News

APS expeditors train to take on new roles, increase delivery speed
October 13, 2006 — The aerial port is the heart of any air mobility operation and now, through a velocity initiative inspired program, the 437th Aerial Port Squadron will beat faster and more efficiently. The Aerial Port Expeditor program, or APEX, is a three-week course that trains APS Airmen in the ways of the loadmaster. The APEX program provides the capability... MORE

Australian air force mechanics get C -17 training at Charleston
October 13, 2006 — Members of the 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 5, are providing first-of-its-kind training for 24 Royal Australian Air Force mechanics with a custom-made program at their C-17 training facilities here. In March, Brendan Nelson, the Australian Minister for Defence, announced his country's purchase of four C-17s to enhance their global airlift... MORE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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