Features

Airman by day, volunteer firefighter by night
January 24, 2020 — Service members from across the DoD look for fulfilling and sometimes unique volunteer opportunities and often make a difference in their communities. That is precisely what 1st Lt. Joshua Heffley, 437th Maintenance Group executive officer, does as a volunteer firefighter for the Goose Creek Rural Fire Department, in Goose Creek, South Carolina. ... MORE

1st Lt. Joshua Heffley, 437th Maintenance Group executive officer and volunteer firefighter, puts on his firefighter coat during weekly firehouse readiness training at the Goose Creek Rural Fire Department, Goose Creek, S.C., Dec. 3, 2019.

LRS Airman “flips the switch” on NWS
January 9, 2020 — JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman on the Naval Weapons Station operates as the only uniformed brakeman on the Joint Base Charleston railway... MORE

Staff Sgt. Gelisa Inniss, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of ground transportation operations center, Naval Weapons Station, stands on a locomotive at Joint Base Charleston NWS in Goose Creek, S.C., Jan. 7, 2020. Innis was the first active duty Airman to complete the Brakeman Switchman Course at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua R. Maund)

Leadership through our leaders’ eyes: a chief’s perspective
December 3, 2019 — With the need for good leadership in the Air Force being so critical, the Joint Base Charleston public affairs office is conducting an interview series with leaders at the NCO and senior NCO level, to find out what they view as good leadership, and how they try to connect for those they supervise. Our third and final installment in the series is with Chief Master Sgt. Cedric Nettles, 628th Mission Support Group superintendent, who oversees all enlisted personnel within the mission support group and advises the group commander. Nettles uses a mix of his own experiences from his rise through the ranks as well as quotes from famous leaders, too... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Cedric Nettles, 628th Mission Support Group superintendent. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Leadership through our leaders’ eyes: an NCOs perspective
November 18, 2019 — With the need for good leadership in the Air Force being so critical, the Joint Base Charleston public affairs office is conducting an interview series with leaders at the NCO and senior NCO level, to find out what they view as good leadership, and how they try to connect for those they supervise. We started by interviewing Tech. Sgt. Samuel Hays, 437th Operations Support Squadron aircrew operations noncommissioned officer in charge, where he directly supervises three staff sergeants, while also overseeing 19 members in his section. Hays uses his experience in an NCO organization to connect with Airmen, while also still remembering where he came from as he climbed the ranks: ... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Samuel Hays, 437th Operations Support Squadron aircrew operations noncommissioned officer in charge.

Air Force announces NCO Career Status Program for Airmen with 12 years of service
November 6, 2019 — The Air Force announced recently that it will implement the new Noncommissioned Officer Career Status Program for active duty Airmen, which will affect reenlistment contracts executed on or after Nov. 18... MORE

Bioenvironmental Engineering more than just gas masks
October 31, 2019 — Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Shannon, NCOIC of environmental health for the 628th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, said bioenvironmental engineering specialists make sure that Airmen have the proper personal protective equipment needed and more to ensure the safety of all Airmen... MORE

Technical Sgt. Nicholas Shannon, NCO in charge of environmental health for the 628th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, checks the hydrogen levels in water Oct. 24, 2019, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The 628th Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight works to ensure the safety of all Airmen. PH level between 6.5 and 7.5 is safe to drink.

Lift while you climb
October 8, 2019 — Staff Sgt. Christopher Stuebbe, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron forward area refueling point team chief, has not only been named Air Mobility Command’s NCO of the year, but was also selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, one of the Air Force’s biggest honors... MORE

Staff Sgt. Christopher Stuebbe, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron forward area refueling point team chief, accepts a 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year plaque from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright Sept. 16, 2019, at Fort Washington, Md.

Set aside your pride, don’t be afraid to confide
September 19, 2019 — According to the Center for Disease Control, someone in America dies from suicide every 12 minutes and is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Although certain demographics may be more susceptible to a particular mental illness, most afflictions do not discriminate by age, race, and religion or body composition. ... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mayra Serrano, a mental health technician assigned to the 628th Medical Group, stands in front of the Mental Health Clinic entrance Sept. 16, 2019, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Air Force medical technicians like Serrano help ensure the medical readiness, both physically and mentally, of over 200,000 Airmen around the world.

Ocular allergies 'bloom' this time of year
April 25, 2019 — Spring has sprung and we can see it all around us. The flowers are blooming, there’s yellow pollen dust everywhere and people are spending more time outdoors. Despite all this spring splendor, it is also a time of suffering for millions of Americans. Do your eyes itch or burn? Are they red and puffy? Do these symptoms seem to recur particularly this time of year? It could be allergies. Seasonal allergies are most common in the spring, but can also recur in the fall. Furthermore, some people are affected by environmental ocular allergies year-round. ... MORE

The flowers are blooming, there’s yellow pollen dust everywhere and people are spending more time outdoors. Despite all this spring splendor, it is also a time of suffering for millions of Americans.

March is Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month
March 29, 2019 — While we are nearing the end of March and Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month, it’s never too late to take note of the importance of eye safety, especially in our work spaces... MORE

While we are nearing the end of March and Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month, it’s never too late to take note of the importance of eye safety, especially in our work spaces.