CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Good morning, Team Charleston. With the blossoming of trees and the sounds of chirping birds filling the air, we know that spring is truly here. With the warmer weather and longer days, we will have an even greater opportunity to experience the numerous outdoor activities that draw so many to the Lowcountry. As we start planning for those activities and outings, please keep safety in the forefront; it should never be an afterthought. We are a world-class organization because we do not cut corners and take unnecessary risks in either our personal or professional lives.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this year's Earth Day such a tremendous success. As I walked around and talked with some of the school children and volunteers, it was difficult to determine who was having more fun. There is something special about the laughter of young children. If even for only a few minutes, it makes you forget about your problems and takes you back to a time when life was not quite so fast paced. I could be wrong, but I suspect that is one of the reasons so many gave their time and energy to hang out with and mentor our youth during that event.
Periodically I put out the call for support for our Airmen Against Drunk Driving program and each time you respond. For that I am eternally grateful. Weekly in the Airlift Dispatch, our public affairs office will publish the number of Team Charleston members who have been provided a safe ride home by those of you who have been able to participate as dispatchers and drivers. As I looked at the data this past week, it dawned on me few people see the total sacrifice made by those Airmen who give unselfishly of their personal time to help their fellow Airmen. Airmen like Capt. Nolan Diestro, 437th Communications Squadron (90 hours); Staff Sgt. Miriah Campbell, 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron (80 hours); and Senior Airman Laura Gunn, 437th Maintenance Squadron (75 hours), exemplify what it means to be a great wingman. In fact, last year 211 volunteers gave more than 2,300 hours to this worthy endeavor. Airmen helping Airmen is what we should be all about and if you need some great examples, you do not have to look very far.
To say that in the Air Force we leverage technology to its fullest potential would be an understatement. Yet while we continue to put technology to work for us there are some jobs that just have to be done the old-fashioned way. One such job is our Official Mail Center or, for you old-timers, base information transfer center. Earlier this week I had the opportunity to accompany two members of the 437 CS, Senior Airman Tyechia Howery and Airman 1st Class Amanda Elder as they made their way around the base picking up and delivering official mail. Their job does not change much from day to day, yet they tackle it with enthusiasm and pride. Thanks for being such great Airmen!
Team Charleston: One family, one mission, one fight!