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
Change of command: The 437th Medical Group will host a change of command ceremony Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. in the Charleston Club. For more information, contact Capt. Carmal Terrell at 963-6731.
Around the base
AF Ball postponed: The 2008 Air Force Ball will be postponed until Sept. 27 to allow Airmen and their families to fully focus on preparing the base for the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna. As it becomes available, details concerning refund of tickets due to leave, deployments and temporary duty assignments will be available.
Armed Forces Voters Week: Aug. 31 to Sept. 7 is designated Armed Forces Voters Week. This week highlights all citizens voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act who have not registered to vote or requested an absentee ballot this year, should do so at this time. Active-duty members, family members 18 and older and civilians should use this as the last opportunity to register to vote in the remaining state primaries and vote in the Nov. 4 general election. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 4. For more information, contact a unit voting officer.
Commissioning briefing: A briefing will be held Sept. 11 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the education and training center, Building 221, Room 125 for those who are interested in commisioning. Information will be provided about the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Officer Training School, Air Force Academy programs, application processes and board dates. For more information, contact Linda Wilson at 963-4578.
Women and children's picnic: The Protestant Women of the Church is sponsoring an outreach picnic for women and children Sept. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at the base picnic grounds. All women and children are invited. Food and activities for the kids are free. For more information, contact Patriece Johnson at 475-7884 or Julie Barker 814-0549.
Retiree appreciation day: Charleston AFB and the Naval Weapons Station Charleston are sponsoring a Military Retiree and Spouse Information Fair and Appreciation Day Oct. 4 starting at 9 a.m. in the Charleston Club. This event is to provide information and to show appreciation to all military retirees and spouses for their service to our country. There will be more than 25 booths from around the base to include the 437th Medical Group, 437th Airlift Wing Legal Office and the 437th Force Support Squadron. For more information, contact Charles Short at 963-2228.
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. 15 at 7 p.m., Nov. 16 at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 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.
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 Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bundles for babies: A course to give useful tips to parents-to-be while helping them understand the importance of budgeting for their new addition will be held Sept. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. A free bundle will be given to those who are expecting a baby.
Troops and Spouses to Teachers: Learn how to pursue a kindergarten through grade 12 teaching degree by attending this briefing Sept. 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. Eligible members consist of active-duty Airmen, spouses of active-duty members, Selected Reserve and National Guard and individual Ready Reserve recalled to active-duty.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Sept. 3 to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Heartlink spouse orientation: Learn Air Force culture, traditions, military language, benefits, services and mission while making friends during a briefing on Oct. 7 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. This class is only open to spouses of military members. Childcare issues will be discussed at time of registration.
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.
Consignment shop reopens: The base consignment shop has recently reopened and the hours are 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 their 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.-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.
Free admission to Drayton Hall: Drayton Hall is offering free admission to active-duty military members, veterans, firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service members in recognition of what they do to serve America. Free admission is available from now to Sept. 15. Participants must show their official identification cards at the front gate to receive free admission for themselves and up to four of their immediate family members. For more information, call 769-2600 or visit www.draytonhall.org.