Joint Base Charleston
Patriot
Vol. 3, No. 40
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Tough training 628th SFS trains for Active Shooters U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class George Goslin
Senior Airman Kyle O’Brien, 628th Security Forces Squadron, performs a baton strike on Staff Sgt. James Gibson, 628th SFS, during a combative training session prior to an active shooter scenario Sept. 26, 2012, at Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station, S.C. During the scenario, Airmen practiced entering a house under control of hostile forces and eliminated the threat while identifying and controlling non-hostile inhabitants. Security Forces Airmen test their skills and knowledge in simulated hostile environments to prepare for real-world events. See more pictures on Page 9.
INSIDE
FAREWELL
437th AW commander departs See page 2
FINI FLIGHT
Col. Hansen performs last flight
See page 3
POWER
October is Energy Action Month See page 4
Weekend Weather Update
437th Airlift Wing honors its history
Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Tom Brading Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
Veterans from the 437th Troop Carrier Group, the predecessor of the 437th Operations Group, and their families, traveled from all corners of the United States to Charleston, S.C., for their final reunion Sept. 28, at Joint Base Charleston Air Base. The 437th TCG, flying C-47 Skytrain transport units, played a vital role during the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944, and the remainder of World War II. During the Normandy campaign, the group towed and released glider planes, as well as carried troops, weapons, ammunition, rations and other supplies for the 82nd Airborne Division. The group began their reunion tour at the C47 Skytrain static display across from Bldg. 16000. Afterward, they were welcomed to the base by Col. Al Miller, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander, followed by an opportunity to tour the inside of a C-17 Globemaster III. The veterans also viewed flight equipment and observed demonstrations conducted by the JB Charleston Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. "It was great to see all the World War II veterans and hear what they thought of my job," said Airman 1st Class Amber Taft, 628th Air Base Wing EOD apprentice. "It was also very interesting to hear all their stories. I'm amazed at what they did for our country and to see how
Captain Ben Peacock, 15th Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot, 437th Airlift Wing, and Ralph Carter trade stories of their military careers after touring a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 28, 2012, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base. Carter is a retired Marine Corps veteran and surviving member of the 437th Troop Carrier Group.
things have changed since they were enlisted." The group finished their tour by hosting an open panel discussion at the JB Charleston - Air Base Theater, where audience members had an opportunity to ask questions and peer deeper into the veterans' first-hand experiences during World War II.
The men all experienced different aspects of war during their years in service, but they are still bonded by years of friendship. As they sat on stage answering questions, audience members could sense the pride the men felt about their service and sacrifices from 60-plus years See 437th Airlift Wing, Page 3
Survival of the Fittest: Battle begins
JB CHS, SC
Friday, October 5
Partly Cloudy
(10% precip)
High 86º Low 65º
Saturday, October 6
Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 86º Low 66º
Sunday, October 7
Partly Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 83º Low 61º
By Senior Airman Dennis Sloan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
Survival of the Fittest is a threepart series on an Airman's battle with cancer while still serving in the Air Force.
Some boys dream of becoming a policeman, a fireman, a doctor, an actor or even a star athlete. But for Michael Moyles, none of these appealed to him. Michael's dream was two generations in the making. His dream, to become a United States Air Force officer, came from his grandfather's and father's service in the Air Force as pilots. But, he would not become a pilot. That boy became a man and at the age of 21 commissioned in the Air Force as a communications officer in 1994. More comfortable behind a keyboard than in a cockpit, Michael
was a "geek." He believed his passion for the Air Force and the field of communications was a perfect marriage. He then set the lofty goal of becoming a general during his service. Five years after commissioning, earning the rank of captain and
asking his girlfriend to marry him, his life seemed to be on track. But, all of it would come to a screeching halt. In 1999, Michael, stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., was playing basketball in a St. Louis, Mo., city league when he was involved
U.S. Air Force Illustration / Senior Airman Dennis Sloan
in a freak accident. He and another player dove for a loose ball and collided. Both their heads hit one another's and Michael was knocked unconscious. He was rushed to a local hospital. The next day, Michael had a Computer Tomography or CAT scan, at the 375th Medical Group. The scan ruled out any signs of hemorrhaging or possibility of a stroke. Michael's brain showed no damage at all from the concussion, but that was merely the good news. The bad news: the scan revealed an unwelcomed guest, a tumor located in the right frontal lobe of his brain. When an someone has a tumor in the right frontal lobe, they typically experience changes in behavior, permanent loss of vision, permanent loss of the ability to speak and sometimes even paralysis. But See Battle, Page 5
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BLACK 01/29/08