ON-FINAL NEWS BULLETIN – Dec. 4, 2020 (Vol 40, No. 12)
(Click headline to follow link to story and photos)
Reservists save life of Tinker teammate
Three Reserve Airmen from the 507th Force Support Squadron here worked together to save the life of a contractor electrician following a near fatal electric shock Oct. 24 during the November unit training assembly.
Okies welcome new wing commander
Col. Michael Parks succeeded Col. Miles Heaslip as the commander of the 507th Air Refueling Wing here in a change of command ceremony Nov. 8, 2020. Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Pennington, 4th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony, which took place at 9 a.m. in Hangar 1030.
Word from the birds (Video)
Col. Miles Heaslip, 507th Air Refueling Wing former commander, and Col. Michael Parks, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander, sit down to talk about leadership, first impressions and wing vision Nov. 6, 2020, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Reservist structural technicians save Air Force more than $1M
Reservists with the 507th Maintenance Squadron repaired a KC-135 Stratotanker engine cowling in-house that sustained damage by a bird strike Sept. 21, ultimately saving the Air Force more than $1 million.
Q&A with the 4th Air Force command chief
Chief Master Sgt. Cynthia Villa, 4th Air Force command chief, sits for an interview during a site visit with the 507th Air Refueling Wing Nov. 7, 2020, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Falcons fly with Okies
A KC-135R Stratotanker from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, refuels F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 311th Fighter Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, during an aerial refueling training event Nov. 20, 2020.
507th ARW December enlisted promotions
Fiscal Year 2021 UTA schedule available
Message from Air Force Leaders
To the Men and Women of the Air and Space Forces,
During this holiday season, we take time to reflect on what we are grateful for as a Department. We sincerely thank our teammates around the globe, whose collective effort ensures we can celebrate with our friends and family members, knowing our nation is safe.
We especially thank those who are currently deployed, and keep those individuals and their loved ones in our thoughts. Your commitment to the mission and to our nation’s security is greatly valued and appreciated.
Notably, the pandemic revealed incredible fortitude, creativity, and flexibility in our people. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who helped us adapt to our new circumstances: caregivers, support agencies and personnel, and each of you in varying roles. We are inspired by your selfless service and commitment, and we wish you a restful holiday season.
Every one of you matters to us. We should all keep safety in the forefront of our minds to ensure that, together, we can look forward to a New Year full of possibilities. We wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday season!
Barbara Barrett
Secretary of the Air Force
John W. Raymond Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
General, USSF General, USAF
Chief of Space Operations Chief of Staff of the Air Force
UPCOMING EVENTS
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
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/
Yellow Ribbon
Yellow Ribbon is going virtual in December and January
RPA Orders at home
Dec. 19-20 (Pre Deployment event)
Jan. 23-24 (Pre Deployment event)
Future Events:
Feb. 26-28, Denver, CO
March 19-21, Costa Mesa, CA
March 26-28, Costa Mesa, CA
Contact MSgt Katie Johnson for more information
Katie.johnson.10@us.af.mil 405-734-7428
Register @ https://www.yellowribbon.mil/events/registration/rVaf-SI2FVjptFX6Rgftgv11q4LzpY9d9Z0ox8u-chgvLNjW5DyTL9DfYf2NGJ_hlQKjHZ8H455YYdwuI1kTzFYBmFqlvtf0tUzLgZHvX9fCLKfA6vyQAqRNTHU/new
Silver Squadron Breakfast
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.