Changes to Eglin operations during sequestration Published May 28, 2013 By 052813 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Eglin facilities and services began changes in operation and services to support anticipated sequestration budget cuts. The following list will continue to be updated with the latest information (updated July 16, 2013). Satellite Pharmacy During furlough, the satellite pharmacy will open an hour later at 9:00 a.m. and will close the inside windows a half hour earlier at 4:30 p.m. Patients can still pick up their medications via drive thru until 5:30 p.m. The main hospital and inpatient pharmacies hours will remain the same. Hospital Laboratory The hospital laboratory's new hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through the end of September. Civilian Personnel Section There will be minimum manning in the CPS on Fridays during the furlough period. The Air Force Personnel Center will be closed every Friday starting July 8; therefore, the Eglin CPS staffing personnel are taking Friday furlough days to maximize throughput. Employees who are out-processing on Friday should clear through the Employee Relations Element, Room 132, Bldg 210. For assistance with employee relations or labor relations matters, please contact your servicing EMR/LMR specialist directly or at 2-4298. Air Force Armament Museum The AF Armament Museum will be closed on Mondays through the end of September. Airman & Family Readiness Center The new walk-in hours for the AFRC will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center will be open for emergencies from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. These hours will remain in effect through the end of September. Housing Office The housing office will be closed on Fridays through September 30. The new temporary hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Northwest Gate Eglin's Northwest Gate (formerly the 33rd Gate) off of Highway 85 N will close July 8. The closure will remain in effect until the end of the fiscal year due to a manning shortfall when furloughs go into effect. Commissary From July 8 through September 30, the Eglin commissary will be closed on Mondays. The decision to close commissaries on Mondays impacts nearly all commissaries with only a few overseas exceptions. Commissary customers will still be able to enjoy the same selection of products, savings, sales and services during the days the store is open. Bowling Alley The Eglin bowling alley and snack bar officially closed on Friday, May 24. The barbershop located within the bowling center closed June 28. Meal Service Effective June 1, the Breeze Dining Facility will close for renovations as part of an Air Force-wide Food Transformation Initiative. Current meal card holders will receive a basic allowance for substance, or BAS, to allow Airmen to choose their dining options. A temporary alternate feeding location will be established at Crossroads, co-located in the building housing Legends, for ESM/meal card holders only. Meals, served buffet style, will be available the same hours the Breeze currently operates. Meals at the Bayview Club, Legends, the bowling alley and golf course are also options. The Breeze will reopen on or about Oct. 1. Eglin Library A reduction in Eglin's 2013 budget has forced installation leadership to temporarily suspend services at the Eglin library through September 30, 2013. Starting immediately, there will be no new checkouts and no renewals. Please return all library items; the book drop in the lobby is accessible at all hours of the day. The 96th FSS is exploring options to transition the library to an Information Learning Center (ILC) when funding becomes available to re-open. ILCs align with ongoing Air Force Services Transformation initiatives to improve and enhance installation MWR programs. The ILC model offers a smaller, focused and more cost-effective solution for providing core library services for installation communities. Eglin Legal Office Notary and power of attorney services are available by walk-in on Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wed. 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Legal counsel is available by appointment only Tues. 1-3 p.m. and Thurs. 9-11 a.m. Wills are available by appointment only Tues. 9-11 a.m. and Thurs. 1-3 p.m. Power of Attorney and Will worksheets are available at www.aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. Eglin Fitness Center Due to staffing changes needed to maintain meal service operations, FSS must reduce the number of Airmen assigned to the fitness center. This will require a change in the hours of operation at fitness facilities on base as follows: The main fitness center is open Mon. through Fri. from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The field house is open Mon. through Fri. from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on weekends and holidays. The fitness annex is open Mon. through Fri. from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on weekends and holidays. "Walk-in" hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. My First Tri Triathlon - Cancelled The 96th FSS has cancelled the My First Tri triathlon, previously scheduled for June 15. As a result of sequestration taking effect on March 1, the Air Force is expected to absorb more than $12 billion in reductions this fiscal year while simultaneously working to mitigate an overseas contingency operations funding shortfall and operating under a highly restrictive continuing resolution, according to Air Force Material Command Public Affairs. For more information on sequestration, go to www.afmc.af.mil/sequestration.asp.