“Take the Fight to the Enemy”

December 4th, 2007: Colonel John “Red” Millander, the Commander of Charleston’s own 437th Airlift Wing, the largest C-17 base in the world provided our Club with a “fact-filled” presentation on why we should be proud of our own local airbase. A 1986 graduate of Auburn University, Col. Millander opened his presentation with a 3-minute video that illustrated Team Charleston’s themes: Take the Fight to the Enemy; Delivering Freedom; and Delivering Hope.

He expounded upon the economic impact of Charleston Air Force Base (CAFB) to our community. As the third largest employer in the tri-county area, it had expenditures of $587 million in fiscal year 2007. When CAFB combines with the Naval Weapons Laboratory in 2009 to form Joint Base Charleston, it will become the largest single employer in the region. As related by Col. Millander, we’ve always enjoyed a unique relationship. In the 1950’s we became the first “joint use” airfield in the country. Today, for the first time, the civilian requirements actually exceed those of the 50 C-17s stationed at CAFB and are driving a runway extension plan.

Col. Millander provided a mission overview of: Global Direct Delivery; Outsized Strategic Airlift; Strategic Brigade Airlift; and Special Operations Support. Of special note, and great pride, he stated that every piece of re-supply cargo to Iraq comes through CAFB: 300 tons a day… “that’s more than the other 14 Air Mobility Command airbases combined!” The C-17 is the only aircraft capable of delivering our military’s newest vehicle, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP) vehicle, 975 to date. The airlift wing, in conjunction with its tenant Air Force Reserve Wing, the 315th Air Wing, can also dropped 3000 military fighting personnel in 30 minutes and has 3 aircraft on 24 hour alert in support of our special operation missions. Last year the Air Wing set a world record with 20 C-17s launched in formation…mark your calendars: they will attempt to break their own record on December 20th, 2007.

Col. Millander completed his comments with his emphasis on quality of life improvements for “his airman” and emphasized how important our community is in that role.

Reported by Bill Crowe, Keyway Committee Chair