JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to 628abw.dispatch@charleston.af.mil. Make the subject line "NEWS BRIEFS." Submissions must be received no later than close of business the Friday prior to publication.
Spotlight
Tax Center now open: Tax processing on base will begin Feb. 8 and last until April 15 at the following location:
Aircrew Flight Equipment Training Center
200 E. Simpson St, Bldg 580
The hours of operation excluding weekends, holidays and Wednesdays are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday hours are 1 to 3 p.m. To properly prepare taxes, bring the following documentation: W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, social security cards for all persons, bank account information such as a voided check, and proof of identity. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Lawrence Williams at 963-5502.
Charleston Chiefs Group: The annual Charleston Chiefs Group Chief Recognition Ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 6 at the Charleston Club. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the ceremony at 7 p.m. Dinner for the event will be filet mignon and shrimp skewer with all the trimmings. To reserve a table, contact Chief Master Sgt. Maureen Adkins at 963-2051. Tickets will be sold for $28, with a $2 discount for club members.
Retiree activities office now at new location: The Joint Base Charleston Retiree Activities Office has moved from Bldg. 246, Rm. 116, to Bldg. 503, Rm. 122. The hours of operation remain 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 963-2228, or e-mail rao@charleston.af.mil.
New MPS phone number: In an ongoing effort to improve customer service, the 628th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section has developed a single phone number which will route all calls to the appropriate offices. For all military personnel issues, contact 963-0677.
Palace Chase, Palace Front briefings: The new 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 Building 503, Room 201. Air Force Instruction 36-3205 mandates that eligible Airmen who are separating 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.
Online legal assistance: The Air Force Legal Assistance Website was created to provide a way to expedite the process of obtaining various legal documents and can be viewed at www.aflegalasssitance.com. Beginning Feb. 1, Airmen, their families and retirees will have access to this Web site to review information in areas of the law affecting military members; complete online worksheets for wills, advance medical directives and powers of attorney; and submit customer feedback about their office experience. To increase client's convenience and satisfaction, the Web site will minimize the number of trips and reduce the amount of waiting time at the legal office to obtain common legal documents. 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.
WWII Hangar Dance: Come step back in time and honor the "greatest generation" and jitterbug the night away on the USS Yorktown in '40s style attire. There will be heavy hor'dourves, pictures with World War II planes, re-enactors, 6 piece jazz and swing band from The Citadel, and The Vintage Vocals from Atlanta. With only 10 percent of WWII vets remaining and losing about 1,200 a day, time is of the essence. This is an evening to honor our World War II veterans and make it possible for them to go to Washington for the day to see their memorial. All of the proceeds will go to benefit veterans who wish to make the trip. Cost is $40 per person and $35 for veterans and active duty. There is no charge for any World War II veteran. For tickets, mail a check to Honor Flight Lowcountry, 334 East Bay Street #190, Charleston, SC 29401. For more information, contact Tonya Dodson at 991-4242.
AMRA to open new chapter: The American Military Retirees Association will form a new chapter in the greater Charleston area. All military retirees with 20 or more years service, those with medical discharges, those retired with 100 percent total and permanent disabilities, and surviving spouses of military retirees eligible for AMRA membership are invited to attend an organizational meeting Feb. 20 at the Charleston Club, Bldg. 325 at 3 p.m. The new AMRA chapter will serve the needs of local military retirees though education regarding retirement benefits and services available from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The chapter will work on advocacy efforts to prevent erosion of military retirement benefits earned through a career of service. In addition, the chapter will work on projects in the local community. For more information, call Ken Anderson at 884-5526 or visit www.amra1973.org.
Special guest to visit JBC: Joint Base Charleston will host a visit by Sara Panzau Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. at the base theater. As a two-time member of the National Junior College Athletic Association women's volleyball All-America team, she knew what it was like to be on top of her game. But not long after, she found herself hanging out with the wrong crowd, and getting into drugs and alcohol. Without a seat belt, she was ejected from her car one night in a drunken driving accident, and her left arm was torn from her body. Since the crash in 2003, Sarah has reached students with her messages about underage drinking, drunk driving, making smart choices, respecting parents and rising above disabilities. For more information on Ms. Panzau and her story, visit http://www.beeresponsible.com/speakers-sarah-panzau.html.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
Troops to Teachers: A briefing will be held Feb. 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. for counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads in an effort to help eligible military members to transition to a new career as public school teachers in targeted schools.
Budget to Financial Freedom: Learn how to budget finances to reach financial goals during a briefing Feb. 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
S.C. employment services: A representative from South Carolina Employment Services will be here Feb. 10 to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Smooth move: Meet with experts who will give good tips and ideas on planning for a smooth permanent change of station move on Feb. 10 from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
Educational opportunities: Meet with an expert one-on-one during a half hour appointment who will provide information regarding advanced education Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Assistance will be given in completing the free application for federal student aid, referrals to general equivalency diplomas, adult basic education services and university, college, vocational and technical school information.
Reintegration seminar: There is a reintegration seminar held Tuesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. for Airmen returning from a deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
Pre-deployment briefing: Families of Airmen deploying within the next 30 days can meet Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m. The briefing gives information about deployments and tips for a successful deployment for Airmen and their families.
Education grant program: The 2010-2011 Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides $2,000 grants to selected children of active-duty, title 10 active guard/reserve, title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired Reserve; spouses of active-duty members and title 10 AGR; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies. Deadline for applications is March 12. Awards for the 2010-2011 academic year will be announced in June. Visit www.afas.org for application and submission criteria. Call 963-4414 for more information.
Free tutoring services: According to federal law, parents of students enrolled in a Title I School which has been identified as "in need of improvement," as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act, must be provided an opportunity to request free tutoring services or Supplemental Educational Services from one of the state-approved SES Providers. Charleston County Schools will pay $1,535 per student to an approved SES Provider to tutor eligible students in an afterschool, before-school, or Saturday school program. Services may be provided on the school campus, at the provider's site, or at home. To be eligible for services, students must be enrolled at one of the eligible Title I schools and must qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch program. For more information, contact Elsa Summers at 963-4406.
Around the base
Military Family Needs Assessment: Commissioned by Navy Cmdr. Quinn Skinner, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy, the Military Family Needs Assessment Web-based survey is available to all military and family members. During Year of the Air Force Family, the survey offers an opportunity to collect feedback directly from military members and families about what is working, and what is not, regarding military family education, support and overall adjustment during and after deployment. Information will be provided to policy makers and service providers as a complement to ongoing assessment efforts. The survey is voluntary, confidential and may be accessed at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1253631402808.
Lower cost hearing aids available for military retirees: Naval Health Clinic Charleston is now participating in the Retiree At-Cost Hearing Aid Program. Anyone interested in obtaining a hearing aid through RACHAP should call the Naval Health Clinic at 743-3709. For more information on the services available at NHCC, go to www.nhchasn.med.navy.mil.
Public address support and equipment: For public address support or public address equipment, call the 628th Communication Squadron at 963-2666 to open a ticket for the requirement. The squadron will return the call once a ticket has been opened and will support equipment needs for all retirement ceremonies. The squadron will also provide loaner equipment and training for squadron-level events or below, but cannot provide manpower. All events need at prior notice of least two business days. Tickets opened after 4:30 p.m. will not be acknowledged until the next business day.
Homeowners Assistance Program details: Defense Department officials announced this week the details for distributing $555 million available under the Homeowners Assistance Program. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February, and is designed to partially reimburse those whose service to the nation has required them to relocate and sell their primary residence at a loss. Those eligible include active and former service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. It also includes Defense Department and Coast Guard civilian employees and non-appropriated fund civilians. For more information, see http://hap.usace.army.mil.
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act: President Barack Obama signed into law Nov. 11 the MSRRA. The act amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide certain protections for military spouses with regard to residency, voting and taxation. Spouses will have the option to adopt the state in which they resided or the service member's state of residence. Under the act, military spouses will not lose the right to vote or register to vote in a state as a result of a military move. They could decide to register to vote at their new locations or keep their voting registrations in the old states, even if they don't plan to return. Another benefit is that a spouse will not have to change a driver's license or vehicle registration when moving to another state. Regarding taxes, a spouse will neither lose nor acquire a residence for tax purposes by entering or leaving a tax jurisdiction while accompanying a service member who is moving as a result of military orders, as long as the residence is the same for husband and wife. This applies to income taxes and personal property taxes. In some case, this means couples no longer will need to hire accountants specifically to work out paying income taxes or property taxes in multiple states. The entire law can be reviewed at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-475.
ID Registration: Persons over the age of 16 issued a Department of Defense identification card are required to register in the new Defense Biometric Identification System at the Visitor Control Center or the 628th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section, Building 503, weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and weekends at the VCC from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 963-7807.
628 MDG enhances patient services: The 628th Medical Group clinic has recently enhanced its services in order to better serve TRICARE beneficiaries. The new service, FONEMED, is an after-hours nurse triage telephone line. This new triage line can be accessed by calling the normal clinic number 963-6880. All calls are automatically redirected to this service when patients call after-hours or on weekends and holidays. Once the call has been directed to the triage line, a live person will answer the call. Highly qualified nurses are staffing this service and will assist with taking proper medical actions. This telephone service is especially helpful for questions regarding appropriate home care, or for advice on appropriate actions to take for urgent conditions which cannot wait until the next duty day. The nurse triage telephone service cannot answer questions regarding lab results, prescription refills, on-going care or future appointments at the clinic. As always, for emergencies call 911. For any questions, contact, Capt. Merritt Brockman at merritt.brockman@charleston.af.mil.
Base ski shop now open: The base ski shop located in the Outdoor Recreation Center is now open. Rentals for skis, poles, boots, ski bibs, big feet, little feet, snow blades and snowboards are available. The shop stocks top brand names such as Salomon, Rossignol and Burton. All equipment can be rented by the day, weekend or week. Ski tuning and waxing of personal skis is available. Call 963-1732 for more details.
Paintball action: The Combat Zone paintball season begins at the Outdoor Recreation Center paintball range Jan. 23. The range will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. The field fee is $8, and the rental fee for a mask, marker and air cartridge is $8. For more details, call 963-1732.
Lambs Elementary School gate closures: Security forces personnel will no longer provide services at the Lambs gate between 4 to 4:15 p.m. effective Dec. 1. For any questions or concerns, contact Tech. Sgt. Chad Murphy at 963-8246.
ATM now located in Passenger Terminal: There is now an automated teller machine provided by Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union in the 437th Aerial Port Squadron Passenger Terminal, Building 164. Access to this machine is 24/7. For questions, contact Master Sgt. Maggorino Tamietti at 963-7007.
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 Building 500 Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
Girl Scouting on Joint Base Charleston: Girls in grades four to six, or six to seven are eligible for membership in the Girl Scout troop on JBC. Meetings are held at Building 245 on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. for fun, learning badges and getting to meet other girls her age. Please contact Carolyn Kolva at 743-5020 for more information.
628 MDG clinic laboratory now accepting off-base provider orders: The 628th Medical Group Laboratory announced that lab orders from off-base providers for all eligible beneficiaries will be accepted. A copy of the lab's Test Requisition Form can be obtained by having the doctor's office contact the laboratory at 963-6982. A signed prescription or other provider laboratory request form with the required laboratory tests is also acceptable. All laboratory results performed at Joint Base Charleston will be faxed to the requesting provider upon completion. The clinic laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists to offer this new service. Contact Susan Young with any questions about this service at 963-6982.
Consignment Shop relocation: The base Consignment Shop has been relocated from Building 203 to Building 636. For more information, contact Marie Leydig at 963-3294.
After-School Care: Registration continues for the After-School Program at the Youth Center. This program is accredited and a leader in the community and is open to children ages 5 (and in Kindergarten) to 12. Transportation for after-school care will be provided from Hunley Park, Riverbend, Lambs, Fort Dorchester, Eagles Nest and Oakbrook elementary schools. Registration is accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shot records and leave and earning statements must be available at time of registration. Call 963-5684 for additional details.
Pharmacy prescriptions must be picked up within seven calendar days: Due to space constraints, filled prescriptions can only be stored in the pharmacy for seven calendar days before being returned to stock. If there are special circumstances and the pharmacy needs to hold a prescriptions a little longer, call the pharmacy at 963-6808.
Educational resources available: Parents of school-age children can access educational resources to support their child's math and reading skill development by registering for a free account at www.soarathome.org. For parents who are relocating, the site offers a test students can take on state learning standards and directs students to a tutorial that will improve their skills if needed. Student Online Achievement Resources cover skills in math, reading and language arts for students in grades 3 to 12.
Lost and found: The 628th Security Forces Squadron maintains lost and found items. Call 963-3605 or 7266 to inquire about a lost item. In accordance with Air Force Instruction 31-206, security forces will not take custody of property, besides weapons, left with another installation agency.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated Thrift Savings Plan participants and active participants eligible for age based in-service withdrawals now have the option to transfer all or part of TSP withdrawal payments to a Roth Individual Retirement Account as well as to traditional IRAs or other eligible employer plans. For more information, see "Questions and Answers" or "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available on the TSP Web site, www.tsp.gov, or by calling the Thrift Line at 877-968-3778.