Kadena Base Bulletin, Jan. 12 Published Jan. 11, 2011 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 Passenger Travel Office and Personnel Property office Kadena post office closure Postal Drop Boxes Airmen Dorm Leaders Needed Kadena Annual Award Ceremony Troy joins US Air Force GEM Partnership Consulate General Naha Consular Section Closure Fire safety tip - parking awareness New selective re-enlistment bonus list 18th Medical Group Closure 18th Medical Group Exercise Information Changes to Naha Airport Shuttle Kadena Tax Center free tax services UPCOMING EVENTS Professional Development/Enhancement Seminars Quarterly Birthday Meal Deployed Family Story Time MLK Day observances 2011 KDHS Madrigal Dinner Kadena Commissary Sidewalk Sale Space-A Travel Workshop Kadana's 4th Quarter Awards Ceremony Kadena Falcons Men's Varsity Basketball Team tournament Okinawa Diplomats Youth Futbol Club Soccer Tryouts Banyan Tree Golf Course Four-Person Scramble Healthy pregnancy, healthy baby classes VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Kadena Base Chapel AWANA Montgomery Gentry concert volunteers needed Amelia Earhart Intermediate School tutoring opportunity Tops in Blue Kadena Shogun dragon boat race team 2011 Okinawa Marathon Kadena Tax center OESC Thrift Store volunteers Kadena High School Airmen Against Drunk Driving Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates NOTICES Passenger Travel Office and Personnel Property office delays during LORE The Passenger Travel Office and Personnel Property office in Building 756 will be minimally manned from Jan. 15 to Jan. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. because of the upcoming LORE. Expect delays during this timeframe due to limited services. Please call us at 634-7792/7797 for any further questions. Kadena post office closure The Kadena post office and official mail center will be closed Jan. 17 in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Normal operations will resume on Jan 18. Contact Senior Master Sgt. Jim Dwyer at 634-2155 with any questions. Postal Drop Boxes U.S. mail drop boxes are located at various locations throughout Kadena AB. The intent of these boxes is to provide customers with a convenient means for mailing letter class mail. However, some restrictions do apply. Only personal letter class mail may be deposited into the drop boxes. Articles containing merchandise of any kind require a customs form and must be mailed at the Kadena APO. Also, no official mail may be deposited into the drop boxes. Any article with a unit address in either the To or From portion is considered official mail. Unauthorized mail found in the drop boxes will be returned to sender. If you have any questions, please contact Master Sgt. Anthony Smith at 634-3244. Airmen Dorm Leaders Needed Kadena Unaccompanied Housing must immediately fill five Staff Sgt. and one Tech. Sgt. vacant Airmen Dorm Leader positions (Dorm Managers) with a RNLT date of Feb. 15. Applicants must possess ranks of Tech. Sgt. and Staff Sgt., have a minimum of one year experience as a supervisor, possess leadership and mentorship capability, and not have any record of emotional instability, disciplinary actions, or financial irresponsibility. Applicants must possess ability to speak distinctly and to all levels of rank, possess high standards of military appearance and conduct, have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, supply, accounting, facility maintenance procedures and management of personnel. You must have nine months remaining on your DEROS and not receiving payment from an SRB. This is a two-year controlled non-deployable tour. If you would like to apply for the positions or have any questions or concerns please contact Unaccompanied Housing customer service at 634-4016. Kadena Annual Award Ceremony Kadena Annual Award Ceremony is Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. in the NCO Club Ballroom. This is a semi-formal evening event to honor 18th Wing and Team Kadena nominees. Nominees are the group winners for the award categories of Airman, NCO, SNCO, CGO, First Sergeant, Honor Guard, and Civilian. This year's theme is based on the Emmy Awards; playfully referred to as "Kadenawood". For more information contact your local First Sergeant or Master Sgt. Pettyjohn at chad.pettyjohn@kadena.af.mil. Troy joins U.S. Air Force GEM Partnership Troy University and the U.S. Air Force have formed a partnership that paves the way for Airmen to earn core college credit via the internet. The Air Force's General Education mobile program is a partnership between the Community College of the Air Force and selected civilian academic institutions to offer a 15-hour cluster of general education courses required for the College's Associate of Applied Science Degree. Troy will offer the cluster via its eCampus, making it possible for Airmen to take courses at any time and from any location. For more information, contact Clif Lusk or Tom Davis at 334-670-3196. Consulate General Naha Consular Section Closure The Consular section at the U.S. Consulate General, Naha will be closed to the public Jan. 13-14 for an official function. They will re-open to the public Jan. 18. SOFA status personnel who want to apply for a passport can submit their applications at IPAC or your nearest military passport courier office on your installation. Fire safety tip - parking awareness It takes two minutes for a small fire to grow into a devastating fire. It also takes two minutes for a fire truck to readjust to a situation because access to streets are hindered by cars parked on both sides of small streets, blocking fire hydrants, and vehicles parked around islands. Within that time it could be your belongings that perish or worse a family member. In order to prevent a bad situation, the Kadena Fire Department is asking everyone to be aware of parking in housing. Ask yourself, "could a big fire truck get into my area?" If the answer is "no," speak with your neighbors. Walking an extra block is a lot better than losing everything you own. If you have any questions please contact Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Ruffenach with the Kadena Fire Prevention office at 634-4500. And don't forget to test your smoke detectors. New selective re-enlistment bonus list Airmen should contact the career development element at their servicing military personnel section to determine their eligibility to re-enlist with a SRB entitlement. 18th Medical Group Closure The 18th Medical Group will be closed Jan. 17 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. 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. For after-hours acute medical or dental needs, call medical's Okinawa Clinical Answering Service (OCAS) at 643-4245 or at 098-970-5555 then dial 643-4245 (off-base or using cell phone). For dental, contact the provider on-call at 080-2721-0412 or 639-2324. 18th Medical Group Exercise Information Kadena Clinic will be participating in and supporting our Wing's readiness exercise Jan. 18-21. We will continue to provide medical care, but there may be some delays in service. Changes to Naha Airport Shuttle Effective Jan. 18, the Naha Airport Shuttle will operate two routes a day, seven days a week excluding U.S. federal holidays, PACAF family days and Typhoon Condition 1. Schedules will be posted at the AMC terminal, in the Shogun Inn and at www.kadena.af.mil. Passengers on official orders will have priority. If the schedule does not work for your needs and you have 12 or more passengers on official orders, please contact Vehicle Dispatch at 634-4505 to make other arrangements. In accordance with DoD 4500.36-R and AFI 24-301, transportation will not be provided to commercial airports based solely on the traveler's rank, position, prestige or personal convenience. For more information, contact Vehicle Dispatch at 634-4505 or 634-3345. Kadena Tax Center free tax services The Kadena Joint Tax Center will provide free federal and state tax services, beginning with service members E-1 through E-4, Jan. 24-28, and all other ID card-holders Jan. 31 through Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., walk-in service. Active duty, DoD civilians, SOFA status contractors, and DoDDS teachers as well as the dependents of these sponsors are eligible for the free tax service. Only tax returns prepared by a Kadena Unit Tax Advisor can be electronically filed at the Kadena Tax Center. We cannot prepare your state return if we did not prepare the federal. For questions or an appointment, please call 634-9480/7418. UPCOMING EVENTS Professional Development/Enhancement Seminars The next Airman Professional Development Seminar will be held Feb. 2 , and the next NCO seminar will be held Feb. 8 in the McDaniel Center. For expedited assistance, email 'Kadena Career Advisor' or call 632-9858. Quarterly Birthday Meal Did you celebrate a birthday beetween Oct. 10 to March 11? The 18th Force Support Squadron Food Service team is hosting an ALL-STAR Quarterly Birthday Meal in honor of your special day. Come out to enjoy a "Slam-Dunk" meal, games, and prizes Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Marshall Dining Facility. Wear your favorite NBA gear for a chance to win! You must sign up before Feb. 4 at either the Johnson or Marshall Dining Facility. This event is open to all eligible patrons of the dining facilities. For more information, contact Airman 1st Class Devon Starks at devon.starks@kadena.af.mil or the Food Service staff at 634-1900. Deployed Family Story Time The base library is sponsoring the "Deployed Family Story Time" by FOCUS. Come join FOCUS at the Kadena Base Library every fourth Tuesday of the month at 10-11 a.m. at the base library children's section and enjoy arts and crafts following the story time. Parents/guardians are invited. MLK Day observances: This year's MLK observance at Kadena This year, the MLK Day Committee on Kadena hosts several events to reinvigorate, educate, and improve each other: For school-aged children We will offer school-aged children the opportunity to participate in art projects and essay contests. These efforts will be coordinated by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Cook at 634-1800. Gospel fest Jan. 14, there will be a Gospel Fest at Kadena Chapel 1, from 6-8 p.m. The cost is free and dress is civilian business casual. The goal for this multicultural event is to celebrate how America has made a huge change that much of the world still struggle with. You can R.S.V.P. at this link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/MLK152/anim.cfm. 5K run/walk The final event will be the 5K Run/Walk at the Risner Fitness Center on Saturday, Jan. 15, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Not only is this an event to enhance physical abilities and health, but it also gives the chance to actively participate in the right and freedom to run and walk together. 2011 KDHS Madrigal Dinner The Kadena High School Choral Music Department will host the 6th annual Madrigal Dinner and Kingdom in the Kadena High School cafeteria Feb. 10-12 from 6-8 p.m. each night. This year's Valentine's Day themed performance is titled "Fools Fall in Love." Tickets will go on sale Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. in the Kadena High School choir room. Tickets cost $20 and include entertainment and a meal. For more information, e-mail Tim.Black@pac.dodea.edu or call 634-3459. Kadena Commissary Sidewalk Sale The Kadena Commissary is holding a Sidewalk Sale Jan. 14 -17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special deals on great products. For more information, call 634-1314. Space-A Travel Workshop The Kadena Airman & Family Readiness Center offers a free monthly Space-A Travel workshop to inform and educate service members and their families on Space-Available traveling. A representative from the AMC Passenger Terminal will brief and answer any questions you have. Upcoming workshops will be Jan. 24, Feb. 28, and March 28. The workshops will continuously be offered on the last Monday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. Please call 634-3366 or stop by the A&FRC, Bldg. 220 to register for the workshop. Kadana's 4th Quarter Awards Ceremony The time for Kadana's 4th-Quarter Awards Ceremony is approaching. Effective this quarter, the ceremony location will be the Keystone Theater. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. Jan. 27, but group award nominees must report at 2 p.m. for practice and name verification. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Chad Pettyjohn at chad.pettyjohn@kadena.af.mil. Kadena Falcons Men's Varsity Basketball Team tournament The Kadena Falcons Men's Varsity Basketball Team were crowned champions of the Pacific as they defeated the home favorite Osan Defenders 92-82 in the championship game of the 2010, 25th-annual PACAF Christmas Tournament held at Osan Air Base, Korea. The Falcons will be competing in at the annual MLK tournament at Camp Foster Jan. 14-17. For more information about the team, contact Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth Wright, Falcon's head coach, at 630-4141 or by email at Kaleth.wright@kadena.af.mil. Okinawa Diplomats Youth Futbol Club Soccer Tryouts The Okinawa Diplomats Youth Futbol (Soccer) Club is holding its two-day tryouts Jan. 15-16 at the soccer fields in front of Camp Lester Naval Hospital. Weather back-up dates for the tryouts are Jan. 22-23. Tryout Registration is 8-9 a.m. Saturday and tryouts are 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. The ODYFC will field a 10-U, a 12-U, and a 15-U team this spring. The spring season runs from Jan. 22 to May 15. Prospective players must attend both days of tryouts. This is a competitive soccer club that competes against Japanese schools around Okinawa. All SOFA dependents are welcome. For more info contact Matt Vogel, the club president, at vogelokinawa@gmail.com or Greg Obar, the vice president, at russellobar@hotmail.com. For additional information, visit www.leaguelineup.com/diplomats. Banyan Tree Golf Course Four-Person Scramble Banyan Tree Golf Course will be hosting a Four-Person Scramble Tournament Jan. 15 at 7 a.m. shotgun start, with the sign-up dead line Jan. 12. Players may choose their own team of four or sign up as three or less and be paired by draw. Handicaps will be used to flight the teams. Golfers without an official handicap are welcome to sign up as well. $40 includes greens fee, cart fee, tournament fee, prizes / giveaways, lunch buffett, and a great time! To sign up visit the Banyan Tree Golf Course Pro Shop (Kadena bldg 12). For more information, call 959-3900. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Kadena Base Chapel AWANA Kadena's Base Chapel Protestant Community needs volunteers to help with their AWANA program Sundays from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. This is a bible-based program for children between the ages of 3 years up to 12 years old. The program runs during the school year. A background check will be performed and you will be shown how to help in the age group you prefer. Please e-mail chrisworm@aol.com with any questions. Montgomery Gentry concert volunteers needed The Shilling Community Center is looking for volunteers for the Montgomery Gentry concert at the Hangar #762. Volunteers needed for set-up, tear down, and parking assistants. The set-up will tentatively take place Jan. 27-28 times TBA. Tear down will take place after the show Jan. 28, and parking assistants will be needed to direct traffic Jan. 28 between 5-7 p.m. There will be a Shilling Community Center staff member at Hangar #762, to sign in and direct the volunteers where to go. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact the Montgomery Gentry volunteer POC Carline Gilbert, via email, at carline.gilbert@kadena.af.mil. Amelia Earhart Intermediate School tutoring opportunity Amelia Earhart Intermediate School (3rd - 5th grade) is continuously looking for volunteer tutors for a tutoring program started this past Nov. Tutors are needed 8-8:40 a.m. and 3:10-4:10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are interested in tutoring, please contact Mr. Gerard Santoro at Gerard.santoro@pac.dodea.edu or 634-1329. Tops in Blue The Tops in Blue Team will be arriving at Kadena Jan.13. We are looking for volunteers for the following: LOAD IN and SET UP: It will take place at the Keystone Theater Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. (time may change). For this duty, there will be lifting and carrying, so bring your belts and gloves. Anyone volunteering for these slots may check in at 5 p.m. with family members and watch the show, but you must check in by 5 p.m., before the doors open. SHOW TIMES: There will be one show on Jan 14-15 at 6 p.m., at the Keystone Theater and one show Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. Dress will be dark slacks and neat shirts. For each show, we need 20 volunteers(four backstage-lifting, 12 ushers, four DV escorts). Check-in is one hour before show time. Anyone volunteering for these slots may bring their family members with them when they check in. Once we open the doors there will be no reserved seating except for volunteers and DVs. TEAR DOWN and LOAD OUT: It will take place at the Keystone Theater immediately after the last show, Jan 16, approximately 3:30 p.m. For this duty, there will be lifting and carrying, so bring your belts and gloves. Anyone volunteering for these slots may check in at 1 p.m. with family members, watch the show and then do the tear down. If you are interested in volunteering for Tops in Blue 2011, e-mail jordan.hodnett@kadena.af.mil with the following information: name, rank, squadron, phone number, desired event position, and day you want to volunteer. Family members of volunteers are placed in reserved seating one hour prior to shows. Kadena Shogun dragon boat race team Men and women interested in being a part of Kadena Dragon Boat Race team for the May 5 Naha Dragon Boat Race, are encouraged to attend a team meeting Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Schilling Center Ball room. Team members must be Air Force active-duty, guard, or reserve members, or Department of Defense civilian employees or SOFA status family members at least 18 years old. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Jeanette Espiritu at jeanette.espiritu@kadena.af.mil or 630-4079. 2011 Okinawa Marathon Volunteers from groups, squadrons, private organizations, or as individuals are needed to provide water or cheer on runners at stations along the base route through Kadena during 2011 Okinawa Marathon, Feb. 20. Those interested are encouraged to attend a meeting Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Schilling Ball Room. If you will volunteer as a group, you can send one representative to the meeting. For volunteer sign-up or more information, e-mail hideaki.sakihama.jp@kadena.af.mil or call at 634-1595. 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 service members 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 TRAINED victim advocates. If you were previously trained as a Victim Advocate and would like to continue serving at Kadena, please send an email to 18WG.SARC@Kadena.af.mil to volunteer. Note: We are not currently recruiting for new, untrained advocates, only previously trained. Must be military or GS Civilian. Dependents are not eligible.