CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
What can I say? There is something very special about a parade! Thank you so very much to everyone who came out last Saturday to represent Team Charleston in the parade honoring the 200th Anniversary of the Washington Light Infantry. More than 160 Airmen in battle dress uniforms and flightsuits stood tall as we proudly made our way through downtown Charleston greeted by the thunderous cheering, clapping and flag waving of the many onlookers who lined the streets. As our outstanding honor guard led us pass the reviewing stand it was obvious that those being honored were overjoyed to see us in the processional.
Let me also add a very special thank you to Senior Master Sgt. Randal Williams, 437th Mission Support Squadron; Tech. Sgt. John May, 437th Mission Support Squadron; and Tech. Sgt. Rawnald Hart, 17th Airlift Squadron. These great leaders took charge and ensured the formations were properly formed and in perfect marching order. Finally, thank you to all the Team Charleston members who, along with their families, came out and cheered us on. It does the heart proud when you see so many familiar faces in the crowd.
Congratulations are in order to the Team Charleston NCOs who completed the NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar this week. The feedback I received validates the fact that these forums are definitely a great opportunity to further develop those leadership skills that are so critical in our expeditionary Air Force. As I mention to each class, their responsibility is to help the people they supervise and mentor to reach their highest potential. Hopefully each graduate has at least one or two more tools in their toolkit and will put them to good use immediately.
Speaking of professional development, Master Sgt. Tim Kelly, our wing career assistance advisor, recently held our very first Airman Professional Enhancement Seminar. Eight first-term Airmen spent a day getting to know a little more about themselves while also gathering some practical information that will help them as they continue on their path to excellence. I am excited about the fact that we now offer a professional enhancement opportunity to our most junior enlisted members. I ask them to be professional Airmen 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, so it is only fitting that we treat them the same way.
Finally, let me offer a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who assisted Tech. Sgt. Nina Murphy and me in hosting the AMC senior enlisted leaders this week during the Command Chief and Superintendent Conference. Chief Master Sgt. Joe Barron, command chief master sergeant of Air Mobility Command; Chief Master Sgt. Brye McMillon, command chief master sergeant of 18th Air Force; and the other command chiefs and group superintendents who attended were thoroughly pleased with how things went. As I expected, everyone raved about our beautiful base, but more importantly, they witnessed the best Airmen in AMC in action. I really do have the best job at the best base in the Air Force because I get to see each and every day what they saw. You truly are simply the best.
Team Charleston - One family, one mission, one fight!