Andrews 121815 flipbook

an independent publication of comprint military publications at Joint base andrews, md. dcmilitary.com friday, december 18, 2015 | Vol. 4 no. 49

HealtHChristmas, New Year’s clinic closures,

Page 6

SPORtSJBA gains mass gym equipment,

Page 5

COMMeNtaRYTommy got a drone for Christmas,

Page 2

By BoBBy JonesStaff Photojournalist

Still in its infancy, The 296 Project is a young, promising web-based non-profit organization that uses various art mediums to help and elevate the healing of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Dis-order and traumatic brain injury.

The 14-month-old organization’s commitment to veterans was evidenced by its recent recognition as the nation’s “Best Veteran’s Mental Health Orga-nization” by Mission Complete, a non-profit veter-an’s employment and transitioning firm, during an awards ceremony.

Headed by Dr. Scott Gordon, a psychoanalyst and therapist, The 296 Project joined forces with WSC

the 296 project: Healing veterans through the arts

Courtesy Photo

Dr. S. Michael Gordon,296 Project founder, cen-ter, is surrounded by “Veterans Acting Out” par-ticipants, moments after The 296 Project was named “Best Veteran’s Mental Health Organi-zation by Mission Complete, a non-profit veter-an’s employment and transitioning firm during an awards ceremony.

By sean KimmonsAir Force News Service

Once Susan Zerbe learned that a CH-47 Chinook helicopter had been shot down in Afghanistan, kill-ing all 30 U.S. troops on board, she knew her son was one of them.

“I heard it on the news that morning and I just knew he was on there,” she said of her son, Tech. Sgt. Daniel Lee Zerbe.

Hours later, her premonition came true when mil-itary officers knocked on the door to inform her that Daniel was on that helicopter, as he and others trav-eled to help Army Rangers in a fierce battle against insurgents.

“It was a horrible feeling,” she recalled of the Aug. 6, 2011, incident. “Your heart just sinks.”

Zerbe and her family laid a wreath on Daniel’s headstone Dec. 12 during Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery.

The event drew roughly 50,000 family members of fallen troops and volunteers who placed more than 240,000 wreaths on the white marble headstones that line the cemetery to symbolize their respect for those who gave all.

“All of these people don’t get to come home for Christmas,” Zerbe said. “It’s our way to honor and remember what they did for all of us.”

But the wreaths, which were also placed at more than 1,000 locations across the country, were not just for decoration.

“We’re not here to decorate graves,” Karen Worces-ter, co-founder of the nonprofit Wreaths Across America, told a crowd at Arlington. “We’re here so you can … remember not their deaths but their lives.”

memoriesEmily Johnson traveled from Wisconsin to rekin-

dle memories of her older brother, Army 1st Lt. Da-vid Andrew Johnson, who was killed by an impro-

vised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol in Afghanistan in 2012.

“I wanted to spend the holidays with my broth-er,” she said. “It was always a really special time for him.”

Emily, 20, sat on a blanket in front of David’s headstone as she reminisced about her 24-year-old brother and his “goofy smile.”

“I don’t get to see him that often so I’ll probably be here all day,” she said. “I wish he was at home but at the same time it’s a big honor for him to be here.”

Nearby, Bob and Pat O’Kane-Trombley recalled

Gone but not forgotten: wreaths honor those who gave all

u.s. Air ForCe Photo/seAn Kimmons

Susan Zerbe prepares to place a wreath on the headstone for her son, Tech. Sgt. Dan-iel Lee Zerbe, who was one of 30 U.S. troops killed when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan in 2011. Susan and other family members of fallen troops as well as thousands of volunteers were at the Ar-lington National Cemetery, Va., on Dec. 12, for Wreaths Across America Day, an event to hon-or veterans during the holidays.

By LesLie C. smithStaff writer

With a focus on supporting wounded service mem-bers and their families, Operation Ward 57 continu-ally looks to find unique ways to do so.

Created in 2007, Operation Ward 57 was estab-lished on Ward 57 at Walter Reed Medical Center and initially conceived as a way to raise funds and support service members coming through the ward. The organization was the vision of Sgt. Scott Cam-eron, LPN, and Deborah Semer. When Cameron was transferred from Ft. Lewis in Washington state to Walter Reed in Washington, DC, he was moved by his experience there to create a group to raise funds and boost morale in the ward.

“Initially, our focus was taking care of those folks

on Ward 57, but very quickly we learned of the needs beyond the hospital walls and we have expanded our services over the years,” said Brittney Hamilton, Executive Director Operation Ward 57.

“Ultimately, our mission is to serve wounded, ill and injured service members — primarily post 9/11 veterans – although we do have some programs that are open to all veterans,” Hamilton said.

It is open to all wounded and injured even if it is noncombat related such as a training accident or a disease that occurred while in service.

The organization offers services such as bring-ing meals and comfort items, emergency financial grants, case management and peer mentorship,

customized teddy bears sewn in love for the children of amputees

Courtesy Photo

Operation Ward 57 in partnership with the Free-man Project and Family Career and Communi-ty Leader of America students will provide cus-tom-made Amputee Teddy Bears to children of wounded warriors. The bears serve not only as a comfort but also as educational tools.

see 296 Project, page 4

see teddy bears, page 3

see Wreaths, page 3

Andrews Gazette2 Friday, December 18, 2015

Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military. The appearance of advertising in these publications,

including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affilia-tion or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

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Hot ticketsaround town

Through December 31Christmas on the Potomac & IceGaylord National Resort & Convention Center,

201 Waterfront St., National HarborMore than two million twinkling lights, night-

ly snowfall and dancing fountains. ICE! has a new theme featuring Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town! special bonus area, The Frostbite Factory, a LIVE ice carving zone and a Gingerbread Decorating Cor-ner, The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, and much more. Call 301-965-4000 or visit www.christmason-thepotomac.com

Through-January 1Winter Festival of LightsWatkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Dr., Up-

per MarlboroThis holiday drive-through event features more

than one million twinkling lights and is sure to leave families dazzling in amazement. Bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks. ($) Call 301-699-2456 or visit www.pgparks.com

December 19-20Evangel Cathedral Christmas CelebrationEvangel Cathedral, 13901 Central Ave., Upper

MarlboroThis production features a cast of more than 200

live animals, a laser light show, amazing special ef-fects and brand new scenes. Special guests include, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann, Avery Sunshine, Ledisi, and Anthony Brown and Group Therapy. ($) Call 301-249-9400 or visit www.evan-gelchristmascelebration.com

December 19Hand Bell Concert: “A Silver Bells Celebration” To

Celebrate 25 Years of the Colonial Handbell Ringers2 pmBowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 An-

napolis Rd., BowieThe Colonial Handbell Ringers have been perform-

ing for area audiences for more than 20 years. Cos-tumed in Colonial, Renaissance or traditional dress, The Colonial Handbell Ringers are a unique visual and auditory experience. ($) Call 301-805-6880 or visit www.bowiecenter.org.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

By Luana ShaferThe presents have been opened

and the wrapping paper placed in the recycling bin. Tommy is anx-ious to get outside and fly the new “Invader 700” drone, complete with a 10 times zoom digital cam-era that sends immediate videos to your new iPad. Wow, you can’t wait to get out there with him and fly this thing. We can get to the instructions and safety rules later. Let’s go flying!

Whoa speed racer! It’s probably a good idea to take some time to go over the capabilities of your new aircraft, look at some safety aspects of your operations, and understand the responsibilities you have just assumed. But this is a toy, right? Wrong. The Federal Aviation Administration has stat-ed that unmanned aircraft sys-tems are aircraft, not toys.

The Consumer Electronics As-sociation believes 2015 will be a defining year for the drone, with sales expecting to approach 700,000 this year. The industry must be selling all of those drones as FAA statistics show a surge in “close call with drone” reports by pilots of manned aircraft: nearly 700 incidents so far this year, roughly triple the amount recorded in 2014. Also, the mili-tary prefers to call drones “small unmanned aircraft” since they do

not just wander around aimlessly, but are controlled by an individ-ual who follows (or is expected to follow) FAA established rules.

Maybe we should review some of these rules before the big day approaches, as you are proba-bly now asking yourself, ”Rules? What rules? Do they apply to me? What is my liability?” The FAA has partnered with industry or-ganizations, such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics and Ameri-can Model Association, to mirror the rules established by the FAA for the remote controlled (R/C) modelers. In fact, a local R/C club is a great resource to explore.

General rules•Small unmanned aircraft

must give way to all manned aviation activities: airplanes, gliders, parachutists, hang gliders, the Goodyear blimp, etc. If it flies or glides, it has the right of way.

•The operator must remain within visual line of sight of the small unmanned aircraft. You can’t control or remain clear of other aircraft when you can’t see your own small unmanned aircraft.

•Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any per-sons not directly involved in the operation.

The A, B, Cs to startThe FAA divides the national

airspace above us into categories: A, B, C, D, E and G. You can read more about these classes here.

•Class A is 18,000 feet and above sea leve,l and you must be communicating with the FAA to operate up there. So just remember, Class A is “above” where small un-manned aircraft should fly.

•Class B/C/D is the airspace around airports and requires two-way communications with the airport’s tower, so small unmanned aircraft need to steer clear of these ar-eas. Just remember not to fly within 5 nautical miles of an open airport/airfield/heliport, military or civilian.

•Class G airspace exists around uncontrolled airports (no two-way communica-tions), but small unmanned aircraft must still remain clear by the 5 nautical miles.

And then there is special use airspace (SUA) and military training routes (MTRs). SUA in-cludes prohibited areas (like the White House), restricted areas (like military testing ranges), and military operating areas, which is where the military has hazardous or high-speed operations that will

CommentaryTommy got a toy drone for Christmas, what’s next?

Retiree CornerCommissary Gift CardsGiving the gift of groceries

takes on a new meaning during the holidays when service mem-bers receive Commissary Gift Cards from families and friends. The cards, in denominations of $25 and $50, can be purchased by anyone for an authorized patron online through DeCA’s website or at any commissary. Customers can use multiple forms of pay-ments and coupons along with the gift card. The cards cannot be redeemed for cash, and cus-tomers will not receive change for unused amounts left on the card. It is used until “zeroed out.” Since its introduction in 2011, commis-saries have sold nearly 600,000 cards worth almost $20 million. Nearly 90 percent have been re-deemed. Unused “gift vouchers,” the precursor to the gift card, may redeem them through Aug. 31, regardless of the expiration date printed on it.

Tricare on the RoadIf you have a trip planned, you

should complete routine medical care and have prescriptions filled before leaving. Your only health care on the road should be urgent or emergency care. Your first line of defense is Tricare’s Nurse Ad-vice Line at 1-800-874-2273. A registered nurse can answer ur-gent care questions and schedule next-day appointments at mili-tary hospitals and clinics, if nec-essary. Service is available 24/7. If you use Tricare Prime, and require emergency care, notify your primary care manager or re-gional contractor within 24 hours or the next business day. If you need urgent care, get a referral from your primary care manager or call the nurse line for advice. Standard beneficiaries can visit any Tricare-authorized, network or non-network provider. Refer-rals are not required, but you may need prior authorization from your regional contractor for some services. If you use a non-network provider, you may have to pay up front and file a claim. US Family

Health plan participants should call customer service 1-800-748-7347. Be sure to save health care receipts.

E-Mail CheckThose with myPay accounts are

reminded to keep a current e-mail address on file with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). At the bottom of your account menu, select “Email Ad-dress” to view the address DFAS uses. It uses the address to send newsletters, breaking news, and to notify you when your Retiree Account Statement and 1099R tax statements are available.

The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please consider joining the volunteer staff. Vis-it the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call 301 981-2726. Call to en-sure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO website is www.andrews.af.mil.

see COMMENTARY, page 6

Andrews GazetteFriday, December 18, 2015 3

memories of their son, Capt. Thomas Gramith, an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons systems officer who died along with the pilot when their aircraft crashed in Afghanistan.

They said he was “everybody’s big brother” who had a selfless, humble attitude that even earned him a humanitarian of the year award at Seymour Air Force Base, North Carolina.

“He really did a lot of community service that oth-ers noted, but he never talked about it,” Bob said.

The loss of Thomas in 2009 hit the family hard, they said, especially since the 27-year-old Airman had 9-month-old twin daughters at the time.

“We got the knock on the front door and the min-ute I looked out of a small window on the door, I could see the gleaming silver cross,” Pat said of the insignia of the chaplain who would tell them the tragic news.

“That was the day when everything came crashing down,” Bob added.

Thomas and his pilot, Capt. Mark R. McDowell, 26, were only two young men of countless others who died defending the country. None of them should ever be forgotten, Bob said.

“If we fail to remember them,” he said, “we will lose everything we have.”

FundraisingTo honor the fallen, fundraising efforts amassed

about 910,000 wreaths that were placed on head-stones across the country on Dec. 12. One of the largest fundraising groups was the Civil Air Pa-trol, which helped bring in about one-third of the wreaths.

“They solicited wreath donations for over 1,000 sites,” CAP Col. Dan Leclair, a retired Air Force master sergeant, said of the thousands of volunteers

from the Air Force civilian auxiliary. “We’re very privileged to do this.”

The annual event started in 1992 with 5,000 wreaths. For the first time last year, volunteers had enough wreaths for every headstone at Arlington.

“We did this and then the American people with their American spirit got under us and lifted us up,” Worcester said.

But placing wreaths was just one mission that volunteers were asked to do when recognizing those buried in Arlington.

“Please read the name out loud,” Worcester said of the headstones. “Because we do die twice: when we stop breathing and the last time when a human being mentions our name out loud.”

along with a crisis line. “We offer very individual-ized services. I always tell people about how we have had people call and say, ‘Hey I’m in pain, and I can’t mow my lawn.’ We’ll get together a volunteer group to go over and mow their lawn,” Hamilton shared.

“We have very individualized services for the fam-ilies of service members and veterans – every kind of little thing we can do with having our core group continually at Walter Reed taking care of families there.”

The organization has established a crisis line that is available to all era veterans and family members.

“There are many people out there that might be struggling and kind of want to reach out; they may not have the physical wounds but have the invisi-ble wounds. We are encouraging people to check out the crisis line. We also have a program that veter-ans can sign up and we’ll have another veteran call them on a regular basis a sort of buddy check.”

In further support of the families of service mem-bers, Organization Ward 57 recently announced the commencement of new project – Amputee Teddy Bears. Operation Ward 57 partnered with The Free-man Project and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students at St James High School in South Carolina.

This brainchild was born when Hamilton recalled the original AmpuTeddy designed initially (along with books) for children going to experience ampu-tation. The creator, however, passed away, and the project went also.

“It was one of those things where you think that it would be such a great thing, and you hope some-one is going to create it and eventually no one does.

I don’t know what it was that triggered in me I thought, ‘You know I’m going to see what it would take to make one; see if there is a company we can get to do it.’ I certainly didn’t know what goes into making a Teddy Bear,” Hamilton said.

“The stars aligned and we happened to see a Face-book story about the Mathew Freeman project and the Freeman bears they were doing which were ted-

dy bears made out of the service uniforms of fall-en service members for their families, so they had something to hold onto,” Hamilton said.

The organization reached out to the Freeman Project for advice, and happenstance would have it, the organization had been recently contacted by FC-CLA who was looking for their annual service proj-ect. The two groups were introduced.

“It was a kind of blessing that we came into each oth-er’s lives at the right time. The template is the same as the Freeman teddies, but they are customized to the service member’s amputations and injuries,” Hamil-ton said, recalling a powerful moment when they cus-tomized one for a blind service member.

“They get very specific, and they are made out of the uniform of the service member – very custom-ized to look like mom or dad,” Hamilton said.

“It’s a very bittersweet project. Once they are made and you take a look, at first blush, you see a cute bear that we’re proud to create, then it washes over that this represents a real service member — very mixed feelings,” Hamilton shared.

“In my conversations with the group, I’ve seen it has been very powerful for the creators, as well, as they are learning about the different types of ampu-tations. The group ensures they are well-loved be-fore given to service member, passing the hug test. It’s made a big impact on them,” Hamilton said.

Post 9/11 families interested in applying for a bear may submit their request online at www.opera-tionward57.org/amputeebear/. If you are interested in learning about the organization or would like to make bears, see the “Contact Us” tab on www.opera-tionward57.org. The group is also looking for donat-ed uniforms that can be used to make the bears, as well as, donations to cover the cost of making bears and shipping.

Courtesy photo

Operation Ward 57 provides Amputee Teddy Bears for the children of wounded warriors free of charge and can be customized with specif-ic arm or leg amputations, military branch uni-form and custom nametape.

teddy bears, from page 1

wreaths, from page 1

u.s. Air ForCe photo/seAn Kimmons

Family members of Army Sgt. 1st Class Johna-than McCain, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, spend time at his headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., on Dec. 12. Families of fallen troops and thousands of volunteers were at the cemetery for Wreaths Across America Day, an event to honor veterans during the hol-idays.


Emily Johnson sheds tears in front of the head-stone for her older brother, Army 1st Lt. David Andrew Johnson, who was killed by an impro-vised explosive device in 2012. Johnson and other family members of fallen troops as well as thousands of volunteers were at the Ar-lington National Cemetery, Va., on Dec. 12, for Wreaths Across America Day, an event to hon-or veterans during the holidays.


A volunteer carries a wreath to a headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., on Dec. 12, for Wreaths Across America Day, an event to honor veterans during the holidays.


Avant Bard, a black box the-atre in Arlington, to offer vet-erans a free 10-week workshop entitled “Veterans Acting Out,” where they will be taught playwriting, acting, staging, scriptwriting and more. The workshop, which runs from Jan. 20 to March 23, will cul-minate into a performance at the WSC Avant Bard.

“At The 296 Project our mis-sion is to provide art as ther-apy. They have the freedom to do whatever it is they want,” Gordon said.

“They could scream for three minutes. It probably wouldn’t make a good show, but they could. So that’s why we do what we do,” Gordon said.

“We’re going to give veteran men and women across the board — not just OIF or OEF, but Gulf, Vietnam, Korea, WWII — whoever is around to give them the opportunity to finally say what they’ve been trying to say. Hopefully that translates into future writing or future performances,” said Gordon.

duty service members and veterans from all conflicts, as well as their dependents and

family members, the oppor-tunity to express themselves through theatre free of charge.

“Our goal is to heal or mit-igate the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress, traumatic brain injury, recurrent ma-jor depression or anything or nothing at all,” said Gordon. “That is our primary objec-tive: to lower the suicide rate in active-duty and veteran service members using art as an intervention.”

“The reason we use art as a medium, or any form of cre-ative self-expression, is because in traditional conversation we often don’t have the vocabu-lary. There’s a road block to healing when you sit down and talk to a therapist who could never know what you’ve been through,” said Gordon.

“The fact is that even your battle buddy, who may have literally been next to you for an entire 10-month deploy-ment, couldn’t possibly know how you perceive your time in service or combat. So, because of that, having a simple con-versation with an individual is an entirely flawed type of intervention,” said Gordon.

“Art allows you to say the unspeakable, to convey the unconveyable. And in Veter-

ans Acting Out, the initial medium is going to be writing, acting or putting together a show, presenting it is an en-tirely sort of subjective thing,” said Gordon.

He explained how the neces-sity of the “Veterans Acting Out” project came out of his frustration at funding prob-lems within the VA.

Gordon expressed his dissat-isfaction at what was happen-ing. “I was complaining like everyone else,” said Gordon. “I realized that I had done noth-ing to solve this problem. Who was I to complain about what the VA was doing wrong and I hadn’t done anything at all. So I made a decision at that point that I was going to help one way or another,” Gordon shared.

“My thought was if we suc-ceed in this project, we’re sav-ing lives; and that’s a really big deal,” Gordon said.

“If we can save veterans’ lives, what greater calling is there for a human being? Sav-ing one life makes your entire life worthwhile. Since then, I’ve dedicated my entire life to taking care of our veterans and their families,” Gordon concluded.

For more information, visit www.the296project.org.

296 Project, from page 1

The Security Forces Blotter is intended to keep members of the Joint Base Andrews Com-munity informed and aware of the crimes and offenses that occur throughout the base each week. If you have any informa-tion that may help Security Forces solve a crime or prevent a criminal act, please contact BDOC (Base Defense Opera-tions Center) at (301) 981-2001, CRIME STOP LINE 981-2677 COPS or the investigations sec-tion at (301) 981-5656.

Dec. 9 at 9:52 a.m.: Securi-ty Forces, Civil Engineering, and Prince George’s County Fire Department responded to a call on Allentown Road adjacent to the Quality Inn of what appeared to be a live ordinance. PG County Police restricted traffic from enter-ing the installation. PG Coun-ty determined the ordinance was inoperable and presented no danger.

Dec. 11 at 8:33 p.m.: Secu-rity Forces responded to a report of an active warrant. Maryland State Police North-east District arrived-on-scene and transported the individu-al to their department.

Dec. 13 at 12:14 a.m.: Se-

curity Forces responded to a loud noise complaint which involved underage drinking. The subject gave a breath sample which resulted in a BrAC level of 0.22. The sub-ject invoked their rights and requested legal counsel.

Dec. 13 at 10:28 a.m.: Secu-rity Forces responded to a ve-hicle accident involving a gov-ernment owned vehicle and a barrier at Entry Control Point #17. Further investigations revealed the driver lost con-trol of the vehicle due to inat-tentive driving.

Please remember, while driv-ing on the installation you must have a valid driver’s li-cense, proof of insurance, vehi-cle registration and proper Mil-itary Identification or approved installation access credentials.

For reporting any emer-gencies or non-emergencies please feel free to utilize the “LiveSafe” App. “LiveSafe” is an anonymous reporting app that can be downloaded for free on your smart device.

There has been an increase in reported vandalism on the installation. If you witness any vandalism taking place call Se-curity Forces at (301) 981-2001.

Security Forces Police Blotter


“Timely andrefreshingly

hard-hiTTing.”Scott MendelsonAMU HELPED

ME REACHHIGHER”

“

AMU ALUM AND VETERAN WES O’DONNELL (MBA 2011)

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By Senior AirmAn neShA humeS

11th Wing Public Affairs

Joint Base Andrew’s West Fitness Center recently up-dated gym amenities with help from the Commander in Chief ’s Annual Award for In-stallation Excellence funding.

The West Fitness center is scheduled to receive a new front lobby, energy efficient windows, stylized locker rooms, a heating and cooling system, a gym curtain divid-er, batting cages, a refinished basketball court and 24-hour security cameras in the near future.

“I felt like a kid in a candy store the first time I was able to use the new equipment,” Senior Airman Chris Leahy, 89th Communications Squad-ron government network op-erations center operator and fitness center patron said. “I love the new gym; it brings a great new atmosphere. It mo-tivates us night shift workers to get an overall better work-out during unmanned hours.”

More than 215 lifting, car-

dio and plate-loaded work-out machines were purchased.

“The new equipment is a nice addition, it gives us a lot of different avenues and an-gles to [train] muscles,” Tech Sgt. Miguel Landeros, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron air-field maintenance pavement supervisor and fitness center patron said.

The fitness center staff im-plemented approximately $1 million from Air Force fund-ing in renovations after six months of planning, conduct-ing market research and re-ceiving suggestions from cus-tomers.

“We truly listen to our cus-tomers’ ideas and suggestions to better improve the fitness center.” Isaac Melendez, JBA Fitness Center fitness and sports director said. “It’s been about five years since the equipment was last replaced and the center was in need of a serious face lift.”

The fitness center’s “face lift” is a direct result of JBA personnel’s work efforts.

Upon JBA winning the

CINC award this past year, $30,000 of the base-wide awarded funds were allocat-ed towards the fitness center equipment.

“The money that comes with this award goes straight back to the men, women and fam-ilies that made it possible,” Col. Brad Hoagland, JBA/11th Wing commander said. “I am truly impressed with the hard work and teamwork I’ve seen. It has not gone unnoticed.”

The highly competitive, presidential-level award rec-ognizes the outstanding ef-forts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military in-stallations, while encouraging commanders to create an en-vironment promoting creative ways to enhance base-level services, facilities and quality of life.

“It was nice to see the vision come together,” Landeros, also a volunteer for the renovation, said. “A group of guys stopped their workout to come help move around the equipment; it gave a good feel of the ca-maraderie this fitness center

puts together.”Melendez said the upgrade

is motivating.“It makes me want to go out

and get more money for [the customers] and get ready for another purchase,” said Me-lendez. “You can’t go wrong when the entire base is sup-

porting you.”The East Side Fitness Cen-

ter is also slated to receive new equipment and will be closed Jan. 12 and 13, 2016. Patrons will need to register their IDs for their unmanned after-hours access to the East’s fitness center system.

JBA gains mass gym equipment

U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior AirmAn neShA hUmeS

U.S. Army Cpl. Sean Gladden, Joint Base Andrews West Fitness Center patron, works out in the tactical fitness center at JBA Dec. 11. More than $1 million was spent in equipment upgrades.


get you noticed very quickly. MTRs are “highways” in the sky where the mili-tary flies very low and very fast, so it’s smart to stay away from them. You can check with the local base operations or airfield manager for information on such activities.

Know before you goSo, where can you fly? A good source

of information is your local R/C club. They’ve studied the rules and scouted the local area for the best locations to fly your small unmanned aircraft.

If you prefer to go it alone, have fun but do it safely. But words of caution before you launch the Invader 700 on its maiden flight. If you become the latest close call and you’re not follow-ing the rules, you stand not only to lose your $1,000 aircraft, but you may be subject to an FAA fine of up to $27,500 for the most egregious violation.

Military installations

Many military installations have an airport, airfield, or heliport that re-quires the 5-mile rule, but for national security reasons small unmanned air-craft flights are not authorized on or over military installations unless au-thorized by the installation command-er. Contact base operations, an airfield manager or a security manager to as-certain safe base operating areas and other limitations.

Additionally, rethink using Tommy’s unmanned aircraft to provide securi-ty on your next bivouac. The military cannot operate privately owned small unmanned aircraft during routine business duties.

So, Merry Christmas, Tommy, and we hope you have a great time with your small unmanned aircraft — but do so smartly, safely and within regulations.

Editor’s note: Luana Shafer is a free-lance author, editor and recent grad-uate of George Mason University. She is the daughter of a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.

COMMENTARY, from page 2

By Kathleen Canfield779th Medical Support Squadron

Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center will be closed for ob-servance of the Christmas Holiday on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 and for a Family Day on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. They will also be closed for the New Years Eve Holiday on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 and for a Family Day on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

There will be no scheduled appoint-ments, pharmacy or laboratory ser-vices.

Prescription refills requested before noon on Dec. 23, 2015 and Dec. 30, 2015 will be available for pickup after noon on Dec. 28, 2015 and Jan. 4, 2016.

Prescription refills requested after noon on Dec. 23, 2015 and Dec. 30, 2015 will be available for pickup after noon on Dec. 29, 2015 and Jan. 5, 2016.

The Emergent Care Center will re-main open to provide emergency and urgent care services.

Emergency Care is defined as a threat to life, limb or eyesight, such as severe bleeding, chest pain or broken bones.

Urgent Care is defined as care for an illness or injury that requires treatment within 24 hours but is not life threatening. Examples in-clude: earache, toothache, rising fever, joint sprain or urinary tract infection.

TRICARE Prime enrollees are re-quired to use the MGMCSC ECC or other military treatment facility emergency room for urgent care un-less outside the local area. Visits to civilian urgent care centers require prior authorization. Failure to do so could result in you incurring the cost for the visit.

The Nurse Advice Line (NAL) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free medical information and advice for TRICARE beneficiaries. To reach the NAL call 1 (888) 999-1212, option 1-4.

If your condition is not urgent and you can wait for treatment, please contact the appointment line at 1-888-999-1212 on Dec. 4, 2015 and Jan. 4, 2016 to schedule an appointment after the holiday.

Christmas, New Year’s holiday clinic closures


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