ON-FINAL NEWS BULLETIN – June 5, 2020

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mary Begy
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

ON-FINAL NEWS BULLETIN – June 5, 2020 (Vol 40, No. 6)

(Click headline to follow link to story and photos)

Fitness testing suspended until Oct. 1
The fitness testing change, which is an update from the original June 1 resume date, is effective immediately.

Air Force delays mandatory wear-date for 2PFDU, OCP items
In an effort to reduce unnecessary stress on Airmen and Space professionals during COVID-19 restrictions, several uniform changes scheduled to become mandatory for the Operational Camouflage Pattern and Two-Piece Flight Duty Uniform on June 1, 2020, have been delayed to Sept. 1, 2020.

Final changes to Air Force song announced
All stanzas of the Air Force song have been updated to better capture and represent the valor and heritage of the 73-year-old service while also recognizing the diversity and contributions of today’s Total Force regardless of gender.

Tinker Update: 27 May 2020
For 27 May, Tinker AFB remains in HPCON Charlie due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest COVID-19 confirmed case is a member of the 507 ARW from building 1030. Health officials are actively tracing all recent movements and contacts in conjunction with affected units and local health authorities. Anyone considered to have been exposed to increased

Reserve Officer Development Categories
On October 21, 2019 the Air Force announced it formally established six officer developmental groupings for active component line officers that took effect in March 2020 for the lieutenant colonel promotion board which convenes in May 2020.

Coping with COVID-19; home schooling
Reserve Citizen Airmen cope with the COVID-19 crisis in both their military and civilian careers.

Memorial Day message
Memorial Day not only marks the transition from Spring to Summer, but it is a day to remember those who fought and died in service to our country. It is a time-honored practice in our great Nation marked by celebrations, remembrance ceremonies, parades, picnics and family gatherings across the country. This year’s celebrations will look different in

507th ARW June enlisted promotions

Fiscal Year 2020 UTA schedule available
June UTA (Please see your leadership for more information) June 6-7 UTA A, June 20-21 UTA B

MESSAGE FROM AIR FORCE RESERVE LEADERS

Heroes of the Air Force Reserve,

This is a somber time in our country. Many of us witnessed the protests erupting across the nation, sparked by the deaths of Ahmad Arbery, Breona Taylor, and George Floyd. The deaths of these Americans reflect the inequalities and disparities within our society. You may have asked, 'how are we still dealing with racism and bigotry 56 years after the Civil Rights Act was signed outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?' Good question, to which there may be no satisfactory answer. 

Our society is imperfect, but each of us can make positive changes within our spheres of influence. The Command Chief and I have taken steps every day of our careers to foster an environment where every Reserve Citizen Airman is treated fairly, is valued, and feels their contributions are valued regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or orientation…and we will not stop. But there is more that we all can do. The Command Chief and I have already begun exploring ways we can engender a more equitable environment within the Air Force Reserve. We encourage you to begin by taking this opportunity to have those tough conversations about our values and treating everyone with decency, respect and equality, especially with regard to race. Often times it is hard to have these discussions, yet respectful and apolitical conversations have served as a catalyst for change and are the bedrock this country will survive on. It shows you care. This is also a time for self-reflection and understanding that we may have unconscious bias. 

Our diversity is our strength. Our individual, unique perspectives makes us an effective team. What binds our team together is greater than what separates us. Remain true to our core values - Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do. Racism does not fit within these values. There is zero tolerance for this within our ranks, and any semblance will be rooted out. Our Equal Opportunity and Inspector General's offices are excellent resources for our Reserve Citizen Airmen.

The Command Chief and I appreciate you - you are a part of the Air Force Reserve family.  Be there for each other and we will be stronger for it. Thanks for all you do. We are proud to serve alongside you.  

TIMOTHY C. WHITE JR.                       RICHARD W. SCOBEE
Chief Master Sergeant, USAF            Lieutenant General, USAF
Command Chief                                   Commander

UPCOMING EVENTS

507th ARW & 513 ACG Blood Drive
Sunday, June 7
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Look for the Bloodmobile!

To schedule an appointment,
contact Andrea Williams at andrea.williams.3@us.af.mil.

Every Donor Can Receive a Free COVID-19 Antibody Test*
*Test results will be mailed post-donation. *This test has not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration and is not the intended for diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.*Must be 18-years-old or older to receive antibody test.

Yellow Ribbon Dates and Locations
If you received a call to Active Duty in support of a deployment for 75+ days or more, which resulted in separation from your family for the majority of the deployment, you are eligible to attend one pre-deployment event and two post-deployment Yellow Ribbon Events.
For more information, call Master Sgt. Katie Johnson at 405-734-7207 or email katie.johnson.10@us.af.mil

  • June 26-28 Orlando, FL
  • July 17-19 Costa Mesa, CA
  • July 24-26 Chicago, IL
  • August 14-16 San Antonio, TX
  • August 21-23 Jacksonville, FL
  • August 28-30 Seattle, WA
  • September 18-20 Orlando, FL

Vanwey Dining Facility – Opening – Sunday 5 Apr
Operating Hours – No Dine-in Service …. Carry out ONLY

Mon-Fri

 

Sat-Sun

 

Breakfast

0600 – 0800

Brunch

0600 – 1300

Lunch

1100 – 1300

Dinner

1600 – 1800

Dinner

1630 – 1830

 

 

 

Virtual Goal Setting Class
June 24, 2020 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Call the Airman and Family Readiness Center to register: 405-739-2747

Silver Squadron Breakfast
June 6, 2020 – 0730 to 1030
Sept 26, 2020 (Saturday) Silver Squadron Breakfast – 0730 to 1030.
Dec 5, 2020 (Saturday) Silver Squadron Breakfast – 0730 to 1030.
March 6, 2021 (Saturday) Silver Squadron Breakfast – 0730 to 1030.

The quarterly breakfast events are hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary at the Del City Post located at 5000 SE 24th Street (405-670-9128) from 0730 to 1030. The cost is $8 per person or $1 if you only want to drink coffee and socialize. Several of the attendees bring pictures and mementos to share. Okie vets that own their own businesses can also set up a table and get information out about their services. Consider attending and please pass the info along to other former Okies that may not receive the e-mails and/or these newsletters. Thanks.

VA DISABILITY SERVICE OFFICER ATTENDS OKIE BREAKFASTS: Del City Post Service Officer Gordon Wheeler may attend the Okie breakfast on June 6th. Gordon will have a table off to the side to answer questions of veterans about filing disability claims and VA information. Gordon is also at the Post (5000 SE 24th Street) every Wednesday from 1 to 3 pm. Enter through the south door on the west side of the building. Spread the word and bring your questions/concerns. He’s one of the best if not THE best Service Officer in OK.

GROUP PICTURES: Pictures will be taken at approximately 9 am and again at around 10 am at the breakfasts. Some attendees like to arrive early and leave early, while others arrive later and leave at the end of the event. This way we can hopefully capture everyone.

Big Okie Reunion (tentative)
Sept 25-26 (Friday-Saturday)
SH OKIES 10th REUNION 2020: Tentatively scheduled for Friday and Saturday September 25-26, 2020. For more information keep an eye on the official website of the SH OKIES:  http://www.shokies.com/

If you would like to submit information or photos to the On-final, email us at 507arw.pa2@us.af.mil.