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 437th Maintenance Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Charles Hughes Jr., July 24 at noon in the Yonkie Auditorium, Building 54. Contact Tech. Sgt. Tamekia Bizzell at 963-4679 for more information.
Memorial: The 437th Security Forces Squadron commander and the Military Working Dog Section invite all members of Team Charleston to join them at the memorial service for military working dog Cigan July 24 at 10 a.m. in the base theater. Immediately following the service, a procession will proceed to Cigan's final resting place at the Military Working Dog Kennels, Building 649.
Top 3 meeting: Are you a master sergeant or above? Do you have a line number for master sergeant? If so, then the Charleston Top 3 Association is looking for you. The Charleston Top 3 Association mentors Charleston Airmen; making leaders who make a difference while positively impacting the base and community. There are also new features at the Top 3 meetings: a senior NCO professional development session discussing such topics as senior NCO promotion boards, Air Force Aid, as well as standards and discipline. The Top 3 meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon in the Charleston Club. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12. For more information, please e-mail Master Sgt. Michelle McMeekin at michelle.mcmeekin@us.af.mil or Senior Master Sgt. William Brown at william.brown8@charleston.af.mil.
Water outages: The water will be shut off on Jackson Street July 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please make preparations and plans accordingly. For schedule information contact 2nd Lt. Suzanne Jumper at 963-3990 or Steve Campbell at 963-3860 for other issues.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
Resume II and cover letter: Receive one-on-one assistance July 28 from 9 a.m. to noon with the finalization of the rough draft resume and cover letter.
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 July 29 from 8 to 11 a.m. as a way to reach financial dreams with plan and goals in mind.
S.C. employment service: Meet with a S.C. job services representative July 29 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.
Making a good marriage better: Learn how temperament impacts a healthy marriage, how to define a healthy marriage and maintain it by developing communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills July 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Couples only and no children, please. A light snack will be provided.
Professional style dress workshop for women: Learn personality of style, the theory of color and how to dress according to body type Aug. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. The workshop will be conducted by the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette.
Professional style dress workshop for men: Learn the level of professional dress, the proper clothes and the proper fit Aug. 4 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Workshop will be conducted by the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette.
Communication etiquette: Learn to be a better communicator Aug. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Communication is the basis for building relationships, both professionally and personally. Workshop will be conducted by the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette.
Newcomer's tour: Tour key locations outside of Charleston AFB such as the Citadel and the famous Charleston Market and Battery Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tour is free and transportation is provided.
Understanding the Thrift Savings Plan: Learn about the benefits, tax advantages and how participating in the TSP can help supplement retirement income Aug. 6 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 school-age children 6-9: Learn effective tools for setting guidelines, shaping behavior and discipline Aug. 17 from 3 to 4 p.m.
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.
Children and separation issues of deployments: Learn how to focus on the positive aspects of separation and ways to strengthen long distance relationships July 27 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Enhancing resiliency in children: Learn how to create support in a challenging military lifestyle Aug. 3 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Time management and organization for teens: Brown bag lunch workshop for parents and teens Aug. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m. Learn to balance and organize responsibilities with time for having fun.
Around the base
2009 Air Force Ball: This year's Air Force Ball is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the North Charleston Convention Center. To purchase tickets for the Air Force Ball 2009 see unit's representative.
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 sports and school physicals: The 437th Medical Group will conduct fall sports and school physicals July 29 on youth dependents ages 9 to 19. Call 963-6880 to make an appointment. Additional physical appointments will be made available depending upon the demand.
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.
Protect employees against workplace bloodborne pathogen hazards: The Air Force and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration require military workplaces whose personnel are at risk for occupational exposure to blood and body fluids to establish a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan. This includes workplaces such as the fire department, aerospace medicine, air evacuation, security forces and mortuary affairs. A written Exposure Control Plan, mandated by law, aims to prevent disease caused by bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B and C by instituting workplace policies, environmental controls and personal protective equipment designed to limit exposure and prevent infection with these harmful pathogens. For assistance in developing a new plan or strengthening an existing plan, contact the 315th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Flight at 963-7949 or 963-7953 during Unit Training Assemblies or by e-mail to damon.mazyck@charleston.af.mil. OSHA's website at www.osha.gov also provides helpful information.
Fetal Protection Program strengthening the health of pregnant women and the unborn: To protect pregnant women and the unborn from workplace hazards, Air Force Reserve Command Instruction 41-104, Pregnancy of Air Reserve Personnel, states commanders and supervisors are responsible for ensuring pregnant members have been cleared by the medical facility before participating in any military duties and directs Reserve members, upon confirmation of pregnancy from a licensed health care provider, to inform their supervisors that they are pregnant. Supervisors must be informed no later than the Unit Training Assembly immediately following pregnancy confirmation. Supervisors are to immediately direct the pregnant member to report to the 315th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Flight Medicine Clinic and Public Health on Saturday at 8 a.m. with their medical records, a letter from their health care provider documenting their estimated date of delivery and any duty restrictions. Whenever possible, pregnant Reserve members should also immediately fax their pregnancy confirmation letter from their private health care provider to the 315 AMDS; Attention: Master Sgt. Dana Berry at 963-6859. For additional information or questions Sergeant Berry can be reached at 963-6625.
Unprotected exposure to hazardous noise causes hearing loss: Hazardous noise, or sounds that causes hearing loss, is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems in the U.S. Simply put, failure to wear hearing protection when exposed to hazardous noise will result in hearing loss. Generally speaking, a hazardous noise environment exists when a voice must be raised to talk to someone within arm's length because of loud background noise. Under these conditions, whether at work or play, wear hearing defenders such as ear plugs or muffs to protect hearing. The 315th Airlift Wing Air Reserve Technicians desiring additional information about hearing loss or to arrange hearing conservation training for supervisors assigned to their unit should contact the 315th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Public Health at 963-7943 during scheduled Unit Training Assemblies.
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.
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.
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.
Interest rates on federal education loans drop July 1: Persons considering a federal student loan consolidation of their variable-rate loans should seriously look into doing so immediately. Interest rates on these consolidations have dropped to a historic low and will be "locked in" for the life of the loan, potentially saving thousands of dollars in interest for borrowers. Federal student loans that were taken out before July 1, 2006, have variable rates. Interest rates on federal consolidation loans are capped, meaning they cannot go higher than 8.25 percent. Borrowers who have variable-rate federal loans who consolidate them after July 1 can lock in these new low rates:
· Stafford Loan Consolidation (In-School/Grace Period): 2 percent
· Stafford Loan Consolidation (Repayment Period): 2.50 percent
· PLUS Loan Consolidation: 3.38 percent
Some of the important aspects of this initiative are:
· Borrowers who have already consolidated their loans cannot take advantage of the drop in interest rate.
· Persons with loans originated after July 1, 2006, are not eligible for the new lower rate.
· Private student loans cannot be included in a federal consolidation loan.
· Borrowers who are still in school cannot consolidate their loans until they graduate, as Congress repealed the early repayment status loophole in 2006.