CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Spotlight 

Retirement: The 17th Airlift Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. David Waring Monday at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the 17 AS auditorium. For additional information, contact Master Sgt. Dee Coulter at 963-2910. 

Retirement: The 17th Airlift Squadron congratulated Lt. Col. Kevin J. Knecht on his retirement after 20 years of service in the Air Force during a ceremony held Wednesday.

Around the base 

Free tax preparation: Military OneSource is offering free tax preparation software to military members this year. The software, TaxCut Basic Online, is available to active-duty, guard, and Reserve servicemembers and their families. Military OneSource also offers a free consultation service to assist Airmen with tax-related questions and financial planning. Information on the software and consultation service can be found at www.militaryonesource.com.
Tax preparation services are also available through the Charleston AFB Tax Center. The Tax Center offers free tax preparation services to active-duty members, retirees, reservists and guard on active duty, military family members and Department of Defense civilians with an identification card. For additional information on the installation tax program, please call a Tax Center representative at 963-1040.

Gas mask fit testing: The 437th Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight will be conducting gas mask fit testing Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Airmen requiring a gas mask fit test must first contact their unit deployment manager to schedule an appointment. Airmen are asked to bring their own gas mask and eyewear inserts and to avoid consumption of any food, drinks or tobacco products for at least an hour prior to the appointment. For more information, contact Senior Airman Matthew Anderson at 963-6289.

On base term IV college registration: The Education and Training Center will begin Term IV registration for City Colleges of Chicago, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Park University, Southern Illinois University and Webster University Monday. For more information, contact the Education and Training Center at 963-4575.

Supermarket of veteran benefits: A variety of veteran's benefits counseling and enrollment, health screenings and employment opportunities for South Carolina veterans will be available April 17 at the Elks Lodge, 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. in Charleston, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

New internet site: The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center has a new Internet site, www.charleston.va.gov, which offers a wealth of information to assist veterans.
The website offers general information about the facility, as well as specific information about subjects, such as eligibility, release of information, billing and insurance, driving directions, how to schedule or cancel an appointment, how to refill a prescription, visitor information, contact phone numbers and much more valuable information.

Daedalian events: The Daedalian's have scheduled the following events.

March 16: At 3:30 p.m. there will be a quarterly meeting at the Charleston Club. The guest speaker is Arthur Cobert, past president of the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force Association.

Apr. 6: The Daedalian golf tournament will be at 8 a.m. at the Charleston AFB golf course. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Tex Brown, Daedalian National commander, is scheduled to participate.

Free self defense course: A free self defense course will be offered for all who have been victimized or want to avoid being victims. All materials will be provided free of charge. The course will be held at the Health and Wellness Center in four sessions (April 3, 5, 10 and 12) from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. For registration or more information, contact Donna Warren at 963-7898 or donna.warren-02@charleston.af.mil

New pharmacy hours: The pharmacy has new hours. The pharmacy will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. daily.
The pharmacy will close at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month for training. For more information, contact Maj. Karen Berkeley at 963-6809.

After school program openings: Youth Programs currently has slots available for its diverse after school care program. For more enrollment requirements or other information, call Paula Matthews, school age program coordinator, at 963-3307.

Searching for instructors: Charleston's Fitness and Sports Center is currently recruiting volunteer instructors for aerobics, yoga, Pilates and many other types of exercise and fitness programs. Those who would like to volunteer or need more information can stop by the fitness center or call 963-3347.