CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
To submit information for news briefs, send an e-mail to airlift.dispatch@charleston.af.mil with subject NEWS BRIEFS. Submissions must be received no later than close of business Friday the week before publication.
Spotlight
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 representing various age groups will be selected upon submitting an AF Form 303. Submit forms through the Fitness and Sports Center by July 3. All others interested in competing in the Air Force Marathon are encouraged to do so at their own expense. Events include a wheelchair division of the marathon, half marathon, individual 10K and 5K. Contact the Fitness and Sports Center at 963-3347 for additional Air Force Marathon information.
Base picnic dates announced: The dates for Charleston's 2009 Base Picnic have been set for June 5 and 6 at the Base Picnic Grounds. The picnic will begin at 11 a.m. both days and will wrap up by 3 p.m. A free barbecue lunch plus cold beverages will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both Friday and Saturday picnics, are open to all active-duty and reserve service members, along with retirees, civilian employees and all family members. These two days will highlight the local kick off for MatchUp, Air Mobility Command's summer rewards program for patrons of the 437th Force Support Squadron facilities. The entire family can register for MatchUp at the picnic to win valuable prizes and up to $10,000 in cash. The days' other events will include music, rides and games for children. Also, June 5 there will be an informative travel fair with information and representatives from local and regional attractions, hotels and popular travel destinations to answer questions about planning vacations. For more details on MatchUp and the base picnic, visit the 437 FSS Web site at www.437services.com.
Around the base
ID Registration: Persons over the age of 16 who hold 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, Mondays through Fridays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and at the VCC Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information contact George Kennedy at 963-7807.
Trespassing notice: The small arms firing range is off of Arthur Drive on Range Road near the explosive ordnance disposal building. Do not trespass into the surface danger zones; warning signs are posted. Contact the combat arms NCO in charge at 963-1121 for entry into firing range impact zones.
Education and Training Center closings: The Education and Training Center will close June 3 at 1 p.m. and all day June 4 for a Community College of the Air Force graduation practice and ceremony. Base personnel are invited to a celebration June 4 at 2 p.m. in the base theater honoring the 131 graduates.
On-base college registration: Registration is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Park University, Southern Illinois University and Webster University until May 31. Visit the Education and Training Center, Building 221, on base to register. For further details, call 963-4575 or 7201.
Legal assistance change of hours: Appointments are available for wills and healthcare powers of attorney Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Walk-in legal assistance for active-duty Airmen is held Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. for all others. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the legal office at 963-5502.
Airman Battle Uniform headgear policy: The ABU patrol cap is the authorized hat with the ABU. ABU "boonie" floppy hats are authorized in the area of responsibility. Exceptions to this policy include:
· Berets are authorized for security forces, pararescue, combat rescue, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape school, combat patrol and special tactics, combat weather and the Tactical Control Air Party.
· Campaign hats are authorized for Special Operations Command units, basic military training instructors and Defense Language Institute English Language Center instructors.
· Organizational caps are authorized for RED HORSE squadrons.
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.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center are held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will meet with job seekers June 3. Half-hour appointments are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
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 provides information on all realms of deployments and there will be tips for a successful deployment for both the Airman deploying and his or her family.
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.
MFLC Program: A Military Family Life Consultant is available at 609-8717 Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends as well. The service is free and confidential with some restrictions. The consultant can meet with Airmen on base or in a public setting. The consultant is a "life coach" in preventing problems and works with a variety of issues, including relationships, anger and stress management.
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.
15th Airlift Squadron golf tournament: The 15 AS will be hosting a captain's choice, four-person team, 18-hole golf tournament at Wrenwoods Golf Course June 5 at 7:30 a.m. Cost per person is $35. To sign-up, e-mail matthew.slupski@charleston.af.mil.
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.
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.
Teen leadership camp: The Fleet and Family Support Center is accepting applications for Teen Leadership Camp 2009. The Camp is from July 20 to 24 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. and offers personal growth, team building, finance and community service. As always, it is free. Applications may be obtained online at www.cnic.navy.mil/charleston. The application deadline has been extended to June 2. For further information, call 764-7480.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spread the Word available electronically: Visit https://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/pubaffairs/word/word.asp for briefing topics ranging from the assignment cycle and tempo banding to upcoming uniform changes and civilian hiring procedures. Questions can be sent to the Spread the Word team at ste.workflow@randolph.af.mil.
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.
Possible assistance for homeowners: President Obama introduced a comprehensive Financial Stability Plan and a critical piece of this effort is the Home Affordable Refinance Program. The program will give homeowners with loans owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac an opportunity to refinance into more affordable monthly payments. The consumer Web site, www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov, provides homeowners with detailed information about these programs along with self-assessment tools and calculators to empower borrowers with the resources needed to determine eligibility for a modification or refinance under the Administration's program. The Web site also allows borrowers to connect with free counseling resources to help with outstanding questions; locate homeowner events in their communities; find a handy checklist of key documents and materials to have ready when making that important call to their servicer as well as frequently asked questions from borrowers in similar circumstances and much more.
Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days: Myrtle Beach will honor active-duty and retired military service members from all branches with Military Appreciation Days, May 28 to 30. Visit the Military Appreciation Days Web site at www.militaryappreciationdays.com for a schedule and list of events.
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.
States offering bonuses for military deployments: Military members who have deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism may be eligible for cash bonuses in many states. Since each state manages its own benefit program, benefits vary from state to state. To take advantage of these benefits, links to state veterans affairs websites can be found at www.va.gov/statedva.htm. For questions, visit the legal office during legal assistance hours. Legal assistance is provided on a walk-in basis on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. for members in uniform and 1 to 3 p.m. for all members of the Charleston AFB community.