CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Spotlight
Change of command: The 15th Airlift Squadron will have a change of command ceremony 10 a.m. April 11 at the Charleston Club. For more information, contact Capt. Bryan Wetzel at 963-2177.
Retirement: The 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. James Thurman today at 10 a.m. in Building 60. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Frederick Malle at 963-8927.
Retirement: The 437 AMXS will host a retirement ceremony for Tech. Sgt. Brian Lauerman today at 1 p.m. in the upstairs auditorium of Building 72. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Larry Brown at 963-6125.
Retirement: The 437th Medical Operations Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Reginald Davis today at 4 p.m. in the base chapel. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Brandon Bennett at 963-6848.
Retirement: The 437th Airlift Wing will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Gloria Thompson April 4 at 3 p.m. in the Charleston Club. For more information, call Senior Master Sgt. Beth Joiner at 963-4088.
Around the base
Wing promotion ceremony: The 437th Airlift Wing will host a promotion ceremony 3 p.m. Monday at the Base Theater. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Tonia Savidge at 963-4594.
Kenny Chesney discount tickets: Military discounts are being offered for tickets to the Kenny Chesney stadium show scheduled for 4 p.m. Apr. 26 at the Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. The buyer will be able to receive $20 off the top two ticket prices; $89.50 tickets would cost $69.50, and $69.50 tickets would cost $49.50. To receive the discount, servicemembers must go to www.thecolonialcenter.com/promotions and type "USA" as the password.
Dads: The Basics Class: A three-session fatherhood preparation class for dads-to-be, led by an experienced father, will be offered April 8 to 10 in Building 1000 from 2 to 4:15 p.m. The following topics will be covered: what to take to the hospital, holding your new baby, breast or formula feeding, diaper bag contents, bathing your baby, managing deployment, coping with crying, hospital terminology and community resources. To register for this class, contact Jim Hernandez at 963-6504.
MPF closure: The 437th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight will be closed Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Wingman Day. If assistance is needed with military identification cards, contact the 315th Airlift Wing Military Personnel Flight at 963-2055.
Single parents support group: A military single parents group is being formed and has scheduled its first meeting for Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in Building 1000. Members interested in participating should contact Staff Sgt. Kerri Csurilla at 743-0306, extension 3072.
OSA scholarship: The Officer's Spouse Association is offering the Silver Wings Scholastic Assistance Awards to both officer and enlisted family members of 1.) military members (active or reserve) based at Charleston and live in the Charleston area, or 2.) Air Force members (active or reserve) based elsewhere, but have family members residing in the Charleston area. Scholarships are available for both family member high school seniors and military spouses attending college. Applications can be picked up at the Education Center or the Airman and Family Readiness Flight and must be postmarked by Sunday. For more information, contact Valerie Todd at 991-7424 or e-mail Jeffrey.Todd25@comcast.net.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Flight will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event call 963-4406.
Heartlink spouse orientation: Come to the A&FRF Tuesday from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn Air Force culture, traditions, military language, benefits, services and mission while making friends. This class is only open to spouses of military members. Childcare issues will be discussed at time of registration.
Sponsor training: Learn the requirements of becoming a sponsor and tips on being an effective and efficient sponsor Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
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.
Uniformed TSP briefing: Learn about the pros, tax advantages and how participating in the Thrift Savings Plan can help supplement retirement income April 4 from 8 to 9 a.m.
CSB REDUX retirement choice briefing: Servicemembers who joined the military on Aug. 1, 1986 or later must make a choice between two retirement plans between the 14.5 and 15 year mark in the military. The briefing will be held April 4 from 9 to 10 a.m.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be at the A&FRF Wednesday to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register on line before the appointment.
Family pre-deployment briefing: There are pre-deployment briefings held every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the A&FRF 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: The A&FRF offers a reintegration seminar every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
315 AW Health and Wellness Center Fair: Reserve, active-duty, retirees, family and friends are invited to come out to 315th Airlift Wing Health and Wellness Fair April 12. Starting at noon there will be a Red Cross blood drive. Then will be a 5,000 meter run starting at the Fitness and Sports Center at 2 p.m.; squadrons will need to bring their guidons. This will be considered an alternate duty location. Shortcuts will be available for those who desire a shorter run. The 5K run will be followed by age-group awards and refreshments. From 2 to 5 p.m. there will be health screenings, running gait analysis, message therapy, health clinic on running, biking and weight lifting, and shoe and fitness equipment vendors in the Hurricane Gym. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Michael Bunting at 963-4633.
DEFY mentors needed: The Drug Education for Youth Program is looking for adult mentors for the 2008 youth summer leadership camp planned for June 9-20. The camp will focus on substance abuse prevention, gang resistance, physical fitness, citizenship, conflict resolution and self-esteem development for youths ages 9 to 12. Applications are required. Mentors are limited to 25 adults. Applications can be picked up at Building 1000, Room 155. Completed applications are due to the DEFY coordinator no later than March 28 and can be e-mailed to evelyn.knight@charleston.af.mil or faxed to 963-6514. For more information, contact Evelyn Knight at 963-6849, Teri Shuler at 963-6514 or Master Sgt. Randolph Scott at 963-3247.
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 dependent 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 April 30. For more information contact Mrs. Knight at 963-6849 or Sergeant Scott at 963-3247. Youth applications can be picked up at Building 1000, Room 155.
Youth baseball and softball registration: Youth t-ball, baseball and softball registration is now underway. T-ball leagues are for boys and girls ages 4 to 6. A youth coed baseball league is open to boys and girls ages 7 and 8. Youth boys baseball is for ages 9 to 14 and a girls softball league is available to ages 9 to 14. The registration fee for all leagues is $45 for the first child and $40 for each additional child. The deadline to register is Tuesday and the season will run from April to May. Before registering a child for any youth sport, at least one parent or legal guardian must have a valid certification from the Parents Association for Youth Sports program. Registrations are accepted at the Naval Weapons Station Youth Center at 764-7890. For more information, contact the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Athletics Office at 764-7530.
Free tax preparation assistance: Free tax preparation services are available through Military One Source to active-duty military members and their families. Contact MOS online at www.militaryonesource.com or call 1-800-342-9647 for more information.
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&FRF 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.