ON-FINAL NEWS BULLETIN – Oct. 22, 2020 (Vol 40, No. 10)
(Click headline to follow link to story and photos)
507th Air Refueling Wing On-Final Anthology Vol. 2
The On-Final Anthology is a yearly official bulletin for the Airmen of the 507th Air Refueling Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The anthology highlights the amazing stories of Okies who make a difference every day in the Air Force Reserve and in their local communities.
Air Force update for COVID-19
In an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 and to prioritize the health and safety of Department of the Air Force personnel, the following modifications have been made.
Air Force Reserve adds chaplain, first sergeant positions to boost resiliency
In an effort to promote resiliency, Air Force Reserve Command is placing 10 Active Guard/Reserve chaplains and 30 AGR first sergeants at select Reserve locations around the country.
Reservists must stay focused on PII breach reduction during ‘new normal’
For most Reserve Citizen Airmen, partial or full-time telework has become the “new normal” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since telework poses a slew of potential information security risks, Reserve Command officials are encouraging all members of the Reserve team to stay focused on Personally Identifiable Information breach reduction while working from home.
Tinker Air Force Base tightens COVID-19 guidelines
With the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in the state and surrounding counties, the installation commander has implemented additional policy and tighter restrictions for on-base gatherings and events. “The health and safety of Tinker members remains our highest priority,” said Tinker Installation Commander, Col. Paul Filcek. “We cannot forget that we must balance safety with the national defense missions we accomplish every day.”
AF Reserve Tuition Assistance Update
Department of the Air Force officials recently announced a reduction in tuition assistance benefits from $4,500 to $3,750 per fiscal year. This change, however, applies only to the military tuition assistance program (MilTA) and does not impact the Reserve tuition assistance program (ResTA).
507th ARW October enlisted promotions
Fiscal Year 2021 UTA schedule available
MESSAGES FROM AIR FORCE LEADERS
To the Men and Women of the Air Force,
Today we celebrate the United States Air Force’s 73rd birthday. Over the course of our service’s history, our determination for cutting-edge innovation has made us the leader in air, space, and cyberspace. The integration of diverse types of military power across multiple warfighting domains is a testament to our ability to adapt and evolve in an era of great-power competition.
From the Signal Corps No. 1, the first aircraft purchased by the U.S. military, to the first X-series plane, which broke the sound barrier – innovation is in Airmen’s DNA. Building on this legacy, this week we unveiled our digital engineering “e” designator for planes, satellites, and other weapon systems that are digitally designed, tested, and built from start to finish.
You initiate and sustain innovation across the force. Your ingenuity and resolve are our competitive advantage. As we observe the Air Force birthday today, we thank you for your leadership, commitment, and service.
Barbara Barrett Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
Secretary of the Air Force General, USAF
Chief of Staff of the Air Force
JoAnne S. Bass
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
UPCOMING EVENTS
Yellow ribbon date and location
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
- November 20-22, Orlando, FL (Register by 29 October)
Vanwey Dining Facility – Open for business
Operating Hours – No Dine-in Service …. Carry out ONLY
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Mon-Fri
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Sat-Sun
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Breakfast
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0600 – 0800
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Brunch
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0600 – 1300
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Lunch
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1100 – 1300
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Dinner
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1600 – 1800
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Dinner
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1630 – 1830
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Due to social distancing requirements and minimal dine-in seating, the Vanwey Dining Facility requests your support in minimizing DFAC congestion by staggering customer meal times. The following schedule shows the suggested time-slots for customers:
10:30am- 507 MXS, 507 SFS, 513 AMXS, 970 AACS
11:00am- 507 CES, 507 LRS, 513 MXS, 513 OPS
11:30 am- 465 ARS, 507 OG, 507 OSS, 507 AMXS
12:00 pm- 507 FSS, 507 ARW, 507 MSG, 507 MXG
12:30 pm- 507 MDS, 72 APS, 513 ACG
Recruiting is looking for volunteers
Staff Sgt. Walker is looking for Airmen interested in giving an inside look at their drill experience to help paint a picture to future Reservist about what a typical drill weekend looks like. Interested parties should contact SSgt Marcus Walker at marcus.walker.9@us.af.mil
CFC Special Solicitation
Helping People through the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a strain on resources for many people worldwide. Your generous donations through the 2019 CFC are already providing critical support during this difficult time. Unfortunately, many of the CFC charities which provide assistance to people who need food as well as other day-to-day needs are also experiencing challenges due to the pandemic. These charities are faced with increased demand for their services while struggling with reduced resources to meet these demands due to reduced donations and cancelled fundraising events. The CFC is uniquely positioned to be able to provide supplemental funding to these charities by offering an opportunity for federal employees to pledge additional resources thru a special solicitation using the CFC online donation portal until June 30, 2020.
• One hundred percent (100%) of the gifts made in this special solicitation will go to the 2019 CFC charities (without a distribution fee) that receive the gifts
• Funds pledged will be paid out to charities by the 15th day of the month following receipt of the pledge by the CFC Central Campaign Administrator
• Any employee who did not pledge via payroll deduction in fall 2019 can make a payroll-funded gift through the CFC.
• Existing donors who pledged by payroll allotments in the fall of 2019 can make additional donations with electronic credit, debit, or ACH gift on the CFC giving platform or the mobile app. (2019 Payroll pledges cannot be increased at this time.)
In this time of great uncertainty, we all have the opportunity to help and lead by example. Giving what you can to a CFC charity can benefit our community during this time of great need.
MAKE YOUR PLEDGE AT: https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome
Questions? Call the CFC Help Center at 1-800-797-0098 (8:00 am to 6:00 pm CST) or visit: https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/faq-special
Automated Lodging Registration System is now online
FSS excited to inform you that the Automated Lodging Registration System (ALRS) mobile app is now online to make lodging reservations and cancellations for primary UTAs. Currently, rescheduling lodging via the app is not possible.
If you are currently registered in ALRS with your cell phone number, you will receive a text message Oct. 23 with instructions to enroll in the mobile app, but it is recommended users set up the app in advance to ease the process. The app is available for download on Google play store for android users and the app store for Apple users. Finally, if you make your reservation in ALRS Mobile do not use the dial-in if you require a change or cancellation.
If you have any issues downloading the app or additional questions, please contact MSgt Celeste Fletes at: 405-734-5532 or 507FSS.FSV.Lodging@us.af.mil
Federal Retirement Open Season
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officially announced the dates for the 2020 Federal Benefits Open Season which will run from Monday, November 9, 2020 through Monday, December 14, 2020. This open season is for the 2021 plan year of federal benefit programs.
https://www.myfederalretirement.com/fehb-open-season/
Operation Holiday Spirit
Dec. 4, 2020
Limited seating this year, visit the website for information and tickets: https://holidayspirit.org
NOTE: Link will not work on AF network, type into your off-network computer browser.
Silver Squadron Breakfast
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, Del City, OK, 73115. 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. Call 405-670-9128 for more info.
If you would like to submit information or photos to the On-final, email us at 507arw.pa2@us.af.mil.