315th Airlift Wing News

'Brothers in Arms" - two brothers, one mission

Tech. Sgt. Della Creech — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:03:00 GMT

Two men, two journeys, several aircraft, one name tape – Thurber. It’s not every day that you can share your passion for the sky with your brother in more than arms.

Air Force Recruiting teams up with College Football Hall of Fame

Master Sgt. Chance Babin — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:30:00 GMT

At the beginning of 2020, the Air Force entered into a three-year agreement with the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame to build a permanent exhibit for the Air Force AIR RAID QB Sim experience.

USAF Established

U.S. Air Force — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT

On July 26, 1947, President Harry S. Truman used this pen to sign the National Security Act of 1947 while aboard the Douglas VC-54C Sacred Cow, the first dedicated presidential aircraft. This act officially established the United States Air Force as a separate and co-equal branch of the United States Armed Forces.

701st member featured in AFRC Portraits in Leadership

Michael Dukes — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 14:02:00 GMT

Staff Sgt. Shakeyna Smith, 701st Airlift Squadron aviation resource manager, is featured in the latest Air Force Reserve Command Profiles in Leadership (a program to recognize notable leaders at every level within AFRC - not in its 5th iteration). Her poster below, along with 15 other featured Citizen Airmen will be displayed at the Pentagon.

First Sergeants: More Than a Position, A Calling That Requires Having a Heart as Strong as a Diamond

Senior Airman Shelby Thurman — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:40:00 GMT

The Air Force first recognized the outcry for a career field that focused on the health and well-being of Airmen and the overall unit by establishing the first sergeant position in 1961. This move was then followed by the Strategic Air Command’s 15th Air Force opening their own first sergeant school in 1967 at March Air Force Base, California. It is vital for units to have first sergeants that have their finger on the pulse of a command. By getting service members at every level the chance to be taken care of fosters an environment of open communication. This transparency allows for both junior enlisted and top leadership to succeed in their mission.

Air University Press releases The Secret Sauce for Organizational Success: Communications and Leadership on the Same Page

DoD News — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 12:30:00 GMT

Air University Press’s latest book release is The Secret Sauce for Organizational Success: Communications and Leadership on the Same Page by retired Navy Rear Adm. Tom Jurkowsky.

Space Force Marks 25 Years of GPS

DoD News — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 22:18:00 GMT

The Global Positioning System, better known as GPS, marks its 25th year of operation Apr. 27, 2020. On this date in 1995, the system reached full operational capability, meaning the system met all performance requirements. U.S. Air Force Space Command formally announced the milestone three months later. “This is a major milestone,” Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., former Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, said in 1995. “GPS has become integral to our warfighters and is rapidly becoming a true utility in the civilian community.” Initially developed for the military to meet a critical need for determining precise location on the battlefield, GPS has also become an integral part of technology affecting the lives of billions of people worldwide. “The United States Space Force’s continuing objective for the constellation is to ensure GPS remains the Gold Standard for global space-based positioning, navigation and timing,” said Gen. Jay Raymond, USSF Chief of Space Operations, and U.S. Space Command Commander. Today, the U.S. Space Force operates the GPS satellite constellation as a global utility – always available to everyone, everywhere on Earth. “GPS is a free for use service provided by the Space Force that enhances everyday lives around the world,” said Brig. Gen. DeAnna Burt, USSF Director of Operations and Communications. “GPS provides the highest accuracy positioning and timing data. In addition to the essential capabilities it provides for the military, GPS underpins critical financial, transportation and agricultural infrastructure. It’s always available, whether for an ATM transaction or securing a rideshare.” Its military capabilities first enhanced combat operations in 1990 and 1991 during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Allied troops relied heavily on the new GPS signal to navigate the featureless deserts in Kuwait and Iraq. In the early 2000’s, during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, GPS contribution to warfighting increased significantly. For example, the GPS constellation enabled accurate munitions, allowing the delivery of GPS-aided Joint Direct Attack Munitions with pinpoint precision and minimal collateral damage. Today, in addition to these and other GPS-enabled warfighting capabilities, Airmen conduct resupply missions with battlefield precision airdrops to combat forces with GPS-guided, parachute-delivered equipment pallets known as “Smart Pallets.” The GPS operational constellation currently has 31 satellites, and the system is continually updated and modernized, making it a resilient system to maintain the signals required for accurate positioning, navigation and timing around the world. The first satellite of the new GPS III version, called Vespucci, was launched into space Dec. 23, 2018. The 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., operates GPS. The squadron recently accepted control of the second GPS III satellite, called Magellan, on March 27. GPS III is meeting users’ emerging needs and responding to tomorrow’s threats with improved safety, signal integrity and accuracy. GPS III satellites are more accurate, have improved anti-jamming capabilities, and have doubled the design life; when compared to previous iterations of GPS. They are also designed to incorporate new technology and changing mission needs, “The 25th Anniversary is a huge, momentous occasion for us. We take great pride in providing this global utility to the approximately six billion users worldwide,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Toth, 2nd SOPS commander. “Celebrating this anniversary gives us a moment to recognize how far we’ve come, but also to get pumped about what lies ahead for our program and our role in executing that.”

Portrait Honoring Reserve Pioneer Unveiled at Women in Aviation Conference

Staff Sgt. Cierra Presentado — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:17:00 GMT

Air Force Reserve Command’s Office of History and Heritage unveiled a portrait of retired Lt. Gen. Stayce Harris, an Air Force Reservist who most recently served as the inspector general of the Air Force, at the 2020 Women in Aviation Conference, March 6 in Orlando, Florida.

Local school boys attend Tuskegee Airman Career Day

Michael Dukes — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 20:20:44 GMT

Seventy eight boys from 13 Lowcountry high schools braved chilly winds and wet weather to visit Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina Feb. 20 to learn about jobs in aviation as part of the 315th Airlift Wing’s 5th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Career Day

Commander in Chief congratulates Air Force’s newest members at Daytona 500

Master Sgt. Chance Babin — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 03:36:00 GMT

President Donald Trump became the first sitting president to utter the phrase “start your engines” at the Daytona 500. Prior to the start of the race, a group of the Air Force’s newest enlistees were fortunate enough to have the president applaud them in person for their service.

Heavenly flight: Chaplain delivers service during trans-Atlantic trip

Tech. Sgt. Della S. Creech — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:12:00 GMT

Chaplain (Maj.) Aaron Meadows, 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, conducted an in-flight worship service for Airmen, Dec. 15, 2019, while en route from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to the U.S.

Hurricane Hunters reflect on 2019 Hurricane season

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 21:55:00 GMT

Andrea, Barry, Dorian, Fernand, Humberto, Jerry, Karen, Lorena, Nestor and Olga. At first glance one

The Air Force Podcast: A Conversation on Resiliency with CMSAF Wright

Staff Sgt. Ashley New — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 14:37:00 GMT

On this episode of The Air Force Podcast, Staff Sgt. Ashley New sat down with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright to talk about resiliency.

Preparing Airmen for the Fight: Force Generation Center makes major process improvements

Lt. Col. Becky McCord — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:48:27 GMT

Air Force Reserve Command’s Force Generation Center implemented significant changes recently to ensure transparency, increase efficiency, improve communication and directly benefit Reserve Citizen Airmen across the command.

New financial readiness training required

Bo Joyner — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:44:22 GMT

Financial readiness training is now required for all Reserve Citizen Airmen at defined touchpoints throughout their military career. “In an effort to improve or sustain the financial readiness and literacy of all Airmen, the Air Force has directed that all military members will receive financial readiness training at key points throughout their career,” said Brande Newsome, chief of the Integrated Resilience Branch at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

Are you sad or are you SAD?

Airman 1st Class Jennifer Gonzales — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 12:05:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again, when the warm summer fades into autumn chills and frosty winters. The skies become grayer and the sun barely shines. For some, autumn and winter are welcome breaks from the summer heat; but for others, the change in seasons may cause dread. Some individuals suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also referred to as Depressive Disorder, with the seasonal pattern. As the name suggests, it’s a form of depression that occurs during the seasonal change, particularly after summer until spring.

Safe vehicles aid drivers in hazardous weather

Christian Tabak, Staff Writer — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Fall brings a change in the weather and provides a reminder of upcoming holiday travels, which highlights the importance of vehicle maintenance for safety both on and off base.

Charleston Reservist to appear on Kelly Clarkson Show

Public Affairs — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 15:18:00 GMT

Staff Sergeant Corban Lundborg, a reserve combat photojournalist with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, will appear on The Kelly Clarkson Show Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Reservist beats feet at Air Force Marathon

Master Sgt. Bobby Pilch — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:42:00 GMT

As the morning temperature began to rise, both physical and mental conditions started to deteriorate for 1,331 participants from around the globe who had prepared their bodies and minds for the twenty-six plus miles ahead for the 23rd Annual Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 21, 2019.The start of the race was running an hour behind schedule. Capt. Sarah Smith, a Medical Service Corps and executive officer from the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, was not going to let this small deviation deter her from the two things she’s passionate about - running and serving in the Air Force Reserve.

Do's and Don'ts for Displaying Old Glory

USAN H. LAWSON — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:29:00 GMT

This week, American flags will be displayed across the nation in celebration of the Independence Day holiday. Following a few guidelines can ensure we are displaying Old Glory properly.