Caring for People forum questions answered Published Dec. 6, 2011 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- With quality of life for Airman, DOD civilians, dependants and retirees a high priority for Air Force Leaders, Osan Air Base held a Caring for People Forum June 2, 2011. The Caring for People Forum helps Air Force leaders receive community feedback on review, action and resolution. This open forum allowed Airman and families to openly voice their concerns on policies and service support for the installation. Here is a list of questions that were received during the forum: Q: Does the Air Force regulate/assess issues of yellow dust or internal temperatures when turning the air conditioning on for the year? A: Regulation of air conditioning units for facilities across the installation are currently based on a temperature above 80 degrees Fahrenheit for five consecutive days scale. Preparations for turning on cooling systems start after heat is turned off in the spring. Recommendations for closing windows during "Yellow Dust" events are posted by United States Forces Korea and are normally for only a portion of the day. When air conditioning or heating units are off, fans are authorized in all facilities. Q: We have noticed recurring issues with broken machines or insufficient number of washers and dryers per dorm resident. Is anything being done to remedy the issue? A: The number of washers that can be physically placed in each dormitory is limited by building design such as electrical outlets and plumbing. Inspections have revealed that 90 percent of recurring machine failures is user error. As we continue to uncover correlation between user usage habits and machine failures we are informing users of the correct actions needed to reduce or prevent future machine failures. The corrective actions taken to-date have improved equipment performance. Current assets are commercial grade, but will be replaced with heavy duty industrial grade as equipment becomes unusable. Q: Is anything being done to upgrade the outdated technology in the dorms to be more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. A: Projects for future energy and water consumption reduction are underway and are submitted for energy focus funding. This is a continuous and long term effort across Osan, PACAF and the Air Force. When we do maintenance of facilities and need to replace boilers, faucets, etc. we use new items, which are inherently energy efficient. We address energy management in the Energy Management Steering Group and regularly during video teleconferences with PACAF. Q: The current fitness facilities prove inadequate at specific times such as peak times and utilization by units for squadron PT. Are any projects underway to improve facilities to offset the high volume? A: We realize our Fitness Center is too small to handle the volume of guests we normally have during peak times and unfortunately no fitness center facility construction or renovation projects have been funded for the near future. However, a new outdoor running track and football field is under construction and should be complete by the end of this year. The new areas should help move some customers outside of the facility, opening up space indoors. Q: We have noticed there are a lot of event advertisements not consistently displayed or announced to the base. There also seems to be limited options for organized activities that do not revolve around alcohol or establishments that serve alcohol. Can Osan advertise more activities that do not revolve around alcohol? A: 51 FSS strives to cover all wants and needs for Team Osan by offering vast opportunities for activities. None of the activities at the McPherson Community Center involve alcohol and are scheduled appropriately. In regards to ITT and Outdoor Recreation activities, they too are not alcohol-centric activities. As with society as a whole, many places we visit do offer alcohol to individuals of legal drinking age and it is impractical or impossible to prohibit this. All activities are advertised throughout the base on posters, flyers and in the FSS magazine and now on the Osan 51st FSS Facebook page. If there is a group that would like to schedule a specific event that is completely alcohol free, please contact the event specialists at the community center (784-3123), Outdoor Recreation (784-4007) or ITT (784-4254) for help in planning your program. Q: Why is there limited extracurricular activities offered to students. A: The Osan American Elementary School provides the following extracurricular activities: Mexican Dance, Drama, Music/Recorder, Fitness Fun Club, Math Club, Student Council, Math Olympiada, Digital Art Club, Year Book and Safety Patrol Sponsor. School leadership understands the desire for additional clubs however funding is a limiting factor. There are currently waiting lists for the fitness and drama clubs, as well as Mexican Dance. As funding becomes available to pay sponsors, additional clubs may be added. Q: Personnel are complaining they are not receiving the proper information needed before arriving at Osan. What training is being given to effectively train individuals as sponsors? A: The Sponsorship Program is monitored by 51st Force Support Squadron to ensure a sponsor's name and social security number is loaded into MilPDS. The method of communication and information delivered to incoming personnel, however, is unit specific. If an inbound member feels they are not receiving timely answers to their questions or are not receiving the right information, they can visit the Osan homepage at www.osan.af.mil. For any information not found on the Osan homepage, personnel can contact the 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at DSN 315-784-4044 or the base operator at DSN 315-784-1110 to be directed to the information desired. Q: There doesn't seem to be a main outlet for information for the base. Where does Osan have easy to find, accurate and up-to-date information for Osan members including spouses, civil service and active duty. A: There are many outlets to receive information on Osan Air Base. The 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs is constantly reviewing and updating our main web page to best serve the Osan community. Since in the forum, we have also started a base Facebook page, 51st Fighter Wing Osan AB (Official) as another source of information for the base members. Please check the official webpage or Facebook for information and if you cannot find the information you're looking for or if you have suggestions or requests for Osan's web page please send them to the public affairs e-mail at 51FWPA@osan.af.mil or call DSN 784-4044. Our public affairs office strives to make sure all the necessary information is distributed to our audience quickly and effectively. Q: Is there currently a "no-cost" service for members to deal with off-base issues such as translation of agreements, tickets and bills from off-base agencies. A: The base legal office does have a local national that is willing to translate various documents a military member may receive downtown. The documents do have to be within the scope of legal assistance. If they qualify, the service would be free of cost, but may require an appointment depending on availability. Currently we have submitted the required documents for an over-hire and are currently going through that process. Until someone can be hired, there will not be translation services available. Q: Current medical coverage is inadequate to support existing population. Military members require more than standby medical care at the emergency room or long term appointments. Have the personnel requirements been reviewed for the needs of the base? A: The 51st Medical Group consistently exceeds Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) Access to Care standards, in which acute needs are seen within 24 hours, routine needs are seen within 7 days, and wellness/specialty appointments are seen within 28 days of the time that the appointment is booked. The 51st MDG maintains 100 percent staffing due to congressional mandate, which does fluctuate during permanent change of station season. The AFMS bases its staffing models on the eligible enrolled population, which in Korea includes Active Duty members and command sponsored family members only. The 51st MDG makes additional efforts to provide in-garrison care for our non-enrolled TRICARE Standard population (non-CSP family members, retirees, DOD beneficiaries, etc.) prior to referring them to a host nation network.