Thunderbolt 12/29/2022

The Year in Photos January - June 2022

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Whit Brewer, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, inspects a sample of jet-a fuel for contaminants at MacDill Air Force Base. The jet fuel collected from a bowser, a transportable fuel tank, may contain water or sediments. Operators filter fuel to produce a clear sample which indicates that the fuel is free of waste and ready to be reused.

MacDill Thunderbolt

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense,

the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

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News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Courtesy photo

Thomas Kuttamperoor, MacDill Air Force Base Exchange General Manager, Ronald Jones II of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dr. Lawrence Caplin, DOCS owner

Col. Jason Loschinskey, 6th Mission Support Group commander, Sherri Samudio, MacDill AFB Exchange Services Business

MacDill AFB

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Airmen with the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshal in a KC-135 Stratotanker during a large-scale readiness exercise (LRE), at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 20,. Airmen trained while wearing Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear to ensure that they can safely carry out their mission in the event their environment becomes hazardous.

927th Air Refueling Wing Historian, Andrew Pray, displays the final approved design for the 927th Operations Support Squadron Occupational Camouflage Pattern uniform patch on MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 9. The emblem was approved by the U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency on Dec. 21.

Photo by Airman Hiram Martinez

Photo by Tech Sgt. Bradley Tipton

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Say cheese, CES!

The 6th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) poses for a photo at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 17. The 6th CES provides resource protection, environmental quality, infrastructure maintenance and repair and human services necessary to support the 6th Air Refueling Wing mission.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Photo by Senior Airman Ireland Summers Tech. Sgt. Adrian Allred, 512th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, travels in an HH-60G Pave Hawk near Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Jan. 10. The 512th RS is responsible for training mission-ready combat aircrew to support national security missions.

Photo by Senior Airman Bailee A. Darbasie

Firefighters assigned to the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron participate in ground fire training at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Dec. 29. The training is designed to enhance skills and familiarize firefighters with their equipment.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Sacrament

Bishop F. Richard Spencer, Episcopal Vicar for Eastern U.S. Vicariate, leads a sacrament of confirmation service at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 23. The Air Force Chaplain Corps is dedicated to accelerating the spiritual readiness and resilience of Airmen and their families by offering counseling and worship services to the MacDill community.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Photo by Senior Airman Ryan C. Grossklag U.S. Air Force Maj. Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander, prepares to receive fuel from a MacDill Air Force Base KC-135 Stratotanker, April 17. Gunderson, a Tampa native, rendezvoused with the KC135 assigned to the 50th Air Refueling Squadron in-between performances for the SUN ‘n FUN airshow in Lakeland, Fla.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

U.S. Special Operations Command photo

U.S. Special Operations Command hosted a Commando Hall of Honor ceremony April 13 at its headquarters on MacDill Air Force Base. The ceremony recognized individuals who have served with distinction within the special operation forces community.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Photo courtesy of MacDill ALS

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Joanne Bass, middle, poses for a photo with U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Samantha Dougherty, MacDill Airman Leadership School (ALS) commandant, left, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shawna Wise, an instructor at the MacDill ALS, right, while holding a picture and biography of Tech Sgt. Jose Rodriguez, an instructor at the MacDill ALS, June 11, 2021, at MacDill Air Force Base. Chief Bass visited the MacDill ALS to see the dedicated work the school puts into developing tomorrow’s leaders.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Hiram Martinez

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jake Baker, 6th Security Forces Squadron marine patrolman, scans the waters surrounding MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, March 7. From 2020 through 2021, MacDill’s marine patrol unit responded to three times as many incidents within the coastal restricted area.

THE YEAR IN PHO TOS

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. dropped the puck at Amalie Arena March 11 to celebrate the United States Air Force 75th Birthday. We are so grateful for our community partners and the strong relationships we’ve built over the past 75 years.

U.S.

U.S. Air Force photo

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Air Force Airman 1st Class Cassandra Wesley, a boom operator assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, reviews a checklist with Evelynn Kite, a Florida State University ROTC cadet, prior to a refueling mission over the Southeaster n United States, March 12. Boom operators have the ability to pump thousands of pounds of fuel to any capable aircraft, thousands of feet above the ground, enabling rapid global mobility.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Aaron Jacobs, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintainer, unloads gear off a bus during North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), March 15.

THE YEAR IN PHO TOS

U.S.

U.S.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

Air Force Airman Elijah Brand, 6th Communication Squadron Radio Frequency Transmission Systems (RFTS) technician, mounts an antenna on a CTM-15 Antenna Mast at MacDill Air Force Base March 10. RFTS technicians deploy, sustain, troubleshoot and repair antenna systems, tuners and transmission lines to ensure the functionality of base communications.

Photo by Senior Airman David D. McLoney

Air Force senior master sergeant (Senior Master Sgt.) selects gather for a photograph during the SMSgt Selection Ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base March 11. This year, 1,443 of the 17,419 master sergeants eligible for promotion were selected to promote to E-8.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

A group of Florida State University ROTC cadets and U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Tim Reed, a pilot assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, pose for a photo near a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to MacDill Air Force Base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, March 12. The students flew in the MacDill aircraft as part of an orientation flight to strengthen relations and bolster community support.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

U.S Air Force photo

U.S. Air Force Gen. Michael Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, center, poses with Tampa area students with Col. Benjamin Jonsson, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, during an Aviation Inspired Mentorship event at MacDill Air Force Base March 27. Minhan briefed the students about the Air Mobility Command mission to inspire them to become the next generation of Mobility Airmen.

Photo by Senior Airman David D. McLoney U.S. Air Force Col. Cory M. Damon, 6th Air Refueling Wing vice commander center, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Alan R. Weary, 6th Medical Group senior enlisted leader, right, pose for a photo with children at the youth center gym at MacDill Air Force Base April 4. Damon and Weary were there to sign proclamations recognizing military children for facing unique hardships that come with being a military child as well as encouraging the end of child abuse around the world.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

A Florida burrowing owl is banded for tracking and identification purposes at MacDill Air Force Base April 8.

Staff Sgt. Alexzandria Gomez

Navy SEALs conduct a high-altitude, low opening airborne operation in support of exercise Arctic Edge 2022 in Deadhorse, Ala., March 4.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing participate in a kickball game during wingman day at MacDill Air Force Base April 22. Throughout the Air Force, wingman days are held to help reduce negative behaviors, improve overall mental health, and increase social and spiritual connections along with personal resiliency. During this wingman day, which focused on the physical domain of resilience, members represented their units in a variety of sports competitions.

Cadets with Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 at the University of Central Florida pose for a photo in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, April 11. The cadets flew on the KC-135 as part of the Aviation Inspired Mentorship program to promote diversity through inclusion.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Sixteen Tampa honorary commanders and civic leaders from the 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, flew across the state to tour Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, May 12. During the flight to Homestead ARB, the honorary commanders were able to view three F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the 482nd Fighter Wing being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 927th ARW.

A group of civic leaders from the Tampa Bay area pose for a photo with service members assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, near a KC135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base April 21.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexis Suarez)

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cole Miller, a 6th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance journeyman, poses with personal protective equipment in the corrosive control facility at MacDill Air Force Base April 12. The 6th MXS corrosion control facility ensures that important aircraft components are preserved and protected from the elements.

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Finley and Russell Dixon play at the new all-inclusive Eagle Park Playground at MacDill Air Force Base May 11. Nearly five years since the last playground addition at Harbor Bay, the area was designed to fit the needs of children of all ages and abilities and provide interactive elements for families to gather.

Col. Robert Ura, Hillsborough County Sheriff, prepares to give remarks during an opening cremony for National Police Week May 16 at MacDill Air Force Base. Every year, MacDill Airmen come together to celebrate National Police Week by honoring security forces members who currently serve, have served and who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. National Police Week was May 15 - 21.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook

MacDill Lanes bowling closure

MacDill Lanes Bowling will be closed for exciting upgrades and renovations Jan. 2 – Feb. 6.

January Base Theater Movies

Your MacDill Base Library will be offering free movies at the Base Theater. Movies are open to anyone with base access to MacDill. Visit macdillfss.com/library/ for a complete movie schedule.

2023 Theme Park passes on sale

Universal Orlando’s 2023 Military Freedom Pass and Disney World’s Armed Forces Salute tickets are now available at the ITT office located inside the BX on MacDill. Visit the MacDill ITT office inside the BX or visit macdillfss. com/information-tickets-travel/ today!

Upcoming M&FRC events

* Resume Writing 101 Private Industry – Jan. 17

* MacDill career fair – Jan. 19 Resume Writing (federal) – Jan. 26 Visit macdillfss.com/militaryfamily-readiness/ for more information.

Open FSS positions available

Looking for the perfect career in the New Year? Positions are open for teens age 14 and up, dependents, retirees and active duty looking to work part-time. No prior base access required. Visit macdillfss.com/open-jobs/ to see current job openings and apply today!

Find more events at: macdillfss. com

SOF show!

U.S. Special Operations Forces members fly over Tampa Bay in a U.S. Army MH-6 helicopter during a SOF capabilities demonstration May 18 in Tampa. SOF Week is the premier gathering for the SOF community and industry, bringing together more than 11,000 attendees, including representatives from more than 100 countries to collaborate on new initiatives and capabilities needed for SOF professionals to compete and win in the future.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE

Catholic Christmas Schedule:

Christmas Eve, Carols 8 p.m. / Vigil Mass 9 p.m. Christmas Day, Christmas Mass 9:30 a.m. New Year’s Day, New Year Mass 9:30 a.m.

Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After hours chaplain, call the Command Post at 828-4362/4361.

Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessions by appointment)

Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m.

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule & to join distro, please contact elimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30 p.m. (space reserved)

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

Other Faith Groups - Please contact the Chapel at (813) 828-3621 or via email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://wwwmacdill.af.mil/chapel

Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook