Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 5, No. 41
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, November 7, 2014
Lt. Col. Rieflin takes her fini flight U.S. Air Force photos / Senior Airman Sandra Welch
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Debi Rieflin, 315th Operation Support Squadron instructor pilot, poses with her first all female crew before her final (fini) flight in a C-17 Globemaster III, Oct. 27, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Rieflin, the first female C-17 aircraft commander, has 21 years in the aircraft and is retiring after 31 years in the Air Force.
First female C-17 aviation pioneer retires
By Capt. Michaela Judge 315th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Just more than two decades ago, a new chapter in aviation history was written on Charleston soil as the first C-17 Globemaster III made its official debut in the Air Force's premier aeronautical inventory June, 1993. Ushering in this solid airframe, was an initial cadre of elite Charleston Air Force Base members involved in its concurrent testing, evaluation and implementation. Fast forward 21 years, and Lt. Col. Debi Rieflin, former 315th Operations Support Squadron chief of training, marked the end of an era during a combined fini-flight and retirement ceremony Oct. 27, 2014, as both an initial cadre member and the first operational female aircraft commander for the C-17. Rieflin's military career writes the story of a true pioneer for women in the aviation community – one that began in 1983 after graduating from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. There she earned both her Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, as well as her Air Force commission.
Rieflin, who initially desired a career in engineering, took a risk and decided to follow a career path similar to her father, a commercial pilot and instructor. "My parents raised me to believe that I could do anything I wanted to do. While my father didn't specifically steer me toward this career, when given the opportunity, he encouraged me to give it a shot because he thought I'd enjoy it and be good at it," she said. Upon graduating and commissioning, Rieflin faced her first hurdle. For that specific year, the Air Force had 1,000 pilot slots, but only 25 were allotted for women. Additionally, in 1983, only 15 of the Air Force's 37 aircraft at the time were considered non-combat - so they were the only ones women were eligible to fly. "There were plenty of skeptics out there, doubting that women should fly, let alone whether they could or not," said Rieflin. However, despite the odds, she was selected for training and began her 31-year journey in aviation. The road ahead wouldn't always be easy, but Rieflin wasn't
a stranger to being in the minority. The percentage of female engineers, pilots and military members alone was small, but these challenges didn't faze her. "I encountered biases along the way, but refused to let them prove true," she said. In fact, the challenges only motivated her to prove the biases wrong. "By demonstrating professionalism, competence and excellence, it's hard for anyone to deny that you belong," said Rieflin, Despite some of the limitations in front of her, Rieflin said that patience in this career-field also served her well, by waiting for Congress to incrementally allow women to perform additional duties. Following pilot training, Rieflin went on to hold many leadership roles, both active-duty and Reserve, to include maintenance officer, Command Post duty officer and C-141 instructor pilot for the 300th Airlift Squadron, all by 1993. From there, she assumed the inaugural position as the first See First Female Pilot, Page 5
DOD celebrates Military Family Month in November By Karen Parrish DOD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON – November in America traditionally is a month of thankfulness, and the Defense Department chose this month to recognize those who support the nation’s armed forces but who don’t wear the uniform: military families. Barbara Thompson directs the department’s Office of Family Policy, Children and Youth, and Special Needs. She recently spoke with DOD News about Military Family Month and why it matters. “In November, we take the time to draw attention to and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Debi Rieflin, a 315th Operation Support highlight the great sacrifices and support that military families Squadron instructor pilot, sits at the controls during her final offer our men and women in the armed forces,” she said. (fini) flight in the C-17 Globemaster III conducted with an all Thompson’s office oversees programs and policies that profemale crew Oct. 27, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. mote military families’ well-being and quality of life. Thompson’s portfolio covers a range of military family concerns, from child development programs to spouse career development, personal financial readiness and nonmedical counseling. DUI CONDITION:
YELLOW! 342 TOTAL SAVES FOR 2014
963 -
AADD
# of Days Since Last JB Charleston DUI - 20 (Oct. 18, 2014 - NNPTU)
Total # of DUIs for JB Charleston 2014 - 18
Airmen Against Drunk Driving: Wingmen Saving Lives
Joint Base Charleston’s Airmen Against Drunk Driving offers free, confidential rides home.
INSIDE
To volunteer, email AADD.charleston@charleston.af.mil The JB Charleston DUI Battle Plan: https://eim.amc.af.mil/org/628ABW/JBCharlestonDUIBattlePlan/default.aspx
DOD Honors Military Families Senior Pentagon officials will participate throughout the month in events designed to honor military families, Thompson said, and the military services, installations and family support centers also will be working to recognize military families. “There will be a lot of events and special recognitions,” she added. Thompson noted that the modern military family mirrors the modern American family – some families are blended,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMBINED UTA 239 years of the Marine Corps
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Delivering efficiency and morale
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DUI Checkpoint
The 628th Security Forces Squadron and local law enforcement will conduct a DUI Checkpoint Nov. 8 from 10:30 p.m. to midnight on the Weapons Station. The checkpoint will test all drivers to determine if they are operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have any questions concerning this checkpoint contact the 628th SFS at 963-3641.
some have single parents, others consist of unmarried or same-sex couples, and still others have special needs. “Just like the American family, we have all different shapes and sizes. … They all comprise this fabric of military families,” she said. Families contribute to the U.S. military’s strong, resilient and ready force and to their communities as well, Thompson said. “When we think of our military members and the values that they embody, such as courage and duty and ethics and loyalty, those same attributes are key to our military family members,” she noted. Thompson said the department considers military families an integral part of the force. “We like to say that military families serve, too,” she said. “Because without the support … that they provide the activeduty force and the reserve component force, it would be very difficult for service members to do their mission.” She continued, “I like to think that military families are right there, throughout the greatest challenges as well as right there during the greatest triumphs of the service member.” Military Families Are Your Neighbors The department can’t be everything to everyone, she noted, “So we rely on the community assets where our service members and their families live – whether the faith-based community or the school community.” Military families in communities across America typically live, shop, go to school and worship with their neighbors. According to recent statistics from the Defense Manpower See Military Family Month, Page 5
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Sunny Friday, Nov. 7
(0% precip)
High 66º Low 43º
Partly Cloudy
Saturday, Nov. 8
(0% precip)
High 68º Low 52º
See Joint Base Charleston on Facebook! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08
AM Clouds/ PM Sun Sunday, Nov. 9
(20% precip)
High 67º Low 44º