Spangdahlem hosts AFSA convention Published March 9, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The annual U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Force Sergeants convention will be hosted by AFSA Chapter 1681 March 29 through April 1 at Spangdahlem Air Base. The convention is designed to help Airmen develop leadership skills, discuss legislative issues and award the AFSA Noncommissioned Officer and Airmen of the year, said Tech. Sgt. Turaeza Hose, AFSA trustee. People who attend will gain knowledge of their career and how military, veteran and retiree benefits are affected in Washington. The fee to attend all scheduled conference events is $85. The cost covers meals, snacks and a guided tour of Trier. To attend the conference for one day, cost is $30. "The AFSA is a private organization that works for our benefits," said Sergeant Hose, 52nd Force Support Squadron Mosel Dining Facility NCOIC. The AFSA provides Airmen a voice on Capitol Hill through civilian representation. "The more people we have as part of AFSA, the more representation we have," said Tech. Sgt. Tammy Roth, AFSA Chapter 1681 president. "And that affects our benefits." AFSA representatives have been successful lobbing for military spouses who are both deployed to each receive Family Separation Allowance and for approval for married Airmen to ship two vehicles overseas. They are currently lobbying against prescription co-pays, an increase to TRI-Care co-pays, changes to the Montgomery GI Bill and for an increase in 2010s base pay. Airmen of any rank are invited to join AFSA. "The AFSA is called the voice of the enlisted, so a lot of people get confused because they think only NCOs can belong to it, but it is actually for airmen basic through general," said Sergeant Roth, 52nd Aerospace Medical Squadron NCOIC of Force Health Management. The annual membership fee for staff sergeant and above is $25 per year, $44 for two years or $64 for three years. The membership fee for senior airman and below is $12 for 18 months or $36 for three years. The convention will feature a number of events ranging from an open forum question and answer session with retired Chief Master Sgt. (Dr.) John McCauslin, AFSA president, to networking socials. Some events will be open to the base while others will be limited to registered conference attendees. "We will be having a chief's panel that will be open to everyone," Sergeant Roth said. "We will also have guest speakers coming to talk about issues at hand." Volunteers are needed to assist with the convention. The next volunteer meeting is 2 p.m. March 20 at the dining facility. AFSA meeting typically take place at 11:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the Brick House. For more information about the AFSA or the convention, call Sergeant Hose at 452-6727. To sign up for the opening ceremony or the honors banquet contact your unit first sergeant.