March 7, 2013
Vol. 42, No. 5
www.stuttgart.army.mil
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Prescription questions answered
Health officials explain the process of getting prescriptions filled overseas.
Panthers grab gold
The Patch High School boys basketball team wins their first Division I title.
Secretary details results of sequestration uncertainty
As a result of sequestrationrelated budget cuts, training for all of the military services has been curtailed in an attempt to cut $47 billion between now and Sept. 30. Additionally, Department of Defense may send preliminary furlough notifications later this month to nearly 800,000 civilian employees, effectively cutting their pay by 20 percent through the end of September.
Story by Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
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oldier and Marine training, Air Force flying hours and Navy steaming days are being curtailed thanks to the $47 billion in cuts Department of Defense must make before Sept. 30, 2013, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said March 1. The secretary stressed at the start of his first press conference as Defense Secretary that the uncertainty caused by sequestration “puts at risk our ability to effectively fulfill all of our missions.” He was joined by Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter, and both men said that if sequestration is allowed to continue through the end of the fiscal year, the effects will become much worse. The department will continue to adjust to the fiscal realities, Hagel said. He and Carter had just met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the “Tank” — the chiefs’ secure conference room
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— to speak about the consequences of sequestration. “Leadership in the Pentagon … [has] two serious concerns: first, the abrupt and arbitrary cuts imposed by sequester; and second, the lack of budget management flexibility that we now face under the current continuing resolution,” Hagel said. The department has already had to cut funding for readiness, he said. “As sequester continues, we will be forced to assume more risk, with steps that will progressively have far-reaching effects,” the secretary said. Starting in April, the Navy will gradually stand down at least four air wings, he said. “Effective immediately, Air Force flying hours will be cut back,” Hagel said. “This will have a major impact on training and readiness.” The Army will curtail training for
See Sequestration on page 4
Garrison upgrades housing units with balconies
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Story & photos by Carola Meusel USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
his time of year, many people have had enough of the cold and gray winter. With the promise of spring just around the corner, some U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart residents will have a new way to enjoy warmer temperatures with the arrival of a new upgrade to their housing units. Over the last few months, USAG Stuttgart’s Directorate of Public Works has been busy preparing for the installment of balconies on all eight stairwell apartment buildings on Kelley Barracks. The balconies were finally put up between Feb. 12 and 19. Each balcony is 8 feet deep and 9 feet wide, according to Simone Reger, chief of the DPW Engineering Services Branch. The balconies were installed like scaffolding: one connected system that holds four balconies per stairwell. Each apartment has one balcony made out of steel, perforated metal plates and cast stone, according to Reger. While residents of Buildings 3400 and 3401 already have access to their balconies, it may take another week until the rest of them will be open for use. “We’re currently in the process of preparing the access areas which includes adding drain lines and covers,” Reger said. On Patch and Robinson Barracks, current plans call for 10 stairwell apartment buildings on each installation to receive balconies. The balconies will be the exact same size and design as the ones on Kelley Barracks. As of today,
See Housing upgrades on page 4
Construction workers put up balconies on Building 3404 on Kelley Barracks Feb. 14. Balconies were installed on all eight stairwell apartment buildings between Feb. 12 and 19. Current plans call for 10 stairwell apartment buildings on Patch and Robinson Barracks to receive balconies by this summer.