The Chamber recently had the privilege of hosting Col. Jason Parker, the new commander of Joint Base Charleston (JBC), as part of our Impact Series event, Change of Command. The Impact Series is designed to keep the Charleston region informed about key issues, challenges, and opportunities that directly impact our business community. During the third Impact event, Col. Parker provided insights into his vision for JBC over the next two years, while sharing about his career in the lead up to becoming commander of JBC.
Col. Parker’s Journey to Joint Base Charleston
Col. Parker shared his story of joining the Air Force at the age of 17, although his family’s deep ties to the Navy suggested he would be the fourth generation to serve there. Now, after 32 years of service, Col. Parker finds himself in command of JBC, a role that he jokingly said finally brings him back into the good graces of his family as Naval operations in Charleston fall under his watch.
Charleston marks Col. Parker’s 16th duty station in his career. Before relocating to the region, Col. Parker and his family were stationed in Tampa, FL.
The Vision for Joint Base Charleston
Col. Parker outlined his vision for JBC, positioning it as the Department of Defense’s Premier Power Projection Platform. He emphasized JBC’s strategic importance in delivering military presence swiftly, whether it be weapons, personnel or humanitarian aid. This capability is crucial in deterring potential adversaries by showcasing the United States’ readiness and ability to take significant action at a moment’s notice.
The Importance of Community Support
Col. Parker spoke highly of the Charleston region’s ongoing support for servicemembers and their families. He noted that despite the commute to the base, many servicemembers choose to live in communities they love, valuing the support they receive, especially during challenging times. He also expressed gratitude to the Chamber and its members for their efforts in areas such as childcare and attainable housing, which have directly benefited servicemembers, retirees and veterans.
Col. Parker’s Vision for His Tenure at JBC
During his time at JBC, Col. Parker plans to focus on three key areas:
- Installation Resilience: Ensuring that JBC remains resilient and fully operational is a top priority. One critical aspect of this is energy resilience. Col. Parker highlighted the vulnerability of the base’s power lines, many of which are above ground and susceptible to weather and wildlife. Protecting these lines is essential to maintaining the base’s operational capabilities.
- Deterrence: Col. Parker aims to communicate the importance of JBC’s mission and showcase the base’s power and capability to deter adversaries. By sharing the extensive and critical work that JBC undertakes, he hopes to demonstrate to the region and the world why JBC is a vital asset.
- Strengthening Community Ties: Col. Parker is committed to strengthening the bonds between JBC and the local community. He recalled his experience during Tropical Storm Debby when he worked closely with local municipalities to keep them informed of JBC’s operations and determine how the base could assist the community.
Looking Ahead
Col. Parker recognizes the significant economic impact Joint Base Charleston has on the Charleston region. Moving forward, he plans to work on quantifying how local communities impact JBC, underscoring his desire to strengthen those ties. One example of this outreach is the Charleston Airshow, which will be held every two years. This event provides JBC with an opportunity to open its doors to the community and express its gratitude for the unwavering support.
Col. Parker’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for Joint Base Charleston and the Charleston Metro Chamber looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with him and the base.
To learn more about the Chamber’s military work, visit www.charlestonchamber.org/military.
