Martha Meeker – Joint Base Charleston

Nov. 23, 2010: Jim Geffert introduced the speaker mentioning that the base has over 21,000 employees and that Martha had been in the Air Force for 23 years. The base is one of only 12 joint bases in the world and that it is a model base around the world. Col. Meeker began by saying that: “It is our goal to not just be a presence in the community, but to be a part of the community.”

Some statistics that she quoted are that the base is 23,000 acres or 37 square miles in size. There are 38 miles of railroad and 14 miles of shore line. The base is the largest employer in the low country. They have 3 miles of runway. It is the Army’s busiest delivery battalion. 79,364 people are supported by the base. The payroll is $4.36 billion annually. Their budget is 172 million. They’ve done $373.1 million in major construction. She said that she sees herself and her role as much like that of a mayor … she promotes the base and gets to brag about it.

Four major organizations are under her leadership as well: The nuclear Navy training command starts here in Charleston at the old shipyard; They house the Navy munitions command center; They house the corrections facility, of brig., where they make an effort to re-habilitate prisoners; The average rate of recidivism in society is 70%, whereas at the brig. it’s only 25%; SPAWAR communications systems, providing advanced communications technology and logistics in every military vehicle used today. Those systems are installed here in Charleston.

Other stats. she quoted are that 35% of all military materials go through Charleston ports or the airport. Also, much of the military’s materials and supplies are stored in Charleston. We have the #1 airlift operation in the world. The C-17 was born in Charleston and more of those planes are located here than anywhere else in the world. Recruitment is up. Over 800 attempted to get into the Air Force last year and did not get in. They and others are attempting to do so again this year.

Col. Meeker said that she is dedicated to making the base the best that it can be. To do so, she has developed a three prong strategy: Develop a master plan for the weapons station; Award $100 million in contracts in 2011; Develop an enhanced use lease system.

Col. Meeker has also developed a program entitled: “Carolina Canines for Veteran’s”
* 30,000 veteran’s have been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.
* 200+ veteran’s with PTSD are on a wait list for a dog.
* Having a dog is considered to be a medical treatment.

Respectfully submitted by William Christian, Keyway Committee

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