Happy Holidays! Vol. 6, No. 45
Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
December 18, 2015
Man Overboard!
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Clayton Cupit
A Sailor from the harbor patrol unit simulates a man-overboard exercise Dec. 9, 2015, on the Cooper River near Joint Base Charleston – Weapons Station, S.C. JB Charleston’s port operations recently implemented a new training program to effectively cut down on spending and improve resourcefulness. The training consisted of putting Sailors through a series of classes. The week following their classes, the new trainers were put to the test instructing the newer Sailors on the information they just learned.
Joint Base Charleston implements new 'Train the Trainer' program By Senior Airman Clayton Cupit Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
Joint Base Charleston's port operations has recently implemented a new 'Train the Trainer' program to effectively cut down on spending and improve resourcefulness. A training specialist from Navy Region Southeast has been travelling to different bases training crew members as well as overseeing the process. "What we're doing this week is a basic boat coxswain class and a 'Train the Trainer' program," said Shane Adcox, Navy Region Southeast training specialist. "It consisted of putting the Sailors here through a series of classes. The following week they will be training the newer Sailors on the information they just learned. Once trained, they will be able to pro-
vide training to any new arrivals to their unit." "In Navy Region Southeast, there are only two trainers in the area qualified to teach others," said Adcox. "This new program would allow commands to continue training in our absence. The continual training will ensure qualifications are maintained and new arrivals are taught and brought in as a crewmember faster and cheaper." "The method we are taking to save money is to have the trainers visit the different bases and stay there to qualify people," said Adcox. "Overall there are huge dollar savings. So, as opposed to taking the six Sailors in class and sending them to a Navy search and rescue school, they can receive the training at their own unit without having to spend travel money. " The JB Charleston Weapons Station's shoreline spans
approximately 16 miles of the Cooper River and Sailors and Airmen are patrolling the shoreline on Harbor Patrol boats 24 hours a day seven days a week. "The crewmembers are required to be qualified in basic boat coxswain training," said Adcox. The coxswain is the primary boat operator, charged with steering the proper course, controlling the throttles and engine speed while maneuvering the boat in close quarters. The coxswain's main secondary duty is the maintenance of the vessel including maintenance of the hull, engine and navigation and communications systems. The coxswain is also an expert in the maintenance and operation of any weapons systems embarked on the unit's boats. See ‘Train the Trainer’ on Page 3
Santa Claus comes to town on a Charleston C-17
By Michael Dukes 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
A few children received a very special visitor this past Unit Training Assembly weekend when the 315th Airlift Wing flew Santa and Mrs. Claus in from the North Pole on a Charleston C-17 Globemaster III. Santa (Jim Evernham) and Mrs. Claus (Col. Caroline Evernham, 315th Operations Group commander) arrived at Joint Base Charleston Dec. 5, 2015, to a cheering crowd of 315 OG family members as part of the OG's annual Santa visit. "The children were very well behaved and they all said 'thank you' very politely, just as he would have expected from such good chil-
dren! I look forward come see them again on Christmas," Santa Claus said after the visit. "Thanks to the men and women of the 315th Airlift Wing and their C-17, my night of delivering packages on Christmas Eve will be much less stressful." Once on the jet, children (and even a few adults) were quick to jump onto Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. They also posed for photos with the jolly couple and Santa gave them an early present. 315th Airlift Wing members of the Joint Base Charleston Fire Department provided a static firetruck to entertain the families while they waited for Santa. The oft requested Mini C-17 display was very popular with the children who excitedly climbed on board.
U.S. Air Force photo / 2nd Lt. Rashard Coaxum
315th Operations Group members and their families got a very special opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on a C-17 Globemaster III Saturday after the jolly couple flew in from the North Pole. See more photos at www.315aw. afrc.af.mil
Christmas tree lightings at Joint Base Charleston
INSIDE
Carolers sing holiday songs during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Joint Base Charleston Air Base, S.C. Dec. 8, 2015. Hot chocolate was served and Santa came to visit with the children.
U.S. Air Force photos / Jessica Donnelly, JB Charleston FSS
Challenging days for ‘nuke’ students
Strengthening our community ties
LIFE AT NNPTC JOINT INITIATIVES Page 5
Page 6
SC Navy Reserves at Joint Base Charleston
NOSC
Page 7
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC AM Showers Friday, Dec. 18
(50% precip)
High 61º Low 39º
Sunny Saturday, Dec. 19
(0% precip)
High 56º Low 41º
Extended Forecast
Mostly Sunny
Sunday, Dec. 20
Santa arrived by fire truck to surprise the children during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at JB Charleston Weapons Station, S.C. Dec. 3, 2015. Hot chocolate was served and carolers entertained the audience with holiday songs.
(0% precip)
High 65º Low 53º
Mon. - Dec. 21 73°/60° - Mostly Cloudy (0%) Tue. - Dec. 22 74°/65° - Rain (70%) Wed. - Dec. 23 76°/65° - Scattered T-Storms (60%) Thur. - Dec. 24 77°/64° - Isolated T-Storms (30%) Fri. - Dec. 25 75°/61° - Partly Cloudy (20%)
Note: The Patriot will be on hiatus for the remainder of the holidays. The next issue will be January 8, 2016. CYAN-AOOO
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