CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Spotlight
Change of Command: The 315th Logistics Readiness Flight will have a change of command ceremony June 22 at 4 p.m. in the Building 60 auditorium. For more information, contact Maj. Jennifer Mitchell at 963-5450.
Around the base
Free base picnic: This year's base picnic will be held June 6-7 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Both days are open to all retiree, active duty, reserve and civilian personnel and their families. The 437th Force Support Squadron will provide free barbecue, along with hot dogs, potato salad and chips each day. The picnic also serves as the base's kick off for 100 percent participation in Air Mobility Command's MatchUP summer rewards program for patrons of force support squadron facilities. The picnic grounds gazebo will be the MatchUP headquarters where the FSS marketing office will be giving out all the details on where and when to get special MatchUP game pieces. They will be able to register participants on the spot. For more information, contact Brandi Griffith, 437th Force Support Squadron special events coordinator, at 963-3816.
Financial briefing: The Airmen and Family Readiness Center will host an informal financial briefing in the pavilion area of the dormitories June 11 at 5:30 p.m. The title of the briefing is "Avoiding the Financial Mosh Pit." Free pizza and soda will be served. For more information, contact Barbara Lang at 963-5448.
Building a happy relationship: The Family Advocacy Program will offer couples communication classes starting July 1 and meeting for six consecutive Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no cost for base personnel and their partners. To register, call Linda Kingery at 963-6972.
Single parents group: Come for friendship, networking, parenting talk, support during pregnancies, cooperative baby-sitting and planning of other fun social activities July 9 in the Chapel Annex at 11:30 a.m. For more information and to confirm, call Staff Sgt. Kerri Csurilla at 743-0306 or Staff Sgt. Takia Braddy at 963-4679.
TAC Hotline number: The Defense Travel Management Office and the Air Force are allowing all Air Force travelers and users who may require assistance to now contact the Travel Assistance Center help desk directly with Defense Travel Systems problems. They may contact the TAC by calling the 888-HELP1GO (435-7146) or via e-mail at dtmo@dtmo.pentagon.mil. Their problem and solution is then worked directly instead of requiring callers to be registered.
Be a host family for Korean children: Team Charleston members are invited to be host families for Korean children from July 24-Aug. 9 while they are in the area for the Experience English Summer Camp 2008. For more information or to apply by June 15, visit www.english-charleston.com/EnglishCamp.html or contact Larissa Kasten at 276-9827.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airmen and Family Readiness Center will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
CSB redux: Learn the pros and cons of the retirement choice by attending this briefing June 13 from 8-9 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.
Uniformed TSP briefing: Learn about tax advantages and how participating in the Thrift Saving Plan can help supplement retirement income June 13 from 9-10 a.m.
Spouses to Teachers: Learn how to pursue a kindergarten through grade 12 teaching degree by attending the briefing Thursday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Eligible members consist of spouses of active-duty members, Selected Reserve and National Guard and individual Ready Reserve recalled to active-duty.
Educational opportunities: Schedule a half-hour appointment to meet with an expert one-on-one to learn how to meet educational goals Tuesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here Wednesday to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments are held from 1-4 p.m. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Pre-deployment briefings are held every Tuesday and Friday from 2-3 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 9-10 a.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
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.
Pharmacy renovation: The pharmacy is undergoing a major renovation project until July, but the pharmacy will continue with full services throughout the project. Patients may experience extended delays during this process. For more information, contact the pharmacy at 963-6569.
Volunteer delivery drivers needed: The Airman's Attic is in need of volunteers to pick up donated items. Volunteers are eligible to participate in an incentive program that provides free or reduced-priced items at places like the golf course, bowling alley, club, car wash and more. Anyone who has an hour or two to spare on an as-needed basis, contact the A&FRC at 963-4406.
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.-2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.