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
Road closure: A closure of the inbound gate at Dorchester Road is scheduled for Nov. 22 at 8 a.m. until Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. The purpose is to apply asphalt sealing and pavement markings to the inbound lanes of Dorchester Gate. All inbound traffic is to enter the base via the Commissary Gate or Rivers Gate. The outbound lanes and the Visitor Center will not be affected by the closure. For more information call Joseph Rackley at 963-5025.
Promotion ceremony: The 437th Airlift Wing will host a promotion ceremony Nov. 26 at 12:30 p.m. in the base theater. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Robert Frank at 963-3058.
Around the base
Military appreciation with Stingrays: The Stingrays hockey team is sponsoring a military appreciation night Nov. 22 at the North Charleston Coliseum. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased at discount rate of $6 to all military and their families by calling 744-2248 or at the door for $9. Parking is free. For additional information, call the 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office at 963-5608.
Healthcare Consumers Council: All military beneficiaries are invited to attend the Healthcare Consumers Council meeting Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. at the Naval Health Clinic Charleston (old Naval Hospital) located at 3600 Rivers Ave., North Charleston. Come find out about changes facing military healthcare. For more information, contact Kristina Wolk 743-7778, or e-mail publicrelations@charleston.med.navy.mil.
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.
Closure: The A&FRC, including Airman's Attic, Loan Closet and Discovery Center, will be closed Nov. 27 in observance of Thanksgiving and Nov. 28 for an Air Mobility Command Family Day. For emergency financial assistance, call the 437th Airlift Wing Command Post at 963-2531.
Family pre-deployment briefing: A pre-deployment briefing will be held Nov. 25 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.
Reintegration seminar: There will be a reintegration seminar Nov. 25 from 9 to 10 a.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Nov. 26 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.
Interviewing techniques: Practice interview skills with an expert coach Dec. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn the importance of the interview process, answering difficult questions, the importance of body language, appearance and a positive attitude.
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 from10 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.