News

Air Force transitions from NSPS to GS
June 2, 2010 — Most Air Force civilians under the National Security Personnel System will convert to the General Schedule by the end of this fiscal year in support of the Department of Defense goal to convert out as quickly as possible. This conversion out of NSPS was mandated by the Fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. With few exceptions, Air Force... MORE

North Charleston Elementary School visits Joint Base Charleston
June 2, 2010 — Two hundred thirty six smiling elementary students from North Charleston Elementary School visited Joint Base Charleston, S.C., May 26 as a reward for their scholastic reading accomplishments throughout the year.Each student was required to read 25 books over the course of the school year to be eligible for the trip here, and nearly 75 percent of... MORE

First 6 volunteer opportunities can make the most of your career
May 27, 2010 — The Joint Base Charleston First 6 is a professional organization which focuses on providing junior enlisted service members a forum for making the most of their military careers. The organization is open to all pay grades from E-1 through E-6. The volunteer opportunities listed below are just a few of many the First 6 supports and are available to... MORE

Single parents make time for work, family
May 25, 2010 — The active-duty military includes nearly 73,000 single parents, which equates to 5.3 percent of the total force, according to Defense Department statistics from 2008. The Army leads the way with more than 35,000 single parents, followed by the Navy with more than 16,000, and the Air Force with more than 15,000. The Marine Corps, the smallest force,... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Summer Neal spent five years as a single mother for her three children. Her 18-year-old daughter, Mystique, is the oldest of three. Sergeant Neal said the best support system she used was through the unofficial child care programs available on base. Sergeant Neal is a resource advisor for the 628th Air Base Wing director of staff. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Ashleigh Peck)

Palmetto Stage supply’s Afghanistan with troops, cargo
May 25, 2010 — When the President of the United States announced in December 2009 that there would be a shift in focus to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Joint Base Charleston was on the short list of base's to support the mission. The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center and Air Mobility Command, co-located at Scott AFB, Ill., evaluated several bases... MORE

Warrior of the Week: Senior Airman Douglas Smith Jr.
May 25, 2010 — Senior Airman Douglas Smith Jr. is a member of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron and has been stationed at Joint Base Charleston for two years.He was recently deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, where he was assigned to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron.In his deployed unit, Airman Smith worked as a ramp services specialist. His primary duties were... MORE

Senior Airman Douglas Smith Jr. inspects, accepts and processes cargo heading to South America and Haiti. Airman Smith is a cargo processing specialist with the 437th Aerial Port Squadron.

Surge demands increased efforts from 437 APS
May 25, 2010 — As the surge in Afghanistan continues, so does the increasing operations tempo for many squadrons here at Joint Base Charleston. Among these is the 437th Aerial Port Squadron, who, despite the increase in pace, continues to carry out this vital day-to-day mission.Within the first five months of this year, the 437 APS, or Charleston Port Dawgs as... MORE

Alligator 'springs' into Hunley Park
May 25, 2010 — Security Forces members were surprised to encounter a six-foot-long male alligator May 24 who wandered into Hunley Park near base housing after several days of heavy rainfall. Staff Sgt. Jesse Long and Officer Corey Harvey were on a routine patrol at 6 a.m. when they came across the reptile on the corner of West Virginia and Michigan Ave., just... MORE

Avionics Shop works around clock to repair vital aircraft parts for C-17s worldwide
May 25, 2010 — While many of us are heading to bed at the end of a long day, Airmen from the 437th Maintenance Squadron Avionics Flight work through the night in order to ensure vital repairs are made on parts necessary for C-17s to conduct day-to-day operations.The Avionics Intermediate Systems Shop, working 24 hours a day, five days a week, houses only 20... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Keiron Legg sets up a Display Unit Test Set used to run an operations test on a C-17 Heads-Up Display Unit May 25, 2010, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The 437th Maintenance Squadron repairs more than 2,000 avionics units per year and this is accomplished by a total of only 23 personnel - 11 active duty, three air reserve technicians and nine civilians. Airman Legg is a test station and components journeyman with the 437th Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James M. Bowman)

FSC helps Airmen maintain fitness level
May 25, 2010 — MORE

Tech. Sgt. Alexander Oritz checks the wires on a remote for the cardio theater on an elliptical at the Fitness and Sports Center on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., May 24, 2010. Recent complaints revealed the screen was not working properly. Sergeant Oritz provides routine maintenance to the machines on a daily basis based on complaints or problems that he spots himself. Sergeant Oritz is a fitness specialist from the 482nd Force Support Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)