Thunderbolt 09/08/2022

PhotobyGunnerySgt.EricAlabiso

by Tech.Sgt.HaileyHaux Headquarters,PacificAirForcesPublicAffairs

HICKAMAIRFORCEBASE,Hawaii(AFNS)—U.S. Air ForceChief ofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr. recentlytraveledtolocationsacrosstheDepartmentofDefense’spriority theater, reinforcing U.S. and U.S. Air Force commitmenttoafreeandopenIndo-PacificandrecognizingthecontributionsofAirmenand families servingthere.

Brown wasabletomeetAirmenface-to-faceatsixwingstodiscusshis strategic approach, Accelerate Change or Lose and empower Airmen at all levels.

“Goodenough today willfailtomorrow,” Brownsaidatanall-callwith the18th WingatKadenaAir Base, Japan. “AsAirmen,weneedtointegrate andacceleratethe changesnecessarytodevelopourtalentandmaintain ouradvantage. Getcomfortablewithbeinguncomfortable;wecannotrest onourlaurels…wemust change and evolvetomeetthethreatsweface today.”

Duringeachstop, Brownhosted anall-callandparticipatedinsmallgroupmealswithAirmen. Visitingbasefacilitiesandparticipatingin meetingsandbriefingsateachinstallationgavehimafirst-handlookat thehardworkAirmendo to keep themissiongoing.

“Icouldn’tbeprouderofwhatwe’reabletodo,” Brownsaidduringan all-callwiththe15th Wingat JointBase Pearl HarborHickam.“That’s whyIloveourmissionstatement: fly, fightandwin…Airpower, anytime,

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca

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Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity,conformancewith the“AssociatedPressStylebook andLibelManual”andAir ForceInstruction35-101.

PhotobySeniorAirman TrevorGordnier Col.Joshua Wood,51stFighterWingcommander,greetsAir ForceChief ofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.atOsanAirBase,SouthKorea,Aug.12. Brown’svisitcameasaneffortto reinforcetheU.S.commitmentto a freeand openIndo-Pacific region.

Oneyearlater, historicAfghan airliftinspires pride, reflection

byCharlesPope Secretaryof theAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Oneyearlater, therawnumbersusedto capturethe U.S. Air Force’seffortduringthemonumental,yetattimes imperfect,withdrawalfromAfghanistancreateaportraitthatisremarkableinits scope, reachandcomplexity.

Whilethenumberstellastoryaboutthelargestnon-combatantevacuationairliftin U.S. history, numbersalonedonotcapturethefullstory. Theycannotarticulatetheactionsandbraveryofindivid-ualAirmen, the Joint Forceandallies;theydonotidentifyindividualdecisionsthat savedlives;theycannotadequatelydescribethedangersurroundingallof itandtheimportantlessonslearned.

“Duringatimeofgreatuncertainty, our Total Forcesummonedcourage toprovidehopeanddeliverrelief,” saidSecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendall.

“Ouraircrewswereamongthefirsttorespond,andtheireffortswould goontosurpassthehistoricBerlinAirlift.Concurrently, our‘One Team,’ withthehelpoftheinternationalcommunity, builtasupportplantoreNotall injuriesarevisible

byMichael Bottoms

USSOCOMOfficeofCommunication

SeeAIRLIFT,Page12

PhotobyAirman1stClassAlexciaGivens U.S.ArmyPfc.JaredStevens,2ndCavalryRegimentinfantryman,plays withchildrenduringOperationAlliesRefugeatRamsteinAirBase,Germany, Sept.13,2021.OARhasbeenthelargesthumanitarianevacuation airlifttodateinU.S.history.

ORLANDO, FL—Lt.Cmdr. AlannaDevlinBallformerlyassigned toSEAL Team TWOasanavalsupplyofficeriscompetinginherfirst DoD WarriorGamesintheswimming, rowing, andpowerliftingcompetitions.

Ball,acancersurvivor, beganhavingheadachesoveraseveralyear period.

“IhadbeenwithSEAL TeamTWOforaboutayearandforthree yearsbeforethatIhadbeenatthe PentagonandBahrain.I had these headaches, and Iwouldhavetoleaveduringthedutyday. Ijustdealt withitandwentbacktowork,” Ballsaid. “Afterayearat SEAL Team TWOitgotworse, sothedoctororderedanMRI,anditcamebackthat Ihadamassintherightfrontallobeofmybrain. Thatstoppedeverythinginterms of work Ihadthemassremovedaboutamonthlater and wasdiagnosedwithbraincancer.”

SheremainedcommittedtoservingwithSEAL TeamTWObutdecidedto getfurther treatmentinher hometownofBoston.

“I wasstillwiththe Team, but IdecidedtogettreatedinBoston attheDana FarberCancerInstitutesinceI wasraisedinBoston.

PhotobyKevinSmith Lt.Cdr.AlannaBall(retired)competesintheindoor rowingcompetitionattheDoD WarriorGamesAug.25,Orlando,Florida.TheDoD WarriorGamesarecomposedofover200wounded, ill andinjured servicemembersandveteranathletes,competingin12adaptive sportingeventsAug.19-28,2022,atESPNWide WorldofSportsComplexatDisneyinLakeBuena Vista,Florida.

U.S.AirForceCapt.Jaymes Trimbe,50thAirRefuelingSquadronpilot,walksontheflightlineduringthe6thAirRefuelingWing’sAgileCombat EmploymentcapstoneexerciseatJointBaseCharleston,SouthCarolina,Aug.23.TheACEconceptunderpinstheAirForce’sabilitytomitigate therisksofadversarialtechnologicaladvancesthroughmaneuverabilityandspeedtoprevailinconflict.Thecapstoneexerciseincluded72-hours ofcontinuousair refuelingoperationsandahistoric56-hourKC-135flightinasimulatedcontestedenvironmentfocusedonanotionaltheaterof operations.

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.ChristianCummings,anaircrewflightequipmentspecialistassignedtothe6thOperationsSupportSquadron,inspectsaScot-385quickdonmaskatBangorAirNationalGuardBase, Maine,Aug.25.Aircrewflightequipmentspecialistsmanage,perform, andscheduleinspections,maintenance,andadjustmentsofassigned aircrewflightequipment.

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJamesMichalak,6thAircraftMaintenance Squadroncrewchief,conductshotpit refuelingforaKC-135Stratotankeraircraftassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingduringanAgile CombatEmploymentcapstoneexerciseatMcGee-TysonAirNational GuardBase, Tennessee,Aug.25.TheACEconceptunderpinstheAir Force’sabilitytomitigatetherisksofadversarialtechnologicaladvances throughmaneuverabilityandspeedtoprevailinconflict.

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

Airman’s innovation saves timeandmoney

by Airman 1stClassAlvaro Villagomez

100thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

RAFMILDENHALL,UnitedKingdom(AFNS)—Thousandsof hoursarespent eachyearremovingandinstallingaboomcoveron a KC-135Stratotankeraircraft–hoursthatcouldbeusedelsewhere. One 100thMaintenanceSquadronAirmanhasinventedanewboom cover toolthathasthepotentialtosavethe U.S. Air Force40,000man-hours andapproximately$1millionperyear.

“InoticedassoonasIgottoMildenhallthatremovingandinstallingtheboomcover wastediousandtime consuming,” saidAirman1st Class JacobHelzer, 100thMXShydraulics maintenancejourneyman. “Removing thecovertheconventional way involvescallingtheAerospaceGroundEquipmentbackshopforanaircraftstandandrequires twoAirmenandasubstantialamountoftime.”

Thecurrentconventionalmethodhindersdailyoperations, whereas the innovativesolutionHelzercreatediseasier, takeslesstimeand lessensthe impacton theflow ofoperations.

SeeINNOVATION,Page14

PhotobyAirman1stClassAlvaro Villagomez Airman1stClassJacobHelzer,100thMaintenanceSquadronhydraulics maintenancejourneyman,holdsthefirstprototypeoftheBoomCover ToolatRAFMildenhall,UnitedKingdom,July28,2022.Helzeristhe mindbehindtheBoomCover ToolthatenablesAirmentoinstalland removeaboomcoveroffaKC-135Stratotankeraircraftinlessthantwo minutes.

SavewithMacDill’s TransportationIncentiveProgram

by6thComptrollerSquadronFinancialServicesOffice

Haveyouheardyourfriendsandcoworkerstalkaboutgoingtofinance to gettheirfreebuspassesandnotknowwhatthey aretalking about?

IfyouareaDepartmentofDefenseemployeeandhavenotsignedup forMacDill’sTransportationIncentiveProgram,youaremissingabenefit thatcouldsave youhundredsofdollarsamonthinfuel andtollcosts.

Currently, MacDillhasmorethan1,500personnelwhotakeadvantage ofadaily, hassle-freeexpressbusrideorvanpool,whichis100%paidforby UncleSam.Dowehaveyourattentionyet?

TheTIPhasitsorigins in ExecutiveOrder13150, which seekstoreduce trafficcongestion,fuelconsumptionandemissions by militarymembers andfederalemployeesbymandatingapublictransportationprogramthat offers assistance with commuting costs.

TheTIPprovidesfreemonthlyexpressHARTlinebuspassestocommuterswholiveintheBrandon, Valrico, Riverviewand Fishawkareas eastof Tampa.

ForHARTline“Park-n-Ride” locations, visithttp://www.gohart.org/Pages/maps-park-ride.aspx

ForexpressbusscheduleswithinHillsboroughcounty, visitwww.gohart. organd clickon“MapsandSchedules,” andthen“South TampaLimited Express”

Forthosewholiveinotherplacesinthegreater Tampaarea,TIPalso offers a vanpoolprogram.Thevanpoolprogramprovidescommuters, in groupsoffiveormore, fundingtosecureapassengervanfortheirdaily

commute Forinformationonthevanpoolprogramvisitwww.tampabayrideshare.org/vanpool.

ThereareafewstipulationstotheTIPprogram.Participantsmaynot seekpersonalfinancialgainthroughthetradeorsaleofbuspassesorvanpooltransportationvouchers. AndTIPapplicationsshallbebasedsolely oncostsassociatedwiththeuseofaqualifiedmodeoftransportationto andfromMacDillinconjunctionwithemploymentbytheDepartmentof Defense.

Thefollowing areeligibleforTIPbenefits:

1)DoDactivedutymilitarymembers

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3)DoD Federalcivilian employees

4)DoDNAFpersonnel

TheTIPprogramismanagedbythe6thComptrollerSquadron, FinancialServicesOfficeinBldg. 147onHillsboroughLoop.

Afteridentifyingtheserviceorbusroutethatwillbestserveyou,please e-mailfinance.services@macdill.af.miltogetacopyoftheapplication.

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Formoreinformation,pleasecontactthe6thComptrollerSquadron FinancialServices Officecustomerserviceat828-5377.

MacDillatHPCONBRAVO

EffectiveSept.1,2022,MacDillAFBtransitioned toHealthProtectionCondition(HPCON)Bravo HPCONBRAVO andMASKWEAR:

DuetothedecreaseinCOVID-19casesandhospital admissions, incoordinationwiththebasePublic HealthEmergencyOfficer(PHEO),theMacDillinstallationcommander hasdirectedMacDillAFBto HPCONBravoandmask wear optional.

Pleasenotethatmanyofourmilitaryfamilieswill berequiredtoremaininmasksduetotheirunique situation. We kindlyaskthatyouremaincourteous andrespectful.

EXCEPTION:All VeterinaryandBaseClinicvisitorsincludingthosevisiting Sabal Parkwillbe requiredtowearamask.WhileonMacDillAFB, all personnelshouldmaintainstricthygienemeasuresin accordancewithCDCguidelines.

Servicememberswillabidebycurrentguidelines forquarantineandisolation.Ifyouaregivena“NoticeofIsolation”memorandumsignedbytheinstallation’sPHEO, duetoillnessorpositiveCOVID-19test results, youarenot allowedtoleaveyourresidence excepttoreceive requiredmedicalcare Youshould havenoperson-to-personcontactwithanynon-isolationindividualsexceptasapprovedbythePHEO.

THUNDERBOLT

anywhere. It’snotsometimeinsomeplace;it’sanytime, anywhere, whenournationcalls. We dothatbecauseofall ofyou.”

WhileintheIndo-Pacific, BrowntraveledtoSingapore, thePhilippines, andtheSouth Korea, to meetwith counterpartsandotherseniordefenseofficials, as wellas U.S. ambassadorsandembassystaff.

InSingapore, hevisitedwithSingaporeMinisterfor DefenceDr. NgEngHen;SingaporeArmed Forces Chief ofDefence ForceArmyLt.Gen.MelvynOng;Republicof SingaporeAir ForceChiefofAir ForceMaj.Gen. Kelvin Khong;and U.S. Ambassador JonathanKaplan.

“Strongbilateralrelationshipslikethatofthe U.S. and Singapore are cultivatedovertimeandarebasedoncommunicationandtransparencyandsharedvaluesandinterests,” Brown said.

InthePhilippines, hemetwithArmed ForcesofthePhilippinesChiefofStaffLt.Gen.Bartolome VicenteBacarro; PhilippineAir ForceCommandGeneralLt.Gen.Connor Anthony D. Canlas, Sr.;and U.S. AmbassadorMaryKay Loss Carlson.

“The U.S.-Philippineallianceisstrong;wesupportaresilientandindependentPhilippineswith the capabilityto protectitssovereigntyanddefenditssecurityinterestson itsownterms,” hesaid.

Inadditiontovisitingtwo U.S. airbases, whileinthe South Korea,BrownmetwithSouth Korea Air ForceGeneral JungSang-hwaanddiscussedhowcontinued close collaborationandcommitmentto strengtheningreadiness willfurtherenhancethe U.S.-ROKalliance.

Brownalsovisitedthe345th WingatEielsonAir Force Base, Alaska;the36th WingatAndersenAir ForceBase, Guam; the8th Fighter WingatKunsanABandthe51st Fighter WingatOsanAB, South Korea His trip waspart ofaseriesofvisitsbyDepartmentoftheAir Forceleaders tolocationsin U.S. Indo-PacificCommandfocusedonAirmen,alliesandpartners.

AirForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.,speakswithAirmenduringanall-callat KadenaAirBase,Japan,Aug.11.Brownemphasizedthevalueofstrengthening relationshipswith regionalalliesandpartners,whilemaintainingalong-term“campaigning”mindsettowardupholding regionalstability.

AirForceChiefofStaff Gen.CQBrown,Jr.is greetedbyCol.Henry “Wolf”Jeffress,8thFighter WingcommanderatKunsanAirBase,SouthKorea, Aug.12.

MACDILL

PhotobyAirman1stClassSebastianRomawac

PhotobyStaffSgt.IsaiahJ.Soliz

U.S.SpecialOperationsCommandHoldsChangeofCommandCeremony

bySgt.Maj.JasonBaker

USSOCOMPublicAffairs

U.S ArmyGen Bryan P. Fentonassumedcommand of U.S. SpecialOperationsCommandfromoutgoingcommanderGen.Richard D. Clarkeduring a changeofcommandceremonyatthe TampaConventionCenterAug. 30.

General Fentonpreviouslyservedasthecommanderof JointSpecialOperations Commandin FortBragg, N.C.

SecretaryofDefense Lloyd J. AustinIIIofficiatedtheceremonyandChairman ofthe JointChiefsofStaff, U.S. ArmyGen.MarkA.Milley wasthehonoraryguest speaker Severalseniordefenseleadersfrom the U.S. andinternationalmilitary partners; allies; USSOCOM’s componentcommanders; andotherdistinguished visitorswerealsoin attendance.

“Bryan Fentonis therightleader,” saidMilley. “Heistherightleaderatthe righttime, withrightskillstoleadthiscommand. LikeRichClarke Bryan Fenton hastheperfectblendof character, competence andcourage. Hehasalltheright expertiseand knowledgetotakewhat Rich hasdoneandtake it tothenextlevel.”

FentonassumescommandduringanimportanttransitionforSpecialOperations, aslarge-scaledeploymentsandoperationsinAfghanistanandIraqhave mostlyceased.CompetitionwithRussiaandChinaarethefocusofcurrentnationalstrategy, asSpecialOperations Forceswillbeexpectedtobuildupontheglobal SOFnetworkitforgedduringtheGlobal WarOn Terror-eratosupportglobalintegrateddeterrence.

“General FentonhasservedinandcommandedateverylevelofSpecialOperations Forces,” saidAustin.“He’sbeenapartofoperationsinnearlyeveryregion aroundtheworldandGeneral FentonhasbuiltupextensiveexpertiseintheIndoPacific, Infact,hemanagedtogetfourconsecutiveassignmentsinHawaiiand itculminatedinGeneral FentonbecomingthefirstSpecialOperationsofficerto serveasthedeputycommanderat U.S. Indo-PacificCommand.”

SecretaryAustinwentontosaythat FentonembodiesthefirstSOFtruth–humansaremoreimportantthanhardware, byfocusingonpeopleandcreatingan

environmentwherepeople wanttoperform.

“Inacommandwhere‘humansaremoreimportantthanhardware,’ thisis a daytopauseforamomentandrecognizetheexceptionalmenandwomenwho makeuptheUnitedStatesSpecialOperationsCommandalongwiththeirincredibleachievements,” said Fenton. “A daytopause, andnote thattheseSOCOM teammates–thesequietprofessionalswhoworktirelesslyathomeandabroadto keepournationsafe–arethecomparativeandcompetitiveadvantageofthiscommand.”

“Thisteamhasbeen–andwillcontinuetobe–calledupontoprotectourcountry,” continued Fenton.“EvenmoresonowatthiscrucialtimewithaNationalDefenseStrategyoutlining challengeswithChina,Russia,Iran,AlQaedaandISIS, tonamebutafew. YetyourSpecialOperations Forces ‘wereborn’for challenges justlikethese. It’sinourDNA…has been since thebeginning.”

ClarkeleavesUSSOCOMaftercommandingforthreeandahalfyearsandretiresaftermorethan38yearsofmilitaryservice Hecommandedateverylevel ofthe75thRangerRegimentthroughhiscareeranddeployedtocombatseveral times, servinginkeyleadershippositionsthroughoutthe JointAirborneandSOF community.

“Congratulations, Bryan.NooneismorereadytoleadourSpecialOperations communitythanyou,” saidClarke, welcominghisreplacement.“Withadepthof experienceintheIndo-Pacific, you’realreadypoisedforourmostpressingsecurity challenges. Ihave watchedyouleadwithenthusiasmandpositivity. Youhavethe vision, you havetheexperience, andmostofall,youliveandbreatheour‘1stSOF Truth:Humansaremoreimportantthanhardware.’”

“Ourpeoplearewithoutquestiontheunmatchedadvantageofthiscommand,” continuedClarke “They’reinnovative, they’reproblem-solvers, andtheyareabsolutelycommittedtokeepingAmericans safeathomeandour Nation free.”

USSOCOMdevelopsandemploysfullycapableSOFtoconductglobalspecial operationsandactivitiesaspartofthe Joint ForcetosupportCombatantCommandoperationsandcampaignsagainststateandnon-stateactorstoprotectand advance U.S. policiesandobjectives.

PhotobyStaffSgt.Ashley

PhotobyGunnerySgt. EricAlabiso

DoDphotoby

Myhusbandisalsoactive dutyand wason a ship, buthiscommandallowedhimtoaccompanymeduringmytreatment. So, wepacked upthreedogsand stayedwithfamilythere,” shesaid. “Iwentthroughabouttenweeksof chemoandradiationandthenwentbackto VirginiaBeach back tothe Teamandbecame partoftheUSSOCOM WarriorCareProgram. Iwouldstayonapill-based chemforanother yearandahalf. Unfortunately, I wasunableto deploywithmyteam which wasfrustrating.”

Whileshe was stillreceivingtreatment,she wascontacted by MarinaLetourneauwho is theUSSOCOM WarriorCareProgramRecoveryCareCoordinatorassignedtoNavalSpecial WarfareGroupTWO. Letourneauasked Ballifshe wantedtogotoUSSOCOM’s DoD WarriorGamesselection camp.

“I didnotevenknowwhattheDoD Warrior Gameswere. IhadbeenintheNavyforquite awhile Marinaexplainedwhatthegames were, anditsoundedlikefun.Icouldconcentrateonsomethingotherthanmytreatment,” saidBall. “Iswammywholelifecompetitively, sotheswimmingcompetition wasadefinite forme. Therowingandpowerliftingwerefun too; so, Iwillcompeteinthoseas well.”

In2020,the WarriorCareProgramencouragedhertotryoutfor TeamUSSOCOMat theirselection campheld in Tampa,Florida.

“Ihadbeentrainingeverydaythroughout radiation and chemotherapytreatmentso I knewIcoulddoit.I triedallthesportsand ultimately wasselectedtocompeteinswimming, rowing, andpowerliftingeventsforthe

TeamNavyand TeamMarineCorpscompeteinthewheelchairbasketballbronzemedalmatch duringthe2022 WarriorGames,Aug.25.The WarriorGamesarecomposedofover200wounded,illandinjuredservicemembersandveteranathletes,competingin12adaptivesporting eventsAug.19-28,attheESPNWide WorldofSportsComplex2022DoD WarriorGamesWheelchairBasketballGoldMedalGameinOrlando,Florida.

games,” Ballsaid.“Participatinginthiscamp enabledmeandmyhusbandtofocusonsomethingotherthan theimmense physical, psychological,andemotionaleffectsmysurgery andtreatmenthadonme. The WarriorGames represent an exceptionaldisplay ofmotivation andperseverance, andIamexcitedandgrate-

fultorepresent TeamUSSOCOM.”

Althoughshe wasenduringatraumatic time in herlife, sheexpressedgratitudefor theUSSOCOM WarriorCareProgramfor helping hernavigateherhealthcare.

“TheUSSOCOM WarriorCareProgramhas

Courtesyphoto

provided me andmyfamilywithamazingsupport andempathy, whileproviding incredibleopportunitiestoexploreandexperiencealternative avenues tobothhealandthrive,” Ballsaid.“Thepeoplein theUSSOCOM Warrior CareProgramalsoassistedmewithmyUSSOCOM fellowshipandthemedical boardprocess, providing insightandguidance, from start tofinish.”

Ballexpressednotall thecompetitorsatthe DoD WarriorGameswill showvisibleinjuriesand someofthosecompeting willhavehiddenconditions.

“Oneofthebiggest thingsIhaveexperienced isthatpeoplecannotalwaysseeaninjury. You willseepeopleintheDoD WarriorGameswho donot showaninjury, butthere isareasontheyarethere. It’swhyIam there,” Ball said.

TheDoD WarriorGames isheldinOrlando, Florida Aug. 19–28.

PhotobyU.S.MichaelBottoms Lt.Cdr.AlannaBall(retired)competesinthe50-meterbreaststrokeattheDoD WarriorGamesAug.26,Orlando, Florida.BallwouldgoontowintheGoldMedal.TheDoD WarriorGamesarecomposedofover200wounded,ill andinjuredservicemembersandveteranathletes,competingin12adaptivesportingeventsAug.19-28,atESPN Wide WorldofSportsComplexatDisneyinLakeBuena Vista,Florida.

AIRLIFT

ceiveandgiveimmediate caretothethousandswho neededdesperatehelp. It wasduringthisdifficult time, wewere awedbythe effortsofservicemembers whoriskedeverything, some evengivingtheirlives, to helptotalstrangers,” hesaid.

Inbroadstrokes, theeffortthat cametobe called OperationAlliesRefuge was thelargestnon-combatant evacuationairliftin U.S. history.

“OurAirmenexperienced circumstancesunlikeany theyhavefacedbefore, yet theirtraining, innovation, and compassionwereevidentthroughoutOperations

AlliesRefugeandAllies Welcome,” saidAir ForceChief ofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr. “ThesecretaryofDefense hasacknowledgedthewithdrawalfromAfghanistan wasimperfect, butitdoes notdiminishthe historic featourAirmen accomplishedintransportingmore than124,000peopletosafetyandhope.”

Over17days, attheend ofAugust2021,nearly800 civilianandmilitaryaircraftfrommorethan30 nationssafelyevacuated thousands ofpeople, many ofthemdesperate, fromAfghanistanthrougha chaotic HamidKarzaiInternational AirportinKabul.Theairliftspannedninecountries, eighttimezones, andmore than10temporarysafehavens. Thewithdrawalcommencedaroundthe clockat awitheringpace, evenas securityoutsidetheairport and,attimes, ontheflight lineitselfdeteriorated.

AU.S.AirForceAirmanassistsanAfghancitizenaboardaC-17Globemaster IIIduringOperationAlliesRefuge,Aug. 19,2021.Approximately124,000Afghan citizenswereevacuatedfromKabul,Afghanistan,duringOAR,oneofthelargest airevacuationsofciviliansinAmerican history.

THUNDERBOLT

PhotobyStaffSgt.BrandonCribelar

Afghancitizens restinaU.S.AirForceC-17GlobemasterIIIafterbeingevacuatedfromHamidKarzaiInternational AirportinKabul,Afghanistan,Aug.19,2021.TheU.S.AirForceconductedairliftoperationstotransportapproximately 124,000peoplefromKabulaspartOperationAllies Refuge. Theoperationwasoneofthelargestairevacuationsof civiliansinAmericanhistory.

PhotobyStaffSgt.BrandonCribelar

EVENTSUPPORT

COMMUNITYSERVICES

FOODOPERATIONS

READINESS/DEVELOPMENT

“Oneofthemaintenancecrew chiefsreachedoutbecauseheknew I enjoy3DprintinganddesignandbelievedIcouldcomeupwithasolutionfortheboomcover,” Helzersaid.“Ithencameupwithaprototype foratoolthatcouldmake the processmuchsmoother.”

Tech Sgt.Steven JakubowskisaidHelzerisalwayslookingfor ways to innovateandconstantly askingquestions togainfurtherknowledge.

“Hespentalotofhisfreetime, outsideofwork,designingtheboom covertool,” Jakubowskisaid.

Helzer, usinghisskillandknowledgewith3Dprinting, createdaprototypecalledthe“BoomCover Tool.” Thetool wasmanufacturedwith Helzer’s3Dprinterandresemblesabutterflynetontheendofaretractablepolewithahoopmechanismthattightensandloosensthenet covering on theoppositeend.

“OnceIcreatedtheprototype, Ibroughtittomysectionandtested itout,” Helzersaid. “A 30-minutejobbecameaone-minutejobwiththe BoomCover Tool.”

TheBoomCover Toolgreatlyreducesthenumberofman-hoursneededeverytimeacoverneedstoberemovedorinstalledonanaircraft andthecoveritselfbetterprotectstheboompodduringadverseweatherconditions.

EachBoomCover Toolcostsroughly$200 toproduce.

“TheprojectedsavingswerecalculatedbyhimandIwhilesubmittingforSpark Tankbyusingthe2021comptrollerdocumentfor wages,”

SeeINNOVATION,Page16

Airman1stClassJacobHelzer,100thMaintenanceSquadronhydraulicsmaintenancejourneyman,usestheBoomCover ToolonaKC-135 StratotankeraircraftatRAFMildenhall,UnitedKingdom,July22,2022.

TheBoomCover Tool,createdbyHelzer,isexpectedtosave40,000 man-hoursand$1millionannually.

PhotobyAirman1stClassAlvaro Villagomez

EVENTS

AirForceBirthday Golf Tour-namentSept.17

TheBayPalmsGolfComplexis hostingatournamentontheSouth coursetocelebratetheAirForce’s 75thbirthday!RegisterbySept. 14atthe pro shop.Doorprizesand lunchwillbeprovided!Findmore infoatmacdillfss.com/bay-palmsgolf-complex/

U.S.AirForce75thBirthday

TheAirForce’s75thBirthday isSunday, Sept.18andfacilities acrossMacDillwillbecelebrating themilestonewithevents,specials, andmoreSept.12–18.Disney ticketgiveaways,scavengerhunts, lunchspecialsand,ofcourse,cake. Findthefulllistoffacilitiesand eventsatmacdillfss.com/af-birthday-celebration/

FitStopgrandopeningSept.12

Anewsmoothiebarisopening insidetheShortFitnessCenter onMonday,Sept.12.ThenewFitStopSmoothiesandMorewillofferfreshfruitsmoothiesandothermenuitems.Theywillbeopen MondaythroughFriday6a.m.–2 p.m.forlunchon-the-goorforthat afterworkoutthirst.

Child& YouthServices onMacDill

Findchildcare,afterschoolcare, giveparentsabreakevents,educationmeetings,schoolliaisonand morebyvisitingmacdillfss.com/ family-support/ Findmoreeventsat: macdillfss.com

Mutualsecuritydiscussion!

OnAug.25,CENTCOMcommanderGeneralMichael“Erik”KurillametwithIsraeliDefense MinisterBennyGantzattheU.S.CentralCommandHeadquarterstodiscusssecurityissuesof mutualinterest.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday 9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,calltheCommand Postat828-4362/4361.

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

Catholic(in-person) -Saturday -5:30p.m (confession4:30p.m.) Sunday- 9:30a.m.(confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices - Sunday 11 a.m.

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

IslamicService Friday1p.m.(spacereserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Pleasecontactthe Chapelat(813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW. HCADMIN@us.af.mil

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyU.S.MarineCorpsGunnerySgt.EricL.AlabisoII

INNOVATION

Jakubowskisaid.

“IdidthemathandtheprojectedsavingsfortheAir ForceiftheyutilizedtheBoomCover Toolfortheentirety oftherefuelingfleetwouldbeapproximately$1million andpotentially40,000man-hoursannually,” Helzeradded.

Inordertomeetthisgoal, HelzerhasbeencollaboratingwiththeMXSfabricationflighttoproducethetest prototypes foreach aircraft here.

“Oncewe haveeverything streamlined,wecanmove intothebetatestingphase, whichisroughlysixmonths, then move ontoscalingupfortheentireKC-135Stratotankeraircraftfleet,” Helzer said.

Movingforward,Helzerplansondevelopingabatch of toolsforthelocalKC-135fleettoprovethedesignconcept.Helzerwouldthenliketocontractthefabricationof afinal,moredurableprototypeandsharetheBoomCover Toolthroughouttheentirefleetandmodifythedesign to beadoptedforothervariations of refuelingaircraft

“Helzerhasbeenago-getterfromthemomenthearrivedonstationandisalwayshungrytolearnallaspect ofhisjob, andhiscriticalthinkingskillsaresomeofthe bestsI’veever seen,” Jakubowskisaid.

Helzerhasalwaysbeenmotivatedtoimprovehimself andthe waythingsaredoneathisjob, andoneexample of this is theBoom Cover Tool.

“Thisishow changestarts, byquestioningthe waywe dothingsand comingupwithasolutionthatwillbenefit Airmenatalllevels,” Helzersaid.“IcreatedtheBoom Cover Tooltomakethelivesofmy Wingmeneasierand inspireAirmentodeviseandimplementnewideasto helpimproveeventhe simplesttasks.”

THUNDERBOLT