Town hall meeting opens communications, answers questions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 35th Fighter Wing held a town hall meeting at the Richard Bong Training Facility April 20, 2012. The purpose of this meeting was to open communication channels between families and wing leadership, as well as give the base community the opportunity to have their questions answered in a personal setting.

Some of the topics that were discussed include the operational tempo, Misawa military family housing updates and expanded access to the base family health clinic.

"We've been working really hard," said Col. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander. "But I want you to know that we are also working hard to try and control the operational tempo."

Rothstein highlighted some actions that were being taken to alleviate the high operational tempo, such as postponing the aircraft generation inspection to a date to be determined. He also mentioned that Airmen from Operation Noble Eagle were released three weeks early and the 14th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit were relieved from a prepare to deploy order. Some other things being done to alleviate the operational tempo are cancellation of additional natural disaster exercises, a delay of the compliance inspection until September, a request to be relieved from two major flying exercises and the scheduling of only two operational readiness exercises for this year.

During the meeting, Rothstein confirmed that there will be multiple renovations scheduled for the next few years. This will mean there will be a temporary shortage of available on-base homes.

As a result, Rothstein said, a small number of families who qualify will be offered an opportunity to move off-base.

Since living off-base is expensive to taxpayers, the number of families and the time they live off-base will be closely managed and the On Base First Policy will still be used to the maximum extent when practical.

"We will do our best to avoid moving families off base that would prefer to live on base," said Rothstein.

Targeted military families that will be permitted to move off-base must have a date eligible for return from overseas of 2013. Moving families off-base will provide temporary relief of housing shortage during renovations. A waiting list will be developed for eligible members wishing to move off-base and members who are allowed to move off-base will remain off-base through their current DEROS. If a member's tour is extended, they may be directed to move back on base at government expense.

This is our attempt to balance good stewardship of taxpayer's dollars and, within that constraint, allow as many people as practical to choose to live off-base, said Rothstein.

Interested members are asked to submit a squadron-approved letter to the housing office. For more information on the changes to Misawa military family housing go to the newcomer's page at http://www.misawa.af.mil/library/newcomerspage.asp or contact the housing office at 226-3200.

Another topic that was discussed at the town hall meeting were changes at the 35th Medical Group.

More than six weeks ago, Lt. Col. Susan Bowes, 35th Medical Support Squadron commander, surveyed military spouses for informal feedback about medical services. During the town hall meeting, Bowes reported back to the public what she had learned from the feedback and discussed what they were doing to better the reported issues.

"We heard your feedback about there not being enough appointments at the family health clinic, so we're going to make some changes," said Bowes.

Starting May 8, 2012, the clinic will be expanding its hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., which will open the clinic up to 200 more appointments a week.

"This means there will be more opportunities to see your primary care team," said Bowes.

Bowes added that the urgent care center will still be open for emergency care, but non-emergency care will be seen in the clinic with ample same-day appointments.

"If you have a same-day need, call the appointment line at 226-6111. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go the urgent care center immediately," said Bowes.