CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
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 military installations, and it is the start of an exciting period as we bring two distinct military service cultures under one roof.
While processes and base signs may begin to change, what won't is the amazing talent and dedication of all our Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines who live and work as part of Joint Team Charleston. Individuals like those who make up the civil engineer team, such as Master Sgt. Mark Smith, Jeff Williams, Tech. Sgt. Scott Schwede, Staff Sgt. Phillip Feldkamp, Senior Airmen Paul Mayfield and Kirk Pytel, and Airmen 1st Class Jeff Ogarro and Theodore Rockmore, who worked throughout a stormy and windy night Jan. 15 to restore airfield lighting so missions could move to Haiti and the commercial airlines could begin their morning operations.
My special thanks to Airmen Rockmore and Mayfield and Sergeant Feldkamp as they personally took the time to brief me at midnight on the flightline on the issues and challenges involved in locating a fault among numerous circuits and lines. It was a daunting challenge, but when all was said and done, the lights were back on and aircraft were moving by 5 a.m. Jan. 16.
In addition to Haiti operations, several other Airmen also had a chance to shine recently as retired Lt. Gen. Michael Zettler visited Charleston AFB to assess new initiatives as well as ongoing operations in our logistics and maintenance areas. Tech. Sgt. Raymond Pomeroy was especially impressive as he laid out the issues and concerns our explosives ordnance disposal teams are experiencing today. In the end, Airmen such as Airman 1st Class Jonathon Buncak from the vehicle maintenance section, Flora Hoss-Mason from the Airman and Family Readiness Center, and Capt. Atley Gray in the aerial port made sure General Zettler knew everyone across Charleston AFB was committed and dedicated to excellence.
Finally, I need to recognize the phenomenal troops in both the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 628th Security Forces Squadron who hosted me during tours of their units. For the 628 SFS in particular, Tech. Sgt. Sabadilla Lloyd showed me around the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance area, and we're going to be working very hard during the next few months to get the range back in operation as well as laying a long-term path for a new indoor facility.
All the individuals mentioned above represent the innovation, spirit and dedication which continue to make Joint Team Charleston one of the premier installations in Air Mobility Command. I look forward to continuing this now as we move forward with the Navy to make Joint Base Charleston one of the premier Joint bases in the Department of Defense.