CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Parking for family day and 2008 "Wing Over Charleston" Air Expo: Parking for family day will only be on the north ramp of the flightline. Saturday, the gates will open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. The two major parking areas will be on the north and south parking ramps. Once they are full, vehicles will be directed to go to the overflow parking areas. If anyone has any questions they can ask for directions at traffic control points. Only emergency vehicles and housing residents can use the commissary gate. Drivers should expect delays between 9 a.m. and noon and 3:30 and 6 p.m. because of traffic back-up and congestion. Road closure on the Arthur Drive extension will be on Friday and Saturday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for the Thunderbird performance.
Spotlight
Retirement: The 437th Civil Engineering Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Rajendra Surajpal Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the 437 CES equipment shop. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Thomas Carrigan at 963-4522.
Around the base
Wing promotion ceremony: The 437th Airlift Wing will host a promotion ceremony 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Base Theater. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Tamekia Bizzell at 963-6386.
POW speaker: There will be a former Vietnam prisoner of war speaker at the Charleston Club Monday at 3 p.m. The speaker will be retired Lt. Col. Tom Hanton who was an F-4 navigator and a prisoner of war for nine months in Vietnam. To reserve a seat, contact Capt. Kenneth Burgi at 963-2171.
Mandatory motorcyclist meeting: There will be a motorcyclist meeting 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Base Theater. It is mandatory for all 437th Airlfit Wing riders and is encouraged for Reservists and civilians. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Michael Kyser at 963-5601.
Volunteer to change the world: Help celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 28 to May 2 by volunteering. To find out about volunteer opportunities, contact the A&FRC at 963-4406.
Mini-spa night for Military Spouse Appreciation Day: This year's military spouse appreciation day will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Building 500. Because of the success of last year's theme, the A&FRC will once again host a "Pamper Yourself" event. Spouses can anticipate relaxing mini massages, facials, waxing and stress-relieving goody bags and door prizes -- free childcare too. To sign up or for more information, call the A&FRC at 963-4406.
2008 Community Assessment survey: Notification cards for the 2008 Community Assessment will be sent out in April to selected active-duty Airmen, Reservists and spouses. The survey is sponsored by the Air Force Integrated Delivery System and the results are used in community action planning at the Air Force, major command and installation levels. For more information, contact Capt. Jonathan Frank at 963-6740.
Help create a new Carolina: Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is looking for some innovative people to help create a "New Carolina." To help in this endeavor, people can participate in the New Ideas for a New Carolina. Those needed are people with a new idea for a business, a job or a process to help bring innovation and new technology to South Carolina. Those with a new idea can submit them to www.newideassc.com before Thursday under one of the following categories: engineering, information technology, bioscience, environmental sustainability and the wild card category. Within each category, the idea will be judged based on the viability, innovation and vision and profit and revenue potential. A grand prize of $5,000 will be awarded to the best idea, four first prizes of $2,500 and five runners up of $1,000. Winners will also receive a scholarship to FastTrac entrepreneurial training programs, and the grand prize winner will have access to a team of mentors to help cultivate their ideas.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the A&FRC will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
Smooth move: Meet with experts who will give good tips and ideas on planning for a smooth permanent change of station move on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Newcomer's tour: Enjoy a free guided tour of Charleston's historic district, Ft. Moultrie and Isle of Palms Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be the responsibility of the participants, but transportation will be provided by the A&FRF.
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 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Family pre-deployment briefing: There are pre-deployment briefings held every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the A&FRC 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. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
New ID card requirements: There has been a change for active-duty Airmen, family members, retirees and civilians who need to be issued new identification cards due to a system upgrade. With this change, all individuals will need to provide two forms of identification. These two forms consist of a primary and secondary identification or document.
The primary identifications or documents include the following:
· Immigration and Naturalization Services forms - I-6888, I-688, I-688A, I-151/I-551
· Military family member ID card or sponsor Department of Defense ID card
· U.S. Coast Guard or Merchant Mariner Card, photo ID card issued by federal, state or local government, U.S. passport, driver's license, or a foreign national ID with photo
The secondary identifications or documents include the following:
· Voter's registration card, birth certificate, social security card, daycare or nursery school record, medical Record, school record, report card, Canadian driver's license, American Indian tribal document, school ID with photo, forms FS-545/DS 1350 or INS Forms I-179,I-197, I-327, N550, N-570, N560 or N-561
Keep in mind that without these two forms of identifications an ID cannot be issued. Thank you for your time and cooperation in this matter. If there are any questions, call customer service at 963-4515.
DEFY youth applications now being accepted: 2008 Drug Education For Youth is a self-esteem building program that provides children with the tools they need to resist drugs, gangs and alcohol. A year-long two-phase program, DEFY begins June 9 and runs through June 20. This two-week leadership camp is followed by a year of monthly mentoring workshops. This program is for any military, retired or DOD employee's children ages 9 to 12. There is no cost to parents or guardians for their child to participate in the program activities and field trips. Each child receives a youth workbook, T-shirts, a ball cap, a backpack, two meals and snacks each day. The second phase includes mentoring workshops one Saturday morning a month during the months of September to April 2009 with graduation planned for a Saturday in May 2009. Registration for youth is required and applications are due Wednesday. For more information contact Evelyn Knight at 963-6849 or Master Sgt. Randolph Scott at 963-3247. Youth applications can be picked up at Building 1000, Room 155.
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 June, 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. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.