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
POW/MIA DAY 24-hour Run/Luncheon/Retreat: There will be a POW/MIA 24-hour run from Sept. 17 to 18. There will also be a luncheon Sept. 18 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Charleston Club and the retreat ceremony will follow in Nose Dock 2. Tickets for the luncheon are available through squadron representatives. For more information on these events contact Master Sgt. Jeffrey Wilson at 963-2135 or jeffrey.wilson-02@charleston.af.mil; or Master Sgt. Tammy Thompson at 963-2999 or tammy.thompson-02@charleston.af.mil.
2009 Air Force Ball: This year's Air Force Ball is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the North Charleston Convention Center. To purchase tickets for the 2009 Air Force Ball see your unit's representative.
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.
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.
Charleston Top 3 Association: The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Charleston Club. Are you a master sergeant or above? Do you have a line number for master sergeant? Then our Charleston Top 3 Association is looking for you. The Top 3 vision is to mentor Charleston Airmen; making leaders who make a difference while positively impacting our base and community. Meetings normally occur the second Wednesday of each month at noon in the Charleston Club. For more information about the association and upcoming events, please e-mail the president at michelle.mcmeekin@us.af.mil, and the vice president at william.brown8@charleston.af.mil.
Pet Fest 2009: Pet Fest 2009 will be hosted on Charleston AFB Sept. 19 starting at 10 a.m. Pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome to visit the base pool and adjacent parking lot. These areas will be transformed into a large pet-friendly social site of demonstrations, exhibitions, information and product booths, contests and other fun. Canine companions are welcome to a swim in the base pool. Admission is free and Pet Fest officials request all animals attending be comfortable around crowds, children and other animals. Also, all non-caged animals must be on a leash and in control of a responsible owner at all times. For additional details, call 963-1732.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
Military child back to school parent workshop: Two workshop sessions on empowering military parents as advocates in their childrens' education will be held Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 6 to 9 p.m. Don't let deployments and frequent moves disrupt your child's education - professionals from the Military Child Education Coalition will teach parents of children and teens of all ages on proven methods to ensure their educational success despite frequent moves, deployments and other challenges faced by military children. The workshops are based on years of research and planning. Don't miss out - space is limited.
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
NSPS basic training: A onetime, mandatory training class for new National Security Personnel System employees and new supervisors of NSPS employees is scheduled for Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon at the base education center. Upon completion of the class, supervisors will become certified. The class is only offered once per quarter. Those in need of certification are highly encouraged to attend. For more information, call Liz Folk at 963-4470.
Girl Scouting on Charleston AFB: Are you the parent of a girl in grades four to six, or six to seven? Then we have a Girl Scout troop for her. Meetings are held at Building 245 on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. for fun, learning badges and getting to meet other girls her age. Please contact Carolyn Kolva at 843-743-5020 for more information.
437th Aerial Port Squadron golf tournament: A golf tournament is scheduled at Wrenwoods Golf Course for Oct. 16. 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," please 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
Camp Little Links: This is a family-friendly camping experience on the Wrenwoods Golf Course Oct. 2 to 3. Cost is $10 per person, which includes food and drinks. Participants are required to provide their own tents, sleeping bags and other personal camping or bedding gear. Rental gear is available at the Outdoor Recreation Center. Adults must accompany all children during the entire campout. Registration is now underway at Wrenwoods. For more information, call 963-1833.
Free fishing derby: Charleston AFB will host a free, three-day fishing derby starting Oct. 2. All fishing activities will be held at the base pool, which will be stocked with catfish. Derby dates and times are Oct. 2 from 8 to 10 p.m., and Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. 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.
Babysitting course for youth: The next babysitting certification course for youth ages 11 to 16 is scheduled for Sept. 26 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Youth Programs Center. The cost for the course is $40 for members and $45 for non-members. This is a Red Cross-certified course. Participants will learn how to be responsible sitters by providing basic child care, care for common injuries and the correct way to respond to emergencies. Because class size is limited, advance registration is required. Youth are asked to bring their lunch and own snacks. Call to register at 963-5684.
Air Force Family and Teen Talent Contest: Registration is now underway for Air Force families and teen family members to enter the Air Force Family and Teen Talent Contest. Local judging will be held on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Base Theater. There are several categories to enter, 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. The Family group must have a minimum of three members, with no maximum. All types of music and types of acts are permitted. Multiple types of entertainment may be included in the same act. Musical accompaniment or background music may be live or prerecorded. Each act will be judged in three categories: technical excellence, showmanship and interpretation of material and costuming. Although a time limit is not set, an act should not exceed four minutes. Registration deadline is Sept. 22. Visit the Youth Programs Center for an entry form.
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. Patients who do not pick up their prescriptions within the seven-day window must request the next prescription fill in person and return the next day to retrieve the medication. If there are special circumstances and the pharmacy needs to hold a prescriptions a little longer, call the pharmacy at 963-6808 and they will make every reasonable effort to accommodate.
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. Keep in mind that members must meet eligibility criteria and they must pay tax on any amount that is transferred into a Roth IRA for the year of the transfer. For more information, see the "Questions and Answers" on the TSP Web site or the TSP tax notice "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available from 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. RACHAP makes hearing aids available at significantly reduced costs to retired military service members. The program is available for those who are under 65 years old and enrolled to a primary care manager at NHCC or to the 437th Medical Group. Those receiving 10 percent or more disability from the Veteran's Administration are not eligible for hearing aids through RACHAP. Anyone interested in obtaining a hearing aid through RACHAP should call the Naval Health Clinic directly at 743-3709. Those wishing to change their primary care enrollment to NHCC should call 800-444-5445 or visit the TRICARE Service Center at the Naval Health Clinic on Rivers Avenue. For more information on the services available at NHCC, go to www.nhchasn.med.navy.mil.