CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Phenomenal! That's the best way to describe the performance of the men and women of the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings during the recent three-day mobility exercise. The challenge we were given? Assume control of a bare-base airfield, establish all necessary base support and conduct flying operations. The scenario asked us to deploy to help deliver humanitarian aid to a region that was in need of help. Our role while deployed to Kunsan Air Base, Korea, in this case, is not much different from what we were asked to do in Afghanistan, for Hurricane Katrina relief or after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, right? We're preparing to receive a tasking to fly into unfamiliar territory and save lives. Despite the predictability of the air expeditionary force system and our two expeditionary airlift squadron construct, a large, wing deployment isn't out of the question.
We surpassed the vast majority of our inspector general requirements for our MOBEX. We sent 18 chalks downrange with more than 600 passengers and 425 short tons of cargo on board our C-17s. We generated 21 of 21 aircraft in 36 hours, which is less than half the time the Air Mobility Command IG gives us for inspections.
We ran this exercise full speed with a minimal amount of simulations because we have to be prepared for anything. It was a total team effort and our wings came together and did extraordinarily well. I'd like to thank the entire base for making this event a success and highlight a few people who went above and beyond. Dave Hunt and his exercise and inspections team gave us a great scenario to work through. Your exercise evaluation team members will be critical in helping us hone our skills even further as we head toward October's Expeditionary Operational Readiness Inspection. As we hotwash in the upcoming weeks, our EETs will look at our processes to ensure we had no wasted motion and operated in the most efficient manner possible.
Ernie Hunter and his deployment control center team ensured that the entire deployment operation ran well. 1st Lt. Deanna Minor, who lead cargo processing operations, and 1st Lt. Rachel Phillips, who took care of Airmen processing, both did exceptionally well in making sure our equipment and people were on their way on time and ready. Every Airman and civilian who drove a bus, built a pallet, packed a mobility bag or gave an intelligence briefing was being counted on and everyone shined.
This was the first game of the season en route to our Super Bowl in the fall when we will deploy to Mississippi and conduct operations as a total force team. We're aiming for zero discrepancies ... that's right, zero discrepancies! Some say that that's impossible, but that's what Team Charleston is all about ... making things happen that no one else thinks is do-able. We're the premiere airlift team in the Air Force! Everyday we deliver freedom and save lives around the world ... and in October, we will water the eyes of the AMC Inspector General Team!
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!