News

Palmetto Challenge 19-2
November 7, 2019 — More than 140 Airmen from Joint Base Charleston took part in Palmetto Challenge, a global mobilization readiness exercise at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and Pope Army Airfield, South Carolina, Nov. 1-7, 2019... MORE

Airmen evacuate the Emergency Operations Center after a simulated chemical attack during Palmetto Challenge at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Nov. 3, 2019. The goal of the exercise was to develop and maintain full-spectrum readiness and ensure JB Charleston’s Airmen were ready for rapid mobilization and able to support Air Mobility Command and DOD priorities. Both active-duty and reserve Airmen from the 628th Air Base Wing, 437th Airlift Wing and 315th Airlift Wing came together to train in operating in an austere environment. More than 140 Airmen took part in the global mobilization readiness exercise at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and Pope Army Airfield, S.C.

ATA Conference highlights Air Mobility Command priorities
November 7, 2019 — Approximately 2,000 attendees participated in forums, listened to speeches and attended workshops at the 51st Airlift/Tanker Association Convention, Technology Expo and Industry Interface, Oct. 23-26, in Orlando, Florida... MORE

First, second ladies visit JB Charleston
October 30, 2019 — First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Karen Pence visited JB Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 31st to get a first-hand look at emergency preparedness efforts within the base and local community... MORE

First Lady Melania Trump speaks to members of Team Charleston during a visit to Joint Base Charleston, S.C. October 30, 2019. While here, she and Second Lady Karen Pence met with Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and students from Lambs Elementary School to learn more about the community’s capabilities in disaster response, relief and recovery efforts.

43rd, 375th AES conduct TIS training at JB Charleston
October 29, 2019 — Members of the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Pope Army Air Field, North Carolina, and 375th AES from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, conducted a Transport Isolation System training exercise to maintain readiness at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, October 21-24... MORE

Members of the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Pope Army Air Field, N.C., and 375th AES from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. carry a simulated Ebola patient onto a C-17 Globemaster III during a Transport Isolation System training exercise at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., October 23, 2019. The TIS is a device used to transport Ebola patients, either by C-17 Globemaster III or C-130 Hercules, while preventing the spread of disease to medical personnel and aircrews until the patient can get to one of three designated hospitals in the United States that can treat Ebola patients. JB Charleston is currently the only military installation with a TIS. The TIS mission is a sub-specialty of the aeromedical evacuation mission which requires frequent training to maintain readiness.

JB Charleston participates in Red Ribbon Week
October 25, 2019 — According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens, 40 percent of 12th graders said they have used a drug at least once in the past year. Red Ribbon Week, which takes place October 23-31, is an awareness program that began in 1985 as a way to show opposition to drugs as stated by the Get Smart About Drugs foundation. Marrington Elementary School is celebrating Red Ribbon Week with various events and activities such as spirit days, fundraisers and an assembly featuring narcotic detection military working dogs. Students are always encouraged to not take drugs, but during Red Ribbon Week there is extra emphasis and students are given strategies to say no when confronted with negative choices. ... MORE

Master Sgt. Maurice Ferguson, a drug demand and reduction program manager assigned to the 315th Aerospace Medical Squadron, Staff Sgt. Christopher Morrison, a program manager with the 628th Force Support Squadron fitness center, and Ann Schuler, a counselor at Marrington Elementary School, speak to the students, October 23, 2019, at Marrington Elementary School on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Members of Team Charleston were at the school to educate students about Red Ribbon Week and drug prevention. Red Ribbon Week, which takes place October 23-31, is an awareness program that began in 1985 as a way to show opposition to drugs as stated by the Get Smart About Drugs foundation.

Team Charleston celebrates Navy birthday at Navy Ball
October 15, 2019 — Members of Team Charleston attended the Joint Base Charleston Navy Ball Oct. 13, 2019 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, S.C. Service members attended the ball to celebrate the Navy’s 244th birthday. MORE

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Brent and Seaman Joshua Clark, a fireman student assigned to the Navy Nuclear Power Training Command, cut a cake during the Joint Base Charleston Navy Ball Oct. 13, 2019 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, S.C. It is tradition for the youngest and oldest Sailors in the room to cut the cake. Service members attended the ball to celebrate the Navy’s 244th birthday.

Third time’s the charm
October 11, 2019 — Commissioning is a challenging process that not many military members have the chance to experience, but with hard work and dedication, it is possible to achieve. According to the Air Force personnel center, only 19 percent of active duty Airmen are officers. Of those 63,902 officers, only 20 percent commission through Officer Training School, making it an impressive feat. 2nd Lt. Brian Spears, former technical sergeant whose prior job was working in the quality assurance section of the 437th Operations Support Squadron in the Aircrew Flight Equipment flight, said his experience as an enlisted member helps him to be a more understanding leader in his new position as an officer and plays a part in shaping the type of leader he chooses to be. ... MORE

2nd Lt. Brain Spears, former technical sergeant, whose prior job was working in the quality assurance section of the 437th Operations Support Squadron in the Aircrew Flight Equipment flight, recently commissioned after spending eight years as an enlisted member.

14th Airlift Squadron Aircrew maintains readiness through local flights
October 3, 2019 — Training missions allow aircrew to maintain currency, training and evaluations in all flying requirements. These training capabilities allow 14th Airlift Squadron Aircrew members to enhance rapid global mobility anytime, anywhere... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Spretnjak and U.S. Air Force Maj. Clark Belfanti, both C-17 Globemaster III pilots assigned to the 14th Airlift Squadron, perform low-level flying operations during a local training mission Sept. 26, 2019, over South Carolina. Training missions allow aircrew to maintain currency, training and evaluations in all flying requirements. These training capabilities allow 14th AS Aircrew members to enhance rapid global mobility anytime, anywhere.

Crew Chief marshals C-17 on flightline
October 2, 2019 — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeffery Smith, an aircraft maintenance technician assigned to the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals a C-17 Globemaster III before a local training flight at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Sept. 30, 2019. The general duties of an aircraft maintenance technician is to perform daily maintenance, diagnose... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeffery Smith, an aircraft maintenance technician assigned to the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals a C-17 Globemaster III before a local training flight at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Sept. 30, 2019. The general duties of an aircraft maintenance technician is to perform daily maintenance, diagnose malfunctions, replace components and perform crash recovery. After their initial training, Airmen may be assigned to specialize in the maintenance of specific aircraft.

2019 AIR FORCE BALL
September 24, 2019 — Retired Army Staff Sgt. Dan Powers, a former squad leader with the 118th military police company, and Airman 1st Class Deon Stevenson, a firefighter from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron, cut the cake at the Joint Base Charleston Air Force Ball, Sep. 14, 2019, in Charleston, S.C. It is tradition for the eldest airman and the youngest airman to cut... MORE

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Dan Powers, a former squad leader with the 118th military police company, and Airman 1st Class Deon Stevenson, a firefighter from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron, cut the cake at the Joint Base Charleston Air Force ball, Sep. 14, 2019, in Charleston, S.C.