CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to 437aw.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
Retirement: The 437th Force Support Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Kerry Barnett Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. in the base chapel. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Debra Rogers at 963-8929.
Appointment of summary court officer: Second Lt. Michael DeFeo from the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is detailed as summary court officer to secure and make proper disposition of the personal effects of recently departed Senior Airman Joshua Zwick. Anyone having knowledge of claim for or against the deceased estate may contact Lieutenant DeFeo at 568-4378, 963-6097 or michael.defeo@charleston.af.mil.
New MPS phone number: In an ongoing effort to improve customer service, the 437th 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.
Military spouse cookie drop: In an attempt to give those away from their families a taste of home for the holidays, spouses from Team Charleston are hosting a cookie drive for dormitory residents and deployed Airmen. Cookies may be delivered to the Passenger Terminal Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 661-310-3743.
Free shipping material from USPS for deployed members: The U.S. Postal Service is providing free packing material to anyone who would like to send care packages to deployed service members. A free military care kit is available and designed specifically for military families and loved ones sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by calling 800-610-8734. Dial option one for Priority Mail supplies. Postage for shipping ranges from $10.35 to $11.95 to an Army Post Office, or APO, address. Military care-package kits contain:
· Eight flat-rate boxes
· Nine address labels
· Eight Customs FORM 2976-A
· Eight Customs FORM 2976-E
Heritage of America Band performance: The Air Force Heritage of America Band presents "Celebrating the Holidays Around the World" Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The concert features their 40-piece concert band, several smaller ensembles, many holiday songs and a sing along to cap off the evening. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 pm. Unclaimed seats will be released to non-ticket holders at that time.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
Educational opportunities: Consult with an expert one-on-one to learn how to meet educational goals Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Budget to Financial Freedom: Learn how to budget finances to reach financial goals during a briefing Dec. 9 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
SC employment services: A representative from South Carolina Employment Services will be here Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon to meet with job seekers. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
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.
Troops and Spouses to Teachers: Receive counseling and assistance Dec. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification and employment leads at targets schools. Eligible individuals consist of active-duty members, spouses of active-duty members, Selected Reserve and National Guard and Individual Ready Reserve recalled to active duty.
Family 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.
Around the base
Excess furniture at the Health and Wellness Center: The HAWC will be getting new furniture during the next few weeks. Stop by to take a look at old furniture available for use in on-base work areas. Items include book cases, a magazine rack, side chairs, swivel chairs and stacking chairs, tables with rollers, file cabinets, round tables, and wooden storage cabinets. Mark the items with name, office and a contact number and receive a call when the items are available for pickup. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Brooks at 963-4007.
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.
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 437th 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.
Charleston AFB clinic laboratory now accepting off-base provider orders: The 437th 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 Charleston AFB 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.
ATM now located in Passenger Terminal: There is now an automated teller machine provided by Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union in the Charleston AFB Passenger Terminal, Building 164. Access to this machine is 24/7. For questions, contact Master Sgt. Maggorino Tamietti at 963-7007.
Girl Scouting on Charleston AFB: Girls in grades four to six, or six to seven are eligible for membership in the Girl Scout troop on Charleston AFB. 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.
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.
Outdoor Recreation Center events: The following is a list of upcoming Charleston AFB Outdoor Recreation Center events. Call the Center at 963-1732 for additional details or visit www.437services.com.
· Jacksonville Jaguars home game, Dec. 13
· Christmas at the Biltmore Estate, Dec. 5 and 6
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.
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.
Lost and found: The 437th 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.
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.
Officials Announce 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.