Features

Deployed warrior lays ground work across Iraq
April 20, 2011 — When Senior Airman Michael Payne arrived in Iraq for his first deployment, he wasn't fazed. He had his mind set on doing his job to the best of his abilities. After all, this was why he joined the Air Force. Now he would be able to put his training to good use by helping others. The 20 year-old Airman stationed at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.,... MORE

FTAC NCOIC, mentor to Airmen
April 20, 2011 — All first-term Airmen who have gone through the 628th Force Support Squadron's First Term Airmen Center have met a sergeant who is hard to forget. This sergeant is in charge of mentoring and grooming the newcomers by helping them assimilate into today's operational Air Force.Staff Sgt. Robert Alvarado, 628 FSS FTAC noncommissioned officer in... MORE

Staff Sgt. Alvarado, First Term Airman Center noncommissioned officer in charge, talks to his class of 20 Airman, who are fresh out of technical school, on the importance of building healthy relationships April 15, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base. FTAC is a week long program designed to cover necessary information, available resources and welcome the new members of Team Charleston. (U.S. Air Force photo /Airman 1st Class Jared Trimarchi)

Local teen declared Regional Youth of the Year
April 20, 2011 — Kai Holnes was recognized as the 2011 Boys and Girls Club South Carolina Youth of the Year at a competition held at the Embassy Suites in Columbia, S.C., April 15.Ms. Holnes is the daughter of Master Sgt. Pablo Holnes from the 437th Aviation Maintenance Support Squadron and his wife Maritza. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a... MORE

Kai Holnes delivers her acceptance speech after being named Southeast Region Youth of the yEar during an awards banquet at the Embassy Suites in Columbia, S.C., April 15. Ms. Holnes competed against 10 other nominees for the award and received a $2,000 scholarship. Ms. Holnes is the daughter of Master Sgt. Pablo Holnes from the 437th Aviation Maintenance Operations Squadron and his wife Martiza. (courtesy photo)

Warrior Aviation gives support, incentive rides to veterans
April 18, 2011 — It's not every day the average person gets the opportunity to fly in a historic World War II P-51 Mustang; however, the Warrior Aviation is making that happen for wounded veterans. During the April 8 Air Expo 2011 Family Day events, Bill Davenport, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Georgetown, S.C. took flight with pilot Dale "Snort" Snodgrass in... MORE

Bill Davenport, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, takes a ride in a World War II P-51 Mustang with Warrior Flight Team pilot Dale "Snort" Snodgrass April 8, 2011, during the Charleston Air Expo 2011 Family Day events at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The Warrior Flight Team travels to different air shows across the country raising awareness for Warrior Aviation and providing support to disabled veterans. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Susan Carlson)

SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic employees share musical gift
April 13, 2011 — From miles away, melodic drones can be heard coming closer, grabbing your attention and signifying an important event.That's the sound of the legendary bagpipes. These instruments are often paraded through the streets during New Year's celebrations and other grand affairs.Dating back to the 15th century, bagpipes were created as a war instrument to... MORE

From left, John Guerry plays the snare drum, and Tim French and John Weed play the bagpipes. The three SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic employees are also part of Charleston's Scottish Marching Band associated with the Charleston Police Station. The 45-member group is made up of police officers and volunteers who perform in many events along the eastern shores of the United States and Canada. (U.S. Navy photo/Joe Bullinger)

WWII vet relives Pearl Harbor
April 12, 2011 — Spending an entire day in the scorching sun is not the way most 89-year-olds spend their birthday; however, Buck Morris, a Lowcountry native, is not your typical 89-year-old. Attending this year's Charleston Air Expo 2011 meant more to Mr. Morris than just the aura and flare of modern air superiority; it was a time of reflection, remembrance and... MORE

Buck Morris prepares for an interview during the Charleston Air Expo 2011 April 9. Mr. Morris is a Navy veteran and a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor . He celebrated his 89th birthday by attending the Air Expo which attracted nearly 80,000 people. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Nicole Mickle)

Hometown Hero takes flight with the Thunderbirds
April 12, 2011 — As part of this year's Joint Base Charleston Air Expo 2011, the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, gave Mount Pleasant native Ed Deas, a ride in the Thunderbirds' F-16 Fighting Falcon aerial demonstration jet, April 8.Mr. Deas received the award in appreciation for his fund raising efforts for the Ronald McDonald... MORE

Ed Daes prepares to climb into a U.S Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon aerial demonstration jet on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., April 8. Mr. Daes was recognized as a Hometown Hero and received an incentive flight after he raised more than $2,500 during a 75-day, cross-country trip on his bicycle for the Ronal McDonald House Charities.

Ask the Trainer
April 12, 2011 — For many of us, the term healthy eating means adhering to a strict diet, trying to become unrealistically thin or depriving yourself of carbohydrates and many of the foods you love. However, healthy eating really means putting the correct types and amounts of food into your body to feel and look great, have plenty of energy to sustain yourself... MORE

Honor Guard Spotlight
March 30, 2011 — Name: Senior Airman Devon BrownHometown: Chardon, Ohio Squadron and job title: 437th Maintenance Squadron / aerospace ground equipment mechanicTime in the Air Force: Three YearsTime in Honor Guard: Trained for a year and active for three monthsWhat inspired you to join honor guard? It was a chance to experience another side of the Air Force.What is... MORE

Senior Airman Devon Brown, 437th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment mechanic

Green to Blue - Air Force major's career spans two services, two wars in the Gulf region
March 29, 2011 — The date was February 23, 1991, and Army Private 1st Class Roy Bentley was in Saudi Arabia serving with the Second Armored Calvary Regiment, VII Corps as an armored crewman when the ground war began during Operation Desert Storm. Fast forward 20 years to February, 23, 2011. Air Force Maj. Roy Bentley lands in Kuwait, with the 17th Airlift Squadron... MORE

Maj. Roy Bentley at the controls of a C-17 during his latest deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo)