CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Action Line Message:
I recently visited the passenger terminal at Charleston AFB and noticed there was not any designated reserved parking spaces for distinguished visitors (O-6 and above) in the parking area across the street from the terminal. I noticed there were reserved DV parking spaces at the base exchange, commissary and base gym. Would it be possible to designate one or two reserved DV parking spaces in the passenger terminal area? I would appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you.
Answer:
Thanks for bringing this issue to my attention. After researching the requirements for "designated" parking, we agree that two DV (one for general or colonels and one for chief master sergeants) parking spaces should be allocated within the passenger terminal parking lot. The 437th Aerial Port Squadron, which controls the terminal, has initiated a work order with the base civil engineers to designate the reserved spaces and post the required signage.
As always, we are constantly striving to improve our customer service methods and sincerely appreciate your feedback. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Master Sgt. Eugene Moore, passenger services superintendent, at 963-3071. Thank you.
Action Line Message:
Hi, I'm a resident in base housing and I was calling because I'm not even sure who to direct this issue to anymore. I've noticed there have been an increased number of stray cats that roam around base housing and they tend to sleep on other people's property -- under different people's vehicles. The more we look around every day, the more it seems to become a problem.
I'm wondering who takes care of this or what can be done to make sure we don't have this problem. I know that there's already a policy as far as people not having their animals outside unattended but, obviously, this is not working and again this problem has increased throughout the past year.
Answer:
I appreciate and share your concern regarding stray cats in military family housing. The 437th Civil Engineer Squadron has received similar feedback from other MFH residents, and has sent out several survey teams to assess and correct this problem. Unfortunately, the cats were not located during those surveys. Although we'll continue to monitor this situation, every MFH resident can help us alleviate this problem by ensuring stray animals do not have access to open food sources.
Additionally, please keep in mind that we do not have trained animal control members at Charleston AFB and rely on local authorities for those services. The Charleston AFB Family Housing Brochure (CAFB Pamphlet 32-201, Chapter 5.4) directs residents to contact the North Charleston Animal Control Section at 745-1015 during the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Outside of those hours, stray animals that pose a personal threat to housing residents should be reported to the 437th Security Forces Squadron at 963-3600. If you have any additional questions, please contact the housing office at 963-3868.
Action Line Message:
Why can't civilian employees assigned to Charleston AFB get paperwork notarized by the legal office?
Answer:
Thanks for bringing this issue to my attention about civilian employees obtaining notary services at Charleston AFB. Unfortunately, Federal law (10 U.S.C. 1044) and service regulatory guidance (AFI 51-504) restricts civilian employees in the United States from receiving legal assistance services including notaries. Based on the relevant regulatory guidance, only stateside stationed civilian employees who need pre-deployment legal counseling are eligible for legal assistance services. For civilian employees serving overseas, however, AFI 51-504 does allow for the provision of legal services due to the lack of American legal resources in the local community.
Civilians who have further questions or concerns about the legal assistance services provided by the base legal office, please contact 963-5570.
Action Line Message:
My complaint concern is that the Air Force base no longer issues base decals for cars. But when I go to Naval Weapons Station Charleston for business or to play golf, they make us go get a pass because our sticker has expired. I was wondering why both bases aren't the same? They are checking our identification cards so why do we need a decal to get on the weapons station? Thank you.
Answer:
Thank you for your feedback regarding base decals. Recently, the Air Force chief of staff delegated the authority to determine decal and registration procedures to installation commanders. After carefully analyzing our security vulnerabilities and other factors such as cost, we decided to eliminate base decals here at Charleston AFB. In short, due to the mandated 100 percent identification check requirement, issuing decals has become redundant. Also, this initiative saves thousands of dollars and hundreds of man-hours spent issuing decals and registering vehicles in an environment where resources have become limited.
Team Charleston members who frequently visit the NWS are encouraged to register their vehicles there because they will provide installation decals. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Bob Trout at 963-3623. Thank you.
Action Line Message:
I am calling in reference to a squirrel problem I believe we have on our base. In December, a squirrel got in the engine compartment of my sport utility vehicle causing $2,600 in damage that I had my insurance company pay for. Last weekend, a squirrel got into the engine compartment of my SUV once again and caused damage. We did report this to the appropriate folks. What we got was that the agency would provide us with a trap and we would have to trap and relocate the squirrel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Answer:
Thanks for bringing this to my attention, and I am sorry for the damage to your vehicle. Squirrels are indigenous to this area, and the abundance of trees in and around the housing areas provide the perfect habitat. While most squirrels do not create a nuisance, they occasionally get inside houses and, in your case, a vehicle. In addition to nesting during the winter, squirrels also build nests in the spring and fall in anticipation of offspring, and one unfortunately chose your vehicle.
With your assistance, we can place a trap near the vehicle, but there is no guarantee this will catch the offending squirrel. According to the base legal office, military members can file a claim for loss or damage at government quarters caused by extraordinary or unusual occurrences. Although your specific situation may not meet this standard for payment, please contact the legal office at 963-5502 to discuss this option.