News

Gen. Schwartz to Airmen: 'We are a family'
March 17, 2009 — The chief of staff of the Air Force had a message for Airmen during an Airmen's call here March 11, "We are a family and everyone in this room counts. "This is a big-tent Air Force," Gen. Norton Schwartz said. "In our business, you don't measure your worth by your proximity to the fight," he said. "We should be proud of who we are and what we do."... MORE

General Norton Schwartz addresses personnel during an Airmen's Call March 11 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. General Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, reviewed Langley AFB's warfighting capabilities, viewed an F-22 demonstration during his visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Koob)

Possible help for homeowners PCS’ing during the mortgage crisis
March 17, 2009 — The stimulus package features a provision extended to certain military homeowners who bought homes before July 1, 2006 and who sell the homes before September 30, 2011. Titled the Military Homeowners Assistance Program, these benefits have normally been payable only at Base Realignment Commission locations. The purpose of the expanded program is to... MORE

Air Force mourns the loss of first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
March 11, 2009 — Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey died March 11 in Panama City, Fla. "Chief Airey was an Airman's Airman and one of the true pioneers for our service," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff. "He was a warrior, an innovator ... and a leader with vision well ahead of his time. His legacy lives today in the... MORE

Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey died March 11 in Panama City, Fla. Chief Airey held the top enlisted from April 3, 1967 to July 31, 1969. During his tenure he worked to change loan establishments charging exorbitant rates outside the air base gates and to improve low retention during the Vietnam Conflict. Chief Airey also led a team that laid the foundation for the Weighted Airman Promotion System, a system that has stood the test of time and which is still in use today. He also advocated for an Air Force-level Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy. Chief Airey retired August 1, 1970. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Cyndi Smith)

New RED HORSE squadron stands up
March 11, 2009 — Marking the beginning of a new Air Force Reserve squadron here, an official stand-up ceremony and assumption of command of the 560th RED HORSE Squadron, including the unveiling of the unit's guidon and emblem, occurred at the Charleston Club March 8. The unit, 560 RHS, will consist of 209 personnel and is an engineering unit that provides major... MORE

A statue marking the arrival of the 560th Red Horse Squadron will be placed in front of their newly established squadron building. The squadron consists of 209 personnel and is an engineering unit that provides major force bed-down, damage repair and heavy engineering operations during wartime at locations around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Kelly)

Justice Files
March 11, 2009 — Members of Charleston AFB received the following non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice during February. The maximum punishment under Article 15 depends on the rank of the member being offered the Article 15 and the rank of the officer imposing punishment. If the commander finds that a military member... MORE

News briefs
March 11, 2009 — To submit information for news briefs, send an e-mail to airlift.dispatch@charleston.af.mil with subject NEWS BRIEFS. Submissions must be received no later than close of business Friday the week before publication. Spotlight Retirement: The 437th Security Forces Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Ronald Whidden March 20 at 2... MORE

Coming soon … USO in a Box
March 11, 2009 — The 437th Aerial Port Squadron loaded up a Charleston C-17 here with the USO's newest morale boosting effort, USO in a Box, March 8. While the mission of the 437 APS is to provide responsive global cargo and passenger movement operations they sometimes have the opportunity to load a different type of cargo that still benefits the warfighter. USO in... MORE

Senior Airman Veronica Garrison lowers the USO cargo onto the floor of a Charleston C-17 using the new hydraulic lift system attached to the cargo here, March 8. The USO ships packages downrange to troops throughout the year to help increase morale while they fight for their country. Airman Garrison is with the 437th Aerial Port Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Spotlight shines on Charleston
March 11, 2009 — MORE

The Army Wives production crew preps the inside a Charleston C-17 for the filming of an episode for the new season of the Lifetime television series here March 10. Several locations throughout Charleston AFB were used for filming the episode. The third season of Army Wives is scheduled to begin airing June 7. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)

Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Matthew Taylor
March 11, 2009 — Staff Sgt. Matthew Taylor is a member of the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB for more than nine years. He recently returned from a deployment to Southwest Asia where he served in the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron. While deployed, he worked as a senior maintenance operations center controller... MORE

Training for excellence
March 11, 2009 — MORE

Staff Sgt. Mike Cote checks the military identification card of an Airman entering Charleston AFB, March 11. The base held an exercise to practice for possible real-world events and to also prepare for the upcoming emergency management inspection during the base’s unit compliance inspection in May. Sergeant Cote is a patrolman with the 437th Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor)