JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The international air attachés were invited by U.S. Air Force chief of staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III to participate in the Air Attaché Spring Tour March 16-18, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Maj. Gen. Vincent Mancuso, mobilization advisor to CSAF, Air Staff, HQ, hosted the event.
During the visit, the international attachés received a firsthand look at JB Charleston's mission.
Their experiences included (but weren't limited to) a tour of the Transport Isolation System hangar, participation in a C-17 Globemaster III static display and a behind the scenes look into the maintenance shops.
They also received a mission brief at wing HQ by base leadership highlighting JB Charleston's capabilities. Following the briefing, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts were discussed.
According to Maj. Nathan Schwamburger, 628th Medical Group chief of dental services, the tour is directed towards airlift missions.
"This program highlights our Air Force family in action," said Schwamburger. "It accentuates the best of our military history and culture within the United States."
JB Charleston was chosen as the location for the attaché tour because of its dynamic mission set according to Maj. Jacob Parker, 14th Airlift Squadron director of staff.
"We have the airdrop and TIS mission as well as our reserves component," said Parker. "It's a unique mission here and with Boeing being nearby, we also have the ability to interact with the industrial complex as well."
While in Charleston, the international attachés also visited community and industrial neighbors, The Citadel and Boeing.
"Building partnerships is pivotal within the military," said Parker. "Whenever we make bonds with other militaries, they can see what we do on a day to day basis which helps them understand our mission and our capabilities."