CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A 437th Aerial Port Squadron training room was named in honor of a former Charleston Airman May 18 in building 174.
Michael Joiner, former 437 APS Mobility Flight superintendent, passed away in December 2005 after a long battle with cancer.
"Michael Joiner loved being a member of the Air Force," said Master Sgt. Todd Bellamy, 437 APS Expeditionary Readiness Flight superintendent. "He truly embodied all that is singularly distinctive and honorable about the Air Force. The Air Force created opportunities for him to do what he liked to do best - helping and guiding people."
Before he retired, he put a lot of work into developing the squadron's expeditionary readiness program by creating a model expeditionary skills training course that is still thriving today.
"The model course was definitely much-needed within the squadron to help prepare our Airmen, especially the ones preparing to deploy," said Sergeant Bellamy. "He was the driving force behind that and he made the program a success."
During the ceremony, Col. Glen Joerger, 437th Airlift Wing commander, and Lt .Col. John Pepin, 437 APS commander, assisted Beth Joiner, Mr. Joiner's wife, in unveiling the plaque commemorating Mr. Joiner.
"The plaque is perfect to commemorate him because it says about how he wanted to leave behind his legacy of helping to develop people through training," said Sergeant Bellamy.
The plaque will be permanently displayed in the training room in honor of Mr. Joiner.
Also, Mrs. Joiner was presented with flowers as an expression of appreciation from Team Charleston.
"The ceremony turned out wonderful and it really put things into perspective because he was always very good at his job and this just sealed the deal and verifies that fact," said Ronald Westall, 437 APS Expeditionary Readiness Flight chief. "He did his job so well because he cared about people, the Airmen and the facilities and he always took his time to help others along with anything he could do for them."
Mr. Joiner joined the Air Force in 1983 and retired in September 2005 as a senior master sergeant after 22 years in the air transportation career field. Mr. Joiner was stationed at Charleston AFB for about three-and-a-half years.