JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Last week had all the makings for a disaster. As Joint Base Charleston personnel prepared for the biggest community outreach program of the year, the 2011 Air Expo, our government leaders were debating issues that, if not resolved, would result in a shutdown of the U.S. government.
Shutting down the federal government is nothing new. It's been done before, most notably during the 1990s. However, this time, the potential that no decision would be made before the April 8, midnight deadline had an even more ominous feel to it around the local area. Would our active duty get paid? Would civilian employees be furloughed and if so, for how long? Would the Air Expo even happen?
As the acts for the expo began arriving, emails began circulating faster than a Thunderbird at mach speed. Air Force first sergeants and Navy chiefs as well as other base leaders, already stretched to the max, began focusing their attention on their troops ensuring that everyone knew the consequences of a possible government shutdown. The Air Force Aid and the Navy Marine Corps Relief Societies jumped in, informing everyone about the resources available to them if the flow of funds did indeed stop. Military units prepared for the upcoming weeks, possibly without the assistance of their civilian co-workers.
When it was all said and done, a decision was made and the government was kept open. The weather remained beautiful and the Air Expo went off without a hitch as Joint Base Charleston's military and civilians continued their jobs without so much as a hiccup. Almost 80,000 of our neighbors got to see first-hand how we do business here on base. By all accounts, they were quite impressed with how we take care of their investments.
There are so many people who stepped up to the plate last week that it would be impossible to thank them all in one article. But the willingness and ability to accomplish the mission despite some extremely stressful situations is perhaps the biggest story to come out of last week. Our Airmen, Sailors, Reservists and civilians worked together as a team, planning for the worst but hoping for the best ... and they did one heck of an outstanding job.