Commentaries

Help for Haiti: a personal story of compassion
February 9, 2010 — I have been here for 11 days now, and it feels like months; but it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life ... my soul drinks deeply of these experiences to provide assistance to this devastated country. The rest of the world has come together in lock step and brotherhood to the aid of its neighbor. U.S. ground crews unload... MORE

Lt. Col. Randon Draper, 18th Air Force Legal Office, spends a few moments wtih the first five Haitian children that he helped send to their adoptive parents after the devastaging 7.0 earthquake there Jan. 12. He's been on the ground at Port-au-Prince since Jan. 14 and has helped immigration and state department officials expedite valid adoptions for several hundred children. (courtesy photo)

Command Chief's Corner
February 5, 2010 — Many of us make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, and sometimes having a great example in mind of someone we'd like to emulate can help us accomplish our goals. We're blessed here at Joint Base Charleston with thousands of great examples, none better than Master Sgt. Jason Broadus, Tech. Sgt. Brian Worley, and Tech. Sgt. Humberto Camara... MORE

Make your education a priority in 2010
February 2, 2010 — I've had the opportunity to speak with a lot of Airmen lately, and I have noticed a recurring reason for enlisting in the Air Force. "I came in to go to school," or words to that effect are common among the people I've spoken with. The Air Force has unbelievable programs for every level of education. Are you taking advantage of them? Whether you... MORE

The balancing act: professional and personal priorities
February 2, 2010 — As military members we are pulled in a hundred directions simultaneously. Professional and personal lives often overlap and conflict with one another. The mission, training, temporary duties, deployments, family, marriage, personal and spiritual aspects of our lives compete for the most precious commodity in existence ... time. How do we... MORE

Maj. Chris Callis, 628th Security Forces Squadron commander

Commander’s comments
February 2, 2010 — A major milestone was reached recently as Joint Base Charleston hit Initial Operating Capability Jan. 31, formally beginning the merger of Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston.For the first time, an Air Force wing, the 628th Air Base Wing, will begin the process to take responsibility for installation management at both... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
January 20, 2010 — It was with great pleasure and excitement that I assumed the role of command chief for the 437th Airlift Wing Jan. 8. In the few short weeks of being assigned at Charleston AFB I have been very impressed with the sense of camaraderie, professionalism and welcoming spirit I encountered at the many agencies across the installation. Charleston enjoys... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, 437th Airlift Wing command chief

Understanding the importance of training
January 12, 2010 — Have you ever tried to handle a matter only to be told the person you need to see was out of the office or unavailable, and he or she was the only person who could help you?Last month, my wife enrolled in classes at a local college. During the registration process, some issues arose which needed to be addressed quickly. Unfortunately, every time... MORE

Commander’s Comments
January 12, 2010 — "The definition of a successful life must include serving others." - President George H. W. BushIt is an honor to become a wing commander ... and not for the parking spaces or honors rendered, but because of the opportunities and responsibility of ensuring all those who fall under my command have the tools, resources and leadership necessary for... MORE

Col. Martha Meeker assumed command of the 628th Air Base Wing at Charleston AFB Jan. 8. As the 628 ABW commander, Colonel Meeker will direct host unit duties for the tenant units of Charleston AFB, and after Jan. 31 for Naval Weapons Station Charleston tenant units as well, as they are merged into Joint Base Charleston. Joint Base Charleston is one of 12 joint bases across the Department of Defense scheduled to stand up. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The power of a signature, a mark of assurance
January 11, 2010 — As many of you know, we lost one of our own in November when Senior Airman Josh Zwick was killed in a single-vehicle accident near Hollywood, SC.As his squadron commander, I wrote his mother the official condolence and notification letter.Although I had never done a letter like it before, I realized its importance and spent some time drafting the... MORE

Maj. Jonathan Downing, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander

Airmen downrange doing a phenomenal job
January 11, 2010 — During the Thanksgiving holiday and first week in December, I traveled throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and spent time with our Airmen downrange. Simply put, our Airmen are doing a phenomenal job across the CENTCOM area of responsibility. An example is the great work Airmen are performing as Air Advisors in Iraq and... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy receives a briefing from Airman 1st Class Marcus Taylor about his role in maintaining aircraft brakes, Nov. 30, 2009. Chief Roy is touring the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, visiting with Airmen and addressing numerous issues affecting servicemembers who are deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert Barney)