Serving the Family

Columbus Air Force Base has a full-time school liaison office (SLO) to provide K-12 education information to all personnel assigned to the installation. Contact the SLO at (662) 434-2792 or via e-mail at slo@columbus.af.mil with any of your questions. Children of families living on base have a choice to attend Columbus Municipal School District (CMSD) schools or Lowndes County School District (LCSD) schools. Both districts are fully accredited and provide a full range of academic support to include special needs, gifted, vocational and special education programs.

Children who are 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 are accepted into kindergarten, and children who are 6 years of age on/before Sept. 1 are accepted into first grade. Mississippi does NOT offer public universal Pre-K. Bus transportation is provided by both school districts.

The CMSD offers the Magnet School concept in their K-5 schools and assignment is by lottery. Parents must register with the CMSD office upon arrival to enroll their children in the lottery system. There is one middle school for seventh and eighth grades and the Columbus High School campus for ninth through twelfth grades. All students in kindergarten through eighth grades are required to wear school uniforms. Direct questions to the CMSD office at (662) 241-7400 or visit http://www.columbuscityschools.org.

The LCSD schools for personnel who reside on the installation are located in the Caledonia community. All three schools are located on the same campus. For additional information, please visit http://www.lowndes.k12.ms.us/index2.htm.

To register, you’ll need your child’s certified birth certificate and social security card, two proofs of residency (one is a copy of your lease from the housing office) and a Mississippi Certificate of Immunization Compliance (available at the base immunization clinic upon presentation of your child’s shot record). If your child is transferring in, bring the transfer or report card from the previous school and the name and address of the school. Registration is at the school of attendance.

Mississippi is a compulsory school attendance state. Personnel who elect to home school must register with the Mississippi Department of education. Contact the School Liaison Officer to complete the necessary documentation.

PRIVATE AND
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
Heritage Academy (K-12); Immanuel Center for Christian Education (preschool-12); Annunciation Catholic School (K-6); Victory Christian Academy (K-12); Columbus Christian (6 weeks-K); and the Montessori School (pre-school-2) represent some of the private schools in the area. No transportation is provided.

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is a public residential high school for gifted students. The curriculum emphasizes mathematics and science while providing strong liberal arts programs. Research, writing and computer skills are emphasized across the curriculum. The school is located on the Mississippi University for Women campus, also home to the Mississippi Governor’s School, a summer honors program for high school juniors and seniors. The Greater Columbus Learning Center provides individualized, self-paced, computer-assisted instruction in reading, language and math for preschoolers through senior citizens. The center operates its cost-free services year round on the Mississippi University for Women campus.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Child Development Center provides quality educational and developmental full-time care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The center also offers a part-time enrichment program for children ages 2 to 5. The Columbus Child Development Center is currently the only center accredited by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child or NAEYC with in the local area. Parents are encouraged to call 24 hours in advance to see if hourly care is available. Upon notification of relocation to Columbus Air Force Base, a DD 2606, Request for Child Care, may be faxed to (662) 434-2681. Updated immunization records are required at the time of enrollment for both full-time and hourly care. The center is closed weekends, holidays and AETC family days. Evening and weekend care may be provided by special arrangement. Because fees are based on total family income, parents enrolling children in a weekly program must present a copy of their last leave and earnings statement or paycheck stub, as appropriate. The center is located at 225 State Loop, in front of base housing. The phone number is (662) 434-2479.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES
The youth center provides year-round sports, social and outdoor activities for young people ages 5 to 18 with games, classes, dances, contests, field trips, life skills programs, family activities and tournaments. Youth sports programs include fall and spring soccer, summer and winter basketball, flag football, T-ball, baseball and girls softball. A school-age program is currently one of two accredited after school program in Mississippi available for 5 to 12 year olds. A holiday camp and summer day camp program is also offered during non-school days. Upon notification of relocation to Columbus Air Force Base, a DD 2606, Request for Child Care, may be faxed to (662) 434-3297. Because fees are based on total family income, parents enrolling children in a weekly program must present a copy of their last leave and earnings statement or paycheck stub, as appropriate. All activities are well supervised by a professional staff in a modern, well-equipped facility. Parents and other members of the base community are encouraged to serve as volunteers. The youth center is located at 386 Imes St., and the phone number is (662) 434-2503/2504.

Scouting
The Columbus area has several active troops at all levels of Boy and Girl Scouting. For more information, call the Boy Scouts at (662) 328 7228 and the Girl Scouts at (662) 328 1930. Adult volunteers are always needed and welcome.

COLUMBUS SPOUSES’ CLUB
The Columbus Spouses’ Club is a non-profit organization with both a social/recreational and charitable/scholarship focus. We are a fun loving, service-oriented group. Most importantly, we are part of a military family that comes to support each other, Columbus Air Force Base, and our community. We host a social function every month for a creative and fun get-together with good food, interesting topics, and great information.

AIRMAN AND FAMILY READINESS CENTER (A&FRC)
The A&FRC offers a wide variety of programs in support of members and their families during periods of separation due to temporary duty, deployment, remote, evacuations and local/national emergencies. The family readiness NCO provides pre-deployment briefings to ensure members are in a continuous state of readiness. Separate briefings for married and single members have been tailored to meet the specific needs of each group. Members are encouraged to have their affairs in order and are familiarized with the various ways A&FRC can assist before, during and after their separation. If you’re a newcomer to Columbus, one of your first stops should be the A&FRC. The center offers a full range of services and programs for the entire base community, not just families, and is “never the wrong place to visit.” The facility is located at 166 C Circle, in Building 1114 across the parking lot from the medical clinic. The phone number is (662) 434-2790.

Relocation Assistance
The community readiness consultants (CRC) can assist you in getting acquainted with your new duty station. Information on local agencies, organizations, schools, brochures on tourism attractions and weekend getaways are also available. The A&FRC also maintains a web-based information system, Military Home Front, and videos on some military bases around the world. Other resources include foreign language tapes and checklists on planning your next move. For more information, call (662) 434-2790, DSN 742-2790 or e-mail afrc@columbus.af.mil.

Family Life Education
The A&FRC offers personal and family development materials such as CDs, and publications on a wide variety of family life matters. A large database of information on local agencies is available to meet the needs of our customers, as well as referrals to on-base agencies for assistance. Spouses are encouraged to attend the quarterly Heart Link seminar that provides interesting information on the local area and the military lifestyle at Columbus AFB and other bases. Numerous other life enhancement seminars, workshops and other training sessions are scheduled on a regular basis and open to anyone who works on base. Special presentations by request are also available for units or other small groups. Listings of what is offered at the A&FRC and events in the local area can be found on the A&FRC’s electronic calendar. People who would like to subscribe to the monthly calendar can send their request to afrc@columbus.af.mil.

Financial Management
The Personal Financial Readiness Program (PFR) offers information, education and personal counseling to help you and your family meet financial goals. Your PFR manager has a large library of materials that can help you understand more about managing your money. The PFR offers classes on topics such as scholarships, credit reports, money management and more! If you would like in-depth assistance, call (662) 434-2790 or (662) 434-2855 to sign up for one-on-one counseling to analyze your personal financial status, design a budget, get out of debt, maintain your checkbook, manage your credit, plan your retirement or just to gain a better overall understanding of your options.

Air Force Aid Society
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is a private nonprofit organization that provides interest-free loans and grants to Air Force members and their families during unforeseen financial crises. The charter of the AFAS is to promote the AF mission by helping to relieve the distress of AF members and their families and assist in financial aspects of their education. The AFAS also provides Community Enhancement Programs such as: Car Care Because We Care, Child Care for Volunteers, Give Parents a Break, Respite Care, Bundles of Joy and Heart Link. Call the A&FRC at (662) 434-2790 for program and eligibility details.

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross office provides a wide range of services for the Columbus community. In an emergency, your family should call their local American Red Cross with your name, rank, social security number and unit of assignment. That office will work with our Columbus chapter, phone (662) 328-5710, to notify you of the situation, help initiate emergency leave and arrange financial assistance for emergency travel if necessary. The American Red Cross also assists with disaster and health and welfare reports and with humanitarian transfer and hardship discharge verification. Services are confidential. The American Red Cross regularly offers CPR, first aid, babysitting, water safety, emergency response and other training classes on base and in Columbus. Emergency help is available 24 hours a day by calling (877) 272 7337.

Spouse/Transition Employment Assistance
The A&FRC offers job search training and employment referral for spouses and people separating from the military. Emphasis is focused on assisting spouses in obtaining employment and maintaining existing careers. The center has current job listings and information on local employers. A local employment seminar is held each Wednesday at 1 p.m. Clients may use the center’s computers to create a resume or complete employment applications. Seminars and other resources such as books and CDs cover: interview skills, career choices, resume and cover letters and entering the work force. Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops are offered bi-monthly. Pre-separation counseling is scheduled on an individual basis and may be conducted up to 12 months before separation.

Employment Opportunities
All Columbus AFB civil service job opportunities are listed on http://www.usajob.gov. The 14th Force Support Squadron, human resources office is located in the 14th Mission Support Group Complex, Building 730, Suite 170, and provides information to people interested in nonappropriated fund employment in services and recreational activities. NAF jobs are listed online at http://www.nafjobs.org. Army and Air Force Exchange Service employment opportunities are listed at http://odin.aafes.com/employment.

There are nearly 700 permanent jobs with civilian contractors on Columbus AFB. The largest are aircraft maintenance, academic and simulator instruction, vehicle maintenance and operations and data automation. There is no central point of contact for employment opportunities with contractors; inquire through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security at http://www.mdes.ms.gov, telephone (662) 328-6876, located at 5000 North Frontage Road, Columbus, MS 39701 or directly with the contractors. Temporary and permanent employment agencies are available locally. Volunteer positions are available through the A&FRC, American Red Cross, Chapel, Services Division, Girl and Boy Scouts, and the Columbus Spouses’ Club.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
The A&FRC can help you navigate and/or connect with community/family support services through:
Information and Referral (before, during, and after PCS) to on base, off base local, state, and federal services.
Support Services in the form of outreach.
Community awareness and education on EFMP.

The A&FRC can discuss and recommend appropriate local, state and national resources to help families who are enrolled in the EFMP special needs program. The center maintains a resource library of books, videos and CDs on information pertaining to special needs.

EDUCATION
Educational opportunities around Columbus AFB are available through several nearby colleges and universities offering undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs, as well as vocational-technical programs. The CAFB Education Center is located at 81 Ward St. and can be reached at (662) 434 2562/2563. The education center provides assistance with military tuition assistance, the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), general education counseling, and veterans’ education benefits. Military members and their families can take advantage of CLEP and DANTES college-level testing programs. Military personnel only can take the ACT and SAT college admissions exams.

Three schools offer degree programs on Columbus AFB:
East Mississippi Community College (EMCC)
Saint Leo University (SLU)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)

East Mississippi Community College (EMCC)
In addition to freshman- and sophomore-level classes on base leading to an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Studies, EMCC offers a huge selection of on-line classes. EMCC also offers a wide variety of academic and vocational-technical programs at their Golden Triangle campus located about 10 miles west of Columbus in Mayhew, Miss. EMCC’s main campus is located about an hour away in Scooba, Miss. The EMCC-Columbus AFB office can be reached at (662) 434-2564/2660 or go to http://www.eastms.edu for information about degree programs.

Saint Leo University (SLU)
SLU provides bachelor’s degree programs on base in Psychology, Criminal Justice (Homeland Security and Criminalistics) and Business Administration (Management and Technology Management). Classes are also offered on-line and on CD ROM for maximum convenience. SLU has been operating continuing education centers on military installations for almost 40 years. Their main campus is located about 30 miles north of Tampa, Fla. Call the SLU-Columbus AFB office at (662) 434-8844 for more information or go to http://www.saintleo.edu.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
ERAU offers a Master’s in Aeronautical Science program on base and online. ERAU also offers other undergraduate and graduate online programs. The ERAU-Columbus AFB office can be reached at (662) 434-8262. For more information, go to http://www.erau.edu.

Two universities are located within easy driving distance of the base:
Mississippi University for Women (MUW)
Mississippi State University (MSU)

Mississippi University for Women (MUW)
MUW is a coeducational, four year institution offering a full range of classes on its campus in Columbus, Miss. MUW also offers degrees that can completed on-line. The major academic divisions are Business and Legal Studies, Education and Human Sciences, Nursing and Speech Language Pathology and Arts and Sciences. For more information, go to http://www.muw.edu or call the school at (662) 329-7106.

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University, founded in 1878 and located 25 miles west of Columbus in Starkville, MS, is a comprehensive university with an on-campus enrollment of about 17,000 students. MSU students come from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. The university offers an array of over 135 doctoral, master’s, specialist and bachelor’s/master’s degree programs. The major academic divisions are Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business and Industry, Education, Engineering, Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine. Go to http://www.msstate.edu or call MSU at (662) 325-2323.

University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is located about 60 miles east of Columbus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Its 14 colleges and schools offer more than 300 accredited programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral levels. For information, call (205) 348-6010 or check out their website at http://www.ua.edu.

MEDICAL SERVICES
The base clinic offers a variety of health care options through the Family Health, Flight Medicine, Mental Health, Optometry, Dental, Physical Therapy and Immunizations clinics. Ancillary services such as lab, radiology and pharmacy are also available. Active-duty members, who are on flying status or are Special Operation Duty (SOD) personnel, and their families, are enrolled to the Flight Medicine clinic. All other active-duty members, their families and retirees and their family members are enrolled into the Family Health clinic. Patients are assigned to professional teams that manage their care.

Emergency Care
The clinic does not have an emergency room (ER). For emergency care, proceed to the nearest emergency room or call 911 identifying that you are calling from Columbus AFB and indicate that assistance is needed on base. Your call will be transferred the Columbus AFB Fire Department; therefore, remain on the line in case an ambulance is required. Active duty members must contact the clinic or on-call provider within 24 hours of an ER visit so that duty status can be determined and follow-up care coordinated. Ambulance transportation from the base is provided by Baptist Memorial Hospital in downtown Columbus, MS, located on Hospital Drive. Baptist is one of the state’s largest providers of health care services.

Clinic Hours
The clinic is open for patient care Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closes for training at noon on the third Thursday of each month. It is closed on weekends and federal holidays. An on-call provider is available after normal duty hours by calling (662) 434-2273 (CARE). The answering service and provider on-call cannot make appointments but will assist you in your medical decisions.

Appointments
The base clinic provides acute and routine health care by appointment only; arriving without an appointment will delay your access to care. Appointments can be made by calling our appointment desk at (662) 434-2272 (CARE) or by accessing TRICARE On-Line at http://www.tricareonline.com. TRICARE On-Line is also available so appointments can be made after hours. Active-duty members have priority call in from 7 to 7:30 a.m. Calls for all other TRICARE Prime enrollees start at 7:30 a.m. Patients calling in for a routine or wellness appointment should do so after 9 a.m. to avoid long waits on the appointment line. If you have an acute care need (an injury or illness that is non-manageable by self-care methods or over-the-counter medications), your care will be coordinated within 24 hours. All other care will be seen within seven to 28 days.

Flight Medicine Sick Call
Sick-call is conducted twice a day for flyers and SOD personnel only. Sick-call is to determine duties not including flying/return-to-duty status, not for routine health care concerns that do not affect the member’s flying status. Simply show up Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. The clinic closes at noon on the third Thursday of each month and will only have a morning sick-call on that day.

Dental Care
Active duty service members receive comprehensive dental care and can schedule an appointment by calling (662) 434-2250. By law, family members are only authorized emergency dental treatment by the base dental clinic; therefore, families are encouraged to participate in the dependant dental plan. Urgent dental needs are usually scheduled that same day or within 24 hours. A dentist is on call for after-hours dental emergencies and can be reached by calling (662) 434 CARE.

TRICARE
The Tri-Service Coordinated Health Care (TRICARE) program was implemented in this region in July, 1996. Active duty members are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime but must make a decision among TRICARE Standard, Extra or Prime for their family members. Information on these plans is provided to all members and their families during the Wing Newcomer’s brief and is available at the TRICARE office in the clinic. Additional information is available by calling the TRICARE Service Center at (800) 444-5445 or a Health Benefits Advisor at (662) 434-2137.

CHAPEL
Chapel activities provide an opportunity for people to express their beliefs through fellowship, religious education and worship. Youth, men’s and women’s fellowship groups and parish councils contribute to Columbus’ religious community program. Catholic and Protestant services are held each Sunday. The Protestant service is at 10:45 a.m. and the Catholic service is at 5 p.m. The religious education program includes Sunday morning classes for all ages. Call the chapel to make arrangements for marriages, baptisms and other rites. Chaplains are available 24 hours a day for confidential counseling about spiritual, family or personal concerns. The chapel is located at 464 Harpe Blvd. The phone number is (662) 434-2500.

LEGAL SERVICES
The staff judge advocate (“JAG”) office supports the mission of the 14th Flying Training Wing by providing legal advice to wing and subordinate command leadership on all legal matters including: military justice, civil law, claims, fiscal law, contracting, ethics, environmental law and the laws particular to Air Force operations. Additionally, the legal office provides legal assistance to eligible clients on matters such as landlord/tenant issues, consumer protection, personal finance, debt collection, domestic relations, adoption, citizenship and a variety of other topics. Powers of attorney and notary services are offered every day. Wills are by appointment on Tuesday mornings. Newcomers receive claims instructions during in-processing and the legal staff can assist you in filing claims for property lost or damaged in shipment or storage. Additionally, the legal office organizes and oversees the volunteer tax program each year assisting eligible clients in need of tax help. The legal office is located in the Wing Headquarters Building. The phone number is (662) 434-7030.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The public affairs office is the focal point for all internal and external news and information about Columbus AFB and its people. Public affairs produces the weekly base newspaper, Silver Wings; operates BLAZE 64, the commander’s access channel; AM 1610 weather radio station, posts messages on the electronic marquees at each gate, coordinates all news media queries, interviews and visits; clears Air Force information for public release; conducts base tours; and arranges base participation in community events. The public affairs office is located in the Wing Headquarters building, Building 724, Suite 210, at 555 Seventh St. The phone number is (662) 434-7068.

COMMISSARY
The commissary carries a complete line of grocery items including a clerk-serviced delicatessen. The commissary is located on Simler Boulevard. The phone number is (662) 434-7109.

BASE EXCHANGE (BX)
The BX offers a variety of merchandise and services including military clothing sales, catalog ordering, layaways, Western Union wire service, money orders and check cashing. A barber shop, beauty shop, GNC and optical shop are located in the mall of the BX complex, as well as Subway and Taco Bell restaurants. The Shoppette/Class Six and gas station are located adjacent to the BX. The BX phone number is (662) 434-6013.

THRIFT SHOP
The thrift shop is an excellent place to buy and sell used items such as household goods, electronics, carpets and drapes, kitchen utensils, clothing, toys and baby furniture. Proceeds are used for the spouses club’s welfare projects. The thrift shop is located at Building 345 next to the youth center. Business hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The phone number is (662) 434-2954.