Happy Holidays! Vol. 5, No. 48
Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, December 19, 2014
Sweet treats for the holidays!
U.S. Air Force photo / Jessica Donnelly
Angela Cottman, Fleet and Family Support Center work life consultant, delivers a box of holiday cookies to a member of the Naval Consolidated Brig staff, Dec. 17, 2014, as part of Operation Cookie Caper on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. See the story on Page 3.
It's been a busy three months ... everyone take a deep breath From 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs and 437th Airlift Wing
After nearly three months of increased mission tempo, operations at Joint Base Charleston are returning to more normal levels. Since September of this year, JB Charleston has played an important role in many international events, such as the West African Ebola troop movement, Afghanistan drawdown, ISIL counter-insurgency and presidential transport support. While JB Charleston will continue to support these types of missions, December 15, 2014, marked the end of the surge. Charleston's C-17s have flown nearly 30 Operation UNITED ASSISTANCE missions which supported humanitarian aid to contain the spread of the Ebola virus. Charleston C-17s have also moved detainees from Guantanamo Bay and supported the Secretary of Defense. Aircrews transported the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to a NATO defense summit and to a meeting with coalition partners in Iraq, while also
enabling numerous presidential movements around the world to countries including: China, Vietnam, Australia, Estonia and the United Kingdom. During this time, JB Charleston Airmen received, packaged and shipped 88 tons of humanitarian aid, helping to feed more than 20,000 displaced refugees in Iraq. JB Charleston Airmen have reliably supported and executed these missions while continuing to perform ongoing retrograde operations in Afghanistan as well as local training sorties. This surge effort required all of JB Charleston's Airmen to operate 10 to 15 percent above normal capacity, resulting in 2,871 sorties, more than 10,000 flight hours and 101 million pounds of delivered cargo. "Complementing the JB Charleston mission were our reservists, citizen Airmen who continue to balance their civilian careers with their military duty while supporting these operations," said Lt. Col. Russ Catanach, 315th Operations Group deputy commander. "The Reserve crews demonstrate
that the 315th Airlift Wing's volunteer C-17 crewmembers stand capable and ready to fly anywhere in the world to support the nation's objectives, whether during conflict or in response to humanitarian crises of any nature. This volunteer force, coupled with active-duty crew members, enabled JB Charleston to meet the challenges faced during these past three months." In a perfect world, returning to regular operations means a few more JB Charleston Airmen will have the opportunity to spend the winter holidays with their loved ones, providing much-needed relief from the high operations tempo. Aircraft demand will return to normal levels, allowing aircrew and maintenance personnel more time to complete inspections and training requirements, thus ensuring JB Charleston's ability to meet future demands. "I am proud of the way our crews responded to the surge; as tired as they are, I know they're still ready for the next contingency," said Lt. Col. Mark Baran, 14th Airlift Squadron commander.
USNS Watkins moors at JB Charleston, ASLAC on-loads equipment
Story and photos by Senior Airman Tom Brading 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INSIDE
The USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315) arrived at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Dec. 5, 2014, to load tons of military gear into its 394,000 square foot cargo stowage area. And that will take time as the ship's carrying capacity is larger than seven football fields. This on-load mission is conducted by the Army Strategic Logistics Activity Charleston and its team of 34 Department of Defense civilians, nine military service members and numerous contractors, along with the Army's 841st Transportation Battalion also located at JB Charleston. "We've scheduled 10 working days to complete the on-load," said Robert O'Brien, ASLAC general manager. "However, we could always complete the mission sooner." Watkins is one of 19 large, medium-speed (24 knots), roll-on/roll-off ships belonging to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. Once loaded with military combat and combat support equipment, the Watkins will be prepositioned overseas, capable of re-supplying the nation’s armed forces during contingencies or a national crisis. Before the on-load begins, all of the mili-
tary cargo is inspected, road tested, serviced and repaired as necessary by ASLAC to meet Army standards. Additionally, thousands of pieces of equipment are processed, packaged and stored onto the backs of cargo carriers or loaded into containers. The Army continually upgrades the Army Prepositioned Stock (APS)-3 equipment. Finally, the cargo is labeled for accountability and convoyed back to Wharf Alpha to be loaded onboard. "From a military stand point, it's important to know the capabilities Charleston has," said O'Brien. "Team Charleston supports the warfighter with land, sea and air." Don Strunk, Army Strategic Logistical Activity – Charleston manager, waits as vehicles are loaded onto the USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315), Dec. 15, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
MOTHER NATURE Weather Flight watching the skies
HOLIDAY HOURS
Page 6
JB Charleston sets year-end schedule
Page 7
Army vehicles wait to be loaded onto the USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315), Dec. 10, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Once loaded with more than 1,200 pieces of military equipment, the 950-foot long ship will embark to a prepositioned location overseas. A medical vehicle is driven onto the USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315), Dec. 15, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
AFSOC
Recruiting the best
Page 10
Note: The Patriot will be on hiatus for the remainder of the year. The next issue will be January 9, 2015. CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08