Thunderbolt 6/22/23

Fightertrainingat MacDill -page8

News/Features:page3

A specialtour

News/Features:page3

DaedalianAward

Weekinphotos: page4

Imagesfromthe week

Community:page15

Events,Chapel,more...

The MarineFighterAttack Training Squadron101conductstrainingoperationsontheflightlineatMacDillAirForce BaseJune9.TheVMFAT-101“Sharpshooters” arebasedoutofMarineCorpsAirStationMiramar,California,andtrain U.S.MarineCorpspilotsontheF/A-18forinterdictionandcloseairsupport.TheVMFAT-101conductedatwo-week training operationatMacDill.

NEWS/FEATURES

AF hostshumanitarian, disaster relieftraining exercisefor AOCs

505thCommandandControlWingPublicAffairs

HURLBURTFIELD, Fla.(AFNS)—Airmen from the505thCombatTrainingSquadronrecentlyexecutedaRegionalAirMovementCoordinationCenterexercisetotestthecapabilities ofairoperationscentersandtraintwoaircomponentspecialtyteamstorespondtoahumanitarian aid/disasterrelief, orHA/DR, operationsat Hurlburt Field.

Personnelfromsixorganizationsgatheredfor thefour-dayinteractivedistributedtrainingevent inpreparationforhurricaneseason.

Afteramajornaturaldisaster, RAMCCsare typicallyestablishedtohelppreventairspaceconflictsandcongestionwhensignificantmilitary forcesoperateinanareawithaninadequateair trafficcontrolinfrastructure. RAMCCteammembers deconflictaircraftdirectedbythejointor combinedAOCswithotheraircraftparticipating inthecontingencyorduringdisasterreliefoperations(e.g.,UnitedNations, RedCross, non-governmentalorganizations, internationalmilitary/governmentandcommercialoperators).

“Thetrainingreceivedfromthe505thCTSen-

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Lt.Col.LewisHaglerworksatacomputerduringthe505thCombat TrainingSquadron’sRegionalAirMovementCoordinationCenterexercisetestingthecapabilitiesofairoperationscenters and totraintwo air componentspecialtyteamsto respondtoahumanitarianaid/disaster relief, orHA/DR,operationsatHurlburtField,Fla.,May17.RAMCCteammembersdeconflictaircraft directedbythejointorcombinedAOCwithotheraircraftparticipatinginthecontingencyorduringdisaster reliefoperations.

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6th AirRefueling Wingcommander andtheMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca

Editor:NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe Times PublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof the U.S.militaryservices onMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,the DepartmentofDefense,

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MacDill on theweb

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NewsitemsfortheMacDillThunderboltcanbesubmitted tothe6thAirRefueling WingPublicAffairsoffice,8208HangarLoopDr.,suite14,MacDillAFB,FL33621.CalltheThunderboltat828-2215.Email:6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline forarticlesubmissionsis noon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse. Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy,clarity,brevity, conformancewiththe“Associated PressStylebookandLibelManual”andAir ForceInstruction35-101.

PhotobyDebHenley

AirForce VeteranDad honoredwithnostalgic KC-135tour

bySeniorMasterSgt. VincentDe Groot 185thAirRefuelingWing,IowaAir NationalGuard

Castana,IowaresidentLarryLambarrivedatClinton-ShermanAir ForcebaseinOklahomaduringthelate 1960swherehe wasassignedasa KC-135crew chief.

ThisweektheretiredIowafarmerhadtheopportunity torevisitthattimeofhislifeduringatouratthe185th AirRefueling Wingin Sioux City, Iowa.

TheStrategicAirCommandbasewhereLambserved nearBurnsFlat, Okla.nolongerexists, butairrefueling missionandtheKC-135havestoodthetestof time.

It wasLarry’ssonCarlwhoarrangedtheKC-135tour forhisAir Force VeterandadattheIowaAirNational Guard unitwhereKC-135s arestillflown.Itjust happenedthatthetimingofthenostalgictour wasjustin timefor Father’sDay.

Althoughsignificantlyupdated, thejetsatthe185th ARWarethesameKC-135airrefuelingaircraftthatthe elderLambcrewedin1968.

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U.S.AirForce VeteranLarryLambofCastana,IowainsidethecockpitofaU.S.Air ForceKC-135Stratotankeratthe185thAir RefuelingWinginSiouxCity,IowaonJune 13,2023.LambisaformerKC-135crewchiefwhoservedintheAirForceduringthe late1960s.

KadenaABmaintainerswin AFlevel Daedalian Award

bySeniorAirmanGaryHilton 18thWingPublicAffairs

KADENAAIRBASE, Japan(AFNS)—The18thMaintenance Group was awardedthe2022Maj.Gen. ClementsMcMullenMemorialDaedalian WeaponSystemsMaintenanceTrophyattheAir Force level, distinguishingthemselvesasthe U.S. Air Forceunitwiththebest weaponsystemmaintenance.

Thetrophyispresentedannuallytoawing-levelAir Forceunitdeterminedtohavethebestweaponssystemmaintenancerecordforthe precedingcalendaryear. KadenaABpreviouslywonthis awardin1983, 1980and1966asthe18th Tactical Fighter Wing.

“Ilovebeingapartofthis awesometeam,” saidCol.LauraGoodman, 18thMaintenanceGroupcommander. “Therearealotofamazingmaintenanceprofessionalsdoingreallytoughanddemandingworkinwhat

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Air Forcepilotassignedtothe44th FighterSquadron,left,andAirman1stClassGavinTullier, 67thAircraftMaintenanceUnitcrew chief, finalizepreflight checksonanF-15CEagleduringareadinessexerciseat KadenaAirBase, Japan,March15.The18th Wingisposturedtorespond todemandingscenarios, andcontinuouslyfocusesonkeepingforcesready forhigh-end missions throughdailytrainingandreadinessexercises.

Photo,SeniorMasterSgt. VincentDeGroot

PhotobySeniorAirmanSebastianRomawac

WEEKINPHOTOS

TheMarineFighter Attack Training Squadron101conductstraining operationsontheflightlineatMacDillAirForceBaseJune9.TheVMFAT-101

“Sharpshooters”arebasedoutofMarineCorpsAir StationMiramar, California,andtrainU.S. MarineCorpspilotsontheF/A-18forinterdiction andclose airsupport. TheVMFAT-101 conducted a two-weektrainingoperationat MacDill.

U.S.AirForceAcademy cadetstourthe6thMedical GroupbuildingatMacDillAirForceBaseJune13. The cadetsvisitedMacDill and touredmultiplefacilitiestohelpthem pickout theirfuturecareersinthe AirForce.

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

Servicemembersassignedtojointspecialoperations forcesparachutesduringalow altitudetrainingmission overMacDill Air ForceBase June8. Inordertomaintain theirjumpstatus,paratroopersandspecialoperations forces must complete routinejump training.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

182ndAirliftWingleads

C-130Hercules operations atNATO’sAirDefender2023

byStaffSgt.PaulHelmig 182ndAirliftWingPublic Affairs

WUNSTORFAIR BASE, Germany—The largestNorthAtlanticTreaty Organization(NATO) multinationalairforces redeploymentexercisein history beganat WunstorfAirBase, Germany, June 12,andtheIllinoisAir National Guard’s182ndAirlift WingisleadingtheC-130Herculesaircraft operations.

ExerciseAirDefender2023,whichcontinuesthrough June23,integratesboth U.S. and alliedairpowerto defendsharedvalues, whileleveragingandstrengtheningvital partnershipstodeteraggressionaroundthe world.

Accordingtothe National GuardBureau,approximately2,600 U.S. Airmen and100aircraftfrom42states rapidlydescended on westernEurope totrainwith 24alliedandpartnernationstoenhancejoint capabilities

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ExerciseAD23integratesboth U.S. andAlliedair-powertodefend sharedvalues, whileleveragingandstrengtheningvitalpartnershipsto deteraggression around theworld.

PhotobyStaffSgt.PaulHelmig

It’sallaboutstreamlining

byRolandBalik 436thAirliftWing PublicAffairs

DOVERAIRFORCEBASE,Del.—In June2022,the436thLogisticsReadinessSquadron,whichpreviouslyfellunderthe436thMission SupportGroup, wastemporarilyrealignedunderthe436thMission GenerationGroup, placingalllogistics, maintenanceandcargoprocessingwithin one groupandunderonegroup commander.

FollowingtheAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr’scalltoAccelerateChangeorLose, the436thAirMobility Wingdecidedtotestif therealignmentwouldimprovesortiegeneration. Permanentrealignmentwillbedeterminedbasedonresultsofthetwo-yearstudy.

“[The]MGG’s organizationalrealignmenthasbeenparamounttowards consolidating Team Dover’slocalsupply chain,” saidCol. Bary Flack,436thMGGcommander. “Strengtheningrelationshipsbetween APSandLRSexpeditesourabilitytoprovidemaintainersfulfillment, directly enablingthewingtoprojectair poweratanytime, anywhere.”

Itisaprioritytogetaircraftpartstothecustomer oncetheyaredeliveredtotheAerial Port’sTrafficManagementOfficeviacommercial carriers.

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Inboundcargospecialists assignedtothe436thAerialPortSquadron process incomingcargoatDoverAirForce Base,Delaware,May9.The 436thAPS TrafficManagementOffice(inbound)hasbeencollocated withinthe436thLogisticsReadiness SquadronSupplybuildingformore thantwoyears,primarilyhandling anddeliveringaircraftparts.

PhotobyRolandBalik

128thARWprovidesair bridgeinsupportofAir Defender 20 23

byAirForceMasterSgt.KellenKroening 128thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

NAVALAIRSTATIONKEFLAVIK,Iceland(AFNS)—

The128thAirRefueling Wingfacilitatedanairbridge June 3 leading U.S. Air ForceaircrafttoexerciseAirDefender2023. TheGerman-led,live-flyNATO exerciseisscheduledtoinclude235aircraftfrom25nationsandmorethan10,000personnelthroughoutEurope.

The128thARWKC-135Stratotankersactedasaflying gasstation,usingaboomsystemtotransferfueltothereceivingaircraft, maxi mizingoperational efficiencyand reducingtransittimes.

Byprovidingfueltothetransportaircraft,theKC-135 tankerensurestheycanreachtheirdestinationswithoutfrequentstopsforrefuelin g. Thisca pabilityisespeciallyvaluablewhentransportingtime-sensitivecargooroperatingin areaswherefuelinginfrastructureislimitedorunavailable.

“Thewholepointofthis[exercise]istointegratewithour multinational partn ers andshow thatwe ca nseamlessly workasonelargecoalitionforce,” said U. S. Air Fo rceMaj. BrandynDietman,128thARWdeputydirectorofairrefueling.

TheairbridgeisvitalforexerciseslikeAirDefender2023, wheremultipleNATO-memberairforcesandalliedcountries cometogethertoenhancecooperation,interoperabilityand readiness. To practiceforrealdefensescenarios, itisimperativethatforcescanrapidlydeploytodifferentlocations.

“Moving100aircraftovertheoceaninthematteroffouror fiveflyingdaysisamonumentalfeat,” Dietmansaid.“Fighter aircraftcan’tmakeitoverbythemselves, sotheyneedthe tankerstobuildtheairbridgetohelpthemgetover.”

AirDefender2023,running June12-23,isthelargestair forcesredeploymentexercisesinceNATO wasfounded.

EngaginginairbridgeoperationsduringtheAD23exercisehighlightsthe128thARW’scapabilitiesanddemonstratesthe U.S. commitmenttoitsallies.

Thehardworkofeverybodyworkingtogether, whetherit’s yourunit-levelpersonnelputtingtogethertheaircraft,puttingtheplanstogether, makingsurethefundsarefull,makingsurethateverythingisgoingtohappen,is awesome,” Dietmansaid. “From a year’sworthofworkthatwe’veputinto this, I’msuperproudofeveryoneatthe128thAirRefueling Wingandthehardworkthey’vedone.”

AU.S.AirForceF-16FightingFalcon withthe140th Wing,ColoradoNationalGuard,approachesaKC-135Stratotankerfromthe128thAirRefuelingWing,WisconsinNationalGuard,asitpreparesto inpreparationforexerciseAirDefender2023overtheAtlanticOcean,June3.AirDefender2023,runningJune12-23,isthela defendshared values, whileleveraging andstrengtheningvital partnershipstodeteraggressionaroundtheworld.

redeploymentexercisesinceNATOwasfounded,integratingbothU.S.andalliedairpowerto partnershipstodeteraggressionaroundtheworld.

Photoby MasterSgt.Kellen Kroening Wing,ColoradoNationalGuard,approachesaKC-135Stratotankerfromthe128thAirRefuelingWing,WisconsinNationalGuard,asitpreparesto receivefuelaspartofanairbridge inpreparationforexerciseAirDefender2023overtheAtlanticOcean,June3.AirDefender2023,runningJune12-23,isthelargestairforces

ablesthe612thAirOperationsCentertomaintainareadyrosterofpersonnel availableatamoment’snoticetoprovideproceduralairspacecoordinationandcontingencyairflowmanagementofcivilianandmilitaryaircraft duringacrisis,” saidMaj. JamesonDecker, 612thAOCCommandandControlinnovation chief.

Theexerciseusedafictionalscenarioof“HurricaneZelda,” whichstruck multipleCaribbeanislandsandmovedthroughtheGulfofMexicotothe Floridapanhandle.

The612thAOCalongwithforward-deployedpersonnelfromthe183rd AirOperationsGroup, IllinoisAirNationalGuard,participatedfromDavisMonthanAir ForceBase, Arizona,standingupaRAMCCtocontrolthehigh volumeofhumanitarianreliefairmissionsflyingintotheirareaofresponsibilitytodelivermedicalsupplies, water, food, personnelandequipment.The totalforceteam wastaskedtomanagefourHA/DRlocations, coordinating arrivalanddeparturetimes, andreactingtoeventsthat challengedtheorderlyflowofmissions. The601stAOCAirMobilityDivisionpersonneltravelledtothe186thAirOperationGroup, MississippiANG, whichusedthis exercisetotesttheirreadinesstomaintainContinuityofOperationsPlan, orCOOP, andtrainANGmembersonRAMCCoperationsforthreeairfields.

“TheannualRAMCCexerciseallowsustotrainourteamfromthetop down,fromthegraduatelevelwithourleadershipteam,downtobrandnew individualswhoareworkingintheRAMCCforthefirsttime,” saidMaj. GrantClay, Air ForceSouthern PersonnelRecoveryCoordinationCenter director.

“Weprovedtoourselvesthathavingthe183rdAOGmembershereatthe 612thAOC wasagame changer;afterall,inourAOR,itisnot‘if’anatural disasteroccurs, but‘when’andwemustbeready.”-Maj.GrantClay, Air ForceSouthern PersonnelRecoveryCoordinationCenterDirector

The505thCTSteamalsoincorporatedafloorexerciseforthe612thAOC andtheir183rdAOGaugmenteeswithscenariostotraintheAOCdivisions Variousscenarioswerepresentedtotestthetrainingaudiencetorespond andreactaccordingtotheirestablishedprocedures.

“ItprovidedagreatopportunityforcoordinationbetweentheCombatOperationsFloorandourIO[InformationOperations]team,” saidChristopher Wirth,AFSOUTHIOteam.“Ofnote, therobustnessoftheexercisehasallowedourIOteamtodiscoversomecriticalIOgapswearenowworkingto resolve. It’sgreattobeabletoidentifytheseshortfallsinanexercise, rather thanduringareal-worldRAMCCoperation.”

RAMCCexerciseshavebeenconductedatHurlburt Fieldbythe505th CTSsince2017,whicharedirectedanddevelopedbyAnneSmerekanicz,the 505thCTS’sRAMCCleadandairlift/tankerprogramanalyst.

Fifteen505thCTSpersonneldirectedtheexercisefromHurlburt Field withtheassistanceofsevenaugmenteesfromthe612thAOC, 183rdAOG and601stAOC. Oneteam wasdesignatedforRAMCCoperations, taking ondiverserolessuchasgroundreservationrequestorsandcontingencyresponseteamsatdownrangeairfields, U.S. AgencyforInternationalDevelopmentandFederalEmergencyManagement Agencypointsofcontact,and airmobilityrolesofAirMobilityCommandanddirectorofMobility Forces Thesecondteamfocusedontrainingvignettestoexercisethe612thAOC’s divisions, usingvarioustypesofcommunicationforexerciseinputsandthe C2 WeaponsSystem Part TaskTrainer, orC2WSPTT, toprovideacommon operatingpicture, orCOP.

Airmenfrom the505thCombat TrainingSquadronexecuteaRegional Air MovementCoordinationCenterexercisetotestthecapabilitiesof airoperationscentersand totraintwoaircomponentspecialtyteams to respondtoahumanitarianaid/disaster relief,orHA/DR,operationsat HurlburtField,Fla.,May17.RAMCCteam membersdeconflictaircraft directedbythejointorcombined AOC withotheraircraftparticipating inthecontingencyorduringdisaster reliefoperations.

“Forthefirsttime, weexpandedtheRAMCCexercisescenariotoincorporatetheAOCdivisionsintheFLOOREXportion,makingthisamuchmore robustexercisethaneverbefore,” Smerekaniczsaid.“Wealso wantedparticipantstobeabletoseean‘airpicture’ofallcivilianandmilitaryflightsarrivinganddepartingtheairfieldsintheAOR. We workedwiththeC2WSPTT teamtousethe C2WSPTT to provideasimulatedlivefeedof all theair missionsinthescenario, which wascriticalforgivingthetrainingaudience real-timefeedbackonperformance.”

Theparticipating“whitecell”augmenteeswerenotonlyabletorole-play variousagenciesbutreceivedtrainingthemselvesonhowtosetupandexecuteanexercise.

Inasignificantfirst,theexercisealsoincludedparticipationbythe Federal AviationAdministrationthroughtheircrisisresponseandemergency operationsmanager. The FAAwillusetheirobservationstosupplement theirpreparationforfuturedisasterresponseandcoordinationwithAirmen, particularlyinthemobilityAir Forces.

“ThistrainingallowedustounderstandRAMCCproductsandprocedures acrossvariousAORs/AOCsandtheintegrationwithNGOs/FAA,” said U.S. ANGLt.Col.EricaStooksbury, 183rdAirMobilityOperationsSquadrondirectorofoperations. “Wehadagreatexperienceandareexcitedtotakethese lessonsbacktoimprovetheexerciseswedevelopforourAOG/AMOS.”

PhotobyDebHenley

Aswithmanyveterans, Lamb’stimeinthe Air Forceandexperiencesmade alifelongimpressiononthefarmkidfrom WesternIowa. Likemanyfromhisgeneration,the76-year old’shistorywiththeAir Force wasbriefbut significant.

Aspart of theAir Force’sStrategicAirCommandtheKC-135aircraftthatLambhelpcrew hadaseriousmission.Therefuelingaircraftin Oklahoma wereco-locatedwithB-52swhere they stoodoncontinuousnuclearalert.

DuringLamb’stourinSiouxCitythisweek, hemet185thCrewChiefMasterSgt.Michael Vander Wiltandtalkedaboutthemissionand historyoftheKC-135.

Duringthevisit bothLambandhissoncommentedonhowwell-keptthe aircraftlooked andnotedthemanymodificationstotheaircraftoverthepast 50 years.

LambandhissonCarl, whofarmsnearAllen Neb.,quicklyfoundtheyhadakindredspiritin Vander WiltwhoalsofarmsinNorthwestIowa, whenheisnotmaintainingairplanesforthe AirNationalGuard.

TheelderLambcommentedthat he and otherslikehimwhogrewupfarminghadan advantageinmaintainingaircraft.Lambsaid evenasayoung manheandhiscontemporaries whogrewuponafarm,cametotheAir Force withyearsofpracticalexperience butalso with adistinctworkethic.

Lambsaidhehadagoodexperienceinthe Air Forceeventhoughit wasavolatiletimein Americanhistory, especiallyformembersofthe U.S. military.

SinceLamb’stime, Clinton-ShermanAir

U.S.AirForce VeteranLarry Lamb of Castana,IowatoursaKC-135with Iowa Air NationalGuard MasterSgt.Mike VanderWilt,atthe185thAirRefueling WinginSiouxCity,Iowaon June13, 2023.Lambisaformer KC-135 crewchief who servedintheAirForceduringthelate1960s.

Forcebasealongwiththe70thBomb Wing, its componentsandevenStrategicAirCommand havebeenrelegatedtothepage’shistory Some ofwhatremainsaretheAirmen’sstoriesand experiences.

Becauseofeach generations contributionsand faithfulmaintenanceofthe KC-135,theStratotankerhasalsobeen persevered, even outliving organizations towhich it oncebelonged.

Nowapproaching70yearsofservice, theKC-

135continuestobeavitalpartofAmerica’snationaldefense.

AsthecurrentgenerationofKC-135crew chiefs chronicaltheirexperienceswiththe aircraft, militaryplannerscontinuetofind ways to extendthe aircraft’slifeandkeepitinservice.

Itis becoming increasinglylikelythat Vander Wilt too, like Lamb will beablemakeareunion tourwiththe KC-135inthe decadesahead, long after hisretirement.

PhotobySeniorMasterSgt. VincentDeGroot

canbeavery challengingphysicalenvironment.”

Duringfiscalyear2022, the18MXGprovidedworld-classmaintenanceandmunitionssupportto PacificAir Forcesand U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

“Thehardworkanddedicationofmypeersandleadershiparethe backboneofoursuccess,” saidSeniorAirmanAlexanderKarr, 18thAircraftMaintenanceSquadronassistantdedicatedcrew chief. “Ittakes a teamefforttoaccomplishourmissioneveryday, andI’mproudtobe a partofsuchadedicatedgroupofprofessionals.”

Thegrouphasfivesquadrons:the18thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron,the718thAMS, the18thEquipmentMaintenanceSquadron, the 18thComponentMaintenanceSquadron andthe18thMunitions Squadron.Italsoincludes18thMaintenanceOperations, aflight-level organizationofover150peopleattachedtothegroup.

“Wefocusedourteameffortsandresourceprioritizationonachieving effectivemissionaccomplishment—thatistohaveaircraft, equipment andmunitionsready,” Goodmansaid.“WeknowwehavetofulfillUSINDOPACOMrequirements atamoment’snoticeandweare happyto knowleadersareconfidentofourteam’scapabilitytorespond.”

Adedicatedteamofover2,700Airmen,civiliansandcontractors makeupthe18MXG. “BeingamemberofaDaedalian Award-winning teamisagreathonorandasourceofprideforus,” Karrsaid.“It’s a testamenttothehardworkanddedicationofeveryoneinvolvedinthe maintenanceofouraircraft.It’safeelingofaccomplishmentandrecognitionthatwearedoingsomethingright,anditmotivatesustocontinue to strivefor excellenceinourwork.”

The18thMXGmaintainsandmobilizescombat-readyF-15Cand D Eagles, KC-135Stratotankers, HH-60 PaveHawksandE-3Sentriesas wellasassociatedengines, munitionsandsupportequipment.

“Wealsoskillfullyprovidemaintenancemanagement,training,

sharedresourcesandlogisticssupporttorotationalfighterunits, tenantunitsandtheaterpartners,” Goodmansaid.“Youprobablywouldn’t findamorediverseandmission-focusedteam of maintainers.”

Teammembersfromthe18thMXGattributetheirvictoryoverother Air Forcemaintenance groupstoseveralfactors.

“Oneofthesefactorsisour culture,” Karrsaid.“Themissionrequires ustowork closelywithothersectionsandunits, creatingtrustbetween peers thatkeepsusstrivingto be better.”

Otherfactorsinclude Kadena AB’suniquelocationandmission, requiringthegrouptobeadaptableandflexibleintheirapproachto maintenanceissues.

Additionally, thegroup’smaintainersretainUSINDOPACOM’spremier TacticalAir-munitionsRapidResponse Packagemission,trilateral engine-centralizedrepairfacilityandtheAir Force’sonlyactive-duty IndustrialInspectionandAnalysisPrecisionMeasurementEquipment laboratory.

“Wecount on everymembertobesuccessfulinaccomplishingour mission. We haveprofessionalinstructors, inspectors, maintenanceoperationcentercontrollers, maintenancemanagersandleaderswhoare criticaltopreparingourmembersandcoordinatingourgroupefforts,” Goodmansaid.

The18thMXGalsosuccessfully closedoutitsflyinghourprogram, exceedingtheprogramfor allairframesforthefirsttimeinhistory. Thisfeatwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutanoverarchingfocuson providingtheright aircraft atthe right time.

“The18MXG’scompositionanddesignis changingrapidly We are activelydivestingF-15Csandintegratingrotationalfightergeneration capabilitiesintoourteam,” Goodmansaid.“Ourabilitytoexpertlyorganize, train,equipandexecuteourmissioninsupportofUSINDOPACOMprioritieswillcontinuetobecritical.”

SeniorAirmanJacob Wright,436th AerialPortSquadron inboundcargospecialist,checksthecontentsofapackagedeliveredtoDoverAirForceBase,Delaware,May 9.Packagesarrivingbycommercialcarriersaresorted bypriorityandshippingdocumentsarevalidatedagainst contentsforcorrectness.

DeliveriesarrivingatTrafficManagementaresortedbypriority. Shippingdocumentsarethenvalidated againstcontentsandforcorrectness. Informationisthen manuallyenteredintoadatabase, andthelaststepis placingtheiteminalabeledbinreadyforpickupby groundtransportation.

Althoughthe436thAerial PortSquadronTrafficManagementOffice’s inboundcargosectionhasbeencollocatedwithin the436th LRSSupplyAirmenformorethan twoyears, resolvingsupplyissuesbecamelessofaprob-

PhotobyRolandBalik

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lemwithbothsquadronsin one group.

greatoutcomefromrealigningthisprocesshas beenincreasedorganizationandbettercommunication betweenthethreeflightsandtwosquadrons, leadingto assetsbeingdeliveredmuchfasterthanbefore,” said2nd Lt.NicoleDyckman,436thLRSassetmanagementofcharge.

ertostreamlinethedeliveryprocessandallow forfasterpackageprocessing, Airmeninnovatedmethodstodecreasethedeliverytimeto customers, whoare mainlymaintenanceunitsspreadthroughoutDoverAir rceBase, Delaware.

ftertalkingto each section,wesimply decidedto putallthecagesthatholdaircraftassetsandneededto bemovedbyground transportationinacentralizedlocationandbetterlabeledthemwithbright greentags. This allowedanyonewho walkedintounderstandthefloor layoutbetter,” said Dyckman.

CommunicationbetweenLRSand APSpersonnel was instrumentalindevelopingthis“clearfloorpolicy”to expediteparts delivery. Automatingshipmentdocumentationbetweentheseorganizationsisanadditionalendeavorunderdevelopment,aimed toimprovefulfillment tomaintainers.

“With[436thLRSSupply]recentlybeingmovedunder G, Ithinkitallowedfor abetterunderstandingof thesupply chainprocessbecauseallpartiesnowreport tothesameleadership chain,soproblemsare able tobe resolvedquickerand moreefficiently,” saidMasterSgt. Amanda Diaz, 436thAPSinboundcargosection chief. Thedownwardtrendindeliverytimes provesthatthe MGG’sfunctionalalignments, bestpracticesandlinesof communicationwithinthegroup areworking.

Short Fitness June closure

TheShort FitnessCenterwillbe closed Friday, June23butisaccessibletothosepatronswith24/7 access. Formoreinformationabout obtaining24/7access, visit,macdillfss.com/short-fitness-center/.

Red,White,andBlue 3K/5K

TheShort FitnessCenterwillbe hostinga5Krun/3K walkon June 30at7a.m.intheSouth Fieldto kickoffyour4thof Julyweekend. Runnersareencouragedtowear red,white, andblue. Prizesforfastestmaleandfemaleinboththe 3Kand5K. Formoreinformation onthisevent,visitmacdillfss.com/ short-fitness-center/.

Freeactivedutybowlinglessons

Areyouanovicebowleror want toimproveyourbowlingskills?

MacDillLanesisnowofferingfree bowlinglessonstoallactive-duty andtheirspouseseveryThursday, from4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Expert instructionwillbeprovidedby Kyle Pouncy, MacDillLanesManager, knownforhis“many300games” fame. Noreservationrequired,includesfreeshoerental. Formore information,visitmacdillfss.com/ macdill-lanes-bowling/.

Becomea Secret Shopper

Getpaidtocallorvisit6thFSS facilities. To learnmore, callor emailthe6thFSSMarketing Department at 828-2513orsixfssfsk@ gmail.com.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Disasterreliefexercise!

Lt.Col. EricaStooksburydiscussestheexecutionoftheRegionalAirMovementCoordination CenterexercisewithAnneSmerekanicz,505thCombatTrainingSquadronRAMCClead,atHurlburt Field,Fla.,May17.TheRAMCCexercisetestedairoperationscentersandtrainedtwoair componentspecialtyteamstorespondtoahumanitarianaid/disasterrelief,orHA/DR,operations.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain,calltheCommandPostat828-4362/4361.

Monday-WednesdayMass -12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

CatholicMass -Sunday- 9:30a.m. (confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantvirtualservices -Sunday -11a.m. (www.facebook.com/6amwhc)

Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

IslamicService - Friday1:30p.m.(spacereserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Please contacttheChapelat (813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For moredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/or MacDill’sChapelwebsite is:https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Photo by DebHenley

acrosstheglobe. ExerciseAD23 providesvaluableopportunitiestobolster tacticalinteroperability skillsofparticipatinginternationalpartners, aircrew, andsupportingelementswithina composite airoperation environment,accordingto NATO.

Avitalelement withinAD23is theC-130 Herculesairliftoperation, led bythe 182nd AW Maj. JosephChambers, the chiefoftactics forthe182nd OperationsSupportSquadronandthelead C-130Herculesat Wunstorf AirBase, explainedtheunit’s participationisadisplay of commitmentreinforcingrelationsbetweenmilitaries, andtheirreadinesstodefeathostilitytowardthe U.S. andtheirpartner nations.

“Air Defender istestingNATO’s strengthindeterrence,” saidChambers. “Andthe AirNational Guardisreassuringourallies ofthe U.S. resolve to the NATO charter.”

Over440AirmenfromelevenstatesandPuertoRicoareservingat Wunstorf AirBaseduringAD23.The182nd AW issharingthesky with nine differentC-130HerculesandSuperHercules unitsfromArkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Texasand Wyoming.

ChambersbeganoperationsplanningforAD23 nearly11monthsprior tothestart oftheexercise in July 2022. ThoughtheC-130 mission is the primary objectiveat WunstorfAirBase, it was notChambers’s onlyaimfor this exercise.

“AstheleadplannerandleadC-130unit, wehad thejobtocoordinate for12differentAirNationalGuard units,” saidChambers. “Wealsoare supportingthe Joint TacticalAir ControlandCombatCommunications

missions at AirDefender23.”

ExerciseAD23 willprovideAirmen the opportunitytoapplytheirMultiCapableAirmenskillsthroughinteractivetrainingwithpersonnelfrom various wingsandcareerfields, alongwithNATO andstate-partner militaries. Airmenoperatingat WunstorfAirBaseintegratedwithairmen from Germany, Romania and Lithuaniaperforming full-scale readiness training and completing theirmission-essentialtasks.

Aprimarycomponent ofexerciseAD23is theNGB’s State Partnership Programthathasbeensuccessfullybuildingrelations for30years, which includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations aroundtheworld.

“RelationshipsintheANGarelike waterto a fish;one can’toperate withouttheother,” saidCol.RustyBallard, the commanderofthe182nd AW andtheC-130detachmentcomponentcommanderduringAD23at WunstorfAirBase. “The exchangeof information, tactics, techniques, procedures, ideasand history willforeverbenefitthealliedNATO countries involvedin this massiveExercise.”

TheSPPengagementscapitalizeontheMCA conceptwhileenablingAir NationalGuardsmentotrainandlearnfromourpartnernations. TheAir NationalGuard’sfocusistoprepare mission-readyAirmentosafeguard the U.S. homeland andexecute globaloperationssuccessfully.

U.S. Air Force units, including the182nd, regularly participateinmultinationalexercises ontheEuropeancontinenttostrengthen relations and resolve Thatfrequentinteractionsetsthestage, allowingstatesideAir NationalGuardunitstomoreeasilyintegratewithalliesandpartners throughout the region.