News

Ombudsmen honored during 41st anniversary
October 4, 2011 — Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station celebrated the 41st anniversary of the Navy-wide Ombudsman program, recognizing each command's Ombudsman for their hard work and dedication during an appreciation luncheon held at the Red Bank Club, Sept. 28.Much like the Air Force's Key Spouse program, the Ombudsman program was established to improve mission... MORE

Local area Ombudsman pose for a group photo during the Ombudsman Appreciation Luncheon held Sept. 29 at Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station. The Ombudsmen were celebrating 41 years of the program which provides a vital link between a servicemember's family and their command. (U.S. Navy photo/Kim Brown)

Fire Prevention Week begins Sunday.
October 4, 2011 — National Fire Prevention Week 2011 is October 9 through 15 and the theme this year is "Protect your family from fire." Fire Prevention Week was established in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge when he became aware that close to 15,000 people had been lost to fire the previous year. Fire Prevention Week is always observed from the Sunday through... MORE

437th AW explores Strategic Alignment and Deployment
October 4, 2011 — Senior 437th Airlift Wing leaders invested significant time this past September to develop a simple, long-term planning method called Strategic Alignment and Deployment.Strategic Alignment and Deployment presents a way to think, plan and assess the potential that lies ahead. It involves getting Airmen at every level to tackle everyday tasks driven... MORE

Colonel Erik Hansen discusses Strategic Alignment and Deployment with other senior 437th Airlift Wing leaders this past September. SA&D is a long-term planning method that enables Airmen at every level to tackle tasks driven by command objectives, measures and critical targets. Hansen is the 437th AW commander. (courtesy photo)

Reaching out through photography
October 4, 2011 — MORE

Technical Sgt. DeNoris Mickle looks through a yearbook with elementary school students Sept. 27 at Charles Towne Montessori School in Charleston. Two photographers from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron volunteered to teach a group of six upper elementary school students basic photography skills.The students' will be taking photos for their yearbook. Mickle is a photographer at the 1CTCS. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Nicole Mickle)

Annual fair prepares military families for emergencies
October 4, 2011 — The Joint Base Charleston Emergency Management team worked hand-in-hand with local community organizations to host the annual Emergency Preparedness Fair at JB Charleston - Weapons Station Sept. 29, teaching service members and their families how to prepare for a natural disaster.The fair is designed to provide educational tips and information for... MORE

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Altgilbers, Joint Base Charleston Emergency Management team member, teaches Navy spouse Katie Ayala about the basic necessities to consider when preparing for a natural disaster during the Emergency Preparedness Fair at JB Charleston - Weapons Station, Sept. 29. The fair provided advice and information on preparing an emergency supply kit, a family emergency plan and how to safely operate items such as generators and chainsaws. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Class Brannon Deugan)

Help for military homeowners in crisis
October 4, 2011 — Military families throughout the country are not immune to the ongoing housing crisis. On my travels to military bases, I've heard too many distressing stories about servicemembers who are underwater on their mortgage and are faced with military permanent change of station orders that require them to relocate at a time when their home is worth less... MORE

This week in Navy History
October 3, 2011 — Oct. 2, 1799 - The Washington Navy Yard was established.Oct. 3, 1921 - USS Olympia sailed for France to bring home the Unknown Soldier from World War I.Oct. 4, 1943 - Aircraft from USS Ranger sank five German ships and damaged three in Operation Leader, the only U.S. Navy carrier operation in northern European waters during World War II.Oct. 5,... MORE

This week in Air Force History
October 3, 2011 — Oct. 2, 1993 - Major earthquakes rolled through central India. Afterwards, C-5s airlifted 1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 950 tents, 18,550 five-gallon water containers, 22 pallets of blankets and other relief supplies to Bombay through Oct. 4.Oct. 3, 1995 - An Air Mobility Command contracted DC-8 left Robins Air Force Base, Ga. for Hanoi with 28... MORE

Airmen participate in CATM course
September 28, 2011 — MORE

Senior Airman Josh Lien instructs a student firing the M-249 automatic machine gun Aug 31 at Joint Base Charleston-Air Base, during a Combat Arms Training and Maintenance qualifying course. CATM courses consist of small arms training for the M-9 Beretta side arm, M-4 carbine rifle and heavy machine guns, such as the M-240 and M-249 automatic rifles. All Airmen are required to complete qualification courses annually or before deployments. Lien is a combat arms instructor from the 628th Security Forces Squadron, Combat Arms Section. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Bruch)

Great American Smokeout scheduled
September 28, 2011 — Most folks recognize cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in the United States. Specifically, smoking contributes to roughly 450,000 deaths each year. Explicit warnings on tobacco products include death as a possible risk. Smoking is regarded as an individual choice, but tobacco poses a risk to the families of smokers, not... MORE