JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to patriot@charleston.af.mil. Make the subject line "NEWS BRIEFS." Submissions must be received no later than close of business the Friday prior to publication.
May 30
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony: American Legion Post 166, Goose Creek and Fleet Reserve Association Branch 50, North Charleston, are holding their annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, May 30 at noon at Carolina Memorial Gardens, Rivers Avenue, North Charleston. Please join us as we honor our fallen comrades. There will be a reception at FRA Branch 50, 2185 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston for all participants. Volunteers are needed to place flags on our comrades' final resting places. If you or your group would like to help, meet at Carolina Gardens at 8 a.m. to place the flags and again at 6 p.m. to pick them up. For more information or directions, call American Legion Post 166 at 553-5454 or FRA Branch 50 at 744-6567.
May 31
How to prepare for a disaster with a family member with special needs: The likelihood that you and your family will recover from an emergency tomorrow often depends on planning and preparation today. This workshop offers guidelines and common sense measures for families that have members with special needs. Briefing will be held May 31 at the AFRC from 6 to 8 p.m. Call 963-4406 to register.
Toastmasters kick-off meeting: If you're looking to increase your communication skills and sharpen your leadership ability to effectively guide your Airmen, Sailors, and civilians, the new Toastmasters Club of Joint Base Charleston can help. The kick-off meeting is May 31 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Base Education Center auditorium. Become part of the 260,000-member organization known world-wide for increasing individuals' public speaking skills. The meeting and club membership is open to all personnel who have access to the installation. This new club is also looking for nominations for the key positions. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Kloeppel at kevin.kloeppel@us.af.mil or 963-4182.
June 1
Retirement Ceremony: A retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. James Mullins, 437th Maintenace Group, will be held June 1, in Bldg. 709 at 11 a.m.
The Thrift Savings Plan Simplified: Learn about the pros of enrolling in the TSP, what it can do to help supplement your retirement income and how to invest based on the lifecycle financial planning concept. For both military and civilian members eligible to enroll in the TSP, the briefing is at the AFRC, June 1 from 8 to 9 a.m. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
Spouse Orientation to Joint Base Charleston - Air Base: All newly-arriving spouses to JB CHS - AB are invited to attend this class on the first and third Wednesday of the month at the AFRC, Bldg. 500, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Meet other newly-arrived spouses, connect with your sponsor's unit Key Spouse and learn where to shop, dine and play in the Lowcountry. Please ask about the child care options available when registering. Call the AFRC at 963-4406 to register.
June 2
Newcomer's Tour: Join other JB - CHS - AB newcomers, June 2 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for this fun, free bus tour of downtown Charleston and the surrounding area. The bus departs from the AFRC, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
June 6
Investing Demystified: This class, June 6 from 10 to 11 a.m., explains the most common types of investments and simplifies terminology for a better understanding of investing. Briefing is at the AFRC, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to sign up.
June 8
Credit Repair Solutions: Learn what it takes to improve your credit score without paying a service to do it for you, June 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. Briefing will is at the AFRC, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to reserve your seat.
Special Announcements:
Base pools open: Both the Joint Base Charleston - Air Base pool and the New Wave Aquatic Center on JB CHS - Weapons Station will open for the season May 28. All military E-1 through E-4 are admitted free any time during open, recreational swimming. The daily individual fee for all others is $2.50, A seasonal pool pass with unlimited access during open swimming is $30. Family passes for up to four people are $50. Each additional family member after four is $20 per person, with a maximum of $100 per family. Visit www.jbcharleston.com for hours of operation and more information.
Spouse Orientation to Joint Base Charleston - Air Base: Along with attending Quick Start with their sponsor, spouses are invited to this orientation specifically geared for them. Briefing will be held at the AFRC, Bldg. 500. Call 963-4406 to register.
Coupon exchange: The AFRC has a coupon exchange that is open to all ranks. Bring in your unused coupons between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday and help yourself to coupons for you and your family. For more information on the coupon exchange, call 963-4408.
Stress coping workshops: Learn how to cope with life's stresses without pulling your hair out. Workshops meet the second Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Center classroom and are open to everyone. Call 963-4007 to sign up.
Sleep habits: Learn effective sleep habits and how to get your best z's during this workshop which meets the fourth Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the HAWC classroom. This class is open to everyone. Call 963-4007 to sign up.
Education and Training:
Records management training: Records management training is scheduled the last Tuesday of every month in the conference room of the 2nd floor in Bldg. 302 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Members can sign up on the Enterprise Information Management website. For any questions or concerns, contact Airman 1st Class Francisco Bastian or Airman 1st Class Miguel Batista at 963-8270.
Meetings and Registrations:
Healthy Thinking Workshop registration: Do you find yourself feeling angry or stressed more often than you would like, or regret how you act when you are upset? Do you wish you could express yourself more clearly and be more assertive? Consider registering for the Healthy Thinking Workshop. The workshop is divided into four, 90 minute sessions held on consecutive Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with a new group beginning the first Wednesday of every month. To sign up or for more information, contact Family Advocacy at 963-6972.
Palace Chase, Palace Front briefings: The in-service recruiter, Master Sgt. Robert Denehy, will be conducting Palace Chase and Palace Front briefings at 9 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month in Bldg. 503, Room 201. Air Force Instruction 36-3205 mandates eligible Airmen who are separating to be informed about the benefits and opportunities available to them within the Reserve, such as cross training, continued service, retirement, education, medical insurance and promotion. For more information, contact Sergeant Denehy at 963-4499.
Updates and Closures:
NAF HRO satellite office: The NAF Human Resource Office has a satellite office available on JB CHS - AB in Bldg. 322, Room 222. The office is open Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. on a walk-in basis and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon on an appointment basis. This is part of an effort to reach all potential customers, since the main Human Resource Office has moved to the Naval Weapons Station, Bldg. 725, next to the Fitness Center. The commercial phone numbers at the Naval Weapons Station are 764-7065 or 764-7068. Most transactions, including job searches and applications, can be done by visiting www.NAFjobs.org and selecting Charleston from the drop-down box. Call 963-7068 for more information.
Trespassing notice: The small arms firing range is located off Arthur Drive on Range Road near the munitions operations area and explosive ordnance disposal building. Do not trespass into the surface danger zones; they are identified by posted warning signs. Trespassing is not only illegal; it is dangerous because of gunfire. Personnel requesting entry into firing range impact zones must contact the security forces combat arms noncommissioned officer in charge at 963-1121 or via e-mail at 437sfs.catm@charleston.af.mil.
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic needs household items, children's clothing to size eight, appliances, food and furniture. If anyone has items that have been gently used, consider donating them to the attic. Donations can be dropped off at Bldg. 500, Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
North Auxiliary Air Field hunting permits: Hunting permits for the recreational hunting program at North Auxiliary Air Field can now be purchased at the JB CHS - AB Resources Office. The Environmental Office is located in Bldg. 247 on the first floor. The hunting program is open to active-duty, Reserve and retired military, as well as Department of Defense civilian employees. Permits can only be issued to hunters who have a valid South Carolina hunting license and big game permit. The fee for a hunting permit for NAAF is $20. For more information, call the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron at 963-4020.
Online legal assistance: The Air Force Legal Assistance website can be viewed at www.aflegalasssitance.com. Airmen, their families and retirees have access to this website to complete worksheets for wills, advance medical directives and powers of attorney. The 628th Air Base Wing Legal Office provides notary services from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on normal duty days. In addition, the office provides attorney consultation on a walk-in basis Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. for active-duty members in uniform, and 1 to 3 p.m. for all others.