Joint Base Charleston
Patriot Vol. 2, No. 45
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Col. Erik Hansen 437th Airlift Wing commander
Col. Richard McComb 628th Air Base Wing commander
Friday, November 18, 2011
Col. Steven Chapman 315th Airlift Wing commander
It all comes down to the final game Commentary by Col. Erik Hansen 437th Airlift Wing commander Col. Richard McComb 628th Air Base Wing commander and Col. Steven Chapman 315th Airlift Wing commander As we put the finishing touches on our Operational Readiness Inspection preparations, let's take a moment to consider game six of the recent Major League Baseball World Series. Why, you ask? Hang on ... you'll see. For those of you who may not follow baseball, the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals were battling for the biggest prize in baseball. The Rangers had never won a World Series, while St. Louis is the franchise with the most World Series titles among National League clubs. In a similar fashion, Team Charleston is known throughout Air Mobility Command for its Teamwork, professionalism and record of getting the job done. Bottom line, if you want the job done ... Team Charleston will answer the call. At the beginning of the season, St. Louis had another superstar roster and appeared to be in the hunt for another title. But they struggled throughout the season and were 10
1/2 games out of first place in late August. A late season run got them into the playoffs as a wild card entry where they faced elimination four times, including game six. Similarly, our Team of superstars struggled a bit with our initial Mobility Exercise and fly-away Operational Readiness Exercises. Between OREs, our team worked hard to refine our processes all while continuing the workload associated with the world-wide airlift and Joint Base support missions. But mirroring the Cardinals' late surge, Team Charleston's most recent ORE demonstrated tremendous progress. Heading into game six of the World Series, Texas held a 32 series lead and needed one win for the series title. With time running out, the Cards found themselves facing elimination. Then the heroics began. Down by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, David Freese delivered a two-run triple to tie the game and avoid elimination. In the bottom of the tenth inning, the Cards found themselves down by two again. After some clutch hitting and a sacrifice bunt led to one run, Lance Berkman tied the game with an RBI single to stave off elimination ... again. Finally in the bottom of the eleventh inning, David Freese delivered the knock-out punch with a solo home run. The rest is history as the Cards went on to win game seven and the Series.
So what is the significance of this game to you and the ORI? Well, baseball is a team sport where success depends upon everyone understanding their roles and performing them to the best of their ability. But there are times, as we saw in game six, where individuals can make a huge difference as Berkman and Freese did with the game on the line. Like baseball, the ORI is a team sport. And like game six, there will be times when individual performances make the difference in the overall outcome. As a team, we've prepared almost exhaustively. But in the end, Team Charleston's success may come down to your individual preparation and your attitude. Have you studied your Airman's Manual? Do you know your role as a Post-Attack Reconnaissance Team member or Facility Manager? Can you demonstrate urgency in reacting to a bugle call, Alarm Red or change in Military Oriented Protective Posture condition? Can you survive AND operate? Are you ready to perform self-aid buddy care on a teammate with the IG watching your every move? In the end, each Airman plays a critical role in the ORI. Whether you are part of the 121st Air Expeditionary Wing in Gulfport or staying behind to deploy/redeploy the force, you are under the IG's watchful eyes and may be asked to deliver the game-winning hit. Are YOU Ready?
USAF Expeditionary Center commander visits JB Charleston By 2nd Lt. Leah Davis Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Major Gen. William Bender and wife, Sue, visited Joint Base Charleston Nov. 14 and Nov 15. Bender is commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The USAF Expeditionary Center is the Air Force's Center of Excellence for advanced expeditionary combat support training and education. Additionally, the center provides direct leadership to Joint Base Charleston. During the tour, the General and his wife visited Joint Base facilities on both the Weapons Station and Air Base, including the Army Strategic Logistics Activity- Charleston and facilities that were participating in Warrior Week. Mrs. Bender was also able to visit several different agencies. As a part of the tour, Bender had the opportunity to observe Warrior Week activities in preparation for the Operational Readiness Inspection. Some of the exercises included were Self-Aid Buddy Care, Ability to Survive and Operate and Post -Attack Reconnaissance. There, he presented a coin to Capt. Jason Guadalupe, FSS Operations Officer, and was able to give some words of gratitude to the Airmen who were training, “Thank you for what you are doing,” said the general. “You are representing the Joint Base, your wing and your unit
to the inspection team. If you’re out there and fighting in the ORI, just remember that in the end, it’s always a team effort and it usually ends up being successful. So I appreciate all the hard work that you’re doing and the jobs that you have to do, including this extra training for Warrior Week. You know your stuff and that is what your leaders here are counting on. So, thanks for what you’re doing.” Bender had an overall positive attitude towards the Airmen and their ability to succeed. “Good luck in the ORI. We’ll be watching to see how you do. I’m sure it’s going to be good news.” The general also attended Mock Deployment Training and the Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield hands on training. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashlee Galloway During a separate tour, Mrs. Bender visited Maj. Gen. William Bender speaks to Airmen from the 628th Force Support the dorm facilities, Forest City housing, the Squadron about the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection at Joint Honor Guard, 628th Medical Group, Child Base Charleston Nov. 15. The ORI will take place Nov. 29 through Dec. 6. Development Center, and the Naval Health Bender is the commander of the United States Air Force Expenditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Clinic Charleston. She ended her day by spending time with a group of junior spouses at the Airmen and Family Readiness important to the overall mission,” said Mrs. Bender. “It helps Center. “Keeping our military spouses informed is very the readiness of our Sailors and Airmen.”
437th Airlift Wing hosts Boeing for base tour
Happy Thanksgiving! The Patriot will NOT publish next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, but will resume publication Friday, December 2.
Capt. Jeff Harnly briefs Boeing personnel on pallet on/off loading capabilities during a tour of a C-17 Globemaster III on the Joint Base Charleston flightline, Nov.16. The tour was held to show Boeing members how the 437th Airlift Wing operates and how thier work on base supports the Air Force mission. Harnly is from the 437th Operations Group.
U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Ashlee Galloway
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