Kadena Base Bulletin, Dec. 15 Published Dec. 14, 2010 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- To submit an announcement for the base bulletin, please email a short paragraph (NOT bullets) containing essential information (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to kadena.basebulletin@kadena.af.mil. Announcements typically run for two weeks beginning two weeks prior to an event. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday to be included in the weekly bulletin email sent on Wednesday. NO FEDERAL ENDORSEMENT OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR ACTIVITIES IS INTENDED. In the bulletin this week at Kadena: NOTICES Notices from Finance: GTC and LES Kadena HRO closure Education and Training Center Kadena post office closures 18th CS service support changes Bumble Bee Food Recall 18th Medical Group Closure Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point Manager's Training Announcement from UMUC AFAS Grant Program Children's Church Coordinator Kadena Christmas Chapel Schedule Veterinary Clinic's Limited Services and Closures Commissary Closings DRMO Withdrawal Zero Overpricing Program AF Academy ADC Office Closures TRICARE Assistance "Face-to-Face" Free College Course for Active Duty Airmen UMUC Asia Scholarships for Military Members and Their Family UPCOMING EVENTS 18th MDG Infection Control Office Information Fair MPOY Softball Tournament SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar Commissary 12 Days of Christmas Give-A-Way VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Kadena Tax center OESC Thrift Store volunteers Kadena High School Airmen Against Drunk Driving Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates NOTICES Notices from Finance: GTC and LES The replacement for the Government Travel Card (GTC) may currently be in your PSC mail box. Please check your mail box weekly and acknowledge receipt of the Controlled Spending Account (CSA) Card. If you have questions about the CSA card please contact your unit Agency Program Coordinator. Check you LES monthly to ensure you are not receiving entitlements for a deployment that has ended. Contact the Finance office via email or walk-in service 0800-1200 M-F to stop erroneous entitlements. Kadena HRO closure The Kadena Human Resources Office will be closed Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an official function. For an emergency, call 634-2330. Education and Training Center The Education and Training Center, Building 59, third floor, will be open from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 17. The office will close at 11 a.m. for an official function and will reopen Dec. 20 at 8:30 a.m. For more information please call 634-1500 option 1. Kadena post office closures The Kadena post office will be closed on Dec. 25 for Christmas Day and Jan. 1 for New Years Day. We will be open on PACAF Family Days and also extend our parcel pick-up hours to 9 p.m. Dec. 24. We kindly ask that you check your mail daily. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Jim Dwyer at 634-2155. 18th CS service support changes The 18th CS is implementing three changes to be more effective and efficient in providing service support: a single telephone number for all inquiries, a single email address for all inquiries and focused customer support hours. The new telephone number - 634-COMM (634-2666)--provides customers a central phone number for all Comm-related issues. The Comm Focal Point (CFP) (634-1078) has been forwarded to 634-COMM, and will be deleted Jan. 1, 2011. The new email address for all Comm-related issues will be 18cs.cfp@kadena.af.mil. The current Kadena Help Desk email box will also be deleted Jan. 1, 2011. 18th CS will also begin scheduling appointments for customer assistance to include SIPRNet/TBMCS/CSA password resets or pickups. It will provide timely support and will allow 18 CS to focus their attention on as much remote assistance as possible. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. walk-in hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wed. from 12 p.m. to 4p.m. 18 CS will have several available technicians to assist walk-in customers. For all other hours, there will only be one available technician to assist walk-in customers, so please plan accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our POC, Capt. Clara Bayne at 634-3357 or Capt. Gee at 634-5305. Bumble Bee Food Recall Message The Suter Company, Inc is recalling approximately 72,000 pounds of canned chicken salad products that may contain foreign materials. The products include: 8.2 ounce packages of "bumble bee lunch on the run chicken salad complete lunch kit" (best by date of 07/11), 3.5 ounce packages of "bumble bee chicken salad with crackers" (best by date of 02/12), 2.9 ounce cans of chicken salad bearing the establishment number "P-169" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the lot code "0225XXQBC." The chicken salad products were assembled between Aug. 14 and Aug. 28, 2010. Bumble Bee products were available on Kadena AB, but have since been removed from shelves. If you have this product, please return it to the place of purchase. For a complete listing of all affected lot numbers and products, please go to the following link: http://www.bumblebee.com/PressRoom/Article29.aspx. If you have any questions, please call Public Health at 630-4520. 18th Medical Group Closures The 18th Medical Group will be closed Dec. 23 for the PACAF Family Day, Dec. 24 in observance of Christmas Day, Dec. 30 for the PACAF Family Day, and Dec. 31 in observance of New Years Day. In case of emergency, please call 911 on-base, 119 off-base, 098-934-5911 from a cell phone, or go directly to the U.S. Naval Hospital Emergency Department. Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point Manager's Training A Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point Manager's Training Class will be held Dec. 16 at the Environmental office, Bldg 3621. Registration for the class will begin at 7 a.m. and the class will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude about 3:30 p.m. Admission to the class for Primary and Alternate Accumulation Point Managers requires a copy of the current appointment letter. Individual letters are required for recordkeeping purposes, one letter admits one student. Unit Environmental Coordinators also require a current appointment letter. Supervisors who are required to attend, but are not active in the management of the accumulation point, and personnel taking the class for familiarization may attend without documentation. There will be a final exam at the end of the class. Questions should be directed to Mr. Mumper at 634-2117. For convenience we have a drink vending machine but no snack machine. If you want snacks please bring them. Announcement from UMUC University of Maryland University College Asia is now accepting registration for the Winter Session and Spring Session. The winter session is all face to face classes starting from Dec. 20. This session is only 4 weeks for the same three credit hour courses. For Spring Session 1, face to face classes are starting from Jan. 16, and online classes are starting from Jan. 24. Tuition rates are $570 for a three-credit hour class. Please go to http://www.asia.umuc.edu/areas/scheduleindex.cfm for course schedule. To register for the class, sign in http://my.umuc.edu then click "My Academic" -> "Registration/Enrollment" -> "2011 Spring" ->"Add Class". To apply for admission please go to http://my.umuc.edu then click "Apply Online." Any SOFA ID card holder and Japanese local national employees are eligible for admission. For any assistance or questions, please call the UMUC field representatives at 634-7383 or 098-961-4383. AFAS Grant Program The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) provides $2,000 grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired Reservists with more than 20 qualifying years of service, and deceased Air Force members. Also, spouses residing stateside of active duty and surviving spouses of deceased, for their undergraduate studies. Visit the Society's web site at www.afas.org for information and application for the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program or call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 634-3366. Children's Church Coordinator The Kadena Chapel has an opening available for the Protestant Community Children's Church Coordinator. Closeout date for bid and resume submissions is Jan. 4 by 4:30 p.m. at Chapel Two. Interviews will be conducted Jan. 5. Maximum allowable bid for this contract will be set at $12,000 annually with a public bid opening 5 p.m., Jan. 6 at Chapel Two. Bid packages are available on kadenachapel.org or by email to the CTOF Contract Monitor. For more information, please call the contract officer Staff Sgt. Fair Rezanka at 634-1288 or 098-961-1288 by cell phone. Kadena Christmas Chapel Schedule Chapel One will be hosting all Catholic masses, beginning with an Advent reconciliation service Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 there will be a children's choir Vigil Mass held at 5 p.m., a brass ensemble Vigil Mass at 7 p.m., and a midnight mass. All Christmas masses will be preceded by 30 minutes of caroling. Chapel Two will be holding a Christmas Eve candlelight service Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Chapel Three will be holding a Christmas Eve candlelight service Dec. 24 at 1700. Additionally, Chapel Three will be holding a New Year's Eve celebration beginning at 10 p.m. Veterinary Clinic's Limited Services and Closures The veterinary clinic will have limited services starting Dec. 13 due to transitioning to the renovated clinic, Bldg 731. The clinic will continue to offer health certificate, vaccine, and minor sick call appointments. The clinic will close at 12 p.m. Dec. 17 for an official function, will be closed Dec. 24, 30 and 31 for the holidays and inventory, and will close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-29. Commissary Closings Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, the Kadena Commissary will open and close early from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow employees to enjoy the holidays. Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, the Kadena Commissary will be closed. They will reopen the following day at regular hours. DRMO Withdrawal Anyone requiring removal of property for DRMO Okinawa, for FB/FE5270, is required to submit their request to the 18 LRS Customer Support Element. The maximum reutilization of excess property in the DRMO is highly encouraged for authorized military purposes. If your organization would like to retrieve items from DRMO, please access the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) website at http://www.drms.dla.mil/drmo/okinawa.shtml and contact us at 18lrs.lgrmcccustomersupport@kadena.af.mil. We will assist in the removal procedure from DRMO at Camp Kinser. For more information or questions about the withdrawal of assets from DRMO, please contact Ms. Maki at 634-2426 or Mr. Esa at 634-4109. Zero Overpricing Program The 18 Logistics Readiness Squadron wants to put money in your pocket! The purpose of the Zero Overpricing Program (ZOP) is to create an avenue for our customers to challenge any item suspected of having a pricing error. This is a simple process that can earn the challenger a substantial cash award through the Air Force Suggestion program. Submit AF Form 1046 to 18LRS Customer Support Section at 18634-3091. Replies are usually received within 45 days, and the member submitting the request is not required to still be stationed at Kadena to receive a monetary award. For more information, or questions about the ZOP, please contact Tech. Sgt. Holloway at 632-8534 or Mr. Esa at 634-4109. AF Academy All active duty Airmen interested in applying to the AF Academy or AFA Prep School are encouraged to submit an AF 1768 to the 18 FSS/FSDE Education and Training Center as soon as possible. To be eligible Airmen must be single and less than 23 as of July 1, 2011 for the Academy, and less than 22 years of age for the AF Academy Prep School. The commander's recommendation is to be attached to the AF 1786. For more information contact Mary Jo Kelly at the Education & Training Center, Bldg 59, or call 634-1500. ADC Office Closure The Office of the Area Defense Counsel (ADC) will be closed Dec. 13-17 for a Pacific Region defense conference. They will reopen Dec. 20. TRICARE Assistance "Face-to-Face" The TRICARE Assistance Program brings short-term professional counseling assistance directly into the home. Beneficiaries with a computer and webcam can speak "face-to-face" with a licensed counselor over the Internet at any time of the day or night. Eligible beneficiaries can access TRIAP an unlimited number of times, and these non-medical services are confidential and do not become part of military health records. To learn more about the behavioral health care options available through the Department of Defense and TRICARE, visit Tricare.mil and click on the link titled Mental Health. Free College Course for Active Duty Airmen Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication, CLTR202, fulfils the three resident hours of either Social Science or General Education Elective credit required for the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Associate of Applied Science degree. Students are provided the course and all instructional materials at no cost. Access to the internet for occasional research is required. The 12 module self-paced course includes a midterm and final. The term dates are Feb. 17 to Jun. 8. For more information and application instructions contact the 18 FSS/FSDE Education and Training Center in Bldg 59 or call 634-1500 opt 1. UMUC Asia Scholarships for Military Members and Their Family UMUC Asia offers the Orkand Family Military Scholarships for military spouses for the Spring Sessions. Spouses of active-duty enlisted service members can enroll in the scholarship to receive $1,000 per semester towards the cost of tuition. Okinawa students enrolling in Asian Studies courses can win $1,000 for tuition and books. For application, log on to http://www.asia.umuc.edu/finaid/. Contact your local field representative or the UMUC Asia Financial Aid Office (225-3680) for any questions or information regarding available financial aid programs. UPCOMING EVENTS Deployed Spouse Dinner *Time and Location Change The monthly deployed spouses dinner is the 3rd Saturday of every month and has an important time and location change this month. This month's dinner will be Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. at the Security Forces main building, Building 705. The dinner is open to all spouses and children of a deployed or TDY servicemember of all services. Childcare is available on-site. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. at the door. RSVP is requested for the dinner by calling 634-3366. 18 MDG Infection Control Office Information Fair The 18th Medical Group Infection Control Office is hosting an Information Fair at the Kadena Base Exchange, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will representatives from the medical group with information on flu prevention, hand hygiene, preventative care, Health and Wellness Center classes, the TRICARE office and medical group contact information. There will be lots of handouts, and pamphlets for you to take and medical group staff on hand to answer questions. For further information, contact Capt. Barbara McQueen at 630-4995. MPOY Softball Tournament This tournament is a fundraiser for the Maintenance Professional of the Year (MPOY) Banquet. All squadrons and sister services are welcome to enter their team(s) to participate. Off-base teams are welcome as well. The entry fee is $150 per team. The tournament will be held Dec. 17-19 at the 4 Diamonds Sports Complex. Time scheduled for the 17th is 4:30 p.m. to midnight, 18th is 7 a.m. to midnight, and the 19th is 7 a.m. until end of the championship game. Refreshments will be available for purchase during the event. To have a team entered or if anyone has questions or concerns, POCs for the event are Staff Sgt. Jason Shaver, Jason.Shaver@kadena.af.mil or 632-5203 and Senior Airman Jeffrey Bruce, Jeffrey.Bruce@Kadena.af.mil or 632-5025. SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar The Professional Development Center will be hosting its end of the year SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar Dec. 20-22 at the McDaniel Center (Bldg 3445). This seminar is for E-7 supplementals that could not participate in the big induction seminar this past summer. Please sign up via https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/ASPs/CoP/OpenCoP.asp?Filter=OO-DP-PC-06 or contact SSgt Richard Johns via email or 632-9858. Commissary 12 Days of Christmas Give-A-Way Come and experience the exciting 12 Days of Christmas Give-A-Way at the Kadena Commissary. Our industry partners will be giving away gifts and prizes daily to lucky winners through Dec. 24. Santa promised to visit the commissary Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. with more prizes and goodies. Also, at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 15, the Sterley Heights Elementary choir will serenade shoppers. Contact Edward Kleckner, Assistant Store Director Kadena Commissary, at 634-2331. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Kadena Tax center The Kadena Tax Center is looking for volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Kadena has traditionally had one of the best tax programs in the Air Force. For tax year 2009, Kadena Tax Center Unit Tax Advisors (UTA) helped prepare 4,992 returns, saving servicemembers over $730,000 in tax preparation fees. Airmen interested in volunteering should check with their leadership before volunteering. Dependent spouses are also eligible to volunteer. For information or to submit UTA names, contact Elaine Reeves, Chief Tax Advisor, at 634-7825 or by e-mail at elaine.reeves@kadena.af.mil. OESC Thrift Store volunteers The OESC Thrift Store and Uncle Sam's Attic is always in need of hard working volunteers to sort donations, hang clothes, stock merchandise and help organize our uniform room. This is the perfect place to volunteer, have a great time, and get to know others - all while helping a worthy cause since our profits are donated to local American and Japanese charities and organizations. To volunteer, simply come in during our business hours and read and fill out our volunteer handbook. Business hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kadena High School tutors Kadena High School is looking for volunteer tutors and mentors for the Homework Academy offered to students Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the first and third Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Susan Paul at susan.paul@pac.dodea.edu or 634-3455. Airmen Against Drunk Driving Each shift requires a three-person team: a dispatcher, a driver, and a passenger. The first shift goes from 9 p.m. to midnight, and the second from midnight - 3 a.m. Service will be provided on weekend nights during those hours to all Team Kadena members. AADD is located at the USO. Volunteers will have access to the internet, cable television, movies, and video games. Please contact the Executive Schedulers, Airman 1st Class Scott Cole or Senior Airman Jared Micks, to volunteer. You can also find us on global, listed under AADD Executive Council. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates The SARC is looking for volunteers to become victim advocates. VAs will be taught how to train other advocates on what is involved with being a VA. Men are especially needed at the SARC as they do not have enough male advocates to help others with their situations. If you are looking to become a VA, and have the time to help, please send an email to 18WG.SARC@Kadena.af.mil to volunteer.