Currently, there are confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 Flu in Colorado, El Paso County and on Fort Carson. A civilian employee at NORAD at Peterson Air Force Base has also died.

Mountain Post Team members should follow basic health guidelines to protect themselves and others from possibly catching the flu by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing; washing hands frequently (minimum of 20 seconds---sing the ABC song to time it); using alcohol-based hand cleaners; avoiding close contact with sick people; and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth.

 

Current information can be found on the Evans Army Community Hospital 2009 H1N1 Flu pages at http://www.evans.amedd.army.mil/IMD/H1N1.htm or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001

Beginning Aug. 17, the standard PT times on Fort Carson will change. The PT times will be 6:30-8 a.m., Monday-Friday.

 

In support of this time, changes are being made to road closures on Magrath and Minnick Roads. Both will close to all traffic beginning at 6:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m., Minnick will reopen to allow traffic to flow in both directions. Magrath will remain closed until 8 a.m. Unit TCPs will continue to conduct traffic control at selected intersections to help ensure the safety of the Soldiers conducting PT.

The Mountaineer staff is frequently asked why the paper is not delivered to every military home off post.
First, there are not enough Mountaineers printed weekly to accommodate every Soldier, civilian employee, retiree and Family member. There is a 3:1 ratio as outlined in Army Regulation 360-1, paragraph 13-6.d, which we follow, taking into consideration that Soldiers and civilian employees on post would share a newspaper and many would take a copy home to family members.
Also, the Mountaineer contract is a civilian enterprise contract, which means that a civilian publisher takes care of the business end of the Mountaineer, selling advertising to cover printing and handling costs.
Off-post distribution to houses is not part of the contract. The Mountaineer is then provided to Fort Carson for no charge to the government. No tax dollars are used to print or distribute the newspaper. The Mountaineer staff refers all questions of advertising to the publisher, The Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 634-5905, as that is the company’s responsibility under the terms of the contract.
One of the reasons Fort Carson Public Affairs posts an on-line version is to make up for that shortfall and to distribute off post as far as the Internet goes, especially to Soldiers in the field and Family members not near Fort Carson. The Fort Carson version is without advertising, as it is on a government server, but the Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group has the full version on its Web site, http://www.csmng.com.
One can subscribe to the Mountaineer. It is $89 per year, $60 for military via a coupon in the Mountaineer. It is sent out regular mail, but may take some time to be delivered. Either fill out the coupon in the paper or call (800) 451-9998.
There are locations off post where one can find a Mountaineer. Unfortunately, some stores will not allow distribution or has a charge to the publisher in allowing an area for the newsstand. Besides the post exchange and commissary, currently, the Mountaineer is available at:
Armed Forces Recruiting Station
1055 N. Academy Blvd.
Cross Roads at the Citadel —
Army, AF, Marines, Navy

All-In-One Dry Cleaning
1605 La Shelle Way
South of B St. 7-11

Alternate Source
2410 S. Academy Blvd.

American Legion Post #38
6685 Southmoor Dr., Security

Army Recruiting Office
5861 Palmer Park Blvd.
K-Mart Center

Asian Pacific Market
615 Wooten Rd.
Off of Platte between Murray
and Powers — Old Joyrides

Briarmart
1843 Briargate Blvd.

Caspian Café
4375 Sinton Rd.

Cheyenne Trail Liquors
1703 S. 8th Street
8th Street near Arcturus

Colorado Mountain Bank
410 S. Sante Fe, Fountain CO

Comfort Inn
1410 Harrison Rd.

CPR Cell Phone Repair
3440 N. Academy Blvd.
Academy and N. Carefree area

DAV — Chapter 26
6880 Palmer Park Blvd.
Corner of Palmer Park and Peterson Roads

Downtown Paper Locations:
Pikes Peak and Nevada, Tejon and Platte,
Nevada and Colorado, Nevada
and Pikes Peak

Fountain City Hall
106 S. Main, Fountain, CO

Fountain Valley Senior Center
5475 Southmoor Dr., Fountain, CO

Geico
3235 E. Platte Ave.

Hamlin’s Auto Body
6110 Southmoor Dr., Fountain, CO

Independent Records
3030 East Platte Ave.
Platte near Circle

Jare Bears Pizza
1825 Peterson Rd.

Jay’s Military Surplus
1629 Jet Wing Dr.

Kelly O’Brien’s Sports Bar
239 N. Academy Blvd.
Southeast of Platte Ave. and Academy Blvd.

Legacy Bank
1580 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
Near Tinseltown and Target

Lockheed Martin
1670 Newport Rd.

LM’s Technical Ops Bldg. near Solo’s Rest.

Mama Trino’s Pizzeria
1817 S. Nevada Ave.
In Southern Cross Shopping Center

Nocon’s Gelatoria (Gelato)
8816 N. Union

Omni Military Loans
2350 S. Academy Blvd.

Papa Teddy’s Pizza
6436 S. HWY 85/87

Park Paralegal
608 S. Nevada Ave.

Peak to Peak Transmissions
1290 Ainsworth

Pentagon Federal Credit Union
6045 Barnes Rd.
Near SkySox stadium at Barnes and Powers

Pikes Peak Comm. College (North)
11195 Hwy. 83

Pikes Peak Comm. College (South)
5675 S. Academy Blvd.
Aspen Bldg. 1st & 2nd Floors

Pikes Peak Library District
Papers are delivered to East Library where
they are distributed to other locations

Sylvia’s Boot
2230 B Street, Ste. 300

Solo’s Restaurant
1645 N. Newport Rd.
1 Block east of Powers at Fountain Blvd.

Sproul Junior High —
Widefield School Dist. 3
235 Sumac, Security, CO

Sweet Georgia Brown’s Restaurant
1665-C LaShelle Way
Off of B Street

The Inn at Garden Plaza
2520 International Circle

The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
834 Emery Circle
Off of Murray near Galley

Used Tire King
1117 S. Nevada Ave.

VFW — Post 4051
430 E Pikes Peak Ave., Downtown

VFW 3917
715 Clearview Dr., Security, CO

VFW Post 6461
753 S. Santa Fe, Fountain, CO

YMCA Sotheast
2190 Jet Wing Dr.

America’s Army—Soldiers, Families, and Civilians—epitomize what is best about America. Their willingness to sacrifice to build a better future for others and preserve our way of life is a great strength of our nation.
There are many ways for individuals, groups and corporations to support U.S. Army Soldiers and their Families. This information is provided to those who have expressed interest in donating a gift to the Army or to Soldiers and their Families.
The Army’s Gift Program is managed by the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army and can provide assistance with channeling specific gifts. Questions regarding gift assistance can be emailed to
armyGiftprogram@hqda.army.mil. Thank you for your support.

How you can Give to Soldiers and Families
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) – www.armymwr.com
FMWRC processes general unsolicited donations in the form of goods, services or money for use in Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs, such as:
child care centers, youth activities, recreation centers, libraries, sports programs, craft shops, outdoor recreation, Family readiness Groups, exceptional Family Member Programs, and supplemental missions such as Army Community Services
and Army Family Team Building Forums. To make a donation, please call 703.681.7453.

Donations can also be made to specific Army installations that support programs such as Family readiness Groups, which support Families of deployed Soldiers, and Soldier Family Assistance Centers, which provide support to our warrior
Transition Units. These centers provide a one-stop resource for Army Community Service programs that are tailored to supporting Soldiers and their Families.
Support programs include emergency relief, continuing education, health care, legal assistance and more. To make a donation, please call 703.681.0643.

 

Army Emergency Relief (AER) – www.aerhq.org
Help the Army take care of its own. AER is the Army’s own emergency financial assistance organization. AER funds provide emergency financial assistance to active and retired Soldiers and their Families, as well as widows and orphans of active and retired Soldiers when a valid need exists for such things as emergency travel, rent, utilities, car repair, scholarships, etc. All assistance is provided in the form of interest free loans, grants or a combination of both. Only monetary donations are accepted. For details, please visit AER online or call 703.428.0000.

Wounded Soldier Assistance Army Wounded Warrior Program (aw2) – www.aw2.army.mil
The Army Wounded Warrior Program is committed to providing compassionate and personally-tailored support and advocacy to severely wounded Soldiers and their Families. AW2 links these Soldiers with critically needed resources, cutting through the bureaucracy, and championing their well-being. Businesses,
organizations and individuals from across the country can support this program with employment opportunities and donations. For more information about AW2,
or how you can help, call 800.237.1336.

 

Army Medical Department – www.armymeDiciNe.army.mil
The Army Medical Department provides quality health services on the battlefield and at home for Soldiers and their Families. To make a donation to the Army medical facility of your choice, please contact the medical facility directly. To find a particular facility, or one in your local area, please visit the Army Medical
Department’s world-wide facility listing online.

Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) – www.acap.army.mil
Find the skilled and experienced employees you need to support your company’s economic growth. This Army web site helps its service members succeed in their transition from federal service and helps employers find dependable employees for free! Contact information for your local ACAP center can be found online.

Army Partnerhiip For Youth Success (PAYS) –
www.armypays.com
Join the network to gain committed employees who have developed professional work habits and have been held to the highest standards. The Partnership for Youth Success is a recruiting initiative that appeals to young people interested in obtaining a quality civilian job after serving in the Army. For
more details, call 502.626.1222.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve – www.esgr.com
Join the network of companies that employ qualified and skilled servicemembers. Employer Support for the Guard and reserve operates through a network of volunteers and companies throughout the nation, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin islands and Europe. For details, call 800.336.4590.

Fort Carson has changed its access policies and procedures. This is to assist in the wait time at all gates.

 

Gate 1 is the visitor gate.  All non-decaled visitor traffic will need to use Gate 1 for installation access.  This gate is open for visitors and decaled vehicle traffic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Decaled traffic need to go through the left lane for decaled traffic.

 

Gate 2 is open for decaled vehicles only from 5 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

Gate 3 is the contractor/commercial gate.  All non-decaled contractor and commercial vehicles are required to use gate 3 for installation access. This gate is open for contractor/commercial and decaled vehicle traffic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Gate 4 is open for decaled vehicles only 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Gate 5 is open for decaled vehicles only from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. 7 days a week. 

 

Gate 20 is open for decaled vehicles only 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Construction at that gate has restricted the lane usage until further notice.

 

Contractors who have post decals and temporary extended passes are authorized to use any gate.

Contractors, commercial vehicles and vendors participating in the RAPIDGate program are authorized to use any gate.

What is it?

The new “Gifts to Army” Web site, launched July 21, is a new online resource developed to streamline and process gifts to the Army that benefit Soldiers and families. Contributing to worthy causes is a tradition in the United States. With the on-going conflict, the public wants to know how it can help with money, goods or services to help relieve many of the stresses and strains that Soldiers now deal with on a daily basis. This Web site will provide the public an online resource to answer the question: “How can I help?”

The Army’s Gift Program is managed by the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The Army Gift Program has existed for many years under the authority of Title 10 United States Code, Section 2601. On 28 January 2008, President Bush signed into law, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181, Section 593), which expanded the Army's gift acceptance authority to include acceptance of gifts on behalf of wounded soldiers, wounded civilian employees, and their families. The launch of the Web site centralizes the many venues and paths for public assistance that are part of the Army’s overall gift program. Contribution options addressed in the Web site include support for the Army, Soldiers and families, wounded warriors, Army installations, Soldier employment and more. In addition, information on Army community support programs are also provided.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Army plans to sustain its commitment to providing the public accessible tools to facilitate general, unsolicited donations in the form of goods, services or money that benefit Soldiers and their families

Why is this important to the Army?

Informing our Army about this site will help facilitate questions from the public who have expressed a desire to support Soldiers through gifts and donations. This is not a tool intended to be used to solicit gifts—but to provide accessible information to those who ask.

Resources:

For additional information, please visit the “Gifts to Army” Web site <http://giftstoarmy.army.mil/>

News Release <http://www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2008/07/21/11060-gifts-to-army-web-site-launches-july-21/>

www.WarriorCare.mil will provide a lasting gateway to the wonderful resources and ongoing programs that assist our Wounded, Ill, and Injured Servicemembers and their families. In addition, all Servicemembers and their families will be able to utilize the directory located on WarriorCare.mil to find information through the Department of Defense, as well as Veterans Affairs, about the Military Health System and the Service programs.

The US Army is celebrating the Year of the NCO. Throughout the year, Fort Carson will be recognizing our NCOs in events and in the Mountaineer newspaper.

Also, stories from around the Army will be posted on the Army's Year of the NCO Web site, www.army.mil/yearofthenco .

The command information section of the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office is responsible for the publication of the Mountaineer newspaper and the Fort Carson Post Guide.

 

Current Army regulations do not allow posting the paper on the Fort Carson Web site, however, the contractor, Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, has a complete version with advertising at http://www.csmng.com

 

The most current version of the Post Guide is also available at the contractor's Web site at http://shade.keeptrees.com/publications/g31/2009%20Fort%20Carson%20Base%20Guide/ That version also contains all the advertising.

 

By going to the two above sites does not express an endorsement by the US Government of any of the advertisers in the publication or of the publishers themselves.

To help Soldiers tell their stories, USAAC has created a venue for Soldiers who wish to blog - about their Army life and daily Army experiences, their careers within the Army, their outside interests and families.  It's called Army Strong Stories and the link is: http://www.armystrongstories.com.  Its purpose is to let U.S. Army Soldiers tell their story of Army life directly to others who might be interested in Army service or those who just want to learn more about what it's like to be an American Soldier - young people considering Army service, Future Soldiers, their Soldier families and friends, community leaders, educators, and others.  Its intention is to provide insight on the breadth of Army service. Soldiers at any rank or MOS or component have the opportunity to become part of Armystrongstories.com.

 

Armystrongstories.com operates within the OPSEC guidelines for Soldier blogging. Per Operations Security (OPSEC) Army Regulation 530-1, America's Army respects every Soldier's First Amendment Rights while also adhering to OPSEC considerations to ensure their safety on the battlefield. Soldiers and Army family members agree that the safety and security of our Soldiers are of utmost importance. Soldiers, Civilians, contractors and family members all play an integral role in maintaining Operations Security, just as in previous wars. Although Soldiers must register their blog with his or her Commanding Officer so that his or her CO is aware, this does not suggest that every blog post/update a Soldier makes on his or her blog needs to be monitored or first approved by an immediate supervisor and Operations Security (OPSEC) officer. According to Army policy, Soldier bloggers are entrusted to practice OPSEC when posting in a public forum.

The new Community Covenant web site www.army.mil/community  was launched by the US Army. The new site to reach Soldiers and their Families and the communities surrounding them who want to show their support and may not know how to go about doing so.

DPW begins extensive road resurfacing work on nights, and weekends. The Fort Carson Directorate of Public Works and its contractor will begin a post-wide project to resurface many of the roads within the cantonment area in September.
The resurfacing effort consists of a two part process: milling off a layer of the existing asphalt pavement and paving a new layer of asphalt pavement.  In many areas, work will be conducted on nights and weekends to minimize disruption to traffic flows in the main cantonment area, housing areas and barracks complexes.
The project begins in September and is expected to last through November unless weather conditions delay the work.  Minimal disruption to normal traffic operations is expected since most of the work and lane closures will be during after duty hours.  Drivers on post during after duty hours are advised to use caution, slow down in the work zones and obey the lane closures and detours.
In some of the areas scheduled for resurfacing, roads will be milled and left unpaved for several days. On the milled surfaces, drivers will notice a rough surface and temporary traffic control striping. Drivers should use extra caution while driving on the milled roads.
The resurfaced roads will have a smooth surface, better cross-slopes for improved water drainage and in some cases a stronger roadway to prevent rutting and potholes.
The hyperlinked map indicates the roads that are to be resurfaced and the timeframes for work on particular sections.
For more information about the road resurfacing project, call 526-2847.
http://public.carson.army.mil/sites/pao/web/Hompage%20Videos/Resurfacing%20Program%20Map%2009.jpg

Effective Oct. 1, hours of operations will be changed at all four Fort Carson DFMWR physical fitness centers to better accommodate our customers' needs.
 
Waller Physical Fitness Center
Bldg 2357, Phone: 526-2742 or 526-6222

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 2-10 p.m.
Closed on Training Holidays & Federal Holidays

 

Garcia Physical Fitness Center: 
Bldg 1856, Phone: 526-3944
Hours of Operation:  
Monday-Friday 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Holidays 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

McKibben Physical Fitness Center:
Bldg 1160 Barkeley Ave., Phone: 526-2597    
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday  5 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday  9a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed on Federal Holidays and Training Holidays

 

Forrest Physical Fitness Center:
Bldg 1843 Prussman Blvd., Phone: 526-2706

Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday 5 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Closed on Federal Holidays and Training Holidays

 

To improve access to Influenza-Like-Illnesses information, Evans Army Community Hospital will initiate a new Flu-Nurse Advice Line on Thursday Oct. 22.  The number is 52NURSE or 526-8773 between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven-days per week, to ask flu-related questions and obtain helpful information about self-care, treatment and vaccinations.
The new telephone service will offer TRICARE beneficiaries the ability to speak to a registered nurse about Influenza-Like-Illnesses including seasonal flu and the H1N1/Swine flu. 

 

 

 

Also:

 

 

Because of ongoing influenza cases and to minimize the spread of Influenza-Like-Illnesses, Evans Army Community Hospital is enacting a new visitor restriction policy.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have issued recommendations and other local healthcare facilities have recently established such restrictions.

Effective immediately, no visitors under 13-years-old will be allowed into EACH's inpatient wards.  Visitors 13 and older will have their temperatures taken before entering patient rooms; those with a temperature of 100.4 or greater will be issued a mask and asked to leave with an explanation statement and ILI self-care instructions.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we strive to keep all our beneficiaries healthy.

 

Evans Army Community Hospital has established the west entrance, revolving door, as the only after normal duty hours, non-emergency entrance.  Visitors have to check in with the security guard and receive a visitor's pass.  Emergency patients are the only ones who may enter the north-side Emergency Room entrance.  For more information, call 526-7655.

 

Each month, Fort Carson's Environmental Division of the Directorate of Public Works publishes a calendar of sustainability and environmental events and suggestions. To view this calendar, go to

 http://public.carson.army.mil/sites/pao/web/Hompage%20Videos/Nov%2009.pdf and download it for your future reference. Calendars are updated monthly.

Help Fort Carson and the Colorado Springs community conserve our valuable resources.

All are invited to welcome the 10th Combat Support Hospital Soldiers home from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ceremony will be held in Waller Gym instead of the Special Events Center.

Anticipated date for their arrival is Nov. 28. Call 526-3646 for update information starting Nov. 27.