WHAT: Edwards Air Force Base shoppers can visit ShopMyExchange.com/sweepstakes to submit a photo of their pet dressed up in a holiday-themed costume for a chance to win a share of $3,000 in Exchange gift cards.
WHEN: Dec. 1-31, 2023
WHERE: Base Exchange
Two Grand-Prize winners: $500 Exchange gift card each
Eight Runner-Up winners: $250 Exchange gift card each

WHEN: Wednesday, December 6 at 3 p.m. 
WHERE: Air Force Flight Test Museum, 405 N. Rosamond Blvd., Bldg. 5259, Edwards AFB, CA 93524
RSVP: NLT December 1 via https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=802850&k=0A6140017E57
CONTACT: Alison Vasquez, 277-3606, alison.vasquez.2@us.af.mil

WHEN: Friday, December 8, at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Military and Family Readiness Center, 90 Farrell Drive, Building 5620, Edwards AFB, CA 93524
Formal invitation forthcoming
CONTACT: Ms. MỹNga  (pronounced Meena) "Penny" Day, Chief of Protocol, 412th Test Wing, 661-277-3326/DSN 527-3326, cell 661-810-8748, 412tw.protocol@us.af.mil

Come have fun and run a 5k or walk a mile.
SIGN UP by scanning the QR code with your personal cell phone (Google Form won't work on AFNET devices)

WHEN: Friday, December 8. Check-In: 3:30 p.m. 🏃🏃🏃 Run starts at 4 p.m. 
WHERE: Mayroad Community Park

WHAT: Tree Lighting, Ice Skating Rink, Giant Slide, Santa Claus, Hot Cocoa, Food Trucks, and more!
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 8, 4-8 p.m.
WHERE: BX Parking Lot 

WHAT: Show off your most creative holiday sweater for the chance to win! Two categories: Adult (18 and up) and child. One prize per category: two tickets to Disneyland (Adult category) and four tickets to Medieval Times (child). Winners will be chosen by  
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. (during Winterfest)
WHERE: BX Parking Lot 
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Sign up at the FSS Marketing booth at 4 p.m. 

WHAT: Monthly forums with supervisors of civilians 
WHEN: Third Thursday of the month, 10-10:30 a.m. 
January 19: AY24 Civilian Development
February 16:  Civilian Employment Plan
March 16: Civilian Leave Programs
April 20: APDP Back-to-Basics Initiative
May 18: Demystifying Reimbursable Manpower and Overhires
June 15: Incentives: Recruitment, Relocation, Retention (3R’s), and Student Loan Repayment (SLR)
July 20: Enterprise Leader vs Functional Expert/Leader (DAF Civilian Career Model)
August 17:  AFTC Organizational Structure
September 21: Employee Relations Topics
October 19: AY25 Civilian Development (CD)
November 30: Enterprise Talent Acquisition and Hiring
December: No Meeting
CONTACT: AFTC.Enterprise.Recruiting@us.af.mil
HOW: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Conference ID: 408 416 887#
Call 410-874-6740 to join audio only. 

WHAT: Webinar Dealing with Sleep Issues
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 5, 12 p.m. PST 
No pre-registration required. https://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/afdonwhs/

WHAT: Webinar Emotional Wellbeing for Leaders (Managers)
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. PST
Click here to register (Copy weblink into browser) 
When registering for webinars, we recommend using a personal email account to insure you receive calendar reminders and access webinar links . Additionally, webinars are best viewed on a personal device.

WHAT: Webinar Financial Wellbeing
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (two sessions)
REGISTER: 9 am PST | 12 pm PST (Copy weblink into browser) 

WHAT: Webinar Using the Power of Meditation to Restore Wellbeing and Improved Health
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 12 p.m. PST
No pre-registration required. https://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/afdonwhs/

WHAT: Webinar Coping with Grief and Loss (Employees)
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. PST
Click here to register (Copy weblink into browser) 
When registering for webinars, we recommend using a personal email account to insure you receive calendar reminders and access webinar links . Additionally, webinars are best viewed on a personal device.

WHAT: Webinar WorkLife Orientation
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m. PST 
No pre-registration required. https://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/afdonwhs/

Want to catch up on a missed AF EAP webinar?  Find this quarter’s webinars here.

412 TW Leadership holds small group talks weekly, open to all base personnel. The form is a safe place to discuss hard issues members are facing, to include dealing with current local/world events or personal issues. Assisting leadership, members from the Chapel, EO, IG and other helping agencies are in attendance.
WHEN: Thursdays at 3 p.m. 
WHERE: Chapel 1 Annex 

WHO: Airman through Senior Airman who have completed CDC requirements
WHEN: December 5-8, 2023
WHERE: Bldg. 2460 room A
REGISTRATION: https://teamup.com/ksy5zdj7ji3bwyajq8
CONTACT: Staff Sgt. Luke Nowland, luke.nowland@us.af.mil
TOPICS: Communication in the chain of Command, Enlisted Force Structure, Career Progression, Thrift Savings Plan, Mentorship, and Leadership, Standards & Discipline and Ethics. 

CATHOLIC
Mass AFRL | 2^nd Wednesday at noon
Higher Ground Cafe | 3^rd Wednesday at 5 p.m. 
Bible Study | Men: Sundays at noon | Dorm: Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. | Women: Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Chapel 2 Annex
Adoration Blessed Sacrament | 1^st Wednesday at 5 p.m. Chapel 2
Religious Education | Sundays at 10:30 a.m. 

PROTESTANT 
Bible Study Groups | Contact 412TW.HC.Workflow@us.af.mil

MUSLIM PRAYER
Fridays 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Chapel 1, Rooms 3 & 4 | Contact maitham.dakheel@us.af.mil

BUDDHIST
3^rd Saturday 4:30-5 p.m. at Chapel 2 Conference Room | Contact Ms. Dianna Kassing at 661-277-5415 

OTHER RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL BACKGROUNDS
Please contact the Main Chapel Office at 661-277-2110

Attention Airmen and Guardians! Want to go to college? Need a TA brief?
WHEN: Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m. 
WHERE: Zoom (virtual)
Zoom link for Tuesdays: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1612185292?pwd=ZmUzVjZYb3gzeXZwcUUwL2lrazNIQT09
Zoom link for Thursdays: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1604912636?pwd=WHZjdmJIQzhqZE14SU5DMFdNYUhwdz09

PROTESTANT SERVICE (Chapel 1)
Sundays at 10 a.m. 

CATHOLIC SERVICE (Chapel 2)
Mass | Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. | Sundays at 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 
Confessions (Room 5) | Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. or by appointment

WHEN: Thursday, December 7, 6-8 p.m.
WHERE: Lancaster Community Center, 44611 Yucca Ave., Lancaster, CA 93534

WHAT: Enjoy the sights, sounds, and feel of the holiday season with "A Magical BLVD Christmas," Lancaster's winter wonderland celebration. 
WHO: Bring the entire family and spend the evening with music, dancing and festive fun with Santa Claus. 
WHEN: Saturday, December 9, 5-9 p.m. 
WHERE: Lancaster BLVD

BY: California Highway Patrol + Mojave Air and Space Port 
WHEN: No later than Wednesday, Dec. 13
WHAT: New and unwrapped toy donation 
WHERE: 
California Highway Patrol Mojave Office (any day)
Tehachapi Walmart: Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Ridgecrest Walmart: Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

WHAT: Join us for hot chocolate, photos with Santa Claus, Christmas tree raffle, and toy giveaway
BY: California Highway Patrol + Mojave Air and Space Port 
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 12-2- p.m.
WHERE: Stuart O Witt Event Center, Mojave Air & Space Port, Riley St, Mojave, CA 93501

This is our opportunity to give back to our communities, neighbors, and causes. For maximum flexibility, you can make a one-time or recurring donations to the charities you believe in and want to support.

We pushed the limit last year to raise $100K. In CFC23 this year, we are aiming for $103,500. This is a goal we will achieve together! 

1. Give through payroll deduction for a greater impact over time.
2. Give to multiple charities and pledge volunteer hours in one place.
3. Give for greater impact – the world is a better place when we give together.
4. GIVE HAPPY! Studies show that when you give happiness, you get happy too.

 https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/offerings

The park has been closed to remove the old gazebos and replace them with new ones. It will be reopened with tables in place by Friday, Dec. 1. 

As a reminder with the holidays fast approaching, Edwards Air Force Base is a No Drone Zone. This includes toys and all Commercial of the Shelf  (COTS) quadcopters, multirotor, and fixed-wing drones. Please keep this in mind if you receive a drone as a gift, as Unmanned Aircrafts Systems (UAS) flight is prohibited except as specifically authorized by the Installation Commander. Unauthorized UAS may be disabled, damaged, destroyed, seized or confiscated. Furthermore, unauthorized UAS operators may be subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and loss of operator privileges.

Phase 1 has been completed, and Phase 2 has started on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Concrete work has been scheduled for Monday, Dec. 4, and paving for Monday, Dec. 11. Depending on weather conditions, Phase 2 might be completed on Friday, Dec. 22. New guest reservations are temporarily unavailable. Thank you for your understanding and patience during the project.

Nov. 23-24 --- closed
Dec. 20 --- open 8 a.m. - noon
Dec. 25-26 --- closed
Jan. 1 --- closed
For any hazardous waste related questions, please call 277-3681 or 277-1885.

The Air Force Wildland Fire Branch in coordination with Environmental Management and the Fire and Emergency Services Flight will be conducting prescribed burns at Edwards Air Force Base, weather permitting, beginning Thursday, Dec. 7 thru Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Prescribed burns will be at Branch Memorial Park. Ignitions may begin as early as 7 a.m. local time daily with operations continuing throughout the day. The vegetation to be burned will be cattails/tules and slash piles. Smoke will be visible in the area. If you have any further questions, please contact Environmental Management at 661-277-1401.

The North Pole Hotline is now active and ready to spread the Christmas spirit through stories, songs, and even the option to leave a voicemail for  Santa Claus! The North Pole Hotline will be active until Christmas Eve.
661-277-2682 (27-SANTA)

Each year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) places limits on the dollar amount of contributions that can be contributed to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The limit for regular contributions (Traditional and/or Roth) is referred to as the elective deferral limit, per Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 402(g). For 2024, the elective deferral limit is $23,000, which is an increase from calendar year 2023. Once you reach the IRS limit; your contributions will automatically stop and will resume the next tax year if you are still enrolled in TSP. If you are a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employee, it is very important you do not reach the elective deferral limit before the end of the year; as once your contributions stop, agency matching contributions will also stop.

For those individuals who are 50 or older and for those turning 50 within the 2024 calendar year amounts beyond the elective deferral of $23,000 will automatically spill over toward the catch-up limit. The spillover method is additional tax-deferred contributions to your TSP account. Catch-Up contributions are in addition to your regular contributions and have their own annual limit. For 2024, the annual limit for Catch-Up contributions remain at $7,500. Deductions for catch-up contributions will automatically stop when you reach the annual limit, or the last pay date of the calendar year, whichever comes first.

Employees who plan to change or terminate contributions to TSP must make their election through the Government Retirement Benefit Platform (GRB), https://grbplatform.us.af.mil/

For more information regarding regular TSP or Catch-Up contributions, visit myFSS, https://myfss.us.af.mil/USAFCommunity/s/knowledge-detail?pid=kA0t00000010wizCAA to review the TSP program page. TSP also provides various webinars for employees to attend online additional information regarding their webinars may be located at https://www.tsp.gov/online-learning/.

NOTE: If you are not eligible to participate in the TSP program, please disregard this message.

Lap swim only | Mon-Fri: 6-8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Open/Lap swim | Mon-Thurs: 3:30-6 p.m. 

The water level at the Branch Memorial Park Pond is being lowered approximately two feet in preparation of a prescribed burn that will occur in December of 2023 to help manage the vegetation in the pond. Following the prescribed burn, the water level will be increased to the normal water level. If you have any further questions, please contact the Environmental Management Division at 277-1401.

DAYS: Monday-Friday
TIMES: Departs from the East side of Lancaster at 6:10 a.m. to reach our destination on base by 6:55 a.m. Returns from the base at 4:30 p.m. to arrive back at the East side of Lancaster around 5:15 p.m. 
CONTACT: Kendall King at kendall.king@us.af.mil or 661-275-6057

DAYS: Monday - Friday
TIMES: Departs from the City of Lancaster Park and Ride at 6:05 a.m. to reach our destination on base by 6:45 a.m. Returns from the base at 4 p.m. to arrive back at the City of Lancaster Park and Ride around 4:45 p.m. 
CONTACT: Vinh.Pham@us.af.mil or 661-802-2627

CONTACT: Nicholas.Kuttor@us.af.mil or 661-275-3545

CONTACT: Hector at 661-810-3868

TIMES: Departs from Park and Ride (Ave. K8 / 10th St. W) at 6 a.m. Departs Edwards AFB at 4:15 p.m. 
FEE: $220/month BUT Military/Civil Service personnel may qualify for the Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) and ride for FREE!
CONTACT: 661-903-0915

DATES/TIMES: Meets at the mall, Monday - Friday, around 6 a.m. to arrive on base around 7 a.m. Departs base at 4:30 p.m. 
CONTACT: 661-277-7290

Combat readiness is key in the post-9/11 environment. A key to ensure combat readiness is to make sure one's legal affairs are in order. This starts with a visit to the base legal office.

The legal office assists Airmen with routine matters such as claims and notaries, but we are also equipped to deal with more complicated issues such as power of attorney and wills.  The legal office advises customers about readiness issues and preventive measures to take care of military and their family members; these include education and advice about the SCRA and USERRA.

When the deployment rotation begins, family members will be left behind.

It's important for military members to have all their affairs in order before they deploy.  Otherwise, it's the spouse, kids or other family member left behind who will potentially be affected.

The legal office is ready to assist deployers with issues such as wills, powers of attorney, providing for incapacity, personal finances, etc.

There are good reasons for adults to have wills. A will can assist in ensuring wishes for property division are carried out.  This may seem like a difficult thing to do, but you will want to take control, instead of letting the courts decide.

Powers of attorney are a way of permitting others to act on one's behalf.

Whether it is taking a child to the hospital for a medical appointment or allowing a trusted agent access to one's bank account, a power of attorney can alleviate deployment headaches, allowing the warfighter to focus on the task at-hand.  A power of attorney can make sure deploying member's children are taken care of when it comes to enrolling in school.

Powers of attorney and notaries are on walk-in basis from 0900-1500 Monday thru Thursday. Will appointments and legal assistance appointments must be scheduled in advance by contacting the legal office.

For more information, Airmen should contact the 412 TW/JA base legal office at 661-277-4310.

With some political campaigns underway, including the re-election campaigns of President Biden and former President Trump, the legal office reminds Edwards Air Force Base civilian employees of the following dos and don’ts under the Hatch Act:

The Hatch Act applies to ALL civilian employees in the executive branch, with VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS. 5 USC 7322(1); 5 CFR 734.101.

The Act prohibits any political activity while:

• On duty.
• Wearing a uniform, badge, insignia, or other similar item that identifies the employing agency or the position of the employee.
• In a government building or space, or in any room or building while performing official duties.
• Using a government-owned or leased vehicle or using a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.

5 USC 7324 (a); 5 CFR 734.306.

"Political activity" is any activity, including speech and social media activity, directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group. 5 CFR 734.101.

It is also a Hatch Act violation to display in the workplace coffee mugs, buttons, or other paraphernalia with messages supporting or opposing a partisan political candidate, party, or group. 5 CFR 734.306.

The Hatch Act prohibits political bumper stickers on government vehicles. But employees can place bumper stickers on their personal vehicles so long as they do not regularly use them for official government business. 5 CFR 734.306.

Generally, civilian employees must be careful to avoid any political activity when on duty, in the federal workplace, wearing a government uniforms or insignia, using a government vehicle, or invoking official authority.  If you have specific questions about whether a particular activity is permitted or prohibited, we recommend you address your questions to your supervisor or chain of command.

Cars
Children
Divorce
Fundraisers
Household Goods
Housing
Name Changes
Small Claims California
Wills, Trusts, Estates

412 TW/JA has relocated to building 2800. All JA phone numbers remain the same.  The front desk number is 661-277-4310.

• Donations are requested due to the employee's emergency. If you are interested in donating annual leave please complete OPM Form 630A.
• Please send completed OPM 630A and a copy of your LES to: janelle.acheronti@us.af.mil.  LES's are used to validate donor SCD leave dates and available leave balances and may be redacted of any/all pay related information.
• Contact(s): Civ Janelle Acheronti - Work: 277-8798

• Donations are requested due to the employee's medical emergency. If you are interested in donating annual leave please complete OPM Form 630A.
• Please send completed OPM 630A and a copy of your LES to: janelle.acheronti@us.af.mil.  LES's are used to validate donor SCD leave dates and available leave balances and may be redacted of any/all pay related information.
• Contact(s): Civ Janelle Acheronti - Work: 277-8798

• Donations are requested due to the employee's medical emergency. If you are interested in donating annual leave please complete OPM Form 630A.
• Please send completed OPM 630A and a copy of your LES to: janelle.acheronti@us.af.mil.  LES's are used to validate donor SCD leave dates and available leave balances and may be redacted of any/all pay related information.
• Contact(s): Civ Janelle Acheronti - Work: 277-8798

• Donations are requested due to the employee's medical emergency. If you are interested in donating annual leave please complete OPM Form 630A.
• Please send completed OPM 630A and a copy of your LES to: janelle.acheronti@us.af.mil.  LES's are used to validate donor SCD leave dates and available leave balances and may be redacted of any/all pay related information.
• Contact(s): Civ Janelle Acheronti - Work: 277-8798