CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
During my first two months as a member of Team Charleston, I continued to be amazed by the commitment to excellence, dedication and willingness to give back to the community the members of our total force team exemplifies every single day.
Only one wing can win the Verne Orr award as the No. 1 wing in the Air Force as the 437th Airlift Wing did for 2008. Only one maintenance group can win the 2008 Air Force Clements McMullen Memorial Daedalian Weapons System Maintenance Award, and the 437th Maintenance Group, along with our partners in the 315th Maintenance Group, recently captured that prestigious award. Although I truly wish every base in the Air Force had the same outstanding attitude and work ethic as we do, we are the pinnacle of all a base can be because our Airmen at all levels in every organization work together to take the fight to the enemy. Our sense of teamwork is unmatched, and we have the hardware to prove it.
Team Charleston is blessed with numerous superstars and five members of our most recent Airman Leadership School class 09-B. Senior Airman Brian Parmerter, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron garnered the John Levitow Award, Staff Sgt. Bryan Scroggs, 437 AMXS, received the Leadership Award, Senior Airman Troy Davis, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, won the Academic Achievement Award, and Airman Troy Davis, Senior Airman Brian Hendrix, 437th Operations Support Squadron, and Senior Airman Chris Fullmer, 17th Airlift Squadron, were named distinguished graduates. Additionally, we named our 437 AW annual award winners and also honored 10 new chiefs from the 437 AW and the 315th Airlift Wing at the annual Chief's Group Recognition Ceremony.
These members represent the collective accomplishments of our entire team, and I believe the Airmen we recognize typically share these easily identifiable traits and patterns of behavior helping to propel them to new heights. These Airmen have commitment to excellence, the dedication to always accomplish our mission, and the willingness to give back to the base and the community.
I also had the opportunity to spend 10 days traveling with one of our outstanding C-17 crews from the 17 AS, flying missions to take cargo to and from our troops engaged in the global war on terrorism. Being able to listen in to the conversations on the intercom and learn how comprehensive the aircrew checklists and safety procedures are really opened my eyes and gave me a new sense of respect for all members of our aircrews. They truly exemplify a commitment to excellence. Moreover, when our C-17 needed repairs in extremely cold weather, Staff Sgt. Carl Smith-Rubin, 437 AMXS flying crew chief, never complained or hesitated; he worked several times in bone-chilling weather to repair our aircraft and then helped repair another aircraft in a deployed location. I am truly proud of his dedication to the mission.
Finally, we've published a series of articles recently describing the professional organizations whose members give back to the base and the community and who fight for better benefits for our entire Air Force family. As I've done before, I would again ask you to consider getting involved with one of these organizations. They can always use the help of Airmen whose professionalism, commitment and dedication make Team Charleston the best base in the entire Air Force.