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
Base picnic: Charleston's 2009 Base Picnic is set for June 5 and 6 at the Base Picnic Grounds. It will begin at 11 a.m. both days and end by 3 p.m. A free barbecue lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both picnics are open to all service members, along with retirees, civilian employees and their family members. These two days will kick off MatchUp, Air Mobility Command's summer rewards program. The entire family can register for MatchUp at the picnic to win valuable prizes and up to $10,000 in cash. For more details on MatchUp and the base picnic, visit the 437 FSS Web site at www.437services.com.
Charleston Battery military appreciation night: The Charleston Battery professional soccer team is sponsoring a military appreciation night at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island June 25. Tickets are free to all active-duty military, reservists, retirees, dependents and DoD employees. Senior leadership from the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings will participate in the opening ceremonies. The team mascot, professional soccer players and staff members will be at the base picnic June 5 to hand out tickets. Tickets are also available for pick up at the 437th and 315th Public Affairs Offices, Outdoor Recreation Center and the base marketing office. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 8 p.m. For more information, contact the 437 PA office at 963-5608 or the 315 PA office at 963-2034.
AMC seeks 2009 Air Force Marathon participants: The annual Air Force Marathon will be held Sept. 19 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. An Air Mobility Command sponsored active-duty team will be selected upon submitting an AF Form 303. Submit forms to the Fitness and Sports Center by July 3. All others interested in competing are encouraged to do so at their own expense. For more information, call the Fitness and Sports Center at 963-3347.
Airman and Family Readiness Center events are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. To sign up for an event, call 963-4406.
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.
Making a good marriage better: Learn to define and maintain a healthy marriage June 18 at 6 to 8 p.m. Develop communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Register no later than June 15.
Troops/spouses to teachers: Counseling and assistance June 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads to help eligible military and military spouses transition to a career as public school teachers. Call to sign up.
Parenting workshop series
Parent/child communication: Brown bag lunch workshop June 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Provides parents with tools to develop healthy communication habits that reinforce strong parent-child bonds. Call to register.
Children and separation issues of deployment: Brown bag lunch workshop June 15 from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Provides parents with information on positive aspects of separation, ways to strengthen long-distance relationships and eliminate detrimental coping strategies. Call to register.
Enhancing resiliency in children: Brown bag lunch workshop June 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for parents who want to ease military lifestyle challenges and create a supportive environment for their children.
Around the base
437th Communications Squadron golf tournament: The 437 CS will be hosting a golf tournament at Wrenwoods Golf Course June 12 at 7:30 a.m. Contact Senior Airman Nathan Lopez at 963-8230. Cost per person is $40 or $30 for Wrenwoods AAA customers.
Air Force Heritage Aire Celtic Ensemble 2009 tour: Free, public performances by the Air Force Heritage Aire Celtic Ensemble will be offered to audiences in the Charleston area beginning June 12 at 6 p.m. in Summerville at Hutchinson Square. Performance schedules with locations can be found at www.heritageofamericaband.af.mil/ensembles.
Juneteenth celebration: Come out and enjoy a guaranteed good time. The 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration will commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. Activities will take place June 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the base picnic grounds. There will be music, educational opportunities and a lot of fun. Enjoy a delicious fish platter for a $6 donation. For tickets, please contact Senior Master Sgt. Leroy Lewis at 963-4634, Senior Master Sgt. Debra Mosley at 963-2537, Master Sgt. Angela Powell at 963-6017, Tech. Sgt. Kenneethia Kennard at 963-3662 or Shelia Reed at 963-3785 no later than June 16.
Fall culture class: Enrollment for the Fall Introduction to Culture class starting September 7 is currently open. Starting June 8, registration through the Air University Portal will begin. 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.
Mom and Tot Play Group: The Mom and Tot Play Group meets Wednesdays in the base Youth Center at 9:15 a.m. The play group is open to all mothers and their children. For more information, contact Lauren Gonzalez at 819-6541, or via e-mail at lauren.gonzalez16@gmail.com.
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 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 A&FRC 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.