Features

437th AMXS Airman enjoys cool job
March 21, 2013 — Airman 1st Class Nicholas McCracken, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs several maintenance tasks on the C-17 Globemaster III, including liquid oxygen transfers. Liquid oxygen is used as a means of distributing breathable air to aircrew members and passengers above 10,000 feet above sea level. The C-17 can hold approximately... MORE

Airman 1st Class Nicholas McCracken, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs several maintenance tasks on the C-17 Globemaster III, including liquid oxygen transfers. Liquid oxygen is used as a means of distributing breathable air to aircrew members and passengers above 10,000 feet above sea level. The C-17 can hold approximately 155 gallons of LOX. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Senior Airman Dennis Sloan)

ELEN Airmen electrify JB Charleston
March 20, 2013 — Every day, C-17 Globemaster IIIs fire up their engines and ascend through the skies, conducting rapid airlift missions around the world. In its 20 years of service the C-17 has delivered aid, wounded warriors and also supported ongoing combat operations. The plane itself is a technological marvel packed with miles of wire transmitting electricity... MORE

Senior Airman Paul Wilhems, 315th Maintenance Squadron Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems specialist, performs routine checks on a C-17 Globemaster III March 18, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. Airmen and civilians from the 437th MXS ELEN shop perform maintenance on lighting equipment, motors, batteries, anti-icing controllers, caution and warning panels and many other parts. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Tom Brading)

Doctor Metal: 437th MXS NDI Craftsman
March 13, 2013 — Staff Sgt. John Price, 437th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspector, uses various dyes, ultraviolet lights and X-rays to inspect aircraft parts without causing any damage to the parts. The 437th MXS NDI shop inspects metal objects ranging from nuts and bolts, to large hooks and sheets of metal. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Senior Airman... MORE

Staff Sgt. John Price, 437th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspector, uses various dyes, ultraviolet lights and X-rays to inspect aircraft parts without causing any damage to the parts. The 437th MXS NDI shop inspects metal objects ranging from nuts and bolts, to large hooks and sheets of metal. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Senior Airman Dennis Sloan)

Airmen make dirty job look spotless
March 13, 2013 — The spaces they work in are often small and cramped with even less room for mistakes. They refer to themselves as the "Tank Rats" of the Air Force, and even though their careers can lead them down some dirty paths, their performances must always be spotless.For the Airmen of the 437th Maintenance Fuel Systems Repair shop, squeezing through tight... MORE

Airman 1st Class Nicholas McKinney, 437th Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels systems apprentice, prepares to be extracted from the inside of a C-17 Globemaster III fuel tank during a training exercise March 7, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. Fuel System Repair Airmen maintain the fuel cells and tanks by removing, repairing and installing the cells and tanks The Airmen also clean the cells and tanks, inspect for corrosion, cell deterioration, fungus and foreign objects. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Tom Brading)

Airman of Steel
February 27, 2013 — Airman 1st Class Tashma Antoine, 437th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals apprentice, works at the 437th MXS Metals Technology Shop on several machines in the shop to fabricate metal. Antoine is assigned to the aircraft metals fabrication shop and is trained to use several different pieces of equipment to bend, cut and combine metals. Antoine is... MORE

Airman 1st Class Tashma Antoine, 437th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals apprentice, works with several machines in the shop to fabricate metal. Antoine is assigned to the aircraft metals fabrication shop and is trained to use several different pieces of equipment to bend, cut and combine metals. Antoine is originally from Fort Myers, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Dennis Sloan)

IDMTs: The medical world's 'jack of all trades'
February 13, 2013 — In the medical world, Independent Duty Medical Technicians are often revered as "Jacks of all Trades."The IDMTs' mission is to save lives while accomplishing various jobs. They provide and manage patient care while at home station. But, while deployed, they're responsible for establishing medical facilities as a one-person team from the ground up... MORE

Staff Sgt. Darin Hoki, 628th Medical Group Independent Duty Medical Technician, demonstrates conducting a routine exam on an Airman at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, Feb. 12, 2013. The IDMTs’ mission is to save lives while accomplishing various jobs. They provide and manage patient care while at home station. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Tom Brading)

Airmen and Sailors mentor students at Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science
February 13, 2013 — Several days a week, Joint Base Charleston Airmen and Sailors volunteer their time to mentor students at Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science in North Charleston, S.C."Having a mentoring program like this is such a positive thing for these children," said Jim Brooks, a guidance counselor at the school. "The service members are such positive role... MORE

Airman 1st Class Tashanna Holt, 437th Aerial Port Squadron combat air transportation specialist, talks with student, Katelynn Clark, Feb. 6, 2013, at Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science, S.C. Holt is Jackson’s mentor at Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science, S.C. JB Charleston has been a part of the mentorship program for 10 years, and it is the second year at this particular school. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Ashlee Galloway)

Secretary reaches milestone in civil service career
February 6, 2013 — As the secretary for the 437th Operations Group commander, Karen Bevis manages the calendar schedule and administrative functions for a 14-member staff. But looking back at her career, she never imagined when she began working at Charleston Air Force Base, that she would still be working in civil service 40 years later."I was never keeping track of... MORE

Karen Bevis, secretary for the 437th Operations Group commander, looks through emails Feb. 5, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. Bevis has been in the civil service for her 40 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Ashlee Galloway)

JB Charleston Airman excels as chief exec
January 30, 2013 — "Typically, my day starts at 5 a.m. at the gym," said Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman. "If I don't get my workout in the morning, it's a great possibility that it won't happen." Housman is the chief executive for Chief Master Sgt. Al Hannon, 628th Air Base Wing command chief. She's originally from the 628th Comptroller Squadron. Housman has been... MORE

Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman, 628th Air Base Wing command chief executive, lifts a dumbell Jan. 17, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. Housman prefers to perform her physical training in the morning before taking on her duties of the day. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)

Sea Cadets learn leadership, teamwork through hands-on training
January 30, 2013 — They dress in uniforms, stand in formation, drill, conduct physical training tests and learn the military life style, yet they aren't even old enough to vote. More than 42 Sea Cadets from South Carolina and Georgia, ages 10 to 17, are part of the Hunley-Yorktown Sea Cadet Division located in South Carolina's Lowcountry. The unit, which is more than... MORE

Lt. j.g. Dennis Doerr, Hunley-Yorktown Sea Cadet Division executive officer, teaches a new cadet how to properly wear his cap, Jan 26, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Weapons Station. More than 42 Sea Cadets from South Carolina and Georgia, ages 10 to 17, are a part of the Hunley-Yorktown Sea Cadet Division located in the Lowcountry. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)