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Show FiltT IIVI E S Tax Center on base offers free services By DANA RIMINGTON Hilltop Times correspondent HILL AIR FORCE BASE — For those looking for tax assistance, the base tax center is open now through April 17. The center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Poe Conference Center, in building 1295, with five volunteers on hand for free, walk-in service for active-duty, Reserve or Guard members on Title 10 orders, dependents and retirees. Last year, the tax center helped over 1,500 people prepare tax returns, with a savings of nearly $500,000 in tax preparation fees and S3.1 million in tax return refunds, according to Joanna Kieffer, Chief of Legal As- sistance at Hill Air Force Base. "A lot of people don't know the first thing about taxes, or may be intimidated by doing their own taxes, afraid to miss something and have the IRS come beating down their door. Here, they can sit down with trained volunteers and take care of it ... with the tax software provided by the IRS," Clinton native expends energy to conserve By STAFF SGT. ERICA PICARIELLO Kieffer said. Having the free service available on base allows people to come in at their convenience during their lunch hour, or before or after work. Kieffer says to plan on about an hour if there isn't a wait and if the taxes aren't too complicated; otherwise, plan a little longer. If there is a wait, or if military members would like to file taxes on their own using the free tax software, there is a doit-yourself station available. To save time, bring any documents applicable for completing the forms, such as W-2 forms, 1099s, bank statements and stock information. Call 801-777-1040 with any questions. New technologies help to engage with Airmen 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama M AXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — While some might make a more concerted effort to turn off light switches or unplug unused electronics, one Clinton, Utah, native and Brigham Young University graduate conserves energy by applying it to his morning commute. For more than two decades, David Dawson, Maxwell Air Force Base's Air Force Officer Training School director of staff, has made the personal choice to ride his bicycle to work. "After graduating high school, I went on a two-year missionary trip to the Dominican Republic," Dawson said. "While there, I didn't have a car, and I rode my bike everywhere. It became habit for me, so I continued to ride when I came back." After returning to the United States, Dawson continued to use his bicycle while attending college at BYU for mechanical engineering. "I was never more than 5 or 6 miles from where I went to school, so I felt that I didn't need a car," he said. "Besides, at that point, I was a living on a conservative college student budget and was always looking to save money where I could." After college, Dawson crossed into the blue and arrived at his first duty station, Tyndall AFB, Florida. "At that point I had already been commuting with my bike for eight years," he said. "The weather in Panama City is perfect for biking and it continued to save me money. Also, the Air Force values a culture of healthy choices, and biking was just another way to relieve stress and make sure I found time to exercise throughout the day." Just as with the unofficial motto of the U.S. Postal Service, "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" keeps him from riding his bike. Dawson rides his road bike from the neighboring community of Prattville, Alabama, to Maxwell, making his daily round-trip mileage approximately 20 miles. "I ride no matter the weather," he said. "At Maxwell, I may encounter severe rain, and, in that case, I have gear for that. In fact, the Air Force physical training uniform jacket and pants work great as a wind or rain repellent. I commit to this ride every morning, . r. • • P. 4"1... • • • • • • • • • a • .0 •• •• •• ••• • •• ••• llt •• • • 11. 4 "m STAFF SGT. ERICA PICARIELLO/U.S. Air Force Maj. David Dawson, Officer Training School director of staff at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., rides his bicycle after work in October 2014. For more than two decades, Dawson has made the personal choice to ride his bicycle to and from work every a di, ... Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, host a "hangout" with Christopher Fincham on Jan. 16 at the Google office in Washington, D.C. The Welshes used the Google+ venue as a means to talk candidly with Airmen across the globe. Fincham is an Army sergeant first class who is in a yearlong Training With Industry Program. day. and it's been a great way to learn about the local communities I live in while saving money and staying healthy — no matter the weather." This BYU grad doesn't just commit his mornings to the ride, but his evenings, too. "If I have to be at work by 5 a.m., I need to leave the house by 4:10 a.m.," Dawson said. "Conversely, if I leave by 4:45 p.m. every day, I should be home before 6 p.m. On days that I need to be at work early, I like to be in bed by 7 p.m. to ensure I'm rested enough for the commute. So this lifestyle really requires a lot of prior planning and schedule discipline." A lot of the planning goes into what equipment to bring on the ride. "I have equipment for every situation and weather," Dawson said. "I also have a kit with tools that allows me to overcome about any bike malfunction that comes my way. Preventative maintenance is important when you bike as much as I do, and it's recommended to change bike chains every 750 miles, so I go through approximately nine bike chains a year." Though he rides through high-traffic residential areas and highways, he never feels like he's in any physical danger. "I've heard a lot of people say, 'Seems like a dangerous thing to do,' but I haven't run into dangerous drivers, for the most part," Dawson said. "The road shoulders here are pretty wide, but I stay far to the right and am courteous to the drivers." Dawson said one of the greatest things about biking to work has actually been the courteous drivers and seeing local military pride. "The best thing about riding a bike to Maxwell every day is seeing Southern hospitality in action," he said. "On bike rides, I get a chance to see people in action. Every time it has been raining hard or I've had a flat tire, someone will pull over and see if I need a ride. One morning, five people pulled over while I was fixing my tire, but I had the right equipment to fix it, so I politely declined. It turns out that the stem on my tube broke and one more person pulled over to offer me a ride so I accepted. That person said to me, 'I just love Maxwell and have great respect for you guys. I'd love to offer you a ride.' It makes me aware of what great people we have around the local community." Although this Clinton native's 20-year energy-efficient commuting choice has inspired some random acts of kindness, he's had a problem paying it forward. "I offer people rides, but nobody wants to ride on my handlebars," he said with a grin. By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON, D.C. 4 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Mark A. Welsh III teamed up with Google to launch a live discussion with Airmen from bases around the world, using video chat technology. Airmen asked both the general and his wife, Betty Welsh, questions about Air Force life, ranging from future mission and operations to key spouse programs. A few of the questions were more personal, focusing on how the Welshes find time to reflect and relax, as well as advice on how military couples can make the most of their relationships. "It doesn't matter if it's 30 seconds, or 30 minutes — you need to take the time to think about what you're doing and why it's important," Welsh said. The question-and-answer session was live-streamed from Google headquarters in Washington, D.C., and came at no cost to the government. "One of our biggest challenges in the Air Force is communication — there's no single perfect solution," Welsh said. "We're a big organization - you have to communicate via numerous methods if you're really going to reach Airmen. This was another way to do that, and Betty and I had a blast." To view the Google Hangout event, visit www.youtube. com/watch?v=624Suq9a4xo. |