Army and Air Force Exchange Services revs up service with Firestone Care Car Centers to provide services at 30 Army posts and Air Force bases throughout the continental United States including Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

The partnership already has brought Firestone Care Centers’ tire, battery, oil, brake, alignment, steering and suspension and general automotive repair services to several installations, including Ft. Hood, Scott AFB, Ft. Sill and now Joint Base Andrews.

‘‘This effort is representative of AAFES’ continuing desire to be the premier collaborative partner with both federal and commercial entities,” said AAFES Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. ‘‘This command will continue to explore new business opportunities that provide military shoppers with an outstanding variety of services and selection, further enhancing the shopping experience.”

Firestone’s repair prices at AAFES locations will be discounted 10 percent, and lubrication costs will be 5 percent cheaper than off-post prices. Firestone also will include free tire rotation, balancing and repair for authorized shoppers who purchase tire-service agreements from AAFES.

‘‘As with all AAFES services, military shoppers at Firestone can count on reliability, quality and work backed by a nationwide warranty good at locations both on and off post,” Helm said.

The new store is at the old Car Care Center, Building 1568 F Street. Services are available from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

For information, call Store Manager Michael Chisolm, 301-735-4438.

Air Force officials revise civilian hiring policy

Department of Defense civilian employees will now be referred to the hiring official along with current Air Force civilians for all permanent Air Force civilian positions.

Former Air Force employees who were realigned under the Army or Navy because of Base Realignment and Closure or joint basing initiatives will have an avenue to return to the Air Force with the policy change, said Deborah Keating, the Air Force Personnel Center's program oversight manager for civilian hiring.

‘‘Making all Air Force jobs available to DoD civilian employees will give them greater opportunities for joint experience and interagency assignments,” Keating said.

The change comes as the Air Force is increasing the number of available civilian positions.

Air Force civilian jobs are expected to increase by approximately 4,500 positions in fiscal 2010, including about 900 acquisition personnel.

For information on Air Force civilian jobs, visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil⁄afcivilianjobs.

By Staff Sgt. Steve Grever, Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

Personnel Center officials expand servicecenter hours for civilians

To increase customer support to Air Force civilian employees and applicants around the world, officials at the Total Force Service Center have expanded the hours civilian personnel experts are available to discuss employment, benefits and entitlements.

Service-delivery representatives still are available to answer general questions 24 hours per day, those with expertise in civilian matters are now available Sundays from 3-11 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays from7 a.m.-11 p.m., and Fridays from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. All hours are Central Time.

‘‘The Air Force is projecting more than 9,300 new civilian jobs in 2010 as a result of manning changes. We want to ensure potential applicants can get answers to any questions they have when applying for Air Force jobs,” said Maj. Jamison Braun, chief of TFSC-San Antonio operations. ‘‘Additionally, with the Air Force’s global presence, it was important to open our scope, ensuring that we are offering personnel expertise to our civilian Airmen and employment applicants around the world, regardless of the time zone.”

The phone number and menu options have not changed. Current civilian employees can access civilian information by calling the TFSC, 800-525-0102, then press 2 for civilian employees and follow the prompts.

External applicants who have questions about civilian positions with the Air Force for which they are applying may call the TFSC, 800-525-0102, then press option 6 for civilian career opportunities and follow the prompts.

Employees and applicants calling from foreign areas first will dial the toll-free AT&T Direct Access Number for the country in which they are located, then 800-525-0102. AT&T Direct Access Numbers are found at www.usa.att. com⁄traveler⁄index.jsp.

Hearing-impaired employees who have access to TDD equipment should call the toll-free TDD number, 800-382-0893, or commercial 565-2276 if calling within San Antonio.

By April Rowden, Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs