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. John Becker at 2 p.m. in the Building 60 auditorium. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Mark Peters at 963-2344.
Retirement: The 437th Airlift Wing will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Geri Shaffer Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Charleston Club. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Croxton at 963-8014.
Around the base
Education Fair: An education fair will be held Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Education and Training Center. This is opened to all active duty Airmen, family members, retirees and civilians. Some of the schools that will be participating include Embry Riddle University, Park University, Southern Illinois University and Webster University, along with many off-base colleges and universities. Door prizes will be presented by the 437th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. John "Red" Millander. For more information, contact Linda Wilson at 963-4578.
Road closure: A closure of the inbound gate at Dorchester Rd. is scheduled for Nov. 22 at 8 a.m. until Nov. 23 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. The outbound lanes and the Visitor Center will not be affected by the closure.
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.
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."
Transition assistance program: This three-day workshop is for military members who are transitioning from the military will be held Nov. 18-20 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet with experts from finance, Veterans Administration and South Carolina Job Services and more, to help give you the tools you need for a successful transition into the civilian sector.
Job fair: The A&FRC Charleston AFB, in cooperation with the Fleet and Family Support Center, Naval Weapons Station Charleston, is hosting their semi-annual Joint Air Force and Navy Job Fair Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Charleston Club. More than 50 representatives from local, national and international companies will be in attendance. A variety of career fields will be represented: aircraft, retail, public safety and law enforcement, engineering, management, sales, government, information technology -- just to name a few. Only valid military identification and common access cardholders may attend. For a list of companies that will be attending, stop by the A&FRC. For more information, contact George Ferguson, Linda Lankosz or Amanda Ambrose at 963-4406.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Pre-deployment briefings are held 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.
Reintegration seminar: There are reintegration seminars 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.
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 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.