News

Holiday lights
December 8, 2006 — MORE

The base holiday tree was lit at the tree lighting ceremony Wednesday night. Col. Steven Harrison, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander, along with children from the Child Development Center, counted down prior to the tree being lit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Kilgallon) (released)

Testing begins for new AC unit at Charleston AFB
December 8, 2006 — Since the Air Force began operations in hot climate areas, it has been in need of a more powerful air conditioning unit for heavy airlifters to keep avionics cool while they sit on blistering flightlines around the world. They have found what they're looking for with the TMAC, or trailer mounted air conditioner, currently undergoing testing here... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Smiddy, 437th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment craftsman, puts together the TMAC hose during testing at Charleston Air Force Base, Dec. 1, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sam Hymas)(released)

Charleston Airmen learn to use newest smart weapon
December 8, 2006 — Twenty-nine Team Charleston flyers and maintainers recently learned the ins and outs of the Air Force's newest smart weapon -- the GPS-guided cargo pallet. The training, held at Little Rock AFB, Ark., for more than 300 C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules aircrew members, taught them how to use the new system and then how to go back to their... MORE

A new Global Positioning System-guided Joint Precision Air Drop System bundle, known as Screamer 2K, floats to the ground after being dropped from the back of a C-130 Hercules over Afghanistan Aug. 31. The drop was made from 17,500 feet above sea level, and was the first joint Air Force-Army operational drop of JPADS in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Four bundles were dropped from the Alaska Air National Guard C-130. All four bundles arrived at the drop zone, resupplying Army troops on the ground with ammunition and water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

Charleston Airmen prepare for war with expeditionary combat skills training
December 1, 2006 — MORE

Staff Sgt. Donovan Bryan, 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron, takes cover during expeditionary combat skills training at Charleston Air Force Base, Nov. 16, 2006. Expeditionary combat skills training is a three day tactical operations course preparing Air Force personnel for future deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarayuth Pinthong)(Released)

17 AS booster club participates in ‘Operation Sock Drop’
December 1, 2006 — The 17th Airlift Squadron booster club is always trying to find new ways to bring happiness to deployed servicemembers abroad. Recently, the booster club and the Lowcountry chapter of the Airlift Tanker Association have teamed up to send socks to Soldiers. They spent time talking with troops returning from the frontlines to assess what they felt... MORE

Dirt runway testing increases C-17 safety, agility
December 1, 2006 — In an effort to expand the capability of the C-17 Globemaster III, about 40 people from the C-17 Integrated Test Force are in the midst of a four-phase test program to determine the C-17 takeoff and landing performance on non-paved surfaces. Engineers and pilots are testing the aircraft in extreme runway conditions to eventually write the book for... MORE

A C-17 Globemaster III takes off during phase one tests at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. Tests are being conducted to determine the C-17’s ability to bring a large force into a wet or dry dirt airfield without making runway condition corrections. Phase two is scheduled to begin Dec. 4 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (Air Force photo by Bobbi Zapka)

Flight fends off diseases in desert
November 20, 2006 — SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Attention Garfield, Felix, Heathcliff, Sylvester and Tom: Cancel your spot on the USO tour coming to Southwest Asia. Fast. Your agent should have told you: You don't want to be mistaken for a feline of mass destruction. For the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's entomology flight, work is all about the cats. Hundreds of... MORE

Staff Sgt. Robbie Crumpton, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, examines a "light trap" for bugs. The light trap allows Sergeant Crumpton, who works in the entomology flight, and the public health flight to see what sorts of bugs are in season and the potential for diseases like malaria and more. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jason Tudor)

Aerial port Airmen load oversized cargo on largest plane in the world
November 20, 2006 — MORE

Airmen from the 437th Aerial Port Squadron, with help from Russian crew members, load cargo onto an Antonov AN-124 Ruslan, the largest mass-produced aircraft in the world. The AN-124 and its crew were contracted by the Tanker Airlift Control Center to airlift oversized cargo for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command to Iraq. (U.S. Photo by Airman 1st Class Sam Hymas) (RELEASED)

Flying high
November 20, 2006 — MORE

Col. Steven Harrison, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Lt. Col. Todd Hackett, 437th Mission Support Group deputy commander, check out the newly painted plane at the Aero Club Tuesday. The Charleston Aero Club is one of the first in Air Mobility Command to have one of their planes painted. The Aero Club partnered with the Air Force Recruiting Service to paint the aircraft. The club received $55,000 from the recruiting service to paint five aircraft. The second Charleston Aero Club aircraft is presently undergoing repainting. To schedule a flight in the newly repainted plane contact the Aero Club at 963-5152. (U.S. Photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Cassetty) (RELEASED)

Team Charleston urged to be safe for the holidays, winter
November 20, 2006 — Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st. However, wintry weather is already here for many of us and fast approaching for others. The cold, icy conditions lead to increased hazards and typically results in spikes in our accidents, injuries and deaths. To keep ourselves and our loved ones safe this season, we need to apply the principles... MORE