Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot
Vol. 4, No. 38
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Foster, 373rd Training Squadron electrical environmental systems instructor, plays a game at a local vendor during the 2013 Oktoberfest Oct. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. Oktoberfest is an annual event put together by the Top 3 for ranks E-1 through E-6 to show appreciation for their day-to-day hard work. The event included free food and drinks, a disc jockey and a hot wing eating contest. Airmen also played games such as basketball and corn hole.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Oktoberfest!
See more photos on Page 5.
U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Chacarra Neal
Vietnam Security Police Association reunion held at JB Charleston
INSIDE SHUTDOWN There is a silver lining
By Senior Airman Ashlee Galloway Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
See page 2
TIRE CHANGE
Keeping the C-17s rolling See page 4
UEI COUNTDOWN 46 Days Begins December 2, 2013
Weekend Weather Update JB CHS, SC
Friday, October 18
Afternoon Showers (30% precip)
High 81º Low 65º
Saturday, October 19 Mostly Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 80º Low 60º
Sunday, October 20
A Few Showers (30% precip)
High 75º Low 55
This past week, the Vietnam Security Police Association held their 19th annual reunion Oct. 9 through 13, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The Vietnam Security Police Association is a team of former active-duty Air Force Security Police members who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Each year, the association conducts a lottery to decide which installation they will visit in order to stay in tune with the ever-changing career field and technological advancements. This year, for the first time in the association's history, JB Charleston was chosen. During the time VSPA was on JB Charleston, they took a tour, watched demonstrations from the 628th Security Forces Squadron and took part in a retreat ceremony. "We came to talk with security about their time verses our time in the service, and to compare the differences on the things that have changed," said retired Senior Master Sgt. Pete Piazza, VSPA president and Silver Star awardee. "We discussed how similar our jobs are, the different tactics that were used, different weapons that they have now compared to Airmen, Sailors and members of the Vietnam Security Police Association stand in formation at a retreat ceremony held Oct. 15, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C.
what we had, the different vehicles that are used now and we ended our time on base with a retreat ceremony." Piazza entered the Air Force on Feb. 19, 1960, and served three tours in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay - Air Base, Bien Hoa - AB and Phu Cat - AB. One of his biggest awards received was the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the TET Offensive of Jan. 31, 1968, at Bien Hoa - AB. Piazza is committed to the Vietnam Security Police Association’s mission of maintaining the history of their service in Vietnam and Thailand. He has spoken at numerous events throughout the country and at Air Force bases regarding the history of the Security Forces career field, especially the events surrounding TET of 1968. "The best part about having the VSPA here was that it brought our history out of the books and placed it square on our front porch," said Master Sgt. Chad Hashley, Installation Security Manager. "It provided members of the SFS who have conducted combat missions in the Iraqi and Afghan AORs the opportunity to speak with warriors of the past who had similar experiences. Of course, the environment, equipment and return reception were different, but the battle field and face of a combat Defender is the same. It was a HOOAH moment I won’t soon forget."
Courtesy photos
Airmen from Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C., lower the flag during a retreat ceremony that was held Oct. 15, 2013, for the Vietnam Security Police Association. The Vietnam Security Police Association is a team of former active-duty Air Force Security Police members who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Members of the Vietnam Security Police Association gather for a reunion at a retreat ceremony held Oct. 15, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C.
Congress passes bill reopening federal government By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
President Barack Obama signed legislation late Oct. 16, 2013, bringing federal employees back to work after Congress finally resolved the budget logjam which led to a 16-day shutdown. Senate leaders championed bipartisan legislation to reopen the government and remove the
threat of government default on its debts. All federal government employees, including some 4,000 DoD employees, reported to work Oct. 17, 2013. The legislation is a continuing resolution that will provide federal government spending at fiscal year 2013 levels. This keeps the sequesterlevel budget in effect. The act will keep the government open through Jan. 15, 2014, and raises the debt limit
through Feb. 7. The act contains a provision for a joint Senate-House committee to work on a budget recommendation for fiscal year 2014. The legislation includes the provision to pay all furloughed employees for the period of the lapse in appropriations. The act calls for those employees to be paid "as soon as practicable." For more information, go to the OPM web page at www.opm.gov.
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