Features

14th AS female loadmaster trains Afghan military, assists with draw down
August 28, 2012 — More than a decade after the start of Operation Enduring Freedom, the war in Afghanistan is starting to draw down, but the task of training the Afghan military is in full swing. Master Sgt. Erin Manley, 14th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing loadmaster instructor, recently returned from a 365-day tour in Afghanistan ...her ninth.Manley's mission... MORE

Master Sgt. Erin Manley, 14th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing loadmaster instructor, displays her desert patch Aug. 27, 2012, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. Manley was assigned to the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 2011 for a 365-day tour. Manley was tasked with training Afghan military members from the newly formed Afghan air force to become loadmasters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dennis Sloan)

Flying through history: Static planes at JB Charleston - Air Base get restored
August 22, 2012 — Two of the four static display aircraft at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base were recently given a routine "face lift," which consisted of being cleaned and painted for the upcoming decade. According to AFI 84-103, in an agreement with the Air Force Museum at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the display planes are restored once every eight years. The... MORE

The C-121C sits on display at the JB Charleston Air Park on August 21, 2012 at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. The aircraft is often called the “Constellation” and could reach a maximum speed of 330 miles per hour, with a cruising speed of 255 mph. (U.S. Air Force Photo / Airman 1st Class Tom Brading)

On the front lines of history
August 14, 2012 — From its origin on Sept. 18, 1947, countless chapters of the Air Force story have been filled with brave men and women and their tales of heroism, sacrifice and dedication. They have overcome obstacles in the face of multiple enemies, and through even dire times, they continue to give us hope, inspiration and courage to carry on their legacy. Yet,... MORE

Stan Gohl, 437th Airlift Wing historian, looks through historical documents at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. Gohl has been assigned to JB Charleston - Air Base for five years as a civilian and is a retired Air Force master sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Tom Brading)

'Hero' Airman saves little girl from drowning
August 8, 2012 — An Airman doesn't have to be on the battlefield to risk his life for others, to react within a moment's notice to a crisis and to be a hero.It started out as a beautiful weekend summer day at Sullivan's Island, S.C.Desperate pleas for help were echoing faintly over the rolling ocean waves. The pleas were from a 7-year-old girl, pulled out past the... MORE

Staff Sgt. Robert Proffitt, 373rd Training Squadron C-17 crew chief instructor, poses for a photo August 7, 2012 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Profitt recently pulled a young girl from the ocean water after a riptide pulled her out too far. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Tom Brading)

Fitness Center keeps Team Charleston Fit
August 8, 2012 — With fitness being a top priority in today's Air Force, one team of professionals stays hard at work to keep Team Charleston fit to fight.The 628th Force Support Squadron Fitness and Sports Center staff, located in bldg. 225 at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, is a 15-member team, comprised of active-duty service members, reservists and civilians... MORE

Staff Sgt. Kandra Truesdale, 628th Force Support Squadron Fitness Assessment Cell program manager, assists a customer on a treadmill Aug. 6, 2012, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base Fitness and Sports Center, S.C. All Fitness and Sports Center staff members are experienced and trained on the equipment used at the facility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Hyatt)

HAWC: A full house now
August 1, 2012 — Interested in eating healthier, losing a few pounds, running more efficiently or just checking your blood pressure? The Joint Base Charleston Health and Wellness Center has it all. The HAWC's mission is to cultivate a fit and healthy force. They achieve this through classes and services that address nutrition, exercise, tobacco cessation wellness... MORE

The Joint Base Charleston’s Health and Wellness Center displays a jar of tar and pamphlets near their front desk to show HAWC patrons the dangers of smoking. The HAWC’s mission is to cultivate a fit and healthy force. They achieve this through classes and services such as nutritional, exercise, tobacco cessation as well as wellness and relaxation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dennis Sloan/Released)

Chief's retirement marks 'end of an era'
July 31, 2012 — For the last four decades, many things have changed throughout Joint Base Charleston - Air Base. Commanders have come and gone, missions have deployed countless times all over the world and our Air Force family has extended into joint basing. However, one thing has always seemed to remain constant; until now.Since 1975, a member of the Fox family... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Damian Fox, 16th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing operations group superintendent, poses for a photo with his father, Ronald Fox, ret. Chief Master Sgt., and his brother, Tech. Sgt. Fred Fox, 317th Airlift Squadron, 315th Airlift Wing loadmaster, after a "fini" flight July 25, 2012 at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. Fox is a second generation chief master sergeant loadmaster who followed in his father’s footsteps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class George Goslin/Released)

NMC - Charleston: 'Minding' our own business
July 25, 2012 — "Sea mines and the need to counter them have been constants for the U.S. Navy since the earliest days of the Republic ... Today, traditional navies as well as maritime terrorists can and do use mines and Underwater Improvised Explosive Devices to challenge military and commercial use of the seas."Navy.mil.Navy Munitions Command Unit Charleston, at... MORE

Petty Officer 1st Class William Senseney, Navy Munitions Command mine shop team leader and Navy mineman, pulls off dirt and mollusks from a mine July 19, 2012 at Joint Base Charleston –Weapons Station, S.C., that had been in the water for years. The mine will go through water blasting, extreme heat to dry the mine, as well as painting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dennis Sloan)

628th LRS Port Operations keeps boats afloat
July 18, 2012 — The Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Stations' shoreline spans approximately 16 miles of the Cooper River and 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Sailors, Airmen and Department of Defense contractors are patrolling the shoreline on Harbor Security Boats. Before the shoreline can be patrolled, these boats must be sea worthy and that's where the work... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer John Wilson, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron Port Operations officer, walks down Pier Edwards, July 16, 2012 at Joint Base Charleston – Weapons Station. Wilson is responsible to the Joint Base Charleston commander for the overall safety of ship movements within the JB Charleston – Weapons Station port, which includes Wharf Alpha, Pier Bravo, Pier Charlie, Pier Edwards and the TC Dock. July 23, 2012 will mark Wilson’s 25th year in the Navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashlee Galloway)

'Off to war': Charleston pilot writes country music hit
June 13, 2012 — Country music legend Johnny Cash is renowned for his impact to the entertainment industry. However, before Johnny Cash was dressed in black, he wore Air Force blues. Other prior military musicians include Willie Nelson, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley. One Joint Base Charleston pilot may be added to that elite list of famous songwriting... MORE

Major Pete Reddan, 437th Airlift Wing pilot, writes a song outside of a C-17 Globemaster III on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. June 13, 2012. Reddan's military inspired tune, "Off to War", was recently recorded by Nashville recording artist, Brad Anderson. The song was inspired by his experiences during deployments, as well as the experiences of the men and women Reddan serves with. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashlee Galloway)