JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Maj. Gen. John Gordy, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kristopher Berg, U.S. Air Force EC command chief master sergeant, visited Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Jan. 16-18, 2019.
Hosted by Col. Terrence Adams, 628th Air Base Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Cole, 628th ABW command chief master sergeant and JBC members and agencies, the U.S. Air Force EC leadership toured various facilities across the installation for a behind-the-scenes look at base operations while also visiting with service members in action.
The U.S. Air Force EC, located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the Air Force’s Center of Excellence for advanced mobility and combat support training and education.
The center provides administrative control for six wings and two groups within Air Mobility Command, to include the 628th Air Base Wing at JBC.
“Joint basing is one of four distinct mission sets of the Expeditionary Center, and Charleston is doing it right,” said Gordy. “The combination of all the missions is a critical strategic asset for our nation, and all the work that Charleston is doing to ensure the mission goes uninterrupted is invaluable.”
As a previous command chief at JBC, Berg was especially excited to come back and reconnect with base leadership, as well as Airmen.
“I knew coming here how great of a base Charleston was,” said Berg. “I was so happy to come back and see it has continued to be an elite joint base, continuing to do everything right. It’s an incredible mission set here with a lot of responsibilities and the men and women here tie it all together in a professional matter where everybody understands each other’s missions and, ultimately, the end goals.”
During their visit, Gordy and Berg met daily with JBC leadership, received mission briefings from various agencies, rode along in a harbor security patrol boat, visited the Wharf Alpha Pier and several other installation operations and amenities.
“My hands-down favorite part about the visit was getting around and meeting as many Airmen and service members as I could,” said Gordy. “It’s no surprise we have great young Airmen here, each coming from diverse backgrounds with one common goal -- to serve our nation and our Air Force. So the best part for me was meeting them and hearing through their perspective how they support the mission and what it means to them.”
Gordy and Berg agreed it was a successful visit, which gave them a lot to think about moving forward, as well as a wealth of knowledge and appreciation for the joint base.
“The best thing JB Charleston does for the Expeditionary Center is continuously keeping our Airmen and service members ready,” said Gordy. “The continued support to the mission partners just contributes to the greater Air Mobility Command mission overall. The comraderie and communication among the commanders in each service is some of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’m excited to see Col. Adams lead this great team and take it to new heights while continuing to be one of the premiere bases in our Department of Defense.”