CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to airlift.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 14th Airlift Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Robert Macon Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Charleston Club. Contact Senior Master Sgt. Will Brown at 963-4077 for more information.
Military appreciation night with the Charleston River Dogs: The Charleston River Dogs baseball team is sponsoring a military appreciation night Aug. 26 at Joe Riley Stadium in downtown Charleston. The game is free to all active duty military, Reservists, retirees, dependents and Department of Defense employees. Tickets are available for pick up at the 437th and 315th Public Affairs Offices, Outdoor Recreation and the base Marketing Office. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7:05 p.m. Please call the 437 PA office at 963-5608 or the 315 PA office at 963-2034 for additional information.
Airman Leadership School instructor position opening: The Charleston Airman Leadership School has an opening for a Professional Military Education Instructor in January 2010. ALS Flight instructors provide the Air Force's future leaders with the skills necessary to fulfill their supervisory responsibilities within the enlisted force structure and lead the Air Force's Airmen of tomorrow. This is a four year controlled tour. Please contact the ALS Commandant, Master Sgt. Beth Dickens at 963-4074 or by e-mail at beth.dickens-02@charleston.af.mil for application information. The deadline to submit packages is Sept. 1.
Charleston Chief's Group meeting: Active duty, Reserve or retired chiefs are invited to attend the Charleston Chief's Group meeting. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. for lunch and then 11:30 a.m. to noon for the meeting in the Daedalian room in the Charleston Club. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17.
Emcee and national anthem auditions: The POW-MIA Day committee will be holding auditions for emcees and national anthem singers Aug. 26 in the 15th Airlift Squadron auditorium beginning at 3 p.m. Emcee auditions are for active-duty and Reserve Air Force members only. Singing auditions are open to active-duty and Reserve members, family members, civilians and contractors associated with the base. Duets or groups are allowed to audition to sing the national anthem. Everyone auditioning must be available for the Sept. 18 event. To schedule an audition time or for more information, contact Master Sgt. Jeffrey Wilson at 963-2135 or by e-mail at jeffrey.wilson-02@charleston.af.mil; or Master Sgt. Tammy Thompson at 963-2999 of by e-mail at tammy.thompson-02@charleston.af.mil.
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 reps. 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.
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.
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 Air Force Ball 2009 see unit's representative.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
OCONUS PCS: An overseas permanent change of station can be challenging. Come to a meeting on Aug. 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and receive a destination-specific packet.
Credit and its impact: Learn about credit scores, building credit and how to protect credit without spending a dime Aug. 25 from 9 to 10 a.m. Also, learn how to separate fact from fiction and how to avoid scams that offer empty promises.
Budget your way to financial freedom: Learn how to reach financial goals through effective budgeting Aug. 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Your future, your money, your plan; Part I: Tired of being in debt? Want to have a secure financial future? Learn how to use income Aug. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. as a way to reach financial dreams with a plan and goals in mind.
S.C. employment services: Meet with a South Carolina job services representative Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon for limited resume assistance and help in a job search. Individuals seeking service must register online and identify job leads before arriving for the appointment.
Understanding the Thrift Savings Plan: Learn about the benefits, tax advantages and how participating in the TSP can help supplement retirement income Aug. 27 from 3 to 4 p.m.
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.
Parenting workshop classes
Effective discipline for pre-teens and teens ages 10-17: Learn effective guidelines for setting rules, limits and consequences Aug. 24 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Around the base
CAFB Parent School Carpool Program: Parents living on Charleston AFB who would like participate in a school carpooling program can register with the Airman & 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 the A&FRC, 963-4406 or 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.
AFA General Membership Meeting: The Charleston Chapter of the Air Force Association will hold a General Membership Meeting at the Charleston Club Aug. 28. A social hour (free refreshments provided) will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a business meeting at 5 p.m. The guest speaker will be Debby Dodge, Education director for USA Today. If you have questions please contact Rip Powell at 843-227-3434 or e-mail at theripowells@hargray.com or Art Rooney at 843-771-3979 or e-mail to arthur.rooney@mac.com.
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.
Fall culture class: Enrollment for the Fall Introduction to Culture class starting Sept. 7 is currently open through the Air University Portal Web site. Air University is looking to enroll 320 students. For any questions regarding the course, call Katie Gunther at 334-953-9017 or Olin Goodhue at 334-953-7197.
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 3-12.
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.
Airman's Attic needs volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help at the Airman's Attic located in the Airman and Family Readiness Center at building 500 Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sort donations and assist customers. There is also a need for individuals who own a truck or a trailer to volunteer as delivery drivers. Volunteers are eligible to participate in the base Recognizing Achievement and Volunteer Excellence program, which provides monthly incentives based on the number of hours volunteered. For more information, call 963-4408.
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.