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
Retirement: The 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Mark Normand Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. in the Yonkie Auditorium. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Stanley Johnson at 963-3037.
Retirement: The 437th Maintenance Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Tech. Sgt. William Thorsby Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in the Building 72 auditorium. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Amanda Lynch at 963-6081.
Retirement: The 437 MXS will host a retirement ceremony for Tech. Sgt. Richard Greenwood Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Building 72 auditorium. For more information, contact Sergeant Lynch at 963-6081.
Around the base
Fitness Challenge: The 437th Airlift Wing will hold a Commander's Fitness Challenge Dec. 5 starting at 2:30 p.m. in the Fitness and Sports Center. This month's challenge will be tug-of-war between competing units. For more information, contact the Fitness and Sports Center at 963-3348.
Lunch and learn: The 437th Force Support Squadron is hosting a Lunch & Learn Dec. 10 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Charleston Club as part of "Healthy through the Holidays." Roper Hospital will have a clinician there to speak about the advantages of prostate cancer screening, and then Ken Berger, the Post & Courier executive sports editor will talk about cancer, sports, etc., and will be available to answer questions and personally sign his new novel "Swallow Savannah." For additional information, contact Carolina Werntz at 963-3816.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
Educational opportunities: Schedule a half-hour appointment to meet with an expert one-on-one to learn how to meet educational goals Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Troops and Spouses to Teachers: Learn how to pursue a kindergarten through grade 12 teaching degree by attending the briefing Dec. 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. p.m. Eligible members consist of spouses of active-duty members, Selected Reserve and National Guard and individual Ready Reserve recalled to active-duty.
Uniformed TSP briefing: Learn about the pros, tax advantages and how participating in the Thrift Saving Plan can help supplement retirement income Dec. 12 from 8 to 9 a.m.
CSB redux retirement choice briefing: Learn the pros and cons of the retirement choice by attending this briefing Dec. 12 from 9 to 10 a.m. If a service member joined the military on Aug. 1, 1986, or later, a decision must be made between the two retirement plans between the 14.5-and 15-year mark in the military.
Reintegration seminar: There will be a reintegration seminar every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m., and every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Families of individuals deploying can meet every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals preparing for a deployment within the next 30 days. The briefing provides information on all realms of deployment, and there will be tips for a successful deployment for both the member deploying and his or her family.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to meet with job seekers. 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.
MFLC Program: The A&FRC now has a Military Family Life Consultant who is available by phone at 609-8717, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be available on weekends as well. The service is free and confidential with some restrictions and no kept records or documents. The MFLC consultant can also meet with Team Charleston members on base or in a public setting such as a library or a restaurant. The consultant acts as a "life coach" in preventing issues from becoming problems and work with a wide variety of issues including relationships, anger and stress management, communications, parenting, work-related stress, decision-making skills, issues related to deployments and other "life adjustments."
New HAWC class: There will be an "Eating to Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides" class held the first Friday of every month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. or every fourth Friday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. by appointment at the Health and Wellness Center. Participants will be taught heart-healthy eating principles, self-care tips and will receive a package of take-home informative materials. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the HAWC at 963-4007
Consignment shop reopens: The base consignment shop has recently reopened and the hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Consignments and donations are also accepted during these times. For more information, contact Julie Brady at 963-3294.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated TSP 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 IRA 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 ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778.
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic is in need of 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 Monday through Friday 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 Monday-Friday, 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.
Horse stalls available: Marrington Stables, located on Naval Weapons Station Charleston, has horse stalls now available for rent. For space availability, contact the Information, Tickets and Travel office at 764-2120. For specific questions concerning the stables operations, contact Nikki Merriott at 277-0442 or e-mail nikkibabu@hotmail.com.