Charleston Military Trunk Radio Systems and Aircraft Frequency Profile

 

 

While in Charleston, South Carolina, over the Thanksgiving holiday, I had a chance to monitor the military trunk radio systems (TRS) in the area. Due to the holiday, activity was fairly light so I did not make a lot of progress tying up TRS talk group identifications (TGID).

One of the systems is located on the Charleston Naval Weapons Station (NWS) and is a 380 MHz trunk radio system. 

 

Naval Weapons Station Charleston -- System ID: 14c, Site: 206, WACN: BEE00.

 

380.0750c  380.2750  380.4250  380.5750  380.7250  380.8375 380.9375  381.0125  381.0875  381.1750  381.2375  381.3125  MHz

Talk Group IDs on this system used numbers from the 286xx series. TGIDs 28647 and 28653 were noted on both the NWS site and Charleston AFB site. These have been previously IDed as Fire and Law Enforcement dispatch TGIDs respectively. They cover both bases. Some encryption was noted on the law enforcement TGID.

The new critical information uncovered this trip involved the trunk radio system on the Charleston AFB. This system leveraged the existing ELMR system on the Weapons Station when it was placed on the air in 2012.

Unlike the NWS system, the CAFB TRS operates in the US Federal government 400 MHz UHF band. The Site ID fully indicates that it is part of the Navy ELMR system (see article below for confirmation of this fact).

 

Charleston AFB -- System ID: 14c, Site: 270, WACN: BEE00

 

406.1625  406.3625  406.5625  406.7625  406.9625  407.1625  407.3625c  407.5625 407.7625  407.9625  408.3625  409.1625

 

This system used TGIDs from both 286xx and 287xx talk groups. As mentioned above 28648/28653 appeared to be simulcast on both sites.

 

Hopefully in future trips I will be able to nail down some additional information on the TGIDs used on these two systems.

 

In other news from Chuck-town, per the ATIS at KCHS the 135.800 MHz approach/departure freq is no longer used and has been replaced with 119.300 MHz.

 

I confirmed this freq change via NOTAM 06/002

 

06/002 - COM REMOTE TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER 135.8 CHANGED TO 119.3. 01 JUN 15:58 2015 UNTIL
PERM. CREATED: 01 JUN 15:58 2015

Some other freqs noted during our stay included:

 

119.300 Charleston Approach/Departure (p/w 284.000)
120.700 FAA Charleston Approach/Departure (p/w 306.925 317.450)
121.900 KCHS Ground Control
122.100 FAA FSS Anderson Radio (KCHS)
122.200 FAA FSS Anderson Radio (KCHS)
122.500 FAA FSS Anderson Radio (KCHS)
122.950 KCHS Unicom
124.750 KCHS ATIS
126.000 KCHS Tower
127.325 KCHS Clearance Delivery
134.100 KCHS Command Post Palmetto Ops
135.800 Charleston Approach/Departure (p/w 257.100)

 

237.900 USCG - CG Sector Charleston
239.000 FAA KCHS Tower (Local Control)
243.000 USCG - CG Sector Charleston
255.400 FAA FSS Anderson Radio (KCHS) (Nationwide)
284.000 FAA Charleston Approach/Departure (p/w 119.300)
291.650 FAA KCHS Clearance Delivery
306.925 FAA Charleston Approach/Departure (p/w 120.700)
317.450 FAA Charleston Approach/Departure (p/w 120.700)
326.150 USCG - CG Sector Charleston
345.000 USCG - CG Sector Charleston
348.600 FAA KCHS Ground Control
349.400 USAF 437AW Command Post Palmetto Ops
372.200 USAF KCHS Pilot to Dispatcher (PTD)
379.050 USCG - CG Sector Charleston

Finally here is the DoD article published in 2012 regarding the trunk radio system on the Charleston AFB.

 

JB Charleston uses ELMR to bridge geographical gap

by Staff Sgt. Nicole Mickle, Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

Story at a Glance

• By utilizing the existing Weapons Station ELMR solution to expand on the Air Base, the 628th CS was able to generate an investment savings of $3.5 million. ELMR equipment has been in operational use since Feb. 25, 2012, at the Air Base. • The ELMR System is a non-tactical Navy Installation Command sponsored conformant trunked land mobile radio system. This system is being implemented Navy-wide and will eventually interconnect all Navy sites onto one comprehensive communications network.

7/17/2012 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The 628th Communications Squadron recently saved $3.5 million by leveraging the Navy's Enterprise Land Mobile Radio solution at Joint Base Charleston.

By utilizing the existing Weapons Station ELMR solution to expand on the Air Base, the 628th CS was able to generate an investment savings of $3.5 million. ELMR equipment has been in operational use since Feb. 25, 2012, at the Air Base.

Land Mobile Radios are hand-held voice devices, much like a walkie talkie, used to speak on any Ultra High Frequency range over a network of equipment designed to enhance signal strength and quality.

The ELMR System is a non-tactical Navy Installation Command sponsored conformant trunked land mobile radio system. This system is being implemented Navy-wide and will eventually interconnect all Navy sites onto one comprehensive communications network.

"The Navy was utilizing an ELMR network that essentially put the NWS on a grid of other ELMR systems which enabled the master control site to view and route voice traffic to any user on the network," said Tech. Sgt. Nathaniel Swab, 628th CS Transmissions Systems non-commissioned officer in charge. "It enables a user on the Weapons Station to speak with users at other sites such as Norfolk, Va., Jacksonville, Fla. or any other user on the network."

The system change required coordination between the 628th CS and the ELMR master site in Norfolk. The old LMR equipment, used by the Air Base, had to be replaced with equipment that was compatible with the Navy's ELMR system. Once the equipment was installed, the site was added to the network. The Air Base can now connect to the Weapons Station, as well as an entire network of ELMR users worldwide.

"One of the key benefits of the ELMR system is that it offers another means of local communication to be monitored at a long range in case of a disaster scenario," said Swab. "First responders can be aided from afar because a controller can listen to real time on-site responders without having to be in the disaster zone."

ELMRs are primarily used for quick, coordinated responses between first responders and provide centralized communication capabilities via handheld units, mobile and base stations. The ability to relay information between installations in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation is critical.

"First responders can coordinate operations across one channel for two sites," said Swab. "In the past, the two towers, one located on the Weapons Station and the other on the Air Base, were not able to talk to each other. The ELMR puts both sites on one network. This allows dispatchers to reach first responders at two situations if needed. In the future we are looking at a goal of joining civilian first responders to our extensive ELMR network."

"This was huge in affording first responders and the installation commander the ability to rapidly bridge the geographical gap between the Air Base and Weapons Station to maintain situation awareness and relay critical, crisis information," said Lt. Col. David Joerres, former 628th CS commander. "It's an exciting time to be a cyberspace operator."

 

Charleston reservists share long history with C-17



The Air Force's first C-17 arrives at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. June 14, 1993 approaches the runway amid a sea of C-141 Starlifthers. Now 20 years later the final Air Force C-17 will be arriving from the Boeing C-17 factory Sept. 12, 2013. (Courtesy Photo)

By Michael Dukes,  315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C.  -- Whenever the U.S. military on the news operating across the globe, either in times of war humanitarian need, chances are, there's a Charleston based C-17 involved in making it possible. For many it has been a long journey and today the Air Force's final C-17 Globemaster III is being delivered to Joint Base Charleston.

This behemoth has a combined four-engine thrust power of more than 163,000 pounds. It has nearly a 170-foot wingspan and its tail stands at about five stories high. It has a maximum peacetime takeoff weight of 580,000 pounds and can travel 500 mph at 28,000 feet, but it is also comfortable cruising at 45,000 feet. But there is much more to the story of the C-17 than these basic facts. A handful of active and reserve aircrews can take credit for working out the early "kinks" of what has become the world's premiere military airlifter.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Bryan DuBois, top loadmaster for the 317th Airlift Squadron here, the newly reactivated 317th AS was tasked "to provide an initial cadre of Reserve personnel and expertise to Team Charleston in support of the reliability, maintainability, and availability evaluation of the new McDonnell Douglas C-17 Advance Transport Aircraft at Charleston Air Force Base."

The Air Force's first C-17 squadrons - the 17th AS and 317th AS (AF Reserve) partnered in initial squadron operations, including developmental and implementation of operational, training and support policies and procedures. The 317th AS was also charged with creating the Air Force Reserve's first operational C-17 squadron. This paved the way for conversion of other Reserve flying squadrons to the C-17 Globemaster III.

Before the aircraft was handed over to the Air Force however, the aircrew had to be trained on the new airframe. The 317th's first pilots to begin C-17 training August 1992 were Maj. Paul Sykes and Capt. David Wallis. Later that year, Master Sgt. Kenneth Nicholson, 317th AS, was the first to begin C-17 loadmaster training. A small number of maintenance crews started maintainer training in 1991 at the McDonnell Douglas C-17 factory in Long Beach, Calif.

Sykes and Nicholson were part of the crew to deliver the Air Force's first operational C-17, designated "The Spirit of Charleston," to its new home at Charleston June 14, 1993.

The initial C-17 maintenance cadre was established at Charleston AFB. They began their first maintenance and avionics training at the factory in Long Beach. Among the initial maintenance cadre was 31-year-old Staff Sgt. James Macko, who is now a chief master sergeant in charge of 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Gold Flight.

"It was an honor to be selected to be one of the first C-17 maintainers. We knew we were taking part in something much bigger than ourselves," Macko said. "There was a great partnership with Reservists and active duty working hand in hand."

On the operations side, Sykes and his crew trained on the first C-17 flight simulator in Oklahoma.

Sykes who had been a C-141 pilot for most of his career knew his career was at a crossroads as he transitioned to the new C-17.

"The C-141 had been the Air Force's workhorse since the early 1960s. It was a fabulous aircraft but it was time to move on. The C-141 and the C-17, while both being airlift aircraft, truly were two very different airplanes."

"I knew the C-141 like the back of my hand," Sykes said of his transition to the C-17. "But with having to learn all the technical orders and avionics, it was like starting the learning process all over again."

First delivery
While reflecting back on the delivery day, Sykes said, "as we landed at Charleston and taxied down the flight line, we were in a sea of C-141s. We were the only ones in the Air Force with the C-17. It's hard to imagine that today because the C-17 is such a common aircraft in military operations today."

As the shiny new cargo jet rolled into position in front of a crowd of anxious VIPs and other Air Force personnel, Gen. Merrill McPeak, Air Force chief of staff, and Gen. James Peay, Army vice chief of staff of the stepped down from the jet and walked down the red carpet as applause erupted from the crowd. Then, to the surprise of the crowd, came two M-270 multiple launch rocket systems, two HUMVEEs, a dozen airborne Soldiers, and about 120 pounds of cargo.

"This aircraft shows America's commitment to Global Reach. The bottom line is the C-17 enhances a wonderful American characteristic, our flexibility. The new cornerstone of this nation's mobility fleet is the Globemaster III," said McPeak.

Now that the Air Force had its first C-17, and another soon on its way to Charleston, the initial cadre members worked hard to bring their new C-17 squadrons up to speed on the aircraft and to work out some of the final kinks. "There were only six initial pilots and many more needed to help the aircraft reach its initial operational capability," Sykes said.

The initial plan was for the 317th AS to provide 12 crews (20 percent) of the 60 crews to be trained for the reliability, maintainability, and availability evaluation of the C-17 at Charleston.

"At first we were very restricted with what they would let us do with the aircraft," Sykes said. "We could only do 'around the flagpole' local flights - no more than a 25-mile radius of the base. I guess you could say that they wanted us to walk before we ran."

"We worked and collaborated with the 17th AS in initial squadron operations," said DuBois.

One of the pilots in the next group of cadre selected to help get the C-17 and the aircrews mission "off the ground" here was then Capt. Deborah Rieflin.

"Being one of the initial cadre was the highlight of my career. It was a collective of unprecedented expertise ... there was a free exchange of information and dedication to figure out the best solutions for the aircraft and the Air Force," said Rieflin, now a lieutenant colonel and 315th AW aircrew training chief.

In action
"I remember the first time we took the C-17 to an air show and how amazed everybody was that were able to back up the aircraft on its own power. At the time, most people had never seen such a thing in such a large aircraft. It definitely drew a crowd," DuBois said.

On July 11, 1994, the 317th AS airlifted troops and equipment to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as part of a response to Iraqi forces moving to the border of Kuwait. The aircrew from the 317th AS was part of a two-ship C-17 mission that also marked the first deployment of the C-17 to the Middle East.

In 1995, with the world's only fleet of C-17s (12 delivered to the Air Force at Charleston), the Globemaster III was given the initial operation capability green light.

Every metric mandated by the contract was exceeded, including a 99 percent launch reliability rate during the 30-day test simulating peacetime and wartime operations.

"There was a lot we had to focus on. A year later there were almost 500 interim safety and operational supplements to the dash-1 aircraft systems manual," said DuBois.

In January 1996, as part of operation Joint Endeavor, aircrews from the 315th AW helped transport cargo and troops in a pair of C-17's and a C-141B to Taszar, Hungary, for the buildup of military forces in Tuzla, Bosnia. In the first three months of operations, Air Force mobility forces flew 3,000 missions, carried more than 15,600 troops and delivered more than 30,100 short tons of cargo. These numbers also reflect the importance of the C-17, which was employed in a major contingency for the first time. 

 During the first month of operations, the Air Force's newest airlifter flew slightly more than 20 percent of the missions into Tuzla but delivered more than 50 percent of the cargo.

"Flying the C-17 in the Bosnia operations was very rewarding to me," said Sykes. "With the C-17 we were able to accomplish everything much more efficiently than with other aircraft in the past, and the aircraft's ability to operate in such austere environments was truly beneficial."

Since then, the C-17 has participated in nearly every U.S. military operation and humanitarian relief effort.

DuBoise, who has racked up more than 5,200 hours as a loadmaster in the C-17, said possibly the most significant memory he has over the past 20 years on the C-17 is bringing home America's first fallen warriors from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Another time that holds a special place in DuBois' collection of C-17 experiences was the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom. "Realizing how much of an impact and how well suited this aircraft was to get the job done. Even though we had done this in Bosnia, it was very humbling to know we were doing this mission and how well suited the C-17 was to successfully performing it."

"Realizing I helped the Air Force get something that is so well utilized and is being used at its maximum potential is very gratifying," DuBois added.

Boeing Delivers last C-17 to the Air Force

USAF C-17 Serial 10-0223 Mode-S Hex Code AD4F17
takes off for Charleston AFB and duty with the 437AW.

 

Boeing has delivered the final C-17 produced for the U.S. Air Force, more than two decades after the mammoth and versatile transport plane was rolled out as the Cold War wound down.

Military officials took delivery of the C-17 Globemaster III — the 223rd sold to the Air Force — during a ceremony Thursday attended by hundreds of workers at Boeing's Long Beach, Calif., assembly plant.

"It was a long run with the U.S. military, and it was a good run," said engineer Bob Grech, who joined the project 19 years ago.

The massive, four-engine C-17 made its first flight in 1991, and military deliveries began about two years later. The plane is used to airlift tanks, supplies and troops as well as perform medical evacuations. It quickly became a war and disaster workhorse, prized for its ability to operate from basic airstrips and cover intercontinental distances with a full load without refueling.

With a payload of 160,000 pounds, it is designed to airdrop 102 paratroopers and their equipment.

After the ceremony, the Air Force's final C-17 took off, en route to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. — recreating the same flight the first production model took when it was delivered in July 1993. As the crowd on the ground cheered, the giant aircraft looped around and performed a low flyover before heading into the clouds.

Rachid Ali, a Boeing avionics inspector who has worked with C-17s for a dozen years, recounted the plane's service in Bosnia and Afghanistan. C-17s outfitted as mobile hospitals were regularly used to evacuate wounded military personnel during the Iraq War.

"It's an awesome airplane. Capability, reliability, it's above and beyond," Ali said. "The first 50 are still flying. After 25 years, you can refurbish them and they're as good as new. It's going to be in the air for years to come."

Design work on the plane began at the million-plus square-foot Long Beach facility in 1981, when it was a McDonnell Douglas facility. Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s. At least 250 have been built, at a cost of about $200 million each.

The Long Beach assembly line, which employees nearly 4,000 workers, still has pending orders in the foreign market. Boeing's overseas customers include the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and NATO.

The Reach 802 Callsign Mystery

 

Over the last few months I have noticed and interesting set of call signs being used by US Air Force C-17 aircraft attached to the 437AW based at Charleston AFB, SC.

Some of these aircraft are occasionally using the Reach 802 followed by a single letter. Given that more than one serial has used the same call sign and I have seen the same call sign used more than once, this would seem to indicate these calls are assigned to a particular mission or route (my best guess).

One thing I have thought about is some sort of repeated shuttle mission to various bases on a regular basis by the C-17s of the 437AW. Each letter would represent a route or mission to a particular base on a regular basis. This style of call sign reminds me of that sort of flights with a similar call sign set that the 437AW use to fly several years ago.

So if any of my readers has an answer to the Reach 802 mystery calls please email at the address in the header.

Reach 0802A 97-0041 AE07F3
Reach 0802B 03-3122 AE1233
Reach 0802B 95-0104 AE07E7
Reach 0802C 01-0189 AE10B8
Reach 0802C 10-0213 AE4D66
Reach 0802C 95-0104 AE07E7
Reach 0802C 04-4129 AE1239
Reach 0802D 07-7184 AE20C5
Reach 0802D 09-9207 AE49C3
Reach 0802E 02-1099 AE1171
Reach 0802E 02-1101 AE1173
Reach 0802E 03-3124 AE1235
Reach 0802E 07-7184 AE20C5
Reach 0802E 89-1192 AE07D0
Reach 0802F 01-0189 AE10B8
Reach 0802F 94-0069 AE07E3
Reach 0802F 95-0107 AE07EA
Reach 0802G 07-7181 AE20C2
Reach 0802H 01-0189 AE10B8
Reach 0802H 08-8189 AE10B8
Reach 0802H 10-0222 AE4F16
Reach 0802K 03-3124 AE1235
Reach 0802K 96-0002 AE07EC
Reach 0802L 95-0107 AE07EA
Reach 0802M 01-0189 AE10B8
Reach 0802M 96-0002 AE07EC
Reach 0802N 09-9208 AE49C4
Reach 0802N 98-0054 AE0800
Reach 0802P 89-1192 AE07D0
Reach 0802Q 09-9206 AE49C2
Reach 0802S 09-9206 AE49C2
Reach 0802T 88-0266 AE07CC
Reach 0802T 89-1189 AE07CD
Reach 0802T 98-0054 AE0800
Reach 0802U 96-0002 AE07EC
Reach 0802V 92-3293 AE07D7
Reach 0802W 88-0266 AE07CC

Mission continues after dark

Aircrew members perform pre-flight checks on a C-17 Globemaster III before take-off to practice combat on-loading and off-loading July 17, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. Airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing work around the clock on the flightline to provide combat-ready C-17A aircrews, mission support personnel and processes for 53 assigned aircraft to meet White House, Department of State and Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed global deployment, employment and resupply of Department of Defense and allied forces via air-land and airdrop operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Dennis Sloan)

373 TRS readies international aircrew for flight

by 2nd Lt. Susan Carlson, Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. (AFNS) -- Twelve Royal Australian Air Force aircraftsmen deployed to Joint Base Charleston to train with Airmen here for three months.

Airmen from JB Charleston and JB Lewis-McChord, Washington, train foreign nationals from countries that are either buying the C-17 Globemaster III or have some future endeavor working on or with the aircraft, said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Doughty, a training instructor with the 373rd Training Squadron, Det. 5.

U.S. officials require this training for aircrew members from any country purchasing C-17s.

In the case of the Australians, a number of aircrew are sent by the Royal Australian Air Force a few times a year and are trained to work on every system in the C-17, Sergeant Doughty said.

Unlike aircraft maintenance Airmen in the Air Force, the RAAF aircraftsmen must be able to work on every part of the aircraft except the electrical system.

"This is very, very good training, but we are trying to come to grips with a little bit of it, only because unlike the USAF, we don't specialize in particular systems," said Sgt. Glenn King, one of the Australian aircrew members deployed to JB Charleston. "We do it all. Anything that isn't electrical, we look after it."

Before their journey to the U.S., the Australians were given a short pre-training familiarization package in their country. The brief pre-training covers the basics of aircraft maintenance and safety, whereas the greater part of actual hands-on training is done here at JB Charleson and at JB McChord, Sergeant King said.

"We have some training areas up and running in Australia, but (the majority are) here," said Sgt. Craig Fenton, another Australian aircrew member. "The indoor training facility is a much safer environment. You don't have to worry about anyone standing around the plane."

For some of the aircraftsmen, the C-17 is the first aircraft they have worked on, while others, such as Sergeant King and Sergeant Fenton, have been in the RAAF for a number of years working on older airframes. However, when attending this course, they all start at ground zero.

The current class of students is just beginning its fourth week of training, and will be returning home July 23. Upon their return, most will be going back to their respective teams, working on the four C-17s the Australian military owns. These aircraft were purchased by the Australian government approximately four years ago, and are a part of the global C-17 scheme used for airlift in support of joint operations, Sergeant King said.

Before this purchase, the Royal Australian Air Force used C-130 Hercules and DCH-4 Caribous, which have since been retired after 45 years of active-duty service, Sergeant King said.

Joint basing at Charleston moves forward with activation of 628th ABW

by Staff Sgt. Daniel Bowles, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) -- Eighteenth Air Force officials activated the 628th Air Base Wing during an assumption-of-command ceremony Jan. 8 at Charleston AFB.

The activation of the 628th ABW is the latest step toward the stand up of Joint Base Charleston Jan. 31.

The joint base stand up in late January will begin the next phase in an ongoing process to merge Charleston AFB with Naval Weapons Station Charleston as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Program.

A total of 12 joint bases across the Department of Defense will have been established when the last one stands up.

The activation ceremony for the 628th ABW was accompanied by the inactivation of two groups under the 437th Airlift Wing, the prior host unit, and their immediate activation as the new 628th Mission Support and 628th Medical Groups under the 628 ABW.

The 437th Airlift Wing had served as the base's host unit since 1991.

Aside from the inactivation of the two groups previously under the 437th AW, the 437th Aerial Port Squadron was realigned under the 437th Maintenance Group. Also, many wing staff agencies previously assigned to the 437th AW will now operate under the 628th ABW.

The organizational structure of other the tenant units on Charleston AFB will remain unchanged.

The leaders of the 437th AW will continue their mission to command assigned airlift and supporting units, providing for the airlift of troops and passengers, military equipment, cargo and aeromedical airlift; and to participate in operations involving the airdrop of troops, equipment and supplies when required.

As the general officer officiating the activation ceremony for the 628th ABW, Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, formally introduced Col. Martha Meeker, the first commander of the 628th ABW, citing the depth of her intellect, warrior spirit and capacity for leadership.

"For the complexities of this great merger that we have, pulling together the best of what the Navy has to offer and the best of what the Air Force has to offer, we in the Air Force chose one of our great leaders, Col. Martha Meeker, to come down to Charleston ... so that this great day today, she could take command of the now-established 628th ABW," he said.

As the 628th ABW commander, Colonel Meeker will direct host unit duties for the tenant units of Charleston AFB, and after Jan. 31, for Naval Weapons Station Charleston tenant units as well, as they are merged into Joint Base Charleston.

With the activation of two groups under the 628th ABW, the air base wing's primary duties will be to provide base support for approximately 80,000 personnel, including active-duty and Reserve military members, civilian government employees and contractors, military family members and retirees.

Services provided by the 628th ABW will include base support provisions, such as housing and facilities maintenance, security, childcare, public works, communications, finance, logistics, medical support, personnel, public affairs, legal, food service, contracts and recreation.

The servicing agencies under the wing will employ approximately 2,100 personnel.

In her first public address as 628th ABW commander, Colonel Meeker spoke about heritage, continued commitment and hard work.

"On this day in 1790, George Washington gave the nation's first State of the Union address. A fledging institution itself, the United States had fought hard for its freedom, and President Washington began his remarks by reaffirming his belief in the common defense that made that freedom happen. For as in his words, preparing for war is the most effectual means to preserving the peace," said Colonel Meeker.

"When we look at his words today, all our Airmen, our Sailors, our Soldiers and Marines, and everyone here who makes up Joint Team Charleston, are taking their place today in our common defense. At the center of that Joint Team Charleston, you'll find now the 628th (ABW)," she said.

General Allardice also remarked on the impact the Charleston military community has had, which dates back to the Revolutionary War, and its current role in supporting military and humanitarian operations anywhere in the world.

Joint Base Charleston, he said, will continue that impact with greater efficiency.

"Nothing happens in the world without Charleston from a military perspective," he said. "This is a national treasure here at Charleston ... I know you are focused on preserving that, on building that and on establishing more and more of this great power projection platform that you represent here at Charleston."

Charleston Air Force Base: C-17s could take shortcut over the North Pole

In a copyrighted story published By SCHUYLER KROPF and the The (Charleston) Post and Courier, they are reporting that "pilots from the Charleston Air Force Base could soon begin flying over the North Pole to reach the Afghanistan war zone. And if the order comes, one flyer says it won't be that hard to do."

You can read the rest of the story at http://www.islandpacket.com/1492/story/1085183.html

For my HF aero/milcom friends you should keep an ear out on the following MWARA Polar region (NAT-D) freqs for these Charleston AFB C-17 aircraft:

2971.0 4675.0 8891.0 11279.0 13291.0 17946.0 kHz (USB)

Good luck and good hunting de Jefe

C-17s evacuate from Charleston

by 1st Lt. C. Michaela Judge 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The flightline is empty at Charleston Air Force Base S.C. The C-17 Globemaster IIIs that fly from base were evacuated Sept. 4 in preparation for possible hurricane conditions. The C-17s moved inland to both Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and to Whiteman AFB, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cynthia Spalding)

Eleven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft here evacuated Sept. 4 due to the possibility of severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Hanna.

The evacuation of the C-17s began midmorning and continued until about 2:15 p.m. Six of the aircraft relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, while the remaining five were repositioned at Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Currently, flying operations are suspended here until the aircraft are cleared to safely return. The last time Charleston AFB officials evacuated aircraft for a hurricane was in August 2006.

"We've been watching Tropical Storm Hanna this past week and we are taking the appropriate actions to make sure that both the base and our people are ready," said Col. John Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "We are repositioning our aircraft for two reasons. One is to maintain the security of the aircraft; the other is to continue the ability to use the aircraft, so that if we get tasked for missions, we still have the ability to operate."

The colonel said the day-to-day operations here would continue up until the point that base leaders determine the safety of Charleston's population could be jeopardized because of the storm.

"Our main concern is the safety of our Airmen and their families," he said. "We are making sure that we take effective measures to inform them of the status of the situation and that we take the appropriate preparatory actions."

At this time, no mandatory evacuation order for personnel has been given. However, as a reminder, in the event of an evacuation, Airmen and their families must call the Personnel Relocation Center at 1-800-435-9941 to notify the Air Force Personnel Center of where they are, a good contact number and any other pertinent information. Airmen also are asked to call on a daily basis to see when they will be able to return to the base.

"It is imperative that supervisors maintain 100 percent accountability of personnel and their families, including those with deployed loved ones," Colonel Millander said. "Nothing is more important than our Airmen who perform the mission each and every day. I appreciate all the hard work each individual has dedicated to this effort in ensuring the safety of Team Charleston. Continue to stay positive and focused. We are in this together."