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
Military Personnel Section closure: The Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel Flight will close Oct. 30 at noon for a squadron function. The identification card office will be minimally manned. For additional assistance with ID cards or Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System issue, see Building 51, Room 101. For emergencies, call 814-5746.
The 437th Security Forces Squadron is looking for volunteers: Volunteers will serve as walking patrols for the Annual Pumpkin Patrol Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a great opportunity to ensure the safety of Charleston AFB families while enjoying their trick-or-treating experience. Showtime for any volunteers will be 6 p.m. at Building 254, the Security Forces Squadron. Uniform is required for this detail. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Sadler at 963-3643 or by e-mail at elizabeth.sadler@charleston.af.mil.
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.
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.
Consignment Shop relocation: The base Consignment Shop will be relocating from its current location in Building 203 to Building 636. The shop will be closed Oct. 17 to Nov. 2 and will reopen in the new location Nov. 3. For more information, contact Marie Leydig at 963-3294.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
Air Force family week celebration: In celebration of Air Force Family Week,
Nov. 1 to 7, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be giving away educational books and other materials to active-duty parents with children up to 17 years old. Developed after years of research by the Military Child Education Coalition, the materials are age-specific and focus on military-connected children and their educational needs. "Preparing for the Journey: Establishing a Strong Foundation for Future Academic Success" is a 144-page book for parents of children under the age of 9. "Chart Your Course: Planning a Successful Journey Through High School and Beyond" contains a poster, compact disk and academic passport for older children. To receive free copies while supplies last, stop by the A&FRC between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 2 to 6.
Individual graduation plan conferences: Tri-county area public schools will begin conducting annual Individual Graduation Plans in November. Beginning in 8th grade, South Carolina students work with their parents and guidance counselors to develop IGPs which reconcile their academic and post-graduation goals. IGPs are adjusted annually to allow for a student's continued academic growth and career exploration through high school. Parents will be notified by their child's school of the date and time of the conference. Parental involvement is crucial for a child's academic success. For more information, visit www2.scpathways.org/glossary.html#IGP or call Elsa Summers at 963-4406.
Free tutoring services: According to the 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.
Credit repair clinic: Learn about credit scores, building credit and how to protect credit without spending a dime Nov. 4 from 8 to 9 a.m. Separate fact from fiction and how to avoid scams that offer empty promises.
Understanding the Thrift Savings Plan: Learn about the pros, tax advantages and how participating in the TSP can help supplement retirement income Nov. 3 from 8 to 9 a.m.
Sponsor training: Learn the keys to being a good sponsor by attending this training class Nov. 4 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Training is mandatory for first-time sponsors and those not trained in the last year.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Nov. 4 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.
Newcomer's tour: Enjoy a free, guided tour of Charleston's historic district, Fort Moultrie and Isle of Palms Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be the responsibility of the participants, but transportation will be provided by the A&FRC.
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.
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.
Around the base
Run the Runway 5K: In honor of Ret. Brig. Gen. Tom Mikolajcik, the Charleston AFB Top 3 is sponsoring a 5K run the morning of Wingman Day, Nov. 17 from 8 to 10 a.m. on the runway. T-Shirts will be sold for $12 each and are authorized to be worn with civilian physical training gear the day of the event. Anyone interested in purchasing a t-shirt may send a request to Staff Sgt. Virgil Smith at virgil.smith@charleston.af.mil.
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 games, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13
· Christmas at the Biltmore Estate, Dec. 5 to 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.