OCR Text |
Show QHikup Times May 9 2002 7 v v ... Air Force News Pilot swims with aquarium sharks rvr ' by Airman 1st Ciass Amy Perry 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs An Air Force pilot CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. (AFPN) is realizing his dream of swimming with sharks while sta- tioned here. Globemaster III pilot with Capt. Ravi Chaudhary, a works 15th at Airlift Squadron, the South Carolina Aquarthe ium as a volunteer research diver. When he was younger, sharks fascinated him and he wanted to swim with them one day, Chaudhary said. Shortly after arriving at Charleston, Chaudhary visited the new aquarium with his family. He saw his childhood dream right in front of him in the Great Ocean Tank. "I saw the divers in the (tank), and I knew I wanted to do this," said Chaudhary. "Right away, I went to the front desk and asked 'How do I do that?'" At the time, the aquarium was looking for advanced certified divers, Chaudhary said. He only had an open water certification, but once worked for NASA as a diver. "NASA needed a diver to test some of their equipment," Chaudhary said. "I brought the astronauts into a neutral buoyancy tank to show them how to use it (so they would be prepared in space). "With my additional experience as a diver, the (aquarium's) dive certification officer agreed to give me a check dive," Chaudhary said. A check dive, similar to a pilot's check flight, tests a diver's ability in the water. After passing his check dive, he was allowed to volunteer at the aquarium. "The DCO taught me how to relate with the animals in the C-1- K O hi "v & l Photo by Airman lit Class Amy Perry Globemaster III pilot with the 15th Airlift Capt. Ravi Chaudhary, a 7 Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C., feed sharks and other creatures In the South Carolina Aquarium's Great Ocean Tank. Chaudhary said the opportunity to volunteer at the aquarium Is a dream come true. 7 tank," Chaudhary said. "He also taught me how to be his hands and eyes in the tank to check for problematic or sick ' fish, since he's not able to dive every day." of Although sharks may seem to be the main concern hts job, Chaudhary points out the true worry. The sharks are very standoffish," Chaudhary said. The real problem is 'Caretta,' a large loggerhead turtle, the true bully of the (tank). It likes to nip at the divers and com after the food during the shows. There is always a diver rh the background watching it to make sure it doesn t inte fere." Although diving is an essential part of his job, Chaudhaj said it isn't the most important part of his job. "After the first few dives, I came to understand that the sea life is awesome, but it's the interaction with the customers outside of the tank that's most important," Chaudhary said. "The most rewarding part is having interaction with the younger children, because they get so surprised when they see the divers waving at them." The aquarium volunteer coordinators are flexible wiih Chaudhary's Air Force schedule. "With Operation Enduring Freedom, the people at the aquarium knew there would be lean times, and they have worked with me all the way," Chaudhary said. "Usually shifts each monfh divers have to come in two eight-hou- r on any day of the week, to include holidays. We also have r to make a commitment to the program. "I can't think of a better fit for me, to come out and do something I wanted to do as a kid ... I would pay someone to be able to do this," Chaudhary said. "And to be able .o r do it in a volunteer setting, it's great." one-yea- Savings plan's open season starts Wednesday RANDOLPH AFB, Texas Civilian and mican litary employees sign up for or change their contributions during the Thrift Savings 'Plan's "open season." Open season begins Wednesday and continues through July 31. "TSP is an easy, long-terretirement savings plan, that everyone should consider," said Lt. Col. David Zeh, chief of the Air Force Personnel Center's contact center here. "It's a great supplement to military and civilian retirement plans. And you only contribute what you feel you want to." TSP offers investors the chance for lower taxes each year they contribute while not hav-into pay taxes on earnings until they Military members can enroll through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service web site at www.dfas.milemss, or go to the local easy to 'pay yourself first'." The five TSP funds are: the Government Securities Investment or G Fund; the Common Stock Index Investment or C Fund; the Fixed Income Index Investment or F Fund; the Small Capitalization Stock Index Investment or S Fund; and the International Stock Index Investment or I Fund. Specific information is available for civilian employees from the Thrift Savings web site at www.tsp.gov or the BEST homepage at www.aljxr.randolph.af.mildpcBESTmenu.htm military personnel flight, finance office or family support center and ask for form TSP-U-- l. Contribution allocations (how an employee chooses to invest their money among the five funds) are made by calling the TSP automated ThriftLine at (504) or on the TSP web site at www.tsp.gov. For general TSP questions, call the AFPC Contact Center at DSN or (800) 255-877- 7 and for Air Force military personnel at Civilian Contribution limits are based on which retirement system an employee has. For the current open season, the following contribution rates apply: Federal Employees' Retirement System employees may contribute up to 12 percent of their basic pay each pay period. Once eligible, the government provides matching funds of up to four percent as well as an automatic one percent each pay period whether the employee contributes or not. This brings the maximum government contribution to five percent. Employees covered by the Civil Service g reach retirement. "Other features of the plan include a choice of five investment options, and an easy way to move your money between those options," said Janet Thomas, of the center's civilian benefits and entitlements service team. "You can take out loans from your own contributions and earnings and make withdrawals," she said. "Another great benefit is that TSP is 'portable - you can keep it if you leave military or federal service." The investment money can be paid directly out of each paycheck "so that you never have to think about it," Zeh said. "That makes it so 558-140- 4. 665-294- 9 "Employees already contributing to TSP are encouraged to review their TSP plan and account balances," Thomas said. Some of the specifics of the program include: Military Military members can initially contribute up to seven percent of their base pay with the option to increase that to 10 percent by 2005. They also have the ability to contribute all or part of their bonuses or special pay up to $11,000 in 2002. e Those serving in combat zones are allowed up to $40,000 in annual tax-fre- Retirement System may contribute up to seven percent of their basic pay each pay period, but do not receive any matching contributions. The amount FERS and CSRS employees may contribute will increase by one percentage point each year through 2005, when they wijl be restricted only by the Internal Revenue Code's annual limit, currently $1 1,000, Thomas said. Beginning with the Nov. 15 open season FERS employees can contribute 13 percent and CSRS employees can contribute 8 percent. All Air Force civilian employees must make their TSP contribution elections (amount an employee wants to contribute from their basic pay) or changes through the BEST automated phone system or web application by July 31. The BEST phone system may be reached at (800) Hearing impaired employees may contact BEST by calling TDD 3 Counor commercial (800) selors are available weekdays, 8 a.m.-- 8 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. The BEST Employee Benefits Information System web application 997-237- 8. 382-089- 565-227- is located at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil dpcBESTGRBEBIS.htm. Contribution allocations how an employee chooses to invest his money among the five funds are made by calling the TSP auto7 mated ThriftLine at (504) or oh the TSP web site at www.tsp.gov. 255-877- On Look Better and pEEL More 6. mam Confident No down payment AAAAAAA n Affordable monthly payments 1, The Family Support Center has many classes to help you! JLr Most insurance accepted No referral necessary From parenting, networking, Orthodontic relocation assistance, financial Specialists of Utah Mitchell management, and even internet classes. . . anything you might be Silverman B. DMD interested in - we've got it. The classes are free to all 4braces.com - 393-580- 0 Rifoirt', Fir ,nd ., Ogden .nl. .Vjply ( !Vj-W'W- l1 i N s f-- ycrf 1 V ' i "1 i ; ",.,' Department of Defense employees v 1 i . ."A and their;iamilies, and are held in Bldg. 308N. For more information or s v ' M -- rU , rwssst if Do you find you have too much furniture for your home? The Thrift Shop needs your reusable items. Call pi TTZTZT.'. :f -- ,,l,IIUJI,.ll ,,.,,, LlliUu ,u. 825-102- 6 for more information or to donate. |