News

This week in Navy history
November 16, 2010 — Nov. 14, 1910 - Eugene Ely, a civilian, pilots the first aircraft to take-off from a ship, the USS Birmingham (CL-2) at Hampton Roads, Va. He landed safely on Willoughby Spit, Norfolk, VA.Nov. 15, 1942 - Although the U.S. lost several ships in the naval battle of Guadalcanal, naval forces under Rear Adm. Willis Lee, USS Washington (BB-56), turned... MORE

Finance to provide expanded customer service hours Nov. 29
November 15, 2010 — Since the summer and fall of 2007, base-level finance offices across the Air Force have lost 50 percent of their manning to establish the Air Force Financial Services Center, located at Ellsworth AFB, S.D.Since its inception, the goal was to consolidate financial services across the Air Force by opening a central processing center and a 24-hour... MORE

AF Virtual Finance Center (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Children's Deployment Line 2010: Operation Panda Drop
November 15, 2010 — MORE

Cate Jones gets a butterfly painted on her face during the Children's Deployment Line Nov. 13, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The Children's Deployment Line is a program developed to help show children what their parents go through before they deploy downrange with a little bit of added fun. Cate is the 5-year-old daughter of Staff Sgt. Patti Jones. Sergeant Jones is the command chief executive assistant for the 437th Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Wounded warriors take the lead for Run the Runway
November 10, 2010 — MORE

Carmen Mikolajcik, joined by Col. John Wood, gives her welcoming remarks prior to the start of the second annual Run the Runway 5K event honoring Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Thomas Mikolajcik Nov. 10, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Prior to the start of the run, a check was donated to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. Mrs. Mikolajcik is the surviving spouse of the general, and Colonel Wood is the 437th Airlift Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Annual information fair keeps retiree community informed
November 10, 2010 — The Joint Base Charleston Retiree Activities Office held an information fair for Charleston area retirees and their spouses at the Charleston Club here Nov. 6.The fair is held annually to bring retirees and spouses in the area together for an informative morning of briefings on issues and current events affecting the retired military community,... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Anitra Towns discusses medication supply options with Jeffrey Waters, a local retiree, at a retiree information fair held Nov. 6, 2010, at the Charleston Club at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. An information booth for the 628th Medical Group pharmacy offered attendees at the fair the current formulary of prescription medications available at the 628 MDG pharmacy, options in the local community for receiving prescriptions, mail-order pharmacies and medication disposal. Sergeant Towns is the NCO in charge of the 628th Medical Group pharmacy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Daniel Bowles)

Get to know an Airman
November 10, 2010 — Our "Get to know" articles are designed to offer readers the opportunity to get to know a little more about the Airmen, Sailors and civilians who make Joint Base Charleston a great place to live and work. Name: Michelle McMeekinRank: United States Air Force master sergeant (E-7)Job: Joint Base Charleston Military and Family Readiness Center,... MORE

Master Sgt. Michelle McMeekin, Military and Family Readiness Center, Readiness NCO in charge

40 years of service with NMCRS comes to a close
November 10, 2010 — The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society honored the dedicated service of one of its most faithful Charleston members during a retirement ceremony at the Red Bank Club on Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station Oct. 28. Joy Wilson, former director of the NMCRS office in Charleston, retired after 40 years of proudly helping Sailors and Marines in the... MORE

Joy Wilson, former director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society in Charleston, retired Oct. 28 after 40 years of serving Sailors and Marines in the Charleston area. She ended her career well-known among the Weapons Station community, but started as a volunteer, and later became the director. She worked to help Sailors, Marines and their families steer clear of the financial pitfalls and stay self sufficient. (Courtesy photo)

Captain John G. Feder Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic celebrates grand opening
November 10, 2010 — Naval Health Clinic Charleston and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center celebrated the grand opening of the new Captain John G. Feder Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic Nov. 10.The newly constructed outpatient clinic located on Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station is a state-of-the-art, 188,000 square-foot facility. The clinic is shared by the... MORE

From left to right, Gregg Becker, Carolyn Adams, Navy Cmdr. John Feder, Navy Capt. Paula McClure and Navy Rear Adm. Alton Stocks cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the new Captain John G. Feder Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic Nov. 10, 2010, on Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station, S.C. The new clinic is one of only a few joint facilities in existence and the only facility with the its unique resource sharing framework. Services provided at the new facility include Primary Care, Ob/GYN, Physical Therapy, General Surgery, Aviation/Undersea Medicine, Behavioral Health, Preventive Medicine, Occupational Health, MRI, Cardiology, Audiology, Orthopedics, Optometry/Ophthalmology, Wellness, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Libratory Services, Pediatrics and Pharmacy. (U.S. Air Force photo/James M. Bowman)(Released)

437 MXG, 14 AS Airmen are 'Diamond Sharp'
November 10, 2010 — MORE

Col. James Clavenna, left, and Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, right, are joined by three of November's "Diamond Sharp" recipients Nov. 2, 2010, at the Charleston Club on Joint Base Charleston-Air Base, S.C. The award winners present were, from left, Senior Airman Kent Boatright from the 437th Maintenance Squadron, Senior Airman Jessica Dial from the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Staff Sgt. Robert Pennington from the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron. A fourth winner, Senior Airman Kyle Mace from the 14th Airlift Squadron, was unable to attend the award ceremony. The Diamond Sharp award is given based on outstanding performance, image, volunteerism, as well as significant self, peer, and community improvement. Each recipient is chosen for the award by their unit first sergeant. Colonel Clavenna is the 437th Maintenance Group commander, and Chief Greene is the 437th Airlift Wing command chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)

JB CHS prepares to go smoke-free for 24 hours Nov. 18
November 10, 2010 — As the Great American Smokeout approaches, Nov. 18, now is the time to start preparing to quit the tobacco. Join the hundreds of participants that pledge to quit tobacco use for 24 hours by making your pledge to quit at either of two locations:· Base Exchange from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.· 628th Medical Group Clinic from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.All pledges to... MORE

Great American Smokeout (Courtesy graphic)