Sheppard Weekly Update: 12.18.23 Published Dec. 18, 2023 By Airman 1st Class Katie McKee 82d TRW Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Good morning, Team Sheppard, welcome to the Sheppard Weekly Brief, which includes news significant to Sheppard AFB. THIS WEEK Landing Zone Exodus Schedule FROM THE 82d SECURITY FORCES SQUADRON Missile Gate will closed during EXODUS (21 Dec 23 - 2 Jan 24) On 22 Dec 23 from 0530-0800, Missile Gate will be open for family members picking up their Airmen for EXODUS. Permanent party personnel will use Main Gate during this time. During EXODUS, Visitor Control Center will be open from 0630-1630 on 18-22 Dec & 27-29 Dec. Commercial Vehicle Search Facility (CVIF) will be open from 0600-1630 on 18-22 Dec & 27-29 Dec 82 SFS will resume normal operations on 3 Jan 2024. FROM THE FORCE DEVELOPMENT FLIGHT The Force Development Flight (Education Office, Testing, Base Training, Professional Development Center, and Formal Training) will shut down at 1200hrs on 20 Dec for a Flight Function. FROM THE 82D JA OFFICE JA will be closed 21 December from 1200-1630 for an official function. FROM THE 82D LRS Due to Exodus, the SAFB Shuttles will be cancelled from 22 Dec 2023 - 2 Jan 2023, normal shuttle operations will begin on 3 Jan 2023. FROM THE 82d MEDICAL GROUP Sheppard Clinic Closures: ***Please note this is a different day then the normal training day Monday, 25 December - Holiday Tuesday, 26 December - Family Day, Full Day Closure ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR JOY (AND STRESS) According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people are feeling the joy, but are also overwhelmed, with nearly 89% of those polled expressing concerns about money, absent loved ones, and the potential for family conflict during the holiday season. Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) survey showed that 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. The good news is there are steps we can take to ward off the holiday blues and prioritize mental well-being, to include: • Give yourself grace. We are all busy, and what’s attainable for one person may be impossible for another. Imperfection is perfectly fine, especially if it eases your mind and stress. As NAMI recommends, “Make a list, check it twice, and decide if there’s anything you can remove.” • Find some downtime. With shopping, work, household chores, and back-to-back events, it’s vital to take time to decompress and practice self-care. Activity, nutrition, sleep, social connection, and familiar routines are key to feeling grounded and at your best. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes … including you.” – Anne Lamott • Ask for and accept help. If someone offers to take a task off your to-do list, allow yourself to accept the offer – and don’t feel guilty! Bonus points if you use that extra time to practice self-care. For more tips, visit Holiday Resilience: How TRICARE Supports Your Mental Health (dvidshub.net). WE’VE GOT YOUR SIX “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill Please remember to check on your battle buddies, wingmen, shipmates, and teammates throughout the holiday season. If someone is struggling, offer them support and remind them of the many military and community resources that are available, to include supervisors/chain of command, 24/7 Military and Veterans Crisis Line (call or text 988, press 1), chaplains, mental health professionals, Military OneSource, Military and Family Life Counseling Program, financial counselors, substance abuse programs and more. No one should suffer in silence or alone. Just reach out! FROM THE 80TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE FC Dallas Meet & Greet! Major Leaue Soccer team FC Dallas is visiting Sheppard AFB on Jan. 18, 2024! Keep an eye out for the sign-up for an exclusive meet and greet opportunity! *This event is only open to military and military families FROM THE INTEGRATED RESILIENCE OFFICE Employee Assistance Program Webinars For Air Force and Space Force Civilians and Families: 19 Dec at 1400, WorkLife Orientation (1 hr), join here FROM THE MILITARY AND FAMILY READINESS CENTER Upcoming Events: Dec 18: USAJobs Workshop / 1000-1100 Dec 18: Civilian Resume Writing / 1300-1430 Dec 20: Heart Link / 1030-1300 / Dec 21: Sheppard Right START / 0800-1200 / Sheppard Welcome Center Dec 28 & 29: DoL Employment Workshop / 0800-1600 FROM THE LANDING ZONE Click here to view the Exodus Event schedule! Dec. 23: 1430 Mario Kart Tournament, 1800: Holiday Karaoke Dec. 24: 0900: Catholic Service, 100: Protestant Service Dec. 25: All day: Hot Cocoa bar with holiday movies on repeat SAFETY CORNER –EXODUS/HOLIDAY SAFETY As we all prepare to depart for our holiday plans or welcome guests to our homes, it is important to keep safety in mind. We want Team Sheppard to safely have fun, relax, and we wish you Happy Holidays…What you do makes a difference-make way for 2024! Quick Tips: Randomly timed lights (think “Home Alone”!) Avoid sharing travel plans online. Be alert and aware of your surroundings when out shopping. Reminder: cyber security still applies when shopping online. Plan ahead for a sober ride home; go out in groups. Get plenty of rest before traveling; give yourself plenty of time. For more info: AFSEC Happy Safe Holidays! & AFSEC Happy New Year! VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Brothers / Big Sisters of Wichita Falls (940) 767-2447 Habitat for Humanity (940) 716-9300 Downtown Wichita Falls Development is looking for volunteers to help with the 31st annual City Lights Parade in Downtown Wichita Falls. See the parade from a new perspective and help a nonprofit host a Texoma tradition for over 14,000 people. Email: marketing@downtownproud.com American Red Cross (940) 322-8686 Humane Society of Wichita County (940) 855-4941 Airman’s Attic (940)-676-4358 Assist in putting items on display and helping customers Faith Mission/Faith Refuge (940) 723-5663 Child Care Partners (940) 766-4332 Hospice Plus (940) 761-1611 Submit your Weekly Brief announcements *due NLT 1300 every Wednesday* PHOTO STUDIO Hours are now 0830-1300. The last Tuesday of the month will be walk-in appointments. Come camera-ready. The Public Affairs photo studio is by APPOINTMENT ONLY Back to Top