Fairchild briefs Published March 12, 2009 FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The following is a list of upcoming Fairchild events and education briefs. Highlighted Events: NORI/ORI Pep Rally Col. Robert Thomas, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, invites Team Fairchild to a Operational Readiness Inspection Pep Rally at the Base Theater on Friday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m. Let's get together as a team, fill up the theater, and cheer it up as we get ready to show the Inspector General that we are the best! Child Care during NORI/ORI The Child Development Center and School Age Program will be extending operating hours to accommodate those families directly affected by the Operational Readiness Inspection. Beginning March 19, both programs will open at 5:30 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. Families are required to sign up for care at the CDC or SAP. Staffing will be determined based upon those sign ups, so carefully consider your needs prior to signing up. Extended hours will be offered from March 19-20 and 23-27. The CDC and SAP will charge families an hourly rate ($3.00) for any hours over their normal allotted weekly child care hours (50 per week). The Family Child Care Extended Duty Care Program stands ready to assist those families that require care outside of the dates and times provided by the CDC or SAP. This program offers free child care for those families directly affected by the ORI. To make reservations for the Extended Duty Care program contact the Family Child Care Coordinator at 247-5336 or the Extended Duty Care Provider, Amy Lasher at 244-7093. If you have any questions concerning child care options contact the Airman and Family Services Flight Chief, Stacy Compton at 247-2005. Indoor pool re-opening The indoor pool will reopen for normal business March 16 at 6 a.m. Operating hours vary based on the type of program and mission requirements. Call 247-2242 or 247-5920 for more information. Office Closure and Relocation The Military Personnel Section, Civilian Personnel, Customer Service and Casualty Affairs Office have re-opened in building 2040 - the old Comm Squadron building, next to 92nd Security Forces Squadron and across from Command Post. For more information contact numbers the following numbers: MPS Customer Service: 247-4029 MPS Career Development: 247-3226 MPS Force Management: 247-9200 Casualty Affairs: 247-4488 CPO Customer Service: 247-4834 Heart Link Heart Link, a spouse's orientation to the military lifestyle class, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 13 at Club Fairchild. The class will help spouses learn military acronyms, protocol, rank, benefits and entitlements, resources on base and local area information. This is also an opportunity to meet and network with other spouses. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and childcare will be reimbursed. To register, call 247-2246. Prescription Re-fills Stop by the Main Pharmacy one week prior to the Operational Readiness Inspection to stock up and fill all necessary prescription medications. Call 247-5568 for more information. Finance Lobby Hour Change In preparation for the upcoming Operation Readiness Exercise the Finance Lobby will change its opening hours from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Friday during February and March. Contact Master Sgt. John Green at 247-8167 for additional information. Upcoming Events: March13: Budget Family Night From 5 to 8 p.m. Club Fairchild will be serving all you can eat Ale House fish. Photo frames and a child friendly movie will be available for children who attend. March 14: Second Harvest and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Food Drive As part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Second Harvest and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are partnering to host a food drive for the hungry in our community. 12 volunteers are needed to assist with parade line-up and traffic control in the parade assembly area located in the parking lot across from the Spokane Arena on Boone. Volunteer shifts begin at 9 a.m. and end at approximately 1 p.m. All volunteers will receive a St. Patrick's Day volunteer t-shirt and pizza will be served to volunteers in the parade assembly area at 1 p.m. Report to Julie at the white tent in the parking area on Boone at 9 a.m. March 16: Operation Purple Summer Camp Registration The National Military Family Association announced that Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center was chosen to host a popular Operation Purple summer camp in 2009. The Association developed this free summer camp program in response to the need for increased support for military children, especially those whose parents are or will be deployed. Military children who attend camp will have the opportunity to learn the skills to cope the stress of a deployment and make friends with other kids who are also missing their parents. Sessions are for Military children between the ages of eight and twelve and will be held August 2 to 7 and 9 to 14. Activities include the inner tubing creek, challenge course, Branding Iron Climbing Tower, archery, slip and slide, fishing, hikes, campfires, and crafts. Applications will only be accepted online. Sign up at www.operationpurple.org to receive email notices and camp updates. Each camp is "purple" and open to children of service members of any branch of Service, active duty, National Guard or Reserve, as well as children of members of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Camps are free to all participants thanks to support from the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation. March 17: St. Patrick's Day Lunch Club Fairchild is celebrating St. Patrick's day with a feast. Plate special will be corned beef with cabbage. The meal cost $7 for FAN members and $9 for non-members. Children ages three to 10 eat for half price. Children under the age of three eat for free. March 19: Core Strength and Dynamic Stability Workshop Learn the basics of core strength and how to incorporate the techniques learned to create a more effective fitness program. For more information contact the Fitness Center at 247-2791. March 28: Military Appreciation Day at Lookout Pass All Active Duty, dependents, and civilian employees get free lift tickets at the mountain. Just show your ID Card. Outdoor Recreation will offer a special one-day rate for ski or snowboard rentals for that weekend. Call 247-5920 for more information. April 6: A&FRC Love and Logic Parenting series The Airman & Family Readiness Center is offering the Love and Logic Parenting series in April, the Month of the Military Child. Love and Logic provides simple, practical techniques to help parents have less stress and more fun while raising responsible kids. The series offers many useful techniques which parents can use immediately. Love and Logic will help you determine what type of parenting style you use, what will/will not work with your kids, and gives you great responses for many situations. Love and Logic is easy to use, raises responsible kids, and changes lives! The first session begins April 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The series continues for six consecutive weeks, through May 11. Call 247-2246 to register. Ongoing Notifications: Document Automation and Productive Service For all 92 ARW print request such as posters, storyboards, graphics, logos, pamphlets, factsheets, booklets, magazines, large photos, and document conversion, contact DAPS in the following areas: DAPS Puget Sound, Bremerton, WA. (360)476-2640 DAPS Bangor, Silverdale, WA. (360)315-4005 DAPS Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, WA. (253)967-4544 DAPS Walla Walla, Walla Walla, WA. (509)527-7231 DAPS EDMS DDPW Puget Sound, Puget Sound NSY, WA. (360)476-8606 Plan ahead and allow a five to ten business day turn around. Walk MS Spokane On April 5 at the Riverside State Park walk to cure Multiple Sclerosis. Walk MS is a 2- or 5- mile walking event for all people who share the dream of a cure for multiple sclerosis. Last year over 250,000 walkers came together in over 700 communities nationwide and rose over $60 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Here in the Inland Northwest Chapter, over 2000 participated in our four Walk sites. The goal is to recruit as many teams as possible. Teams can benefit both the company and their employees. Companies benefit by increasing positive image and visibility in the community, while building employee unity and boosting morale with no cost to the company. Most important is the team members have a great time coming together to help others in their community. Log on to www.nationalMSsociety.org/wai to learn more about Walk MS and register to be a team captain. May 15 and 16: Relay for Life The theme for the 25th anniversary Relay for Life is "Go for the Gold" Team registration fees are $100, which pays for the team t-shirts. Teams are nine to fifteen members. If you would like to be a sponsor for the event, the $100 fee is waived. Teams and Survivors can register at www.relayforlife.org/cheneywa. Any questions, contact Lori Ruff at 235-8441 or 299-6035 and Carol Golden at 235-2905. Airmen's Diaries The Airmen's Diaries program is intended to directly link deploying Airmen with U.S. based media outlets in their hometowns or communities surrounding their current duty station. This direct connection allows Airmen to tell their stories in an incremental dialog format. The concept relies on submissions in a journal entry format, which can be published in newspapers or blogs in order to share Airmen's personal deployment stories. Deployed Airmen are valuable Air Force communicators and their missions and experiences provide excellent opportunities to build public trust and support. Any Airmen interested in this program is required to work with the public affairs office prior to being involved with the program for operations security and media guidance. For more information or to get involved, contact the 92nd ARW Public Affairs Office at 247-5705. Wood Craft Center closure Effective Feb. 17 the Wood Craft Center will be closed for structural repairs until further notice. For more information call Richard Hummer at 247-5189. Teen Aviation Camp The Air Force Services Agency, in conjunction with the United States Air Force Academy is offering the 10th Air Force Services Teen Aviation Camp from May 30 to June 4, 2009 at the USAFA in Colorado Springs, CO. This camp is for high school students entering their Sophomore or Junior year in the fall of 2009, who are interested in Aviation, Leadership or the USAFA. All lodging, meals and program costs are at no cost to participants. Selectees will be required to fund their own transportation to and from the camp. An application, interview and familiarization exam are required. Pick up application materials at the Teen Center. Application deadline to Youth Programs is March 13. For more information call John Smith at 247-5531, or the Teen Center at 247-8043. Air Force Space Camp The Air Force Services Agency is offering the Air Force Space Camp from July 26 to Aug. 1, at Huntsville, Alabama. The camp is a residential six-day program that shows youth firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut. Activities include simulated space shuttle missions, training simulators, rocket building and launches, scientific experiments, and lectures on the past, present, and future of space exploration. More information on the camps is available at www.spacecamp.com. The camp is divided into two age divisions: ages 12-14 for the regular camp and ages 15-18 for the advanced camp. All lodging, meals and program costs are at NO COST to participants. Selectees will be required to fund their own transportation to and from the camp. An application, interview, educational transcripts, and resume are required. Please pick up application materials at the Teen Center. Application deadline to Youth Programs is April 10. For more information call John Smith at 247-5531, or the Teen Center at 247-8043. 2009 officer spouses club scholarship To acknowledge outstanding high school seniors, the Officers' Spouses Club is offering college scholarships. High school seniors who have earned a 3.2 grade point average or higher should apply for the scholarship through an application with the OSC at Fairchild by March 6. For more information contact Libby Moore at 995-1226. Sing up for British Soccer Camp British Soccer Camps is the largest soccer camp provider in the US and Canada. Over 100,000 players will learn the "Challenger Way" in camps and clinics this year. "The Challenger Way" focuses on challenging players to improve with maximum participation, maximum touches on the ball, and maximum fun. There are no line drills, no long speeches and lots of encouragement. Sign up now to participate in the 2009 Aug. 17-21 season. Visit http://www.challengersports.com for more information Story tellers wanted The Deel Community Center is looking for volunteers to read stories to children Tuesdays afternoons. If you are interesting in volunteering, contact Tad Miles, Deel Community Center Director, at 247-2619. Free: Learn a new language Rosetta Stone Online Language Learning Center accounts are currently available for active duty personnel assigned to Fairchild. Rosetta Stone gives you the flexibility to fit language learning into your life whenever it's convenient. There are more than 30 languages, including the "investment" languages, like Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Persian, Hindi and Pashto, that the U.S. Department of Defense deems critical to national security. Visit the Base Library, call 247-5556 or email brian.gaw@fairchild.af.mil for more information. FunSpot skate park now open Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly passes are available. The skate park is for ages 8+ only. Children 12 and under must have adult supervision at all times. Call the FunSpot at 247-2422 for details. American Red Cross is Back at Fairchild A Red Cross representative is now available at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by and learn more about the Service to Armed Forces program, check out volunteer opportunities or sign up for one of the free classes offered in February. Call 326-3330 for more information or stop by the A&FRC during posted hours. Free: Preschool Story Time at the Library Every Wednesday, starting at 10 a.m. the Library will be offering free Preschool Story Time. For More information call 247-5556. Pet care requirements for on-base housing With the significant changes in our local weather, owners are reminded of their responsibilities for pets that are allowed outside. Fairchild Air Force Base Instruction 31-101 paragraph 8.20.5.3 states: Keep the pet properly fed, sheltered and watered. Pets must have continual access to water throughout the day. Pet owners will provide an adequate weatherproof shelter appropriate for the season. Black watch cap now authorized in blues The 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander has temporarily authorized the wear of the black watch cap with blues and appropriate outer garments; however, grade insignia will not be worn. Children's story hour every Tuesday at the Family Oasis Enjoy a good book with the children every Tuesday at the Family Oasis 10 to 11 a.m., where storytellers will share their favorite books and adventurous stories with the kids. Contact the Deel Community Center at 247-2619 for details. Playgroup time at the Family Oasis Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday the Family Oasis will host a free kids playgroup between 3 to 4:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend. Call 247-2619 for more information. Make the most of your money The Personal Financial Counseling Program offers a variety of free financial services to Airmen and their families. The program includes family budgets, spending plans, credit management, debt liquidation, taxes, veteran's benefits and more. Normally $150 for each session, the program is offered free to all military members and families. For more information, contact Steve at 247- 2246. Gas Mask fit testing Bioenvironmental Engineering hours for gas mask fit testing are Mondays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to bring your mask and eyeglass inserts. For fit testing under the Base Respiratory Protection Program, fill out the Medical Evaluation Questionnaire, Fairchild Air Force Base Form 227. Fit testing and training is held the first and third Thursday of every month 1:30 to 4 p.m. Do not smoke for two hours prior or eat or drink (except water) 30 minutes prior to a fit test. For appointments call 247-2391. 92nd LRS mobility and weapons name change The 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron mobility and weapons have changed their name to Personal Protective Equipment. If you require personal protective equipment bags or weapons drop in Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon. For short-notice deployment requirements, unit deployment managers should call 247-4930 or 247-2154 for appointments noon to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Webcams for deployed spouses The Airman & Family Readiness Center now has operational Web cameras in the Discovery Center. Family members can talk directly to loved ones in some deployed locations. Stop by from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week or call the A&FRC at 247-2246 to schedule an appointment during after-hours use. They also have Web cameras to check out for home use. Readiness and deployment information is available for your family needs. Fairchild swim teams Be a part of one of the two Fairchild swim teams. Practices are held at the indoor pool; all levels of experience are welcome and swim all year. The Aqua Aviators Novice Swim Team meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants are 18 years and under. The monthly cost is $30. The free Masters Swim Team meets Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Participants must be over the age of 18. Call Cherese McCoy at 247-2991 or stop by the pool during practice times for more information or to sign up. Brazilian Jujitsu every first and third Tuesday Brazilian Jujitsu lessons are available at the Survival Fitness Center every first and third Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Classes are $20 monthly and are available to members and dependents of Fairchild age 16 and older. For more information call Staff Sgt. Aaron Kuckovic at 247-2301 or Tech. Sgt. Gregory Karlis at 247-5394. Public Health walk-in hours for pre-deployers In an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the pre-deployment medical process, Public Health has established walk-in hours for medical processing of pre-deployers every Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Customers will continue to be seen outside of these hours Monday through Friday by appointment only. Appointments can be made in person or by calling 247-8486. Thrift Shop accepting consignments and donations The Thrift Shop is currently accepting consignments and donations for spring and summer clothing. Thrift Shop hours are: Mondays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the first Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the Thrift Shop at 247-5913 for more information. Attention all Fairchild communication systems users The use of government communication systems such as, but not limited to, telephones, fax machines, computers, computer networks (including internet access), cellular phones, PDAs, Blackberrys and hand-held radios constitutes consent to monitoring. Also, please ensure that all government owned and issued telephones, fax machines, PDAs, Blackberrys, cell phones, hand held radios and standalone computers have an attached DD form 2056. For more information call David Brown at 247-4583. Education Briefs: Online CLEP/DANTES New CLEP/DANTES online preparation materials have been added to this site: http://snipurl.com/1mpnm. See 'testing' under Programs and Services for the latest test descriptions, open courses, video lectures, audio streamline, outlines and quizzes on multiple subjects. Leadership Skills Class Develop your leadership skills through Force Development Education courses offered free of charge every month at the Base Education Center. FDE offers an opportunity for your personal growth with courses in career management, effective communication, productive relationships, giving effective feedback, understanding leadership growth and developing cooperative learning in training programs in the workplace. The class is open to all military and civilian personnel; however, some courses are limited to certain ranks. Contact Dennis Ottmar at 247-4209 or email dennis.ottmar@fairchild.af.mil with any questions about enrollment. Park University On-site and Internet classes for the second spring term will begin March 16. Registration is in progress for online and onsite classes. Be sure to register early for Internet courses. More information may be found on the Park University Website at www.park.edu/fair or contact the Park University, Fairchild Campus Center, at 244-2020 or by e-mail at fair@park.edu. The Park Student Success Center is a one-stop center where students, staff, faculty and other University constituents can phone or e-mail to have questions answered, receive help, and/or be directed to the appropriate resource. The PSSC goal is to provide excellent customer service in a timely and consistent manner, and it will serve all undergraduate online and extended Campus Center students from initial recruitment, through admissions, academic advising and graduation. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Central Standard Time. Contact the Center at (877) 505-1059, pssc@park.edu, or via fax at (816) 584-2150. On base Community Colleges of Spokane classes Fairchild's Spring classes will begin March 23. They are offering general education and computer and math Labs. Registration began Feb. 11. Register early to ensure class availability. To schedule an advising appointment with a counselor or to ask questions, please call 533-8937. Web registration will be available for current students. Credit classes are offered by the Institute for Extended Learning and are accredited through Spokane Falls Community College and follow the curriculum adopted by and standards established by SFCC.