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Show HILLTOP TIMES p TIMES 3 July 8, 2010 AFMC and union leadership reaffirm working partnership BY KIM DAWLEY Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs W RIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Leaders of the Air Force's largest civilian employer and the military's largest employee union reaffirmed a strong partnership at their annual meeting as they sat down to discuss workforce issues here June 22. Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, and John Gage, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, joined other command and union officials for a morning of briefings and discussions focused on programs designed to improve AFMC employees' work environment and give them greater opportunities to contribute to the command's mission. The meeting highlighted the ongoing work of the command's Partnership Council, co-chaired by AFMC Executive Director Dr. Steve Butler andAFGE Council 214 President Scott Blanch. Butler said the council's near-term focus would be on three initiatives: determining when issues should elevate from the local partnership council to the command partnership council, having a partnership discussion on the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program and moving forward with the new executive order on the labormanagement forum. The key to working through those projects, he said, is relationships. Hoffman — who leads a civilian workforce of more than 58,000 people — emphasized his commitment to continuing the mission and taking care of people. "Our work continues," he said. "The rationale for why we exist as a command continues. Most importantly, the partnership we have with our workforce continues. It all starts with ; people. Without motivated people to db the mission, none of this would be pos-: sible." ] Gage praised the relationship that See PARTNERSHIP I page 6 Tips for the choosing the right flight to move your pets BY GINA HOOVER 17th Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management Office Year of the Air Force Family July family Activities continue ; Saturday, July 10, Youth Center Family Day at Lagoon — This event open to all families with military or Department of Defense ID will cost $50 per person and includes an all-day pass to the park and an all-you-caneat buffet at the Iron Side terrace, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. If you have a DePLAYment . pass this event is free. Sign up and pay at the Youth Center. The amusement park is open from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. For more information, call the Vouth Center at (801) 7772419. ; Wednesday, July 14, Warrior Health and Fitness Center Family Fitness Day — This free ©vent includes water balloon volleyball, kickball, relay races and rockwall climbing. Event begins at 5 p.m. and continues until If p.m. I Family Overnight Campout, July 30 — Families are welcome to start setting up their tents at Centennial Park at 5 p.m. or; Outdoor Recreation has some tents available to rent which families may then assemble at the park. Fqr more information abbut the tents, call Outdoor Recreation at (801) 777-2225. ;Other activities will include a nature walk, the aiiimated film, "Brother B$ar," on a big screen in the park, popcorn, a bonfire, hot dogs and chips, s'tnores and ghost stories. [iOgden Nature ^nimal Center displays will start -Friday night with a hawk demonstration at 5:30 p.p., an eagle presentation atj!6:30 p.m., and a final presentation will feature ai$ owl at 7:30 p.m. :|Feel free to bring board gaines, playing cards and 'throwing discs. jjBreakfast will be at •-- 6i80 a.m., and camp teard&vn at 8 a.m. PNO pets or fireworks will be allowed. - j]T6 sign up call the 75th ; Force Support Squadron "vat!|(801) 775-2084 or e-mail edtie.messina@hill.af.mil. G OODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Pets are an important part of the family making the move with you to new duty stations, but what's the best way to get them there? Some members moving to a new duty station get an opportunity to choose between traveling with Air Mobility Command or on commercial airlines. Here are some tips for choosing between the two when traveling with pets. AMC guidelines follow Department of Defense regulations that limit shipping pets, dogs and cats only, to passengers who are moving to a new duty location. AMC charges per kennel, based on the combined weight of the kennel and animal. Seventy pounds or less are charged as one piece, 71 to 140 pounds are charged as two pieces and 141 to 150 pounds are charged as three pieces. Animals with a combined weight of more than 150 pounds cannot be shipped by AMC. Normally, pets must be kenneled individually. However, two small animals may share a kennel if they are less than six months old, are the same species, weigh less than 20 pounds each and are of compa- rable size. They must also be accustomed to cohabitation and be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in the kennel. If a pet is traveling in the cabin, it must be able to fit under the seat. The kennel cannot exceed 20 inches long by 16 inches wide and 8 inches tall. Families are limited to traveling with two pets on AMC transportation. If additional space is needed, check with the transportation office for the space-available pet program 15 days prior to the AMC flight to see if extra space is available. If so, transportation will make a reservation and provide a confirmation printout to present during check-in. Commercial airlines have a 100-pound weight restriction per pet and do not allow pet shipments if there are excessive hot or cold conditions at any location on the itinerary. Excessive hot and cold conditions are when current or forecasted temperature is 85 degrees or more, or when ground temperature falls below 45 degrees. AMC officials do not impose these seasonal restrictions, but some AMC lifts require travel on commercial air transportation to reach the AMC terminal. Remember, each airline's procedures and policies are subject to change, so call them to get the up-to-date regulations on shipping pets. Other considerations when traveling with pets include selecting the appropriate kennel and providing documentation. Soft-sided or collapsible kennels are not approved for air shipment. Owners are responsible for following all U.S. Department of Agriculture and International Air Transport Association regulations regarding kennel size and types. The kennel must provide adequate ventilation. Pets will not be accepted in kennels that are too small. Place several layers of newspaper, shredded paper, or other absorbent material in the bottom of the kennel, but do not use straw, hay, grass, sawdust, sand or soil. Owners are responsible for having all required documentation, immunization, border clearance requirements and health certificates for their pet. Pet health records must be up to date and meet all country entry requirements. These documents must be brought to the traffic management office when making travel reservations. Quarantine costs as well as other costs associated with pet shipments are the owner's responsibility. For more information on traveling with pets, visit http://www.amc.af .mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090521-055.pdf. USAA Bank Is available anytime, anywhere, no matter where you're serving. • Free ATMs anywhere nationwide1 • Qualified members can deposit checks using their iPhone® or Android™ with USAA Deposit@Mobile™ • No monthly fees regardless of balance on checking accounts • Financial products for your banking needs, including mortgages, auto loans and credit cards Start with a checking account today. 800-531-8722 | usaabankingxom 'USAA doesn't charge a fee tor the first 10 ATM withdrawals and refunds up to $15 in other banks' ATM fees each month. A1% foreign transaction fee applies to withdrawals outside the United States. Availability restrictions apply. Credit cards provided by USAA Savings Bank, other bank products by USAA Federal Savings Bank, both Members FDIC. 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