News

USS Charleston honors namesake city with commissioning ceremony
March 6, 2019 — The U.S. Navy warship USS Charleston was commissioned in its namesake city March 2, 2019, in Charleston, S.C. After its christening in Mobile, AL, in 2017, the USS Charleston has been under final preparation for two years before being put in the water and deemed ready for active duty. The commissioning ceremony here is the last stop in a five-step process before the ship reports for duty on the West Coast... MORE

The USS Charleston (LCS-18) is docked at the Port of Charleston, S.C., after its commissioning ceremony March 2, 2019.

628th MDG recognized as AF's best
February 20, 2019 — The 628th Medical Group has been selected for the United States Air Force Surgeon General Award for Clinic of the Year. According to the Air Force Medical Service Website, awards of this nature reflect the extraordinary quality of what it means to be an Air Force medic. The accomplishments of those recognized are said to demonstrate expertise, leadership and commitment across the full breadth of the support provided to the Air Force mission and the joint team. ... MORE

628th Medical Group Airmen celebrate winning the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General Award for Clinic of the Year Feb. 20, 2019, during a commander’s call at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic’s Name Changes to Naval Information Warfare Center
February 14, 2019 — Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command has announced it will change the names of its Echelon III systems centers, SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic in Charleston, S.C. and SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific in San Diego, Calif., to Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, respectively. The changes will be effective Feb. 18, 2019. The new language “Naval Information Warfare Center,” with the acronym NIWC, (pronounced Nī' wick) will apply to the names of all Naval Information Warfare Center sites falling under NIWC Atlantic and NIWC Pacific worldwide... MORE

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Commander Rear Adm. Christian Becker announces that SPAWARs Echelon III systems centers, SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic and SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, will be changing their names to Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific during an all hands event at SPAWAR Headquarters in San Diego, California.

Humanitarian aid delivered: One weekend, three countries, nearly 130,000 people helped
February 4, 2019 — Over a weekend-long combined humanitarian and training mission, Feb. 3-4, 2019, three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and their Reserve Citizen Airmen crews from Joint Base Charleston’s 315th Airlift Wing delivered humanitarian aid to Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras. The three missions were planned to maintain the aircrews’ flying currency and readiness requirements, while at the same time delivering the cargoes of medical supplies, an ambulance and several tons of food to outreach organizations in their respective countries... MORE

Reservists deliver humanitarian cargo to Honduras

USCG James gets underway
January 31, 2019 — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James went underway Jan. 28, 2018, from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James navigates through the Charleston Harbor Jan. 28, 2019, in Charleston, S.C. During the USCGC James’ last patrol, the crew managed to seize over nine tons of cocaine destined for the U.S. The vessel is named after an American sea captain, Joshua James, who is credited with saving countless lives out at sea throughout his lifetime in the 19th century.

C-17 Globemaster III: An aircraft as versatile as AE crews
January 28, 2019 — Larger, faster and flexible – a flying ICU. Since joining the U.S. Air Force fleet in 1993, the C-17 Globemaster III has significantly expanded aeromedical evacuation capabilities. In addition to its transport and other numerous mission sets, the C-17 converts to provide aeromedical evacuation to patients in a broad variety of conditions. The aircraft has played critical roles in various contingencies, bringing warfighters to higher levels of care, bringing patients home to the U.S., and aiding in humanitarian efforts to save the lives of those impacted by natural disasters... MORE

A U.S. Air Force C-17 from Joint Base Charleston banks over the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge above downtown Charleston during a training mission, May 16, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Russell E. Cooley IV)

Joint Base Charleston February 2019 Briefs and Events
January 24, 2019 — All classes/appointments are typically held at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500, Air Base (AB), or at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Bldg. 755, Weapons Station (WS) unless otherwise specified. Dates/times are subject to change. For the most current program listings and to reserve your seat, please call (843)963-8883 or log onto our website www.jbcharleston.com... MORE

How the Air Force got smarter about its aviation fuel use in 2018
December 31, 2018 — Did you know the Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense? This may not surprise you, if say, you’ve ever watched a sortie of F-35s complete an aerial refueling, or witnessed a C-5 lift (seemingly) effortlessly into the sky. In fact, the Air Force consumes approximately 2 billion gallons of aviation fuel annually – which is about 81 percent of the total Air Force energy budget (with about 17 percent used for facilities and 2 percent for ground vehicles). Operational energy, or aviation fuel, is critical to mission success – but getting fuel to the warfighter involves complex logistical and technical challenges, intricate planning, and more importantly, poses safety risks to the troops transporting it. As the battlefield becomes increasingly multifaceted, energy resilience is a top concern for the Air Force, and optimized operations are an essential component to maintaining it. ... MORE

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., banks over the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, S.C., during a training mission May 16, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Russell E. Cooley IV)

SSC Atlantic names 2018 Employees of the Year
December 22, 2018 — Nine civilian employees from SPAWAR Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic were recognized with Employee of the Year honors and two Sailors as Service Members of the Year during a Dec. 14 ceremony at the center’s Charleston campus. Led by SSC Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Wesley Sanders and Executive Director Chris Miller, the awards ceremony included participation from SSC Atlantic’s New Orleans, Louisiana; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and Tampa, Florida locations via video teleconference... MORE

Joint Base Charleston January 2019 Briefs and Events
December 21, 2018 — All classes/appointments are typically held at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 500, Air Base (AB), or at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Bldg. 755, Weapons Station (WS) unless otherwise specified. Dates/times are subject to change. For the most current program listings and to reserve your seat, please call (843)963-8883 or log onto our website www.jbcharleston.com... MORE