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Strong volunteer spirit in Charleston

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Charleston AFB, S.C. --  Packing bags, kissing babies and hugging spouses are a typical part of getting ready go to off to war but volunteering for a second or third time is not. It may not be typical but it is standard practice for the aerial porters in Charleston. 

A total of 55 reservists assigned to the reserve aerial port squadrons based at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. volunteered to deployed, take over and manage the aerial port squadron at Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait. 

The reservists stepped up when the Air Force Reserve Command asked for volunteers to man the 4-month deployment. “This is the first time that the 315th has completely taken over and managed a deployed port. Most of the folks going are seasoned and some are deploying for the second, third and even a fourth time,” said Maj. Kevin Riley, 315th mission support group, deputy commander for transportation. 

The reservists will be performing various tasks including, managing all passenger service operations, processing all in-bound and out-bound cargo and handling any specialized cargo coming through the theater. 

Staff Sgt. Jennifer Alcantara, with the 81st Aerial Port Squadron, waited for the departing jet with her husband Christian and her 10 fellow departing porters at the Charleston International Airport this morning. “I am ready to go over there and do the job that I am paid to do”, said Alcantara. 

Her husband, Christian was supportive but a little less elated about the deployment, “I have my three dogs to keep me company and I plan on emailing her as much as I can,” he said. 

One of the younger members of the group, Senior Airman Joseph Speer, waited in the airport with his mother and father and was visibly anxious about the deployment. “I’m excited, I have been wanting to go over since I finished tech school,” said Speer. 

The 55 deploying members are assigned to the 38th and 81st Aerial Port Squadrons at Charleston AFB and the 84th Aerial Port Squadron, a geographically separated unit located in Greenville, S.C.