CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Charleston AFB Environmental Policy was initially adopted April 30, 2004, which is dedicated to sustain, restore and modernize Team Charleston's natural infrastructure to ensure adequate resource capability for the warfighter through the minimization of encroachment and the protection of human health and the environment.
The latest policy letter was signed by Col. John "Red" Millander June 25, 2007 and has been distributed to all organizations within Charleston AFB and updated with command changes. So why talk about it now?
During the Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Council Meeting in February a new acronym was approved to help the base population thoroughly understand the environmental policy and the bases commitment to protecting the environment. The acronym approved for Charleston AFB's environmental policy is C.A.R.E.S.
The "c" stands for complying with all environmental laws, regulations and executives' orders. The "a" stands for achieving continuous improvements in environmental performance over and above regulatory and legislative requirements. The "r" stands for reducing pollution and working in partnership with all stakeholders to promote pollution prevention. The "e" stands for environmental excellence in all we do and integrates environmental information into all levels of management. The "s" stands for sustaining the mission by protecting our natural infrastructure to ensure adequate resource capability for the warfighter through the protection of human health and the environment.
"Team Charleston's mission is sustained if we protect our natural infrastructure through the minimization of encroachment and protection of the environment," said Damarys Irizarry, 437th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental management system coordinator. "The word cares is good enough to communicate kindness, affection and concern. We expect the base population to make this their commitment and to be environmentally responsible in everything they do."