JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Since reporting to Joint Base Charleston in late August, I've had the privilege of seeing first-hand many expert teams at work throughout the Air Base and the Weapons Station. Even if you've been stationed here for years, you may not really grasp how many diverse missions are executed here.
Joint Base Charleston is a vital military logistics hub: C-17 transport aircraft depart daily and military sealift ships routinely get underway fully loaded with equipment for our war fighters. The Army Strategic Logistics Activity Charleston also plays a key role for moving this equipment overseas.
Beyond the logistics missions, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Atlantic team's work in advanced communications and networking systems plays a critical role in military readiness. The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's training commands qualify thousands of operators each year for the Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.
There are dozens of other commands and supporting groups who also play important roles. In all, the Joint Base is the largest employer in the region, and has an annual $4.3 billion impact on the local community.
Two recent events, however, remind us that impressive statistics don't explain what is really important about the Joint Base. During annual POW/MIA recognition events in mid-September, more than 20 former prisoners of war from South Carolina attended a luncheon and formal ceremony in their honor. And last week, more than 50 of 87 living recipients of the Medal of Honor were in Charleston for their annual convention.
Both groups shared one common trait - they were not interested in talking about their own selfless sacrifice or heroics, though their stories will be permanently engraved in our nation's military heritage. These men preferred to talk about how impressed they were with the skilled young Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers they met here. They reminded us that the Joint Base's greatest strengths are our dedicated volunteer force and the expert civilian teams who support them.
As Joint Base Charleston was formally inaugurated last week, work had already been in progress for many months to look for ways to improve support for these impressive men and women. Some changes to streamline operations or improve service have already been completed, and many more are in the works. Just as our forces have learned to work expertly together on joint missions overseas, we are rapidly learning new languages and better ways for doing things on the home front.
The recent Commander's Cup competition, narrowly won last week by the NNPTC team in a hotly contested series, was one of several inaugural joint base events that will help to bring our many teams closer together.
Next on the calendar is the Inaugural Joint Military Ball on 23 Oct. at the Charleston Convention Center. The guest speaker will be Charleston's own Medal of Honor recipient, Maj. Gen. James Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret). I hope you will plan to attend, and that you encourage those on your team to join you for this formal but fun celebration of our joint heritage. As the former prisoners of war and Medal of Honor recipients reminded us, we have much to celebrate.