SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Here is the next round of Q&As from my most recent Commander’s Call.
I posted these responses and previous Q&A to our wing Sharepoint site and our public website, www.scott.af.mil, for future access and review.
Please keep the questions coming!
INSTALLATION & FACILITIES
What is the policy on concealed carry on base?
Thank you for your question. The safety and security of our installation is always at the forefront of my mind, and our leadership team has undertaken several measures to increase our security posture, ensuring we have both effects-based integrated defense and defense-in-depth.
To answer your specific questions about carrying personal firearms on base, we have been evaluating several policies to include one that permits current and former qualified law enforcement officers to carry personal firearms on base. This is an aspect of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, and as soon as an Air Force and subsequent AMC policy review has been completed, we will share additional information about the way ahead at Scott AFB.
We are also researching several other options for increasing our Force Protection posture. For example, we are evaluating the option of allowing Illinois Concealed Carry permit holders to travel to and from base with their weapons, leaving them in a locked vehicle (out of sight) during duty hours.
We will continue to keep you informed as we receive more Air Force and AMC-level guidance regarding the carrying of personal weapons and carrying concealed weapons on base. Importantly, our Security Forces team is always available to meet with your organizations to discuss specific plans and conduct hands on training with your personnel.
Can our base pharmacy take expired and unused medications?
Excellent question. It is important to make sure that unused pharmaceuticals are not placed into a waste receptacle, flushed down the toilet, or accessible by a child. While the base pharmacy does not have an expired/unused medication return program at this time, the medical group is exploring how to start a future program that would be compliant with Drug Enforcement Agency rules. Presently, the pharmacy does offer free “Take Away” bags that patients can fill with unused medications and mail to a company for disposal. There are also community disposal options available. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office at 700 N. 5th St. Belleville, Ill., 62220 has an expired/unused medication drop box in their lobby available daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Here is a website that lists all community disposal sites for the St. Louis metro area: www.stlcop.edu/community/meddisposal/.
Is there a reason why Fitness Assessment scheduling has to be done at 12:01 a.m.? Is there a way to change the time to 6 a.m.?
Thank you for raising this important issue.
Improving customer service is a priority across our wing, and we looked into this and changed the policy! Due to system settings, Fitness Assessment calendars were set to open at midnight each month for Unit Fitness Program Managers to schedule tests. As a result, many UFPMs were arriving at midnight to schedule their members for Fitness Assessments.
We implemented a solution we believe will benefit everyone. Starting in September, the Fitness Assessment calendars will open at 8 a.m. on the 15th of every month, for scheduling the following month.
This provides a consistent time and date for UFPMs to track while also being at the start of the duty day for most individuals. We will coordinate with all UFPMs prior to the change and provide additional details. In the meantime, UFPMs can call the Fitness Assessment Cell at 256-4524 with any questions.
Can we have late night food places open on base?
Thank you for your feedback! The Force Support Squadron and AAFES offer several evening dining options, listed here. We regularly evaluate our dining hours and FSS will be leading efforts to evaluate customer needs through your units. Ultimately, we are responsible to ensure that our food operations not only meet our customer expectations but are also financially viable. If we aren’t meeting your expectations, please do not hesitate to speak to the manager of any of our food service operations. We value your feedback!
Nightingale Inn (Dining Facility):
· Monday-Sunday: Grab & Go meal options available 6-8 p.m.
· Flight Kitchen on call 24/7 for flight line deliveries, as mission requires
Zeppelins/Scott Event Center:
· Wednesday-Friday: 4-7 p.m.
· Sunday (football season only): noon-5 p.m.
Student Union Café:
· Monday-Friday: 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Bowling Center Snack Bar:
· Monday-Thursday: Open until 9 p.m.
· Friday-Saturday: Open until 9:30 p.m. until Labor Day/winter hours until 9 p.m.
Dominos (managed by AAFES):
· Sunday-Thursday: Open until midnight
· Friday-Saturday: Open until 1 a.m.
Can we bring diesel pumps to the Shoppette?
AAFES contacted their headquarters to conduct a market and cost analysis for installing diesel dispenser(s) at the Express. Based on their analysis, they do not intend to install dispensers this year or in fiscal year 2017.
For more information or specific requests for AAFES products and services, please contact Ms. Rita Sheridan, Scott AFB Exchange General Manager, at (618) 744-0700 ext. 201 or sheridanr@aafes.com.
Are there any plans to reseal and restripe the BX parking lot?
Thank you for asking this question. The Commissary / Exchange parking lot is one of our most heavily trafficked areas, and the parking stripes are very hard to see these days. Fortunately I have good news on this topic.
Our Civil Engineers and the Contracting Squadron have recently teamed up to attack the striping issue.
They are in the award phase of a project that will paint and seal the Commissary/Exhange area as well as the Airman and Family Readiness Center/Education Center parking lots. We expect the work to start soon, and it should be complete before Sept. 30.
This work impacts a large population of the base so thanks again for asking the question!
MISCELLANEOUS
Dr Pepper is my favorite drink, and the vending machines don’t have it. Can we make a change?
Thank you for sharing your drink preferences with us. AAFES manages the vending machines on Scott AFB, and they do have Dr Pepper in a number of machines.
Because we did not receive a specific facility number with your question, we are unable to relay what is available in vending machines at your location, adjacent facilities, or places you may frequent.
For more information or specific vending requests, please contact Mr. David Couture, AAFES’ Service Business Manager, at (618) 744-0411 or coutured@aafes.com.
I heard CAC cards are being phased out. Do you know when this will happen and what will replace them?
Great question. Earlier this summer, DoD CIO Terry Halvorsen told the 2016 Federal Forum that over the next couple of years the DoD plans to move away from the Common Access Card on our information systems; however the smart card credential may still be used for physical access.
Mr. Halvorsen would like to move to a behavior-based approach for network authentication, but at this time no replacement authentication technology, official guidance, or timelines for the change have been announced.
As soon as we receive notice of a policy or process change, our Force Support Squadron will provide guidance through your units, base paper, and electronic notification.
We will then work with the entire Scott community for implementation.