News

New 'Port Dawgs' set up for success at 437 APS
September 25, 2006 — The 437th Aerial Port Squadron has found a unique way to get their Airmen trained smarter, faster and better. It's called the Port Dawg University. The Port Dawg University Program is "aerial port's way of streamlining everything," said Master Sgt. Catherine Richardson, 437 APS Unit Learning Center NCO in charge. The purpose of the program is to... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Serge Ladd, 437th Aerial Port Squadron Port Dawg University instructor, goes over the specifics of the 10K forklift with Senior Airman Raymond Banks. Airman Banks is a member of the second wave of students at the university.

Communications Squadron tech controller awarded Purple Heart
September 22, 2006 — Staff Sgt. Alan Padgett came home from his deployment with a memento he'd rather have left back in Iraq: a piece of shrapnel lodged in his chest from a rocket propelled grenade attack. The sergeant, a network management technician with the 437th Communications Squadron here, was injured while at Ali Base, Iraq, only two weeks before his scheduled... MORE

Staff Sgt. Alan Padgett (right), 437th Communications Squadron tech controller, talks with Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, after being awarded the Purple Heart at Ali Base, Iraq.

Charleston photojournalist featured on cover of national magazine
September 18, 2006 — An aerial combat photojournalist with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron here will be featured on the cover of a national professional women's magazine. Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall's self portrait flying in a helicopter over Iraq in 2003 graces the front of the October issue of Pink, a magazine targeting women executives, professionals and business... MORE

Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall shot this self-portrait Nov. 11, 2003, while flying over the Iraqi countryside near Babylon. Sergeant Pearsall is an aerial combat photojournalist with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. She is featured on the cover of the October issue of Pink, a magazine targeting women executives, professionals and business owners, which hits newsstands Sept. 19. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Charleston Airmen participate in Day of Caring
September 15, 2006 — More than 95 Charleston Airmen participated in the Trident United Way's Day of Caring throughout various areas of the Lowcountry Monday. Groups of Airmen from 12 different agencies on base took part in various volunteer projects ranging from providing office assistance, to performing maintenance on playgrounds to landscaping in Berkeley, Dorchester... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Tracy Duplantis, 1st Combat Camera Squadron volunteers for United Way by painting the halls of the Rollings Middle School of the Arts Monday. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall)

Deployed C-17 squadron changes hands, carries on 2 EAS concept
September 8, 2006 — Charleston Air Force Base's first full-squadron deployment of C-17 Globemaster III aircrew and leadership came to a close Sept. 1 with Lt. Col. Ricky Rupp, 14th Airlift Squadron, assuming command of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Lt. Col. Lenny Richoux, 17 AS, in a brief ceremony on the steps of the squadron's front door. Colonel... MORE

Capt. Mitch Alley, 17th Airlift Squadron pilot, Charleston AFB, SC, reunites with his sons, Brett, 2, and Seth, 5, after returning from a three-month deployment Sept. 3. The 14 AS replaced the 17 AS downrange. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sam Hymas)

Every travel nickel counts ... it ultimately comes out of your pocket
September 8, 2006 — Today we have an $8.5 trillion national debt and the highest budget deficits in our nation's history. But why should you care? Defense spending currently represents about 19 percent of annual federal expenses and about half of federal discretionary expenses, so it is a big target. Even with the Global War on Terrorism, the growth rate in... MORE

Airmen of Honor: Base honor guard ready to serve with dignity at a moment’s notice
September 8, 2006 — It takes special dedication to stand for hours without moving a muscle. But it's what the Charleston Air Force Base honor guard endures to pay tribute to their fallen comrades. More than 70 base Airmen are on the honor guard's roster and they all take their turn providing military ceremonies on the base and in areas of South Carolina and... MORE

Airman 1st Class Timothy Young, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, uses a lighter to burn a loose string from the ceremonial service dress uniform of Staff Sgt. Michael Fronk, 437th Communications Squadron, as they prepare for a funeral. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree N. Palacios)

14th Airlift Squadron deploys to Southwest Asia
September 1, 2006 — Approximately 140 Airmen from the 14th Airlift Squadron deployed to a base in Southwest Asia Sunday in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The deployment marks the second time an entire Charleston C-17 squadron has deployed for an operation. Nearly the entire squadron deployed to a single base to manage and fly... MORE

Master Sgt. Elliott Ray, 437th Operations Support Squadron superintendent of combat crew communications, his wife, Pamela, and daughter, Shaquitta, are interviewed by local media before his deployment with the 14 AS Sunday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alice Moore)

‘One of our fellow warriors has fallen’
September 1, 2006 — A technical sergeant from the 16th Airlift Squadron passed away Monday morning after a short battle with cancer. Tech. Sgt. Christopher D. Rey, chief of the 16th's commander's support staff, had recently been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and began chemotherapy Aug. 25. "Chris made a lasting impact on the 16 AS. He was the first person that... MORE

Deployed Charleston Airman wins American Legion award
September 1, 2006 — An award ceremony recently held in Salt Lake City recognized an Airman for his dedication to improve his community. That Airman will spend his day 7,000 miles away performing force protection duties. Senior Airman Edward Slavik of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is the Air Force recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service... MORE