ON-FINAL NEWS BULLETIN – Nov. 5, 2020

ON-FINAL NEWS BULLETIN – Nov. 5, 2020 (Vol 40, No. 11)

(Click headline to follow link to story and photos)

Watch the 507^th Air Refueling Wing Change of Command HERE!

Okies say farewell to commander, vice
Reservists, friends and family bid farewell to both the vice commander and commander of the 507th Air Refueling Wing here Oct. 21 and Nov. 5, respectively, commemorating their service to the wing with final flights operating the KC-135R Stratotanker. Col Esteban "Esty" Ramirez, 507th ARW vice commander, retired after nearly 30 years of service and more than 5000 flight hours as a command pilot. Ramirez joined the 507th ARW in December 2019. Col Miles Heaslip, commander, will go on to serve at 4th Air Force Headquarters at March Air Reserve Base, California, and served as the 507th ARW commander from June 2018-November 2020.

Commander declares Public Health Emergency at Tinker AFB
Tinker Installation Commander Col. Paul Filcek declared a Public Health Emergency for the installation on Nov. 5, 2020. Filcek cited the “increasing risk to force and risk to mission with COVID-19 cases on the rise in Oklahoma, the surrounding counties and Tinker AFB” as the reason behind the declaration, which will be in effect for at least the next 30 days.

Commander addresses Reserve Mobility capabilities at A/TA 2020
Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, highlighted Total Force integration, the Reserve’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Reserve’s unique weather reconnaissance, aerial spray and aerial firefighting missions during the Airlift/Tanker Association’s 52nd annual convention, symposium and technology expo this week. This year’s event was held virtually due to ongoing COVID-19 health concerns.

HQ ARPC announces ARC Field Orientation Course dates
Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center will virtually host an Air Reserve Component Field Orientation Course for Air Force Reserve MPF/CSS personnel November 18-19, 2020.

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.

507th ARW November enlisted promotions

Fiscal Year 2021 UTA schedule available

UPCOMING EVENTS

Vanwey Dining Facility – Open for business
Operating Hours – No Dine-in Service …. Carry out ONLY

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
The 22nd Annual Operation Holiday Spirit (OHS) steak dinner will be held at the Del City American Legion on 4 Dec, 18:00- 22:00.

Due to COVID-19, only a limited number of tickets will be sold. And OHS is creating a website where folks can go to purchase supper tickets, make a donation, purchase the official 2020 OHS light-weight t-shirt, and even let the cooks know how you want your steaks.

There WON'T be a chicken or veggie plate option this year. "BEEF - it's what's for dinner!" There will also be a curbside pickup option for folks still wanting the meal, but not wanting to attend the event.

This steak dinner is always a big success and makes a lot of money for our own reserve and guard families.  Through donations, auctions and more, the proceeds go directly to those that need. The event flyer is attached.

OHS Background:

Operation Holiday Spirit was created in 1999 to assist some of the most deserving military families during the holiday season. This program takes nominations from fellow Reservists and Guardsmen, friends and associates of families who are known to be in need of assistance. These nominations are submitted by the leaders of the servicemen’s units to a review committee.

Nominees are vetted as to the level of need and to ensure assistance is for many years Oklahoma Reservists and Guardsmen have been hit particularly hard. Many of these families join the Reserves and Guard to earn extra income, but with frequent deployments and unforeseen family situations they actually find their income considerably reduced.

That hardship, coupled with the absence of their loved ones, makes for a pretty tough time for families, particularly during the holiday season. OHS is a local organization, helping local families.  Ways you can help OHS (be a blessing to someone else)

* Cash Donations to OHS
* Attendance at the Annual Steak Supper and auction
* Donating Goods that can be sold at the Silent or Live Auction, items small or large all help
* Volunteering (TBD)

Tickets can be purchased via our FB page at www.holidayspirit.org

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 24^th 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.