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 Aeromedical Dental Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Capt. Luis Morales Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. in the education center ballroom. For more information, contact Capt. Holly Kingston at 963-6752.
Pink Heals Tour to visit Charleston AFB: The 437th Medical Group will sponsor a visit from the Pink Heals Tour Oct. 9. Pink Heals is a cross-country entourage of volunteer firefighters dressed in pink firefighter gear from head-to-toe. These gentlemen are escorted by motorcyclists leading three pink fire trucks and a trailer that carries the "Ribbon of Hope." The mission of this elite group is to promote awareness of all women's cancers and to raise funding to be funneled directly into the communities they visit toward cancer research. For more information, contact Capt. Debra Heath at debra.heath@charleston.af.mil or Emily Robinson at emily.robinson.ctr@charleston.af.mil.
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.
Educational opportunities: Schedule a half-hour appointment to meet with an expert one-on-one to learn how to meet educational goals Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bundles for babies: Learn useful tips for parents planning a budget for a new arrival and receive a free bundle for each expected child Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Oct. 14 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.
Troops and Spouses to Teachers: Learn how to pursue a kindergarten through grade 12 teaching degree by attending the briefing Oct. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. Eligible members consist of 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.
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
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.
437th Aerial Port Squadron golf tournament: A golf tournament is scheduled at Wrenwoods Golf Course for Oct. 23. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the shotgun start is scheduled for 8 a.m. To register, contact Master Sgt. David Burkhart at 963-3110, Tech. Sgt. Adam Sinclair at 963-6285 or Rhonda Perry at 963-5627.
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
Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation classes: Learn to save a life by taking an American Red Cross CPR course. All classes are held at the Outdoor Recreation Center from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 14 for adult CPR and Oct. 15 for child and infant CPR. Advance registration is required. Individual class cost is $65, and $85 for both classes. Class sizes are limited. For more information, call 963-1732.
Dads the basics class: A two-session fatherhood preparation class for dads-to-be, led by an experienced father, will be offered Oct. 20 and 21 in Building 1000 from 8 to 11 a.m. The following topics will be covered: What to take to the Hospital, Holding Your New Baby, Breast or Formula Feeding, Diaper Bag Contents, Bathing Your Baby, Managing Deployment, Coping with Crying, Hospital Terminology and Community Resources. Participants will receive a complimentary book and baby grooming kit. To register for this class, contact family advocacy at 963-6972.
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.
More storage available: The recreational vehicle storage lot has available spaces for boats, campers or trailers not exceeding 30 feet in length for individuals living on or off base. The fee is $35 per month or $360 per year. For more information, contact the Outdoor Recreation Center at 963-5271.
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.