CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Last week I had the distinct pleasure of attending Phoenix Rally, a gathering of Air Mobility Command leadership. Words can't express the pride I feel when my counterparts talk about the great things Team Charleston is doing! Commanders throughout AMC, as well as those in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, are well aware about what Team Charleston brings to the fight!
We talked about the two expeditionary airlift squadron concept that Charleston Airmen developed and were the first to implement. This bold new concept gives our Airmen increased predictability and stability at home while dramatically improving airlift capacity in theater. We now deliver cargo faster, safer and cheaper than ever before ... thanks to Team Charleston! We are taking convoys off the road in Iraq and Afghanistan while at the same time providing life-saving equipment, ammunition and other supplies to our comrades in arms. These heroic efforts help our nation execute the Global War on Terrorism on our terms, not the terrorists'.
The 2 EAS concept was just one step in a journey. We are now aggressively working on improving the "sequence of events" for every C-17 home station launch. This initiative has the potential to save more than $1.1 billion as we add tremendous amount of capacity to the Tanker Airlift Control Center in the form of reduced ground times. Reduced ground times increases our ability to save lives! Improving the C-17 launch sequence is not an operations initiative, it's a Team Charleston initiative and requires incredible coordination and performance from every corner of Team Charleston. I expect that in the coming months, as we continue to use 6S and other AFSO 21 tools, Team Charleston will bring forth more great ideas to improve how we operate!
The 437th and 315th Airlift Wings combine to form the premiere airlift team in AMC and the AF Reserve Command. Why? It's because we are never satisfied with the status quo. With passion, we continually pursue process improvement that increases our ability to do our jobs. Our people are innovative and motivated and that's what our Air Force needs!
It's not a secret that the work we do here at Charleston is of vital importance for our nation. When people think of the Air Force in Iraq, they think of air mobility. When they think of air mobility, they think of Charleston AFB.
I'd like to thank a special group of people who aren't often given the recognition they deserve. The local businesses that support our nation by hiring and supporting our Reservists and Guardsmen ... these folks are truly amazing! Many of these businesses are small businesses and deal with unique circumstances by hiring someone who can be mobilized and sent to war at a moment's notice. Thanks for your support!
I'd also like to welcome back Airmen from Air Expeditionary Forces 5/6 as they start making their plans to return home. The work you've done downrange is phenomenal! Our Airmen are taking convoys off the road in Iraq and supplying soldiers engaged with the Taliban in Afghanistan with the ammunition they need to eliminate terrorists. Thanks to the families who must deal with their own challenges associated with a deployment. Your support for our military is vital for our success.
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!