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 81st Aerial Port Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Edith Grainger Oct. 3 at 2:45 p.m. in building 171. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Bradley Levander at 963-5413.
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.
Flu shot opportunity for active duty personnel: Seasonal flu shots and nasal mist will be available to active duty personnel in the Base Theater Oct. 2 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please bring your ID cards to verify identification.
2009 Air Force Ball: This year's Air Force Ball is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the North Charleston Convention Center. The guest speaker for the ball will be Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander. A free bus will depart the Commissary parking lot for the Charleston Convention Center at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Another will depart the Charleston Convention Center every hour from 9 p.m. to midnight.
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.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
Heartlink spouse orientation: Learn Air Force culture, traditions, military language, benefits, services and mission while making friends during a briefing on Oct. 6 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. This class is only open to spouses of military members. Childcare issues will be discussed at time of registration.
Sponsor training: Learn the keys to being a good sponsor by attending this training class Oct. 7 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Training is mandatory for first-time sponsors and those not trained in the last year.
Resume I and cover letter class: Learn how to put together a resume during a class Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The class will include the purpose of a cover letter, what it should contain as well as formats for a resume.
South Carolina Employment Services: Meet with a South Carolina job services representative who will help in a job search and provide limited resume assistance Oct 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking service must register online and identify job leads before arriving for their appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Little Heroes: A special medal presentation Oct. 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. specifically designed for children age 4 to 12 years old who have experienced a parent's deployment.
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.
CAFB parent school carpool program: Parents living on CAFB who would like participate in a school carpooling program can register with the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The schools that will be part of the "Share a Ride" program will be determined according to need, parent requests and number of parents willing to participate in carpooling. Both public and private schools may be involved in the program. To register or for more information on "Share a Ride," call Elsa Summers at 963-4406 or 963-5783.
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.
· Key West adventure, Oct. 7 to 12
· Smoky Mountain Train Ride, Oct. 24 to 25
· Jacksonville Jaguars home games, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13
· Christmas at the Biltmore Estate, Dec. 5 to 6
Free fishing derby: Charleston AFB will host a free, three-day fishing derby starting Oct. 2 from 8 to 10 p.m., and Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. All fishing activities will be held at the base pool, which will be stocked with catfish. Prizes will be awarded for largest catch, most fish caught and youngest fisherman to make a catch. Participants are required to provide their own fishing gear and bait. There will be a fish taco cookout Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $5 per person. For additional information, call 963-1833.
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.
Air Force Family and Teen Talent Contest: Air Force families and teen family members will participate in the Air Force Family and Teen Talent Contest Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the base theater. There are several categories, including parent and youth teams, husband and wife teams, children ages 3 to 5 and 6 to 8, preteens ages 9 to 12, teens ages 13 to 15, teens ages 16 to 18 and family groups. All types of music and types of acts are permitted. Each act will be judged in three categories: technical excellence, showmanship and interpretation of material and costuming.
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.
Pink Heals Tour to visit Charleston AFB: The 437th Medical Group will be sponsoring 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.