CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Lifetime Television series "Army Wives" has kicked off the filming of its third season and brought Hollywood back to Charleston AFB and its commissary Feb. 23.
This is the fourth time Charleston AFB has supported this Department of the Defense project and the third time the series has filmed on base.
In season one, "Army Wives" had no DOD support, but for season two they were able to lock in that relationship and a contract that allowed the series access to a lot of different resources, said John Kretschmer, production designer for the show.
"Our whole mission in terms of 'Army Wives' is trying to be true to the military, true to the families who support the military and support our war effort," he said. "Shooting at a real installation certainly adds to that realism not only in terms of the setting and the place but the people. We are using real Soldiers and Airmen and that can only enhance our show."
The Defense Commissary Agency, which has its headquarters at Fort Lee, Va., operates the Charleston AFB commissary and other commissaries worldwide, approved the series to film its scenes at the Charleston AFB facility.
"Having 'Army Wives' film here was a great experience," said Eddie Williams, Charleston AFB Commissary store director. "It really allowed us to show how the commissary can contribute to family readiness and enhance the quality of life for Team Charleston families."
As if filming at Charleston AFB didn't bring enough authenticity to the show, the "Army Wives" casting office hired more than 70 Team Charleston members as extras for the day of filming. The active-duty Airmen, Reservists, family members and commissary employees were part of the scenes filmed inside the store and in the parking lot. The Airmen who participated in the filming were required to do so on off-duty time.
Airman Daniel Giddens, an electronic warfare technician with the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron spent the day as an extra.
"I thought it would be a good experience and fun to do a little acting," he said.
Airman Giddens said he would be interested in being an extra again if any future opportunities become available.
The overall consensus among the "Army Wives" production crew is that they are all very excited and appreciative to be able to film parts of their show here at Charleston AFB.
"I think its great we have permission to get on an Air Force base like this because it keeps the authenticity of the show intact," said Steve Smith, "Army Wives" production sound mixer. "The cooperation we get from the Air Force and all the military people we run into just adds to the quality of the show."
"I'm just glad to be here and very fortunate as a production designer," said Mr. Kretschmer. "My job is to make the show look more authentic and real, and certainly the DOD and Charleston AFB is making my job easy."
The filming at Charleston AFB will be for the second episode of season three. The third season of "Army Wives" is scheduled to begin airing on the Lifetime Television channel June 7.