News In Brief Published June 5, 2009 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Maintenance group change of command set for August Col. Jon Huguley will hand off command of the 446th Maintenance Group to Col. William Anholt on Aug. 9 at 1 p.m., in a ceremony in Hangar 9. Colonel Huguley is moving to Robins AFB, Ga., to take a civilian position. Colonel Anholt is coming to McChord from Travis AFB, Calif. Airlift Control Flight set to decommission after 25 years After 25 years of service, the 446th Airlift Control Flight is being decommissioned in a ceremony July 12 at 10 a.m., in Hangar 12. All wing members are invited to pay a final tribute to the 446th ALCF. Please RSVP no later than June 26 to 446alcf.ccq@mcchord.af.mil . Dress for the ceremony will be uniform of the day or business casual as appropriate to your status. Wing host families of Reservists for fun and food in August As a way to thank you for all your hard work and dedication, and to thank your families for their support, the 446th Airlift Wing is throwing a party. Come and join us for the wing's Family Day Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. Food will be provided by vendors at a low cost. Menu includes hamburgers, brats, corn on the cob, pulled pork and more. Snacks included popcorn, cotton candy, sno-cones, root beer floats, and lemonade. There will be games, activities for kids such as inflatable slides and bouncy rooms, and more. For more information or to volunteer to help with the picnic, contact Lt. Col. Ron Limes at 982-2306. Visit a veteran in July Reservist interested in visiting with veterans at American Lake VA Hospital can join together for a planned visit on July 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. We are limited to 25 visitors. Those wishing to carpool should meet at 5:30 p.m., in the parking lot of Bldg. 1214, the 446th Airlift Wing headquarters. First sergeants are accepting donations of toiletries for the veterans, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, nail clippers and nail files, liquid body soap(men and women), mouthwash, and deodorant. Do not bring any razors. You may also bring sugar-free snacks to share with the veterans. We would also like to bring DVD's of all titles and categories to enhance their movie selection. Please call Senior Master Sgt. Theron Smith at 982-5041 or e-mail him at theron.smith@mcchord.af.mil to let him or your first sergeant know that you would like to sign up . Uniform of the day is the dress for this visit. Officers of the Quarter The 446th Airlift Wing officers of the quarter for the first quarter are: Company grade - Capt. Frank Bonnin, 446th Maintenance Operations Flight and, Field Grade - Maj. Colin Keen, 313th Airlift Squadron. Gen. Lew Allen Trophy The General Lew Allen Jr. Trophy selection board has selected Master Sgt. Randall Wentz, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, as the Fourth Air Force nominee to compete at the Air Force Reserve Command level for the General Lew Allen Jr. Trophy. Airman of the month in Iraq Staff Sgt. (senior airman at the time) Colleen Payne from the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was selected as Airman of the Month for April 2009 at Ali al Salem, Iraq. New BAH rules for non-custodial parents take effect July 1 Effective July 1, the single BAH rate will be applied to all non-custodial parent Reservists divorced from another military member, regardless of child support obligations. Members meeting this criteria will need to notify the Reserve pay office before July 1 to update their records. Failure to do so my cause overpayment of entitlement, which must then be reclaimed by the government. New Per Diem policy in effect A new policy on per diem is applicable to Air Force Reserve members on active duty for more than 180 days at one location. As of June 2, members on temporary duty for greater than 180 days at one location must have Secretarial waiver approval to receive per diem. Per diem is not payable to members in a commuting status. This policy does not apply to TDY per diem when members are on long-term orders and travel to other locations. For more information, contact you unit orders clerk. Bill passes that helps military Washington state employees HB 1548, recently passed by the Washington legislature, eliminates the member obligation to pay for interruptive military service credit. Details on how this will be administered are still being worked out, but you can track the progress at www.drs.wa.gov.