivered to strategic forward positions to assist in relief efforts. Preparations for this began Friday when four aircrews were placed into alert status in case the C-17 fleet here was called upon to aid in hurricane relief efforts. As the crews left, additional crews were placed into alert status and ready to launch in order to continue relief operations. “Our first utilization of these alert aircraft occurred yesterday,” said Lt. Col. Erin Meinders, 437th Operations Group deputy commander. “We had two crews launch to prepare for the President's visit to the region today. Furthermore, we had two crews launch today to carry relief cargo and support personnel into the region.” Aircrews were comprised of members from the 14th, 15th and 16th Airlift Squadrons. Each time a crew was called upon, they were able to depart within three hours of tasking. All of this was done while still continuing to support daily combat sustainment missions to the U.S. Central Command theater of operations. “The members of the 437th Operations Group have done an amazing job identifying and preparing crews, launching crews off of alert, and immediately reconstituting those crews as soon as they launch,” said Meinders. “It's amazing to see how hard the crews and squadron support personnel work. It's even more humbling to see how they've surged to help out their fellow Americans. They're excited to bring hope and relief to folks that have been impacted by the storm ... and we're very proud of them.” A crew member aboard one of the aircraft is a Texas native and was excited to help out his home state. "Being from Texas, I jumped at the opportunity to do this. I'm not able to be home to help my family and friends, but being able to do this humanitarian See Hurricane Aid, Page 6

Joint effort keeps cargo on track Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Unit Charleston (NMC) and the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron combined efforts to safely download 76 ammunition containers Aug. 21 and Aug. 22. The containers were downloaded from the USNS Dahl (T-AKR-312) and transported to the JB Charleston Weapons Station for inspection, inventory and reworking prior to being shipped to U.S. Marines downrange. NMC’s capability to transport munitions from ship to site increases efficiency in download and upload operations. “Without the railhead, there would be trucks of ordnance traveling by road,” said Jeffrey Hedinger, NMC ordnance operations manager. “Think about having 100 trucks rolling in here with munitions. That would put a great strain on security. The train doesn’t use public roads. It comes straight here and we unload it. The rail system is vital for us.” Thanks to a rail system and members of the 628th LRS, munitions are transported more securely and with less delay to the civilians and Marines who ensure these assets are up to standard. “We provide the 628th LRS with a funding document annually to deliver and maintain forklifts and our chassis. We also pay them to operate and maintain the locomotive,” said Hedinger. Once the 628th LRS delivers the containers,

Marines from the NMC’s Marine Corps Liaison Office (MCLO) concentrate on inspecting the containers as they are downloaded from the train by NMC civilians. “The Marines are on the ground checking placards and labels, making sure the seals are intact and the cans aren’t damaged,” said retired U.S. Marine Mark Lamoureux, NMC Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) work supervisor. “Their job is inventory and accountability of the ammunition. The Marines can tell you what’s in every one of these cans. They know what’s coming out of them and they know what U.S. Marine Sgt. Karissa Greer, Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Unit Charleston, Liaison Office member, takes informawe’re putting back in.” U.S. Marine Cpl. Melvin Willis, NMC tional placards off of unloaded munitions containers during an inventory inspection at the Joint Base Charleston Weapons MCLO member, analyzes munitions conStation, S.C., Aug. 23. Marines attached to the NMC’s Marine tainers coming to JB Charleston. Willis Corps Liaison Office are responsible for inspecting munitions said he takes his job very seriously due to containers to ensure they are receiving safe quality items during the nature of what he’s inspecting. the download. These Marines work alongside NMC civilians and “We check the seals and the container members of the U.S. Air Force 628th Logistics Readiness number,” said Willis. “We make sure that Squadron to prepare them for transport to their final destination. we have the correct ammunition for our inventory. I have to do the best I can at my job and of the day.” When all munitions have been removed from the make sure that everyone I work with does their job train and taken to a site, Marines and civilians concorrectly and make sure everyone is safe.” “Anytime you deal with explosives, safety is the tinue the inventory process and prepare the ammo most important thing,” Lamoureux added. “We for repackaging. Eventually the munitions will be See Joint Effort, Page 6 want to make sure everyone goes home at the end

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