Joint Base Charleston, S.C. –
Maj. Gen. Mark Camerer, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony W. Green, USAF Expeditionary Center command chief, visited Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Feb. 9-11, 2021.
Hosted by Col. Marc Greene, 628th Air Base Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Jason Colon, 628th ABW command chief, and JBC members and agencies, the USAF Expeditionary Center command team toured various facilities across the installation for a behind-the-scenes look at base operations while also visiting with service members in action.
The USAF Expeditionary Center, located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the Air Force’s center of excellence for expeditionary operations and rapid global mobility training and education.
“There’s four mission sets at the Expeditionary Center,” said Camerer. “Joint Base Charleston is part of our joint base mission set, so we do everything we can at the USAF Expeditionary Center to make sure joint bases under our command authority are successful.”
While speaking with Airmen, Camerer more specifically called out the importance of what they do for the mission.
“More specifically, our Airmen are what drives the power we project through the USAF Expeditionary Center because they’re the ones getting the mission done,” said Camerer. “We are really proud of what our Airmen do here to accomplish that mission. Our rapid mobility ability sends a message to our allies that we’re ready and willing. It’s relied upon by our allies and envied by our adversaries. It also sends a message to our adversaries that today’s not the day you want to wake up and test the United States of America. That kind of realization comes from the combat power generated here on this installation.”
The 628th Air Base Wing at Joint Base Charleston is part of the USAF Expeditionary Center enterprise, which includes five wings and two groups within Air Mobility Command.
“It’s crucial to focus on the military team we have as a family and we have to put our focus on the connectedness with each other on top of readiness and accomplishing our mission,” said Green. “I think those two things are something we need to continuously be cultivating.”
During the visit, Green stressed the importance of listening to and empowering Airmen.
“Our people need to feel valued and feel like their voices are heard,” said Green. “Then, they’ll truly thrive anywhere they go knowing they, and their families, are supported. Airmen are the ones with the great ideas that can improve us and make us better equipped overall, so if we keep the focus on empowering them, we will be even more prepared when the nation calls on us.”
While at Joint Base Charleston, Camerer and Green had the opportunity to interact with the instillation’s service members, receive mission briefings from various agencies, and got to see firsthand harbor security, the Wharf Alpha Pier, and several other installation operations and amenities.
“I’m amazed from this visit,” said Green. “When you look at Joint Base Charleston from an Air Force perspective, you see those airplanes on the ramp, and from a naval perspective see the hundreds of students in training, but when you are fortunate enough to meet and talk with all the hard working people, you learn how much everyone is doing behind the scenes to support those activities and the joint base. It was truly amazing and inspiring seeing what the service members here are doing.”