Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 7-24-15

6 July 24, 2015 NEWS Thunderbolt
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeaf b http://www.luke.af.mil
Lightning II debrief …
Payday lenders prey on Airmen

Staff Sgt. Staci Miller by Senior Airman crease the interest of the loan each payday
DEVANTE WILLIAMS that the loan isn’t paid in full.”
Senior Airman Roger Combs, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs This cycle continues until the Airman un-
chief, downloads information from an F-35 Lightning II engine at Luke Air fortunately has to take out another payday
Loans can be very useful in life. From pay- loan to pay off the first payday loan. This
Force Base. Since 2010, more than 1,800 maintainers have been trained on ing off bills to moving expenses, loans can process leads to more debt, until the lendee
the F-35. The first production F-35A rolled out of assembly in February 2006 help Airmen out when they need it. is broke and unable to support himself.
in Fort Worth, Texas. Later that year, the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,
Sometimes Airmen are attracted to a less “We try our best to prevent Airmen from
in development by the United States and eight other countries, was named than ideal option of obtaining cash other than going to payday loan stores,” Carmichael said.
the Lightning II, in homage to two earlier fighters. The first production F-35 getting a traditional loan. What they may not “We are here to help Airmen create a budget
conducted its first flight in February of 2011 with deliveries of the aircraft realize is that going to a place that offers easy, for themselves and learn how to live within
beginning that same year. fast money can put them in a big hole of debt their means.”
that they will not soon be able to get out of.
Carmichael is part of the 56th FSS Airman
Customers of that kind of loan business, and Family Readiness Center, which is an
also known as payday loans, have paid up to organization dedicated to helping Airman
800 percent in interest. With payday loans, with budgeting, saving, goals, thrift savings
it is expected to be repaid within the next plans and more.
paycheck regardless of how much is loaned.
“We want Airmen to not be afraid of asking
In order to get approved for the payday for help when they need it,” Carmichael said.
loan, Airmen are expected to show their leave “We also provide one-on-one appointments
and earnings statement. to review and discuss budget and spending
plans. The Air Force Aid Society can provide
“Your LES statement is basically a golden interest-free loans to Airmen based on their
ticket for the payday loan sharks,” said Senior situation.”
Airman Scott Giles, 56th Comptroller Squad-
ron customer service technician. With the Air Force Aid Society, all active-
duty and Reserve Air Force and Air National
If the Airman isn’t able to repay the loan Guard personnel are eligible for these loans.
on the due date, the option is to repay it on
the next paycheck. That’s when everything “With the many types of financial oppor-
goes downhill. tunities available to Airmen, the payday
loan sharks should never be considered as
“Even though the loan shark giving you an option,” Carmichael said. “Seek help if
the loan is smiling at you and being friendly, you see yourself going down the payday loan
there’s a reason why,” said Cory Carmichael, road. Asking for help is better than trying to
56th Force Support Squadron community do it yourself.”
readiness specialist. “They continue to in-

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