Retiree Activities Office opens new facility Published May 30, 2018 By John Ingle 82nd Training Wing SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – The Retiree Activities Office at Sheppard Air Force Base has a new home in a better and more convenient location to continue serving a retiree population that spans from the Panhandle of Texas to parts of Louisiana. James Esther (right), retired Air Force master sergeant and Retiree Activities Office director, talks about the partnership needed between leadership and RAO volunteers to serve the roughly 18,000 military retirees in its catchment area during a ceremony at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, May 30, 2018. A ceremony marked the opening of the RAO's new location, which is in the former optical center on Sheppard near the Army-Air Force Exchange Service's Base Exchange. (U.S. Air Force photo by John Ingle) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Once the place for customers to pick up their eyeglasses, the former optical center in Bldg. 202 in front of the Army-Air Force Exchange Service Base Exchange will now continue the vision and foresight for the area’s military retiree community. A ribbon cutting ceremony May 30 commemorated the opening of the new location. James Esther, a retired Air Force master sergeant and RAO director, told those in attendance at the RAO at the new location that it has taken more than the volunteers of the office to aid retirees. “With the help of the commanders, we’ve been able to support the retiree (community) – over 18,000 individual retirees – every day of the week,” adding that agencies such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center and their family support function has been an important partner. Brig. Gen. Ronald E. Jolly Sr., 82nd Training Wing commander, applauded the efforts of Esther and RAO volunteers to keep retirees informed and help in a multitude of areas including healthcare, retiree pay, Veterans Administration benefits and more. “What’s more important than this building is really the volunteers that make it happen. Through your support Mr. Esther and all of your volunteers, we are grateful for what you all do for our retiree community,” he said. “We’ve provided you with what we consider a great building. I think it’s a step up from where you guys were previously, and I can even see this as – it may grow because our retiree population will continue to grow.” Although the ceremony took place May 30, the RAO won’t officially open for business until June 4. Operating hours of operations are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 940-676-5088, 940-676-2654 or 940-676-3381. The fax number is 940-676-8444.