January 2009 news briefs Published Jan. 9, 2009 By 940th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- News briefs is a list of unit events and information for 940th Air Refueling Wing personnel. 940th Mission Support Group assumption of command ceremony Lt. Col. Kenneth E. Baker will assume command of the 940th MSG Sunday, January 11 at 9 a.m. at the Community Activity Center, Beale Air Force Base. Military: Duty Uniform, Civilian: Business Attire. A highlight of new California driving laws for 2009 To review all new 2009 California driving laws, visit the official California High Way Patrol website at http://www.chp.ca.gov/ Texting While Driving This new law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cell phone, while driving a motor vehicle. Previously this was only illegal for individuals under 18 years of age, but now has been expanded to all drivers. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Zero Tolerance This new law prohibits a convicted DUI offender from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .01 percent or greater while on probation for DUI. The law requires the driver to submit to a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test, a portable breath test to determine the presence of alcohol. If the driver refuses, or if the driver submits and has a BAC of .01 or greater, a citation will be issued, the driver's license will be taken and driving privileges will be suspended. In addition, the vehicle will be impounded. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) This new law allows a portable GPS device to be mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield on the passenger side of the vehicle, or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side. These are the only two locations on a windshield where a GPS device can be mounted. The GPS device can only be used for navigational purposes while the motor vehicle is being operated, and it is required to be mounted outside of an airbag deployment zone. DOD officials expand eligibility for expeditionary medal Department of Defense officials recently expanded the areas of eligibility for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The approved additions are two countries - Morocco and Burkina Faso - and Operation Nomad Shadow, with an initial area of elibibility of Turkey and Northern Iraq. Servicemembers who qualify for both the Iraq Campaign Medal and the GWOT-EM during the same Operation Nomad Shadow deployment can be awarded either medal, but not both. Servicemembers are not entitled to more than one campaign or expeditionary medal for the same period of service. For more information, Airmen can contact their local personnel section or call the 24-hour Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775. Healthcare insurance available The majority of Reserve members are now eligible to purchase health care coverage under the TRICARE Reserve Select program. Qualification is determined by members' DEERS status. For more information about TRS visit, www.tricare.mil/reserve/reserveselect. California aerospace museum free admission The Aerospace Museum of California located at Sacramento's former McClellan Air Force Base, Calif. is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p. m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p. m. Military members with ID and their families are free! Tickets currently cost: Adults $8, seniors 60+ $6, youth ages 13-18 $6, children ages 6-12 $5, children 5 and under free. Museum members are free with a membership card. Visit the museum website for more information: http://aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org/home.html. Medical clinic hours The medical clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. Jan. 10 for physical and occupational examinations, immunizations, and respirator fits. The clinic will be closed Sun., Jan. 11 for training. Worship service during UTA A schedule of worship services at the Beale AFB Valley and Foothills Chapel: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Catholic Mass- Foothills Chapel and Protestant services at the Valley Chapel 9:00 a.m. praise service, 11:00 a.m. gospel service.