Beale key spouses hold town hall meeting Published May 13, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Beale Key spouses held a town hall meeting to discuss topics of interest at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., May 5. Below are noteworthy Q&As: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) Q. Who manages the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and where can I find available resources regarding EFMP? A. Ms. Sue Nichols from Beale AFB's Airmen & Family Readiness Center is the Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator; she can be reached at (530) 634-3292. The Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator works with military families who have special needs. She addresses unique needs throughout the assignment process and after families have settled into their new installation by providing specific events that cater to EFMP families. The Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator has many resources, tools, and articles to assist in learning more about the EFMP. Additionally, the Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator is available to speak at Commander's Calls and Key Spouse events to educate members and their families about the EFMP. Q. What can be done to help an EFMP/disabled spouse? Often spouses are not able to go to doctors' appointments due to the active duty spouse having to work even if a medical escort is required. A. AFI 36-3003, Table 7, Rule 7 permits a commander to grant up to 10 days PTDY to accompany a dependent patient or member patient to a designated MTF not in the local area when the medical authority deems it essential, or to join a dependent patient or member patient at a designated MTF not in the local area when the medical authority deems it essential; and Rule 10, the commander may approve up to 10 days PTDY to be with a dependent patient or member patient at a designated MTF in the local area when the medical authority deems it essential. Additionally, a commander may grant a special pass or excuse a member from duty to accompany a dependent to medical appointment at any time. Q. How can we get the military members to be more open minded about telling their spouses to utilize their key spouse? A. Key spouses should contact the Squadron Commander or First Sergeant about briefing their services at squadron functions, i.e. Commander's Calls. This will increase awareness for the military members on the options their spouses have with regards to the Key Spouse Program. Privatized Balfour Beatty Community (BBC) Housing Q. Why are residents charged a cleaning fee when they moved out of the old base housing when the home is being slated for demolition? A. The home must be clean from a health and safety perspective; however, the standards of cleanliness will be less than for a unit that is occupied. BBC will charge a cleaning fee for cleaning "dirty appliances" in those homes as the appliances will be used in the new homes. Q. Why will BBC not provide paint to prepare a house for inspection prior to moving out? A. Some homes only require spot painting due to normal wear and tear. BBC elects to perform the painting in those homes for practical reasons. Those residents are not charged fees for normal wear and tear. Q. Who can I contact at BBC to perform an estimate of damages in my house? A. Contact BBC's Assist Property Manager Service, Mr. John Austin at (530) 788-9500, he coordinates all damage estimates. Q. Is there a way to cut the high grass near homes in base housing to prevent children playing there from being bitten by a snake? A. BBC's Community Management Office maintains all common areas to an accepted standard, which presents an appearance that residents and their families can be proud of, but only cuts the sodded portion of the lawns. Snakes tend to avoid developed areas, preferring undisturbed, natural habitats. If you do see a snake, contact the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron's Entomology Office at (530) 634-2714 for removal. Other Base Support Issues Q. Will the base pool be opening this year? A. Yes. The estimated opening is Memorial Day Weekend for both pools, but due to lifeguard hiring issues both pools may not open at the same time. If this does occur, the main base pool will open first, with the Lakehouse pool hopefully opening within the next month. Q. Is the Base Theater reopening? A. Yes. The movie theater will open the first week of June 2014. We will show matinees and an evening movie 3-4 days per week. The movie is free to all attendees and snacks are available for purchase at a reasonable price. Go to http://www.bealefss.com/community-center.html to see the schedule for movie offerings. Q. During the budget talks, our commissaries were rumored to be closing. What is the fate of the commissary? A. The commissary is not projected to close, and the DoD has not approved any reduction in DECA services (stateside or overseas). Q. Where can I have my vehicle serviced on base since AAFES closed the J Street garage? A. The Auto Hobby shop fixes almost any problem they encounter and service most vehicles. The shop has a staff of experienced, ASE certified mechanics with 30+ years of automotive service. We are working with AAFES to sale, mount and balance new tires. Call 634-2296 for an appointment. Q. What can be done about excessive speeding in housing (especially on Garyanna Dr.)? A. Security Forces will increase its enforcement in the housing area. Please contact Base Defense Operations Center at (530) 634-2131 for complaints. Operations Issues Q. What is happening to the MC-12 & U-2 program? If they move, will the DGS stay at Beale? A. The future of the MC-12 and U-2 programs depends upon Congressional decisions and actions in the Fiscal Year 2015 Defense Budget. Due to significant budget constraints, the Air Force proposed to divest the U-2 fleet starting in 2016. Additionally, due to changing operational commitments as we withdraw forces from Afghanistan, and significant budgetary pressures, Air Combat Command intends to transfer the MC-12W program over to the Army and to Air Force Special Operations Command starting in October of 2014. Some MC-12 operations will continue at Beale AFB through 2015, but most Airmen in the MC-12 program will be re-assigned to other missions. Currently, even if the MC-12W and U-2 missions are terminated, there is not a proposal to move the DGS away from Beale AFB. Q. Please comment on the future of the MC-12 program at Beale in the next 6 months and its Impact on MC-12 families. A. Starting in October, the MC-12W mission at Beale AFB will start a drawdown. MC-12Ws will continue to operate at Beale AFB through 2015, although most MC-12 Airmen and their families will be reassigned to other missions at Beale AFB or to other assignments. For more information regarding the Key Spouse Program call the A&FRC at 634-2863.