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NEWS | Oct. 3, 2007

News briefs

By Public Affairs 437th Airlift Wing

Wing Fitness Challenge today: The following describes the planned activities for Commander's Fitness Challenge to be held at the softball fields near the static display by the Rivers Avenue gate.

Kickball is the designated game: The game will be conducted tournament style with single elimination.

Team composition: Each squadron will be permitted two teams of 10 players per team. There will be 44 teams max.

Arrival time: Teams should arrive at 2 p.m. and spectators/supporters should show at 2:20 p.m. The games will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m.

Location: The games will be played on the four softball fields on Range Road near the Rivers Avenue gate. Parking will be available in the lot behind the static display and at the base picnic grounds parking lot near the recreation center.

Game rules: The kickball games will be conducted using standard baseball rules with changes to shorten the length of a game. The games will be one inning; however, the innings are not based on the traditional three out rule.

Each player on a team gets one opportunity at bat and all players on a team will get their "at bat" during their half of the inning. When one team has completed all of their "at bats," they will switch with the fielding team giving the opposing team the opportunity to have all their players kick.

At the conclusion of the inning and when both teams have fielded and kicked, the score will be tallied and the winner will be determined by who has the most runs.

In the event of a tie: In the event that each team has scored an equal amount of runs, there will be a tiebreaker which will consist of each team selecting one player to spin around 10 times on home plate and run the bases as expeditiously as possible. The fastest individual time will determine the winning team.

Teams should wear the prescribed Air Force physical training uniform; however, the wear of additional fun attire will be permitted. Examples of this include headbands, wristbands, face paint, etc. For more information, contact 2nd Lt Jaffe at 963-5089.

Spotlight

Retirement: The 437th 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Paul Gernon today at 3 p.m. in the 14th Airlift Squadron auditorium. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Amanda Lynch at 963-6081.

Around the base

Midland Park access gate closure: The Midland Park access gate will be closed starting Monday until Oct. 28 due to scheduled renovations at the Rivers Gate inspection area. During the renovation process vehicles requiring access to Charleston AFB via Arthur Drive, must use the Aviation Ave. exit. All commercial and oversized vehicles will be stopped and inspected on in the Arthur Drive extension area prior to entry to Charleston AFB. All normal vehicle traffic transiting Rivers Gate will be unimpeded. For more information, contact the 437th Security Forces operations section at 963-3639.

Appointment of summary court officer for deceased: Capt. Michael McMillan, 14 AS, is detailed as the summary court officer to secure and make proper disposition of the personal effects of Airman 1st Class Michael Thompkins, deceased. Anyone having knowledge of money or property due to deceased, or claims against the estate of the deceased can contact Captain McMillan at 963-7976.

Predatory Lending Regulation change: Monday marked the official implementation date for the Predatory Lending Regulation which places a cap on interest rates for military members at a 36 percent annual percentage rate. Meant to protect servicemembers and their families from predatory loans, this action will impact payday, rent-to-own and refund-anticipation-loan lenders. For further information, contact Barbara Lang from the Airman and Family Readiness Flight at 963-4406.

Oktoberfest 2007: The base will have an Oktoberfest with fun, food and music Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the base picnic grounds. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Kendrick Shropshire at 963-4599.

Pharmacy closure: The pharmacy will be undergoing a major renovation project beginning at the end of October. The project is estimated to take approximately four months. The pharmacy will continue with full services throughout the project. Patients may experience extended delays during this process. We appreciate your patience and understanding. For more information, contact the pharmacy at 963-6569.

National fire prevention week: The base fire department will be conducting unannounced fire drills throughout Charleston AFB Oct. 7 to 13 as part of fire prevention week called "Practice Your Escape Plan." For more information, contact Robert Hoffman at 963-3777.

Family pre-deployment briefing: The A&FRF will be hosting a family pre-deployment briefing every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. for Airmen and their families who are preparing for a deployment within 30 days. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact the A&FRF at 963-4406.

Job services representative: The A&FRF will give Airmen the opportunity to meet with a South Carolina job services representative who will help in the job search process. For more information or to sign up, contact the A&FRF at 963-4406.

Military Child Education Coalition workshops: The A&FRF is hosting workshops for parents of children from birth to 18 years. Parents will receive information and materials that will help them ensure their children's educational success despite frequent relocations, deployments and other challenges faced by military children. For more information or to register, call 963-4406.

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.

Smooth move briefings available online: Air Force legal offices are no longer required to provide "Smooth Move" briefings for potential claimants. A new online briefing can be viewed by claimants from any computer. This briefing can be accessed from the Air Force Claims Service Center public webpage at: http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/claims/. For more information, contact the 437 AW legal office at 963-5502.

General education courses available at education center: Park University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offer general education courses that are needed to satisfy Community College of the Air Force degree requirements. For more information, contact Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at 767-8912 or Park University at 552-7990.

Become job ready while earning college credits: Spouses of active-duty Air Force and activated Reserve Airmen can enroll in a free computer 101 course offered by Trident Technical College and the A&FRF. Classes will be taught by TTC staff for eight consecutive Saturdays beginning Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Only 15 spaces are available and all applicants must go through a simple screening process at a date determined after registration. For more information, contact the A&FRF at 963-4406.

Microsoft Office 2007: The latest version of Microsoft Office 2007 is now available to active-duty Air Force and civilian members for a fraction of the cost. To sign up, access the following Web site from a computer on the AMC-2K domain: https://hup.microsoft.com and enter the AMC Program Code C3F524CBE6 when prompted.

Patriots Point Museum: Patriots Point Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission for active-duty military with an ID card is $13, but admission is free when in uniform. For more information, go to www.patriotspoint.org.

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 you have 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.