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20th FW leadership address community questions

  • Published
  • By SSgt Laura L.V. Claypool and A1C Kathryn R.C. Reaves
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Lasica, 20th Fighter Wing commander, hosted a town hall here Nov. 29.

The purpose of the town hall was to facilitate discussion between base leadership and Team Shaw members on questions, suggestions and the future of the installation.

Senior leaders from the 20th FW participated in the discussion to provide accurate and detailed information for questions asked.

Lasica opened the floor by offering information pertinent to the wing’s enduring priorities of Mission, Airmen and Family.

“There’s been some discussion at the Air Force level and Shaw AFB is one of a number of bases being considered for three increased mission sets,” said Lasica.

The first of those possibilities is Battlefield Airmen Training, which is currently a combination of geographically separated mission sets, including joint tactical air controllers and several other career fields. The idea is to consolidate these training areas into one location and Shaw is a possible candidate base.

The two other mission sets involve the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA.)

The research and investigation for these missions will begin in December. The research team will gather information such as how many Airmen can be supported, how much airspace is available for the MQ-9, and how many additional Airmen the dining facility can support. This process is being done at many bases.

The wing’s goal is to provide facts to aid higher headquarters and Air Force senior leaders in determining where those assets will be assigned, said Lasica.

Addressing items brought up in the town hall held in August, Col. David Vaclavik, 20th Mission Support Group commander, spoke about the remedies to traffic issues caused by public schools on base.

By adding signage, crosswalks and sidewalks to better direct vehicle and foot traffic around the schools, the 20th MSG has effectively remedied many of the issues.

John Kennedy, 20th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer, worked several issues concerning bus stops directly with families and schools to find safer ways to get children to and from school.

Vaclavik shared that there are several projects in the works for force protection and anti-terrorism efforts to help protect Airmen, families and the base, including re-routing of outbound lanes at the main gate, permanent replacements for yellow barricades used at school gates, and new surveillance system installation at gates open 24/7.

Col. Brian Wyrick, 20th Medical Group commander, expressed the medical team’s dedication to outstanding medical care through available resources and patient feedback.

Over the last 18 months more than a dozen initiatives have been implemented to improve medical services here. One major initiative, the funding and construction of the new medical treatment facility, is scheduled to open Feb. 7, 2017.

“We love the current building,” said Wyrick. “It’s going to be sad when it goes down. A lot of people here were born in that building back when it was a hospital.”

Information about the new treatment facility will be released in the months prior to the facility opening to provide patients details for visiting the facility for the first time.

The 20th MDG has also focused on the use of MiCare for patient-to-provider communication.

“Shaw is seventh in the Air Force Medical Service for the number of people enrolled in MiCare,” said Wyrick. “What that’s really done for you, and for us too, is improve the timeliness of our ability to communicate with you about your healthcare – to provide the right care, the right time, the right place. Thank you for your partnership.”

The below is a listing of the questions posed during the town hall and the answers provided by 20th FW leadership.

Question 1: With the change of Department of Defense Directive 5210.56, “Arming and the Use of Force,” Section 4, Possession of Privately Owned Firearms by DOD Personnel Not Related to the Performance of Official Duty, how would an individual request to carry a personal firearm on Shaw AFB?
Answer 1: Even though the DOD instruction has been rewritten, the independent services have yet to align with that instruction. Headquarters Air Force A4S staff is currently reviewing the change and how it might apply to installations. At this time, there is no revision to carry concealed or carry a personally owned weapon on Shaw AFB.

Question 2: Is there an estimated date the main fitness center renovations will be completed?
Answer 2: Everything is expected to be open no later than September 2017.

Questions 3: Can you speak to the rumor that there is an increase in theft activity in the housing areas since the opening of the school gate?
Answer 3: Crime statistics are tracked monthly; over the last 12 months, crimes on Shaw AFB have not trended up in any way with the opening of the school gates. Over the past few months, there have been fewer reported thefts of personal property, damage to government property and personal property than there was when the school gates were in the old configuration.

Base residents who experience any type of crime should report it to 20th SFS at 803-895-3669.

Question 4: How might the operating hours at the 441 Gate change? Would the 441 Gate operation hours also be changed for the weekends?
Answer 4: There is a plan in review by the 20th FW commander for security forces members to transition from working 12-hour shifts to 8-hour shifts. This plan includes closing the 441 Gate from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., daily.

Traffic studies completed in September and November of 2016 have shown that the number of cars using the gate during those hours was not significant enough to justify the manpower required to keep it open. Closing the gate for those hours will allow the 20th SFS defenders to transition back to 8-hour shifts and allocate bodies to where they are most needed to increase the base’s force protection posture.

Question 5: How would reduced operational hours at the 441 Gate affect emergency response?
Answer 5: Reduced gate hours would not affect 20th SFS emergency response in the housing area in any way because that gate is not used to access housing.
Response time for the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department is not affected by the gates, however there is a current request for funds to build a permanent fire station near Frierson Gate.

The fire department has recently done time trials to determine response times around the installation. Because response times to some areas of base housing are too long, a plan has been implemented to convert an empty building near the park into a fire station. Construction at that location is scheduled to begin in January 2017, with the end goal of completion by summer, when fire trucks will be at that location 24/7.


Question 6: Is there a possibility of getting speed bumps in the child development center and youth center parking lots to reduce the number of drivers speeding and near collisions?
Answer 6: This area of concern will be brought to the traffic committee to examine the potential for traffic calming techniques, such as speed bumps. The next traffic committee meeting is in February 2017.

Drivers are asked to observe traffic regulations as well as help enforce the rules to other drivers. Speeding deterrence measures can also be put in place to make drivers aware of speeds of travel.

This issue relates closely to the plan to close the 441 Gate from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and the reallocation of security forces manpower. Being able to reallocate defenders to areas of concern will facilitate overall force protection and make the base a safer place in all aspects.

Question 7: What is the status of the sewage and plumbing issue in base housing? Some residents have experienced sewage back-up in their homes.
Answer 7: In August, there were two water line breaks affecting a significant portion of north housing and it was known that some of the sewer infrastructure was inadequate. Approximately $6 million has been spent to get new water lines and some new sewer lines. Estimated completion for the sewer project is October 2017 and the water line project is expected to be completed in early 2018. All of base housing will have new water and new sewer lines when these projects are complete.

Question 8: What is the policy for civilians entering the housing area during school hours?
Answer 8: That housing area is technically an off-installation housing area when school gates are open. It has become known that active duty members aren’t following the rules of base access, allowing and instructing individuals who do not have legitimate base access how to get around those gates.

Only individuals with proper base credentials should be accessing the installation; any non-DOD ID holders must go to the visitor center to get a pass.

Active duty members are asked to ensure the rules of access are followed and explained to anyone who is allowing unauthorized individuals on base. The “trusted traveler rule” is still in effect, regardless of whether the school gates are open or closed. For more information about passes and escorting, call the visitor center at 803-895-9085.

Question 9: What is going on with the construction at the Main Gate? Will it affect entry and exit at the gate? When is it scheduled to be completed?
Answer 9: The construction at the Main Gate is part of an anti-terrorism and force protection standard to do away with all high speed avenues of approach onto an installation. Currently, driving toward base from the overpass, someone could run the outbound lanes and access the installation, which has happened in the recent past. This construction takes away the ease of entry onto the installation via the gate. Presently, there is no plan to close the outbound gate during construction, which is scheduled to be completed in February 2017.

Question 10: How did the 20th SFS defenders handle that situation where the person came down the wrong lane and went through the gate?
Answer 10: Defenders immediately called the base defense operation center who dispatched patrols. The final denial barrier system was not used since the defenders determined that type the threat warranted a more measured response. Patrols responded, quickly detaining and transferring that individual to local authorities.

Question 11: Is the new medical facility going to be larger or increase services?
Answer 11: While improving flow and consolidating some services that are currently outside the main building, the new facility does not expand the number of services offered. Five services currently in outlying buildings will be brought into the main building: flight medicine, bioenvironmental, TRICARE administration, pediatrics and public health. Phase two of the project will include the demolition of the old facility and construction of a new parking area, scheduled to start in the spring of 2017 and take approximately 15 months to complete.

Question 12: How can individuals get access to MiCARE? Do I need to have a common access card or be a military member to sign up for MiCARE? Does it matter what type of email address I have?
Answer 12: Patients can register for MiCARE by filling out a form online, over the phone, or at the clinic. MiCARE allows patients to access functions such as prescription renewals, referrals for specialty care and direct messaging with their health care provider teams. Find more information about MiCARE at www.shaw.af.mil/Units/MedicalServices.aspx

MiCARE login does not require a CAC, but instead a username and password. A feature to this system is that any email will work and patients often use a personal email so that notifications pop up on smartphones.

Question 13: Is there going to be an urgent care clinic located in the new medical building?
Answer 13: No, there will be not be an urgent care facility. The 20th MDG will provide the same services as in the current facility.

Question 14: Will the new medical building have a Rickenbacker’s Cafe?
Answer 14: Yes, there will be a Rickenbacker’s in the new facility. It will be located conveniently on the first floor next to the main courtyard.

Question 15: There used to be a feature on MiCARE allowing users to access diagnostic results, but that feature has been turned off. Is there a plan for that feature to be turned back on so individuals don’t have to go to the clinic to get results?
Answer 15: That feature was turned off due to a variety of technical reasons. The Military Health System is currently working on a new electronic medical record that will incorporate all of these capabilities into a single system. In the meantime, laboratory results and other patient information can be found on the TRICARE Online (TOL) system without having to call or visit the clinic.

Question 16: Are there plans to bring a dog park back to Shaw AFB in the near future?
Answer 16: The dog park is part of our buy-back program with the housing privatization, and is typically one of the top items prioritized by the installation.

Shaw Family Housing, a Hunt Military Community, representatives are aware of the request for a dog park as well as many other items brought to their attention by residents during the recent survey. Hunt works diligently to hear, track and report common concerns and address requests with the installation. For more information, call the housing office at 803-666-2210.

Question 17: Is it possible to install a crosswalk on Sycamore Street between North Elder Drive and South Elder Drive in housing to make it easier for kids to get to their buses?
Answer 17: This location will be looked at by the traffic committee in February 2017 as a possible crosswalk location.

Question 18: Is it possible to provide 24-hour access to the fitness center annex?
Answer 18: Yes, 24-hour access at the annex is possible. We will research the cost, estimated usage rate, and safety considerations.

Question 19: What types of services does the 20th FSS offer?
Answer 19: The 20th FSS offers services to include child, youth and family programs, morale and welfare programs, fitness programs and military/civilian human resource assistance. For more information, visit www.20thfss.com.

Question 20: Is there a timeline for archery becoming available at the skeet and trap range on base?
Answer 20: The range has a limited set up for archery at this time. For more information, call 803-895-0331.

Question 21: Some other bases use their community centers and youth centers in a way that allows off-base instructors to come on base for things such as music lessons. Are there any plans to utilize our centers that way?
Answer 21: This request can certainly be looked into. Individuals providing services not provided on base, for which there is a need or desire, can potentially be entered into a contract to allow base access. We will be surveying customers throughout the month of January to determine interest for instructional programming.