CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
We truly make a difference every day.
The team we have here on this base has an awesome responsibility. We're the Air Force's largest C-17 wing, the nation's only long-range, rapid-response, special operations low level provider, the go-to wing for distinguished visitor support and keep between 500 to 1,000 Airmen deployed downrange taking the fight to the enemy. The nature of our mission means we're making a difference whether we're thinking about it or not.
We have a direct impact on the freedom that every American shares. We must have a passion for what we do because we're impacting people's lives and must "bring it" every day.
I'd like to share a story about why it's important to give your all. I hear first-hand about how our people are making a difference. This story about an airdrop in Afghanistan puts everything into perspective.
In June of last year, during the 17th Airlift Squadron's deployment downrange as part of the two expeditionary airlift wing construct, a C-17 crew delivered 105 mm Howitzer rounds to soldiers located near a little base in Eastern Afghanistan.
Capt. Pat Farrell, a crew member on that mission, recently met one of the soldiers on the receiving end of the cargo and this is what he said.
"We were pretty desperate for the 105 mm Howitzer rounds as we were completely out. That very night, a 5-person Allied patrol from that base encountered 30 Taliban/Al Qaeda fighters a few miles north of the fire base. Our soldiers determined the enemy's position and called in accurate fire on the enemy, killing all of them.
Later that evening, we observed about 15 Taliban/Al Qaeda fighters coming to presumably meet up with the initial enemy force. Our soldiers were able to direct accurate 105 mm fire on them as well, resulting in 15 more enemy fighters eliminated. Several hours later, 5 more enemy fighters came looking for the other groups and were engaged by the Howitzer and killed."
The rounds we dropped made all of this possible. The lives of five Allied soldiers were saved and about 50 Taliban/Al Qaeda fighters were killed through the firing of more than 200 105 mm rounds and the ingenuity of our ground forces.
With our passion for making sure cargo arrives on time, every time, we put our soldiers in a position to engage the enemy. On that flight, there were issues with the cargo bundles on the first drop, the second drop put the 105 mm rounds on target and on the fourth drop, the C-17 sustained small arms damage. Without the tenacity of our Airmen and their dedication to the mission, many American lives could have been lost.
More than 8,000 people funnel through our gates every day. These active-duty Airmen, Reservists, civilians and volunteers make up Team Charleston, Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Command's premier mobility wings. Without the hard work we do here, we couldn't make a difference for those who really need it far from here.
Please continue to make me proud. Take care of yourselves and each other. You are the best of the best!
Team Charleston - One family, one mission, one fight!