CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
As I stood at the starting line of last Friday's Fitness Challenge 5K and saw the hundreds of young Airmen ready to run, I reflected on how far our fitness program has come. I vividly remember myself and my fellow lieutenants having to do six laps around a track in 12 minutes, the standard "way back then." Most of us normally made the required time, and then we didn't run for another year. I looked at the Airmen around me preparing to battle the humidity and the 5K, and I saw a much fitter group than what we had years before. Staff Sgt. Virgil Smith, 437th Operations Support Squadron, was a great example of an Airman enjoying the opportunities of camaraderie. I have known it for a while and this reaffirmed for me that the Air Force Fitness Program is working. Each step every Airman took was a step further to better health, regardless of speed.
That afternoon my family joined me at the picnic ground for the base picnic. I tried to work my way around and thank all of the volunteers that made the picnic a success ... and it truly was a great success! We had lunch with two Airmen from the 437th Medical Group; Senior Airmen Kelly Dahlstrand and Claudio Collazo are energized and shared their thoughts with me about our base. I finished the weekend watching a children's play at the chapel, with a wonderful solo of "Rightfield" by Chap. (Capt.) Gregory Brunson.
Earlier this week, Command Chief Master Sergeant Mike Ivey and I visited work areas after dark. Our first stop was the fitness center where we were greeted by 437th Force Support Squadron's Staff Sgt. Clinton Coleman, who keeps our fitness center working despite the construction going on. Next, we went to the passenger terminal and met up with Airman 1st Class Jason Bain, 437th Aerial Port Squadron, facing his first deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, later this month. Staff Sgt. Gregory Jasinski and Andrew Branch, 437 APS, also were tending to events at the passenger terminal, ready to help anyone who needed a lift. From there we went to APS and met Dwight MacLean who has been a rigger here at Charleston for 25 years! We also met Senior Airman Jacquline Filbeck who just returned from a remote tour to Korea; she was training three Reservists from Peterson AFB, Colo.
As Chief Ivey and I made our way to the flightline, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Master Sgts. Chuck Johnson and Lawrence Brown certainly knew their job and demanded to see our flightline badges (which I of course had)! Senior Airman John Sweeney of the 437th Security Forces Squadron then gave us a post brief on the security of the flightline. We finished our nightly tour at the dining facility, meeting Phil Maynor and seeing Staff Sgt. Kayon Dickens, 437 FSS in action as he supported a line of hungry Airmen.
On a sadder note, I know I speak for all of the 437th Airlift Wing in sending our condolences to the families of Senior Airman Alex Smith, 560th RED HORSE Squadron, and Tech. Sgt. Charles Martin, 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who recently passed away. We reflect proudly on their service to our nation.
As a reminder, Sunday is Flag Day - a day to honor our flag and more importantly to honor each of you for your commitment to duty. Have a good, safe weekend.