Lakenheath Community Bulletins Published Nov. 9, 2012 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Interested in submitting an announcement or notice to the Lakenheath Community Bulletins? Contact the 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 226-2151 or e-mail 48fw.painternal@lakenheath.af.mil for more information. Did you know that RAF Lakenheath is on Facebook, YouTube and Flickr? Check us out at: Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/RAFLakenheath Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/48thFighterWing Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/RAF_Lakenheath ANNOUNCEMENTS 48th Medical Group Outpatient Record limited service The 48 Medical Group Outpatient Records section will have limited services from Nov. 5 to Nov. 16. Base out-processing or requests for release of information will be completed at the TRICARE Operations Service window located in the Hospital Annex next to the coffee shop. For questions, please contact MSgt Dehart at 226-8462. Flu vaccine available for all ID card holders and their dependents The 48 MDG Immunization Clinic is providing the seasonal influenza vaccine to all beneficiaries. Appointments are not required to receive the vaccine. The clinic walk-in hours are as follows: Monday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Extending the application window for retirement or separation Due to the MILPDS shut down in December, AFPC has waived the no earlier than 12-month requirement for Airmen who wish to apply for retirement with a retirement effective date of Dec.1, 2013 through Feb. 1, 2014. These Airmen can apply for retirement immediately but the waiver will expire Nov. 16, 2012. This waiver applies to Active Duty members only and excludes members selected for O-6/E-9. For more information, contact your local MPS unit. PLAYpass extension The PLAYpass program has now been extended until Dec. 2013. If you or a loved one is deploying, make sure to pick one up at the Airmen & Family Readiness Center, bldg. 950, and start taking advantage of great offers around FSS. Combined Federal Campaign The campaign began on Sept. 17 and lasts through Nov. 16. To give, you can now donate online by visiting cfcoverseas.org. Type in your unit code (provided by your local CFC representative), search for a cause or choose from a convenient list of charities. You can also fill out the standard form. Just be sure to fill out the information correctly, and if you donate $150 or more you will be given a unique CFC coin. Pharmacy hours changed The RAF Lakenheath pharmacy is now open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Friday. The pharmacy is closed weekends, holidays, wing down days and every fourth Thursday of the month for training. If you have any questions, call 226-8347 or 01638 528 347. American Red Cross offering Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby course The American Red Cross Healthy Pregnancy, Health Baby course provides basic information on what to expect during labor, including how to know if you are in labor, information on your choices, variations and complications in labor and birth. They also offer question and answer sessions with the Anesthesiology Department regarding epidurals (when their schedule permits) and Infant CPR training in conjunction with the course. This class is recommended for parents in the third trimester (around 32 weeks) and is suggested before the labor rehearsal class offered through Labor and Delivery at the hospital. It is offered free-of-charge and is held one Saturday a month for six hours. To learn more, contact your local American Red Cross Office at DSN 226-1855, commercial 01638 521 855 or e-mail at red.cross2@lakenheath.af.mil. Veterans Affairs Overseas Office information The VA Overseas Military Services Coordinator position is designed to assist service-members stationed abroad with answering VA related questions. Stacy Eydelnant is the current OMSC stationed at RAF Lakenheath. Eydelnant serves at RAF Mildenhall Mondays and Tuesdays (DSN 238-3406) and at RAF Lakenheath Wednesdays through Fridays (DSN 226-3847). The VA provides several programs and benefits to veterans, including but not limited to: · Medical benefits · Disability compensation and pension · Education assistance · Vocational rehabilitation and employment · Home loan guaranty · Life insurance · Burial benefits If you have any questions about VA befits or for general inquiries, please e-mail VArep.Stacy@gmail.com. Air Force Personnel Services website name changed to myPers The Air Force Personnel Services (AFPERS) website has changed its name to "myPers." While functionality remains unchanged, the myPers name establishes a foundation for moving towards more customer centric transactions and personalized services. The myPers website remains the one place for all Airmen to take care of their individual personnel needs. To visit the website, click the following link: https://mypers.af.mil U.K. Visa applications update Effective 5 November, all UK VISA applications where the fee has been declined will be rejected and returned by the United Kingdom Border Agency. The applicant will have to resubmit the application with a new payment method and the completed VISA application. A returned VISA application due to a declined payment may cause some applicants to resubmit more than 28 days after their previous VISA's expiration date. This means that the dependent(s) will have to leave and apply from outside the United Kingdom. The UKBA is experiencing an increase in declined payments by GTC/CSA users. For this reason, it is imperative that you ensure the GTC/CSA activation and amount so you do not run into any payment issues. At the Passport Office we always advise that applicants submit a Cashier's Check as their form of payment. We appreciate your attention with this matter. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 48fss.passports@lakenheath.af.mil. Driving in France Effective July 1, 2012, all drivers in France must carry a breathalyzer test kit in their vehicle. Starting Nov. 1, 2012, any driver found not carrying a kit in their vehicle will be fined €11. This new regulation applies to anybody driving through France. Anyone driving in France must carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest for each vehicle occupant. The vest should be carried inside the car, not in the trunk. Failure to have these in the car can lead to a fine of €90. Additionally, unless you have a number plate incorporating the GB logo you should affix a separate GB sticker to your vehicle. Also ensure you have changed the direction of your headlight beams to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles. The American Red Cross offering classes for the community The American Red Cross has a number of classes open to the community. Below is a schedule of the upcoming courses for December and January. Saturday, Dec. 1 - Babysitter's Training Course ($45) Saturday, Dec. 1 - Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby Course (FREE) Saturday, Dec. 8 - First Aid/CPR/AED Course ($55) Saturday, Jan. 12 - First Aid/CPR/AED Course ($55) Saturday, Jan. 19 - Babysitter's Training Course ($45) Saturday, Jan. 26 - Healthy Pregnancy/Healthy Baby Course (FREE) Classes are now offered at a 30% discount for all active duty members, dependents and DOD civilian employees! The prices above are before the discount. If you are interested in taking any of the courses above, please contact the American Red Cross office by either phone DSN 226-1855, commercial phone 01638 521 855, or email red.cross2@lakenheath.af.mil. Interested in giving back to the local community? To receive information regarding current volunteer and community outreach opportunities taking place throughout the local area and here on base, please send your name and contact information to the Airman & Family Readiness Center volunteer coordinator, Senaida Larson, at senaida.larson@lakenheath.af.mil. EVENTS Heart Link Are you a new spouse to the Air Force? Come learn about the military lifestyle during this FREE orientation program on Friday, Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the A&FRC. For more information or to register call 226-3847. Family dinner and auction If your child attends the CDC, enjoy a family dinner on Thursday, Nov. 15 starting at 5 p.m. Also have the chance to bid on the children's art by donating canned goods! For details, call 226-3285/5812. Sunday lunch jazz cruise Head to London with ITT on Sunday, Nov. 18 and enjoy a jazz cruise. Tour departs at 8 a.m. Adults £55; Children £42. For more information, call 226-2979. All-nighter Get your car ready for winter during an all-nighter event occurring Saturday, Nov. 17 at 8 a.m. until Sunday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. Free pizza at 10 p.m. Parts store open all night. For more information call the Auto Hobby Center at 226-2454. Taste of Lakenheath tickets Tickets are available now at the Liberty Club for an evening of international flair happening Nov. 17 from 5 - 11 p.m. at the Eagles Landing. Enjoy hundreds of wines, beers and spirits, plus sample great food. For more information, call 226-1611. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES NAF job openings Looking for a job? Food service positions are currently available at Rugby's, Pinkerton's and The Great Little Pizza Place. Apply online at www.nafjobs.org or call HRO at 226-4417.