News - Page 627

Local recruit loses 90 pounds in 8 months to join Air Force
June 25, 2008 — Checking in at 253 pounds, the weight limit could keep most people from even thinking about joining the Air Force ... but not everyone. "I wasn't surprised that I weighed too much, but I really didn't know the weight limit would be that low," said Matt Mobley, a 5-foot-7-inch 20-year-old. "But I knew that I wanted to become an Airman more than... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Conaway weighs Matt Mobley at the Summerville, S.C., recruiting office June 23. Mr. Mobley started out 253 pounds when he started the process of joining the Air Force and lost nearly 90 pounds in eight months and currently weighs 164. Mr. Mobley will be leaving for Basic Military Training July 1 and Sergeant Conaway is his local recruiter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Melissa White)

News briefs
June 25, 2008 — Spotlight Change of command: The 437th Communications Squadron will host a change of command ceremony June 27 at 10 a.m. in the Charleston Club. For more information, contact 2nd Lt. Justin Ellsworth at 963-4026. Promotion celebration: There will be a promotion release party for all newly selected technical and master sergeants June 27 at 4 p.m. in... MORE

Team Charleston gears up for the ORI
June 25, 2008 — More than 400 Airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing participated in a week-long mobility exercise June 20 in preparation for Charleston AFB's operational readiness inspection in August. During the Crisis Look 08-06 exercise, Charleston Airmen simulated deploying from here to form the 805th Air Expeditionary Wing on a base in Japan to support U.S. and... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Gary Reash lays out compiled range coordinates, or "sector sketches," during the mobility exercise June 24 on Charleston AFB. Airmen from across the base are participating in a mobility exercise in preparation for the Headquarters Air Mobility Command operational readiness inspection in August. Sergeant Reash is the NCO in charge of operations for the 437th Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Timothy Taylor)

New Team Charleston member welcomed as AMDS commander
June 25, 2008 — The 437th Aerospace Medicine Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 25 here. Lt. Col. Pamela Smith, former chief of flight medicine for Headquarters Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, replaced Lt. Col. James Boyd. Colonel Boyd's next assignment will be at Hurlbert Field, Fla., as the chief of flight... MORE

Commander's Action Line
June 25, 2008 — Action Line Message: We just made a PCS to Charleston AFB and are temporarily staying in base lodging. I have some concerns with the mold I have seen growing out of the ceiling as well as the room being dirty. My daughters are waking up coughing and have puffy eyes. My oldest daughter has been diagnosed with asthma. I have asked the front desk... MORE

Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Edgard Bonillas
June 25, 2008 — Staff Sgt. Edgard Bonillas is a member of the 437th Contracting Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB for almost three years. He recently returned from a six-month deployment to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, where he served with the Joint Contracting Command as a contingency contract officer. "My job was to award all construction contracts... MORE

Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Bonillas

18th Air Force welcomes new commander
June 25, 2008 — Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III formally assumed command of the 18th Air Force from Maj. Gen. James Hawkins in a change-of-command ceremony June 24 at the Scott Club. "I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to serve and lead the men and women of 18th Air Force," said General Scott. "Air mobility plays a critical role in everything our nation... MORE

Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander (left), and Maj. Gen. James Hawkins, former 18th Air Force commander (right), congratulate Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III for being named the new 18 AF commander during the change of command ceremony at the Scott Club June 24. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Lovelady)

New program to help Airmen, families cope
June 24, 2008 — Senior leadership came together June 23 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center here to learn about a new Office of the Secretary of Defense initiative to help Airmen and their families cope with issues surrounding deployments and how it affects the family. The Military and Family Life Consultant Program, which started at overseas bases in 2004,... MORE

Spouses encouraged to fill out CA survey
June 24, 2008 — The Integrated Delivery System Working Group is sponsoring the 2008 Community Assessment Survey for service members and spouses which ends here June 30. This survey is the best way for community members to make their opinions and needs known. The results of the survey will be used by base leadership and the Air Force to target resources where they... MORE

62 Airmen receive new stripes in July
June 24, 2008 — Team Charleston salutes the following Airmen being promoted in July: To Airman: 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron: Luke Shilling 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron: Katrina Campora To Airman 1st Class: 437th Aerial Port Squadron: Samantha Jean 437 AMXS: Daniel Walker 437th Civil Engineer Squadron: Juan Ayon-Loza, Nicole Hunt and Samuel Siewart... MORE