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 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Michael O'Hara Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. in the Yonkie Auditorium, Building 54. For more information, contact Vicki Morgan at 963-4748.
Retirement: The 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 5 will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Edward Hayes Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m. in 315th Auditorium, Building 60. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Troy Barber at 963-6115.
Around the base
Halloween candy screening: The 437th Aerial Port Squadron will X-ray Halloween candy at the passenger terminal Oct. 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Marrian James at 963-3071.
Opening of new facility: A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the Honor Guard Heritage and Training Facility Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. at 4450 New Mexico Ave in Hunley Park. After the ceremony, there will be a tour of the facility and an Honor Guard demonstration. For information, contact Staff Sgt. Akeem Parks at 767-2134.
Open Season Benefits Fair: Charleston AFB will have its annual Open Season Benefits Fair Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Flight in Building 500. Representatives from various health plans will be available to answer questions. Employees will have until December 2008 to submit their elections to enroll or make changes electronically through the automated system. The automated system consists of the Web-based Employee Benefits Information System and an automated phone system, which is also called the "BEST" phone system at 800-616-3775. For more information, contact Tammie Jones at 963-4474.
Save A Life tour: The 437th Airlift Wing Safety Office will be sponsoring the National Save a Life Tour Nov. 7 at 8 a.m. in the base theater. Participation is mandatory for all Airmen 26 years old and under. This is a nationwide tour that spreads the word about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol by using a drunk-driving simulator to show how driving drunk impairs the ability to drive. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Darnell Edmonds at 963-3445.
Veteran's Day Ride: A joint service Veteran's Day motorcycle run will be held Nov. 11. Participants from Charleston AFB will need to meet at Building 2000 by 9:30 a.m. All riders will then head to Walterboro to meet with members of the Army and Marine Corps. At 12:30 p.m., all participants will head to the Veteran's Victory Home in Walterboro, S.C. For more information, contact Jeffrey Phipps at 814-1339.
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 Airman and Family Readiness Center 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."
Educational opportunities: Meet with an expert one-on-one during a half hour appointment who will provide information regarding advanced education Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Assistance will be given in completing the free application for federal student aid, referrals to general equivalency diplomas, adult basic education services and university, college, vocational and technical school information.
Sponsor training: Learn the keys to being a good sponsor by attending this training class Nov. 5 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Training is mandatory for first-time sponsors and those not trained in the last year.
SC Employment Services: A South Carolina Employment Services representative will be available for half-hour appointments Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants can receive help in their job search and receive limited résumé assistance.
Get the credit you deserve: Learn how to build, improve, maintain credit scores and correct errors on credit ratings during this class Nov. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Newcomer's tour: Enjoy a free guided tour of Charleston's historic district, Ft. Moultrie and Isle of Palms Nov. 6 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be the responsibility of the participants, but transportation will be provided by the A&FRC.
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.
Half-off Disney On Ice tickets: Save 50 percent on tickets to Disney On Ice "Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey" to be held Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., Nov. 15 at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. This military discount is available for all active duty, retired, Reserve, National Guard, Department of Defense and their family members. For more information, call the ticket office at 529-5000, or visit www.coliseumpac.com.