JOINT BASE LINDSEY GRAHAM, S.C –
- Airmen and civilians from across the installation worked on a compressed timeline to prepare, create and install new signage for the official renaming of Joint Base Charleston as Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
From notification to delivery, personnel worked diligently to ensure the installation was prepared for the renaming ceremony during the week leading up to the event.
The Palmetto Spark Lab led production efforts, 3D printing the new lettering for the installation sign and creating a temporary banner. Airmen assigned to the lab adapted to the short timeline by adjusting their schedules across day, mid and swing shifts, allowing the first set of letters out of 88 to be completed by 11 a.m. the following morning.
“This project is a great example of what innovation and readiness looks like across the Air Force,” said Senior Airman Alexander Beard, Palmetto Spark Lab professional innovation lead.
Beard said projects like this demonstrate how the lab can support mission partners when they bring a need to them, while saving the government significant time and resources.
The 628th Civil Engineer Squadron was responsible for the site preparation, removing the old letters and installing new lettering, hand crafting custom risers, and dismantling the temporary site structures after the ceremony.
“Even with limited manning, our unit remained resilient and communicative in order to have the collaboration we needed to ensure the mission was successful without pushing the deadline,” said Senior Airman Bryan Novatny, 628 CES structural journeyman. “Knowing our efforts contributed to a historical change that had an impact for many people made the long days worth it.”
The effort required more than simply producing and installing new lettering. Personnel coordinated across organizations, adjusted schedules, overcame time constraints and found solutions as requirements evolved. Engineers worked closely with other organizations, including the Palmetto Spark Lab, to complete the project on a compressed timeline.
“It wasn’t just about creating letters; it was about people from different organizations coming together, adapting to unexpected challenges, and finding solutions to complete the mission,” said Beard.
The collaboration ultimately allowed the installation to transition from Joint Base Charleston to Joint Base Lindsey Graham in time for the official ceremony, marking a historic change for the installation and the service members, civilians and families who call it home.