Page 3 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 2-12-16

February 12, 2016 News Desert Wings 3
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Briefs TES, from 1 Air Force photograph by Kenji Thuloweit

Stop the violence, remem- set the benchmark capability for the Air Airmen from the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron board a Southwest 737 Feb. 9. The
ber the victims! Force to declare F-35A Initial Operational commercially contracted plane took the Airmen, mostly maintainers, to Mountain Home Air
Capability scheduled for this fall according Force Base, Idaho, where they will spend about a month conducting a test event for the F-35
In observance of Teen Dating Violence to the 53rd Wing. Joint Strike Fighter.
Prevention Month, 412th Medical Group
Family Advocacy is hosting a Sunset During the test at Mountain Home, the
Walk 5 p.m., Feb. 17. The walk will be- aircraft will be engaged in simulated com-
JLQDWWKH¿WQHVVFHQWHU7HHQVSDUHQWV bat scenarios to exercise representative mis-
and the Edwards community are invited to sion processes such as tasking, execution,
participate. A Teen and Parent Night will debrief and intelligence reporting. The test
also be held Feb. 25 at the Airman and team will be working to capture a broad
Family Readiness Center. Ashley Glover spectrum of capabilities and limitations of
of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department the F-35 system to include both operations
will be a guest speaker. The evening’s and maintenance. The team will focus on
discussion will address how celebrities, areas such as mission planning, schedul-
FXUUHQWPXVLFDQGVRFLDOPHGLDLQÀXHQFH ing, weapons building/loading, sortie gen-
dating violence. eration, life support, mission employment,
debrief and aircraft turn.
Run with History
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, will serve
The Second Annual Run with History as a simulated remote air operations center
Half Marathon/10K/5K is May 14 and for the deployed environment. Mountain
begins at 7 a.m. Home AFB is providing a secure location
with ranges to employ fourth-generation
Early Registration: Half — $50, 10K aircraft as well. F-35As will integrate with
— $35, 5K — $25; and registration after F-15Es from the 366th Fighter Wing at
April 1: Half — $60, 10K — $45, 5K — Mountain Home and A-10 Warthogs from
$35. the 124th Fighter Wing at Gowen Field,
Idaho.
Come out and run where history is
made every day! All runs will take place The entire test event is expected to last
on the historic Edwards AFB Lake Bed about a month.
and Flight-line. Base gate will open for
participants at 5 a.m.. Register at www. Air Force implements new DOD-
edwardsfss.com. wide changes to maternity leave

Tax Center Beginning Feb. 5, active-duty female Airmen will receive up 12 weeks if a medical authority deems that leave is warranted.
to 12 continuous, non-transferable weeks of fully paid maternity A birth event refers to any birth of a child or children to a fe-
The 2016 Edwards AFB Tax Center leave in accordance with Defense Department-wide changes to
will be open through April 14. The tax the policy outlined in Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s Force of male service member wherein the child or children are retained
center will be open 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 the Future announcement Jan. 28. by the mother. Multiple children resulting from a single preg-
p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Any- nancy will be treated as a single event so long as the multiple
one eligible for legal assistance under AFI This new policy applies to all Airmen in the active-duty births occur within the same 72-hour period.
51-504 is eligible for the tax center’s ser- component, and those Reserve component service members on
vices. The center is located in Bldg. 7210 orders to active service for a continuous period of at least 12 The new policy also protects Airmen from any disadvan-
DW.LQFKHORH$YHQHDUWKH86 months. tages in their career, including but not limited to assignments,
3RVW2I¿FH performance appraisals or selection for professional military
Airmen who are currently on maternity leave will automati- education, as a result of maternity leave taken.
To schedule an appointment, please call cally be granted a 42-day extension. Those Airmen currently
661-275-ETAX during the below hours: on approved ordinary leave in conjunction with their mater- In addition, DOD is requesting legislative changes to pater-
nity leave are authorized to convert their regular leave to non- nity leave. “We will seek authorities to increase paid paternity
Mondays and Wednesdays: 8 a.m. to chargeable maternity leave, not to exceed a total of 12 weeks. leave for new fathers from 10 to 14 days, which they can use
4 p.m. in addition to annual leave,” Carter said.
Commanders may not disapprove maternity leave, which be-
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 4 gins immediately following a birth event or release from hos- Airmen with questions can contact their chain of command
p.m. pitalization following a birth event for a continuous 12-week or local force support squadron for more details on eligibility,
period. This policy in no way restricts unit commanders or medi- DSSOLFDELOLW\DQGDQ\RWKHUVSHFL¿FVUHODWHGWRWKHQHZEHQH¿W
Fridays: 8 a.m. to noon cal professionals from granting convalescent leave in excess of as the Air Force begins incorporating the changes into appropri-
When you call, you will be told what ate regulations and guidance.
you will need to bring to your tax cen-
ter appointment. Walk-ins are welcome;
however, appointments take priority and
walk-ins will be seen contingent upon the
availability of a volunteer preparer.

The Desert Wings is published by Aerotech News and Re- Editorial Staff Fax: (661) 277-2732.
YLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQRZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the
Force, under exclusive written contract with the installation Commander, 412th TW .........................Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer
commander. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper Command Chief, 412th TW ..........Chief Master Sgt. David Smith WK7HVW:LQJ3XEOLF$IIDLUV2I¿FH$OOSKRWRVDUH$LU)RUFH
LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\ Director, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs ...................Steve Zapka photos unless otherwise indicated.
services. Editor ................................................................... Kenji Thuloweit
Production Staff ................................................. Rebecca Amber Paid advertisements may be referred to Aerotech News and
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