CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston, we've had a busy month!
You've had some high-visibility, priority taskings and events that have received top-level attention, from the Office of the President of the United States, to the Office of the Secretary of Defense on down.
You have met every challenge ... I am truly proud of the entire base and appreciative for the efforts you have put forth.
Kudos to the team, headed up by the 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office, who worked so diligently to put together the Office of the Secretary of Defense-directed Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles on-load media event on Aug. 16. This event received top-level attention from the secretary of the Air Force, U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command and 18th Air Force, and it resulted in the base receiving local and national media attention highlighting our airlift mission.
A special thank you to Master Sgt. Jared Breyer, 437th Aerial Port NCO in charge of special handling, and Rick Gathers, 437 APS ramp services vehicle operator, who did an outstanding job of representing Charleston AFB during interviews by local and national media, as they explained the wing's airlift mission and aerial port processes.
Also, kudos to all those involved in coordinating and accomplishing the two-day C-17 mission last week for retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, hosted by Gen. Duncan McNabb, AMC commander. Crewmembers from the 17th Airlift Squadron, maintainers from the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, members of the 437 APS, mission planners from the 437th Operations Squadron Current Operations Division and other members of Team Charleston worked together to make this mission happen.
Thank you to the 437 AW Protocol Office for flawlessly coordinating short-notice ground transportation for Gen. Robert Magnus, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, when he landed at Charleston AFB last week to tour Charleston-area MRAP facilities.
And finally, I would like to thank Capt. Michael McGrath, 437th Mission Support Group, and his committee for the overwhelming success of the dedication ceremony Friday re-naming the Charleston AFB child development center to the Brigadier General Thomas R. Mikolajcik Child Development Center. Their efforts ensured a first-class, memorable event.
Our operations tempo remains high with multiple presidential priority and close watch missions, maintenance, weather, operational constraints and other difficulties, but despite it all -- everybody has come together, worked as a team and gotten the job done.
The dedication, commitment and teamwork displayed by Team Charleston bring to mind the Airman's Creed ...
I am an American Airman. I am a warrior. I have answered my nation's call. I am an American Airman. I am faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor, and a legacy of valor. I am an American Airman, guardian of freedom and justice, my nation's sword and shield, its sentry and avenger. I defend my country with my life.
As a team, we live and work by the Airman's Creed. As a team, we fight the continuing Global War on Terrorism.
As a team, you make me proud, day in and day out. Keep up the great work.
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!