Features

Sailor becomes first Air Force SFS flight chief
July 24, 2015 — A sailor assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., became the first Navy Master at Arms to become an Air Force certified security forces flight chief.Due to a dwindling number of certified flight chiefs, Petty Officer 1st Class Ethan Holland volunteered to participate in a 60 day certification to become one. He... MORE

MA1 Holland qualifies for SFS flight chief duties.

Naval Weapons Station civilian retires after 35 years of service
July 22, 2015 — A 628th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Charleston Weapons Station police officer and member of the Harbor Patrol Unit has decided it's time to remove his badge, hang up his handcuffs and retire.After 35 years of combined federal and military service, William (or Bill as he's known to his co-workers) Stevens Jr., will officially retire from... MORE

After 35 years of combined federal and military service, William (or Bill as he’s known to his co-workers) Stevens Jr., will officially retire from the 628th SFS July 27, 2015. Following five years in the Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate, and assignments that took him from California, into the Pacific and over to Europe, Stevens spent time working in industrial construction and raising his family. On March 28, 1985, he returned to the military but this time as a civil servant. Currently, Stevens spends his time as a member of the JB Charleston Harbor Patrol Unit where he was a member of the inaugural boat crew and has trained hundreds of boat crew personnel. He will officially retire at the end of July 2015 and following his retirement he plans to travel and visit family and quite possibly move to a cooler locale. (Courtesy photo)

Raven 1 reflects on career
July 22, 2015 — When an individual was found dead in the wheel well of an Air Force aircraft after departing a foreign country, Gen. Ronald Fogleman, who later became the Air Force Chief of Staff, determined that additional security was needed to ensure the safety of Air Mobility Command's aircraft. He asked Col. Lawrence "Rocky" Lane, the AMC chief of Security... MORE

The Raven badge identifies a Security Forces member who has completed the rigorous Phoenix Raven Training Program and is in good standing. The Raven 1 badge is Colonel Lawrence “Rocky” Lane's badge, the 1st Raven in the Air Force. (Courtesy photo)

Vietnam, A Look Back: Part IV
July 14, 2015 — Editor's Note: Mr. Michael Petersen's story is a four-part series that takes an in-depth look at the hardships, camaraderie and challenges of the Vietnam War and integration back into daily life once returning home. Petersen is a retired Air Force Reserve command chief master sergeant and currently works as a government civilian leading Joint Base... MORE

Michael Petersen’s story is a four-part series that highlights the hardships, camaraderie and challenges of the Vietnam War. Petersen is a retired Air Force Reserve Command chief master sergeant from the 315th Airlift Wing, and currently works as the director in the Equal Opportunity Office at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Michaela Judge)

Vietman, A Look Back: Part III
July 6, 2015 — Editor's Note: Mr. Michael Petersen's story is a four-part series that takes an in-depth look at the hardships, camaraderie and challenges of the Vietnam War and integration back into daily life once returning home. Petersen is a retired Air Force Reserve command chief master sergeant and currently works as a government civilian leading Joint Base... MORE

Private First Class Michael Petersen takes a moment for a photo at his main operating base in Can Tho Army Airfield, Vietnam in 1969. Petersen served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was assigned to the 156th Aviation Company, where he oversaw the maintenance of 17 U-6 Beavers, which were fixed wing, radial engine propeller aircraft. After serving in the Army, Petersen later transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 1977, where he went on to serve 29 additional years and retired as the command chief master sergeant for the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Today, Petersen serves as the director of Equal Opportunity at JB Charleston as a government employee. (Courtesy Photo)

Former commanders reflect on time with 17th AS
June 24, 2015 — With the inactivation ceremony date set for June 25, 2015, the 17th Airlift Squadron prepares to close its doors and former commanders are reflecting on their time at the helm of the first operational C-17 squadron.Two of those commanders are Maj. Gen. (ret) Ron Ladnier, and Brig. Gen. Lenny Richoux, the current director of the Colonels Management... MORE

Major General (ret) Ronald R. "Ron" Ladnier, commander, 17th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein AB, Germany and former 17th Airlift Squadron commander (U.S. Air Force photo)

Vietnam, a look back: Part II
June 22, 2015 — Editor's Note: Mr. Michael Petersen's story is a four-part series that takes an in-depth look at the hardships, camaraderie and challenges of the Vietnam War and integration back into daily life once returning home. Petersen is a retired Air Force Reserve command chief master sergeant and currently works as a government civilian leading Joint Base... MORE

Vietnam, a look back: Part I
June 17, 2015 — Editor's Note: Mr. Michael Petersen's story is a four-part series that takes an in-depth look at the hardships, camaraderie and challenges of the Vietnam War and integration back into daily life once returning home. Petersen is a retired Air Force Reserve command chief master sergeant and currently works as a government civilian leading Joint Base... MORE

JB Charleston civilan completes AF-Navy PT test at 76
June 16, 2015 — Most people leave the physical training test behind when they leave the service, but, for one retired master chief petty officer, the PT test is what keeps him young.Born on May 20, 1939, Sam Kirton enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1957. After 22 years of service, including tours aboard the aircraft carriers the USS Essex, USS Independence,... MORE

Master Chief Petty Officer (ret) Sam Kirton inspires Airmen and Sailors to stay fit by participating in a combine Air Force / Navy PT test June 10, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Kirton finished with an adjusted score of 96.5 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration / Senior Airman Sydney Manning)

17th Airlift Squadron; A look back:17th AS revolutionizes C-17 deployed operations
June 16, 2015 — Editor's Note: As the 437th Airlift Wing gears up to inactivate the 17th Airlift Squadron, we hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane with us as we reprint stories that highlight the achievements of the Air Force's first operational C-17 squadron. This week's article was first printed in the July 14, 2006 edition of the Airlift Dispatch.In a... MORE

Captain Pat Farrell performs a preflight check of a C-17 July 3 at a forward operating base in Southwest Asia prior to flying an airdrop mission.. Captain Farrell is deployed from Charleston AFB and assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, one of two C-17 squadrons in the area of responsibility now deployed in rotation periods similar to air and space expeditionary force deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo / Tech. Sgt. Chuck Marsh)