CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
As another week at Charleston comes to a close I am again filled with pride as Team Charleston did a magnificent job showcasing our great base to the members of the USTRANSCOM Component Commanders' Conference.
I would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who made this visit a success. I will quote Gen. Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command directly: "Charleston and its Airmen look great."
It has also been a very exciting week of re-enlistments. Master Sgt. Lisa Peele was re-enlisted by Gen. McNabb, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, on board the C-17 that transported our esteemed guests from Scott AFB. In addition, please congratulate her on the recent selection to become the 14th Airlift Squadron's first sergeant. Speaking of new first sergeants, also congratulate Master Sgt. Kristina Mullins from the 15th Airlift Squadron and Master Sgt. Stephen Wilkerson from the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron. It is great to see these Airmen step up to this challenge; I have no doubt that they will do an incredible job in this vital role. And in a bittersweet farewell, Charleston said goodbye to Chief Master Sgt. Angela Valentine as she heads to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Knowing the great leadership she provided as the Sustainment Services Superintendent I am confident she will be an incredible asset to their Force Support Squadron.
Keeping with the theme of great people; professionalism and excellence were in full force when I visited the First Term Airmen Center and saw Staff Sgt. John Busco leading our new Airmen; it is comforting to know that they are in such capable hands.
Also of note, Senior Airman Jonathan Cillo from Public Affairs demonstrated great attention to detail and talent in the creation of the new wing mission video.
I also enjoyed speaking with Timothy Garragan, Food and Beverage Operations Director at the Charleston Club, he is one of many at the Club that keep it looking and running so well.
And who says good deeds go unnoticed? This was certainly not the case for Capt. Kari Flemming, 15 AS, who became a local hero on Monday when she cleared more than a mile of traffic on the Don Holt Bridge to allow an ambulance to pass through to the scene of an accident, becoming an example for all to follow.
But there is more in life than just hard work, with our high operations temp it is sometimes easy to become channelized, so it is always good to witness a good sense of humor. While keeping vigilant and executing his duties as gate guard, Airman Brandon Smith, 437th Security Forces Squadron, was still able to give me a post brief, then grief about my beloved 49ers unfortunate loss to the Vikings on Sunday. But as F. Scott Fitzgerald put it: "Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."
Thank you each for your patriotism and support to our great nation.