News

John L. Levitow Award Winner
December 11, 2015 — MORE

Col. Robert Lyman, Joint Base Charleston commander, Col. Jimmy Canlas, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Kristopher Berg, 437th AW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Bronson, 628th Air Base Wing command chief, present the John L. Levitow Award to Senior Airman Katherine Stanton, 15th Airlift Squadron instructor loadmaster, Dec. 11, 2015, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. The John L. Levitow award is given for a student’s exemplary demonstration of excellence, both as a leader and a scholar. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)

437th spouses tour JB Charleston
December 11, 2015 — MORE

During the Spouses Tour, hosted by Col. John Lamontagne, 437th AW commander, on Dec. 3, 2015, at JB Charleston, S.C., the group received a briefing from John Young in the 437th MXG Aircraft Structural Maintenance Shop. The purpose of the tour was to give spouses a broader perspective of the joint base mission and to say, “Thank you,” for the support they provide to their families every day.

Life at NNPTC
December 10, 2015 — The stresses on students can be challenging at times. The amount of homework, study material, memorization and testing can be quite a handful.While this is the case for most students at all education levels, it is especially true for students of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command at the Joint Base Charleston Naval Weapons Station, S.C.Petty... MORE

(From left to right) Petty Officer 3rd Class Rylee Schaefer, Navy Nuclear Power Training Command electronics technician graduate, stands with MCPO Paul Karrow, NNPTC Indoctrination Coordinator, outside the NNPTC school at Joint Base Charleston – Naval Weapons Station, S.C., on Dec. 7, 2015. The NNPTC moved from the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FL. to the Naval Weapons Station in 1998. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Thomas T. Charlton)

Strengthening Community Ties through Joint Initiatives
December 10, 2015 — In a time where budget constraints are affecting all aspects of life and government, finding ways to best use scarce resources is crucial for Joint Base Charleston and members of the local community. In December 2014, the Air Force Partnership Program, or P4 for short, was established to build relationships and start brainstorming joint community... MORE

Lt. Col. Ralph E. Taylor, 628th Mission Support Group deputy commander, provides opening remarks during the Air Force Partnership Program (P4) way ahead meeting in the 628th Air Base Wing conference room on Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C., Dec. 4, 2015. The P4 initiative, started approximately 12 months ago, has led to the creation of nine new money-saving programs between local community leaders and multiple Joint Base members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Renae Pittman)

Vice president lands at Charleston
December 7, 2015 — MORE

Vice President Joe Biden steps off Air Force Two, a Boeing C-32, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Dec. 3, 2015. Biden visited the Lowcountry to pay tribute to Joe Riley, who is retiring after 40 years as the City of Charleston mayor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

SC Navy Reserves centered at JB Charleston
December 4, 2015 — The Navy Reserves has been around for 100 years. Starting on March 3, 1915, they have been an important asset to the United States military since. The Reserve Officer Training program was established in 1926 which is a college-based program for training graduates to become commissioned officers in the United States armed forces. Locally, the Navy... MORE

The Navy Operational Support Center at Joint Base Charleston – Naval Weapons Station, S.C. ensures its assigned Reservists are taken care of and are mission ready at a moment’s notice, Dec. 1, 2015. The NOSC’s 14 member full-time staff handle 330 Reservist’s personnel and medical records, travel vouchers and the issuing of uniforms and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Thomas T. Charlton)

Joint Base Charleston celebrates Arbor Day
December 1, 2015 — Each December, Joint Base Charleston celebrates Arbor Day. The day is an appreciation of trees and recognizes the benefits they provide.Arbor Day was started by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 with the first observance being held April 10th.. Morton was a journalist who relocated to Nebraska from his home in Michigan. Upon settling in Nebraska, Morton... MORE

Dear Lowcountry
November 25, 2015 — MORE

Dear Lowcountry,

Thank you for your service. The first time a military service member hears that from a stranger we feel a bit awkward, but we have come to value that heartfelt, honest declaration. In the South Carolina Lowcountry region it is a phrase we hear often.

People stop us in the grocery store, at restaurants, waiting for car repairs, at sporting competitions, while shopping, at luncheons, and at special events. Some are forward and talkative, some hesitant and shy.
Since arriving at Joint Base Charleston, the common theme has been one of genuine appreciation. Thank you for saying it.

You reflect the best of America back at us. While you honor us with your gratitude, you remind us of the depth of our duty, the character we strive to exemplify, and the many reasons we choose to serve. At such times it is humbling to be a servant of our Republic, and we are better for the reminder.

Additionally, you welcome our families. Military service is a nomadic life.
It can be difficult to make friends, connect with neighborhood activities, and find unique things to explore in each new area. Military families also endure long absences and sacrifice personal memories to broader service to country. This region is welcoming and warm to our military families. You make your communities a home for us, not just another duty station.

After being thanked so often, it strikes us that you are owed thanks as well. On behalf of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, national security professionals, and service families of Joint Base Charleston - Thank you!

Respectfully,

The Commanders of Joint Base Charleston

Nightshift maintainers share Thanksgiving meal, perspective
November 25, 2015 — It was 6 p.m. Friday evening, dark and quiet, as the final trickle of dayshift workers from Joint Base Charleston climbed into their cars and headed home. Meanwhile, a father and his two children entered a building on the Air Base flightline to join his wife and their mother for her "lunch" break.The building, an industrial facility housing... MORE

Airman 1st Class Nicole Pieper, 437th Maintenance Squadron aerospace journeyman and her husband, Senior Airman Kody Becker, 437 MXS aerospace reclamation technician, and their two sons pose for a photo following a Thanksgiving meal for 437 MXS swing-shift workers and their families, Nov 20, 2015, at Joint Base Charleston, SC. Swing-shift hours are from 2-11:30 p.m. and is one of three shifts that sustain the aircraft maintenance mission 24 hours per day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Love)

"Chiefs" remain undefeated volleyball champs
November 25, 2015 — MORE

Senior Airman Eric Halchak, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, bumps the volleyball during a tournament against chief master sergeants and first sergeants from the installation at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C., on Nov. 23, 2015. The volleyball tournament was held a teambuilding and communication exercise to prepare Airmen Leadership School students to be non-commissioned officers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Thomas T. Charlton)