Thunderbolt 01/06/2022

Vol. 50, No. 1

The Year in Photos

Thursday, January 6 2022

- July - December 2021

Part II of II

YEAR IN PHOTOS Safe and sound!

A KC-135 Stratotanker from MacDill Air Force Base sits on the flightline July 4, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Approximately 10 Aircraft were evacuated to McConnell due to tropical storm Elsa. The aircraft returned to MacDill AFB when conditions returned to normal.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Willis

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Refueling Wing commander and the MacDill community. Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Joe Deluca 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,

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

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Refueling Wing or the Publishing Company of the products or service advertised.

For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3318.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.

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MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb 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.

YEAR IN PHOTOS Special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Airmen from the 6th Air Refueling Wing inspect hazardous material (HAZMAT) gear at MacDill Air Force Base June 28. The FBI conducted a weapons of mass destruction and HAZMAT crime scene training in order to further advance its partnership with MacDill and to keep the surrounding community safe.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Hiram Martinez

Senior Airman Christian Dufresne and Senior Airman Nicholas Dufresne, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron entry controllers, pose for a picture July 1, 2021, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

The Dufresne brothers joined in May 2018 with Chris being home stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Nick being home stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kylee Gardner

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gavin Weidel, 6th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) Technician, reverses a truck on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base April 14. MacDill is home to 24 KC-135 stratotanker aircraft, which all require safety equipment that is maintained and distributed by the 6th OSS AFE team.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Fejerang

Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Warner

Family members spray water on U.S. Air Force Col. Benjamin Robins, 6th Air Refueling Wing vice commander, after completing his KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft fini-flight at MacDill Air Force Base June 22. The fini-flight is a time-honored aviation tradition marking the end of Robins’ flying status. Dating back to World War II, aircrew members have celebrated their last flights in similar fashion. Over the years, it has become an Air Force tradition for flyers.

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YEAR IN PHOTOS

Courtesy photo

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Vicens

Benjamin Hiestand, left, a student at Tinker K-8 School, MacDill Air Force Base, and his brother, Edward Hiestand Jr., pose for a photo near the large field at MacDill with medals they won during the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Youth Nationals in Rome, Georgia, in June. Hiestand and his brother have been training on base to prepare for the USATF Junior Olympics, which began Monday.

U.S. Central Command’s Gen. Frank McKenzie greets His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Tampa, July 16. During the visit, the leaders discussed shared challenges originating in the Middle East – from combating extremism to improving border security – and agreed to explore creative ways to expand bilateral coordination between the two nations.

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Photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege

A 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flying crew chief touches the nose of a C-130J Super Hercules for good luck prior to boarding the aircraft for a mission supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20. The flexible design of the C-130 enables it to be configured for multiple different missions, allowing one aircraft to perform the role of many and project premier airlift airpower in the USCENTCOM AOR.

Photo by Spc. Robert Vicens Photo by Staff Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cody Plopper, a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft crew chief with the 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, stands in front of a KC-135 on the flight line July 10.

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Documented Original Tuskegee Airman, U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Thomas Newton, right, relates his experiences serving in the 99th Fighter Squadron from 1946-1949, while host U.S. Marines Lt. Col. Karl Tinson, left, listens along with a packed audience of U.S. Central Command personnel in the Vince Tolbert Building, MacDill Air Force Base, July 9. Tuskegee Airmen were a famous group of African American pilots, bombers, and their support personnel who fought in World War II.

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Photo by Senior Airman Jessi Monte

Loadmasters assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron look out over Mount Fuji from the rear of an MC-130J Commando II during a flight over Japan in support of exercise Resolute Dragon, Dec. 9.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Students and administrators from the Hillsborough County School District (HCSD) pose for a photo aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft Dec. 9, at MacDill Air Force Base. The HCSD administrators and students were invited to fly on a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft orientation flight, to witness a Total Force air refueling training mission over Alabama involving a 6th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 and four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing, Dannelly Field, Ala. MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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YEAR IN PHOTOS

Courtesy photograph

Courtesy photo

Airmen from the 50th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) ‘Red Devils’ pose for a photograph under the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base. The 50th ARS recently won the 2020 Senior Master Sgt. Albert Evans Award, recognizing them as the best air refueling section in the Air Force.

Personnel assigned to the 6th Medical Group’s Education and Training Flight, MacDill Air Force Base pose for a group photo Aug. 3. The Education and Training Flight was presented the 6th MDG’s ‘Team of the Quarter’ for April 1 – June 30, 2021.

Team spirt in the sky!

U.S. Special Operations Command photo

U.S. Special Operations Command’s Para-Commandos deliver the Tampa Bay Buccaneers flag during a Military Appreciation Day at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa,Aug. 5. The Para-Commandos educate the public on the mission and importance of special operations forces.

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Photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla

A Marine holds a baby while a family in-processes at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 28. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation in Afghanistan.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass greets Afghan children during a visit to Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Sept. 25.

YEAR IN PHOTOS

Photo by: Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Jiffy Helton embraces a service member at the 12th annual Helton Hall 5K at MacDill Air Force Base Sept. 8. Jiffy is part of Team MacDill’s Gold Star Family Program, and participates in the annual memorial run for her son, 1st Lt. Joseph Helton, who was killed during a deployment in 2009.

Home again!

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

An Airman assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing meets his family near the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base Sept. 2. The Airman had just returned from a deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

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YEAR IN PHOTOS Home again!

Airmen from the 6th Maintenance Group are greeted by their wingmen after returning from deployment at MacDill Air Force Base Sept. 27.

The Airmen completed a successful deployment to Southwest Asia.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

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Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Photo by Airman 1st Class Hiram Martinez

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aisha Jennings, 6th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician, reaches for a prescription at MacDill Air Force Base, Oct. 20. Pharmacists and technicians at MacDill are trained to process and fill prescriptions for hundreds of different medical needs.

Airmen from the 50th Air Refueling Squadron load a KC135 Stratotanker aircraft, at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 8. The 50 ARS Airmen deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of U.S. Central Forces Command.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Fulton, 50th Air Refueling Squadron superintendent, pauses for a photo in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft on the flight line Oct. 6 at MacDill Air Force Base. Fulton was recognized as Air Mobility Command’s 2021 Gen. Robert “Dutch” Huyser Outstanding Aircrew Member Award, Boom Operator category for sustained excellence in airmanship.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

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Photo by Trevor Cokley

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets participate in a spirit-rally bonfire on The Terrazzo at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 3.

Cadets held the spirit rally in anticipation of the upcoming Air Force vs. Army football in Arlington, Texas, Nov. 6.

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Job well done!

U.S. Air Force photo

Col. Benjamin Jonsson, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, center, recognizes Airman 1st Class De Ondre Newkirk, left, and Airman 1st Class Dyrenna Harris, right, both assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, for their outstanding duty performance during a recent security incident at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 10. The 6th SFS is responsible for protecting and defending the installation and its personnel.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Face off!

Courtesy photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images

Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., center, the commander of the United States Central Command, drops a ceremonial puck between Ryan McDonagh, left, of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Jordan Staal, right, of the Carolina Hurricanes during Military Appreciation Night at Amalie Arena, Nov. 9.

The Veterans Day event prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes honored military service members past and present.

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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Santos, 6th Maintenance Squadron maintenance unit section chief and senior fitness trainer, lifts a weighted ball during Airmen Fitness School at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 16. MacDill’s Airmen Fitness School focuses on functional fitness activities and resiliency skills to build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force community. “A healthy and fit Airman has the capacity to deal with stress, fatigue, and ultimately reduce the risks they present to safety and the mission. This program is a way to get after those requirements that have been overlooked in the past and incorporate them into training a more well-rounded, resilient, and capable Airman,” said Santos.

YEAR IN PHOTOS EVENTS

Become a licensed family childcare provider Tons of incentives for new and existing providers. Available for on or off base care. Learn more at macdillfss.com/family-child-care M&FRC resume writing 101 Jan. 11 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join us for a free workshop. Learn basic resume construction with different formats to target good employment opportunities and to capture employers’ attention.

Dungeons & Dragons - Jan. 11 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Come enjoy a free night with the family to play Dungeons and Dragons. D&D is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game open to all skill levels ages 8+. Bring the family for a night of fun for everyone!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events • March on MacDill at the Short Fitness Center- Jan. 18 • Interview skills workshop - Jan. 18 • Federal resume writing workshop - Jan. 20 • MCEE meeting at Tinker K-8 Jan. 24 • MacDill career fair - Jan. 27 Find more events at: macdillfss. com

Operation Thanksgiving!

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Airmen assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing pose with members of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters and base commissary employees during the annual Operation Thanksgiving giveaway at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 17. Operation Thanksgiving supported 283 military families by donating over 4,000 pounds of turkey and $14,150 worth of commissary gift cards, each with a personalized note from a donor.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After hours chaplain, call 828-4362/4361.

Catholic (in-person) - Sunday - 8 & 9:30 a.m.

Protestant services (virtual) -Sunday 11 a.m. at www.facebook.com/6amwhc

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

Other Faith Groups Off-base referral as needed

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft sits parked on the flight line at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 9, 2021. The refueling capabilities of the KC-135 enable the air assets of the Defense Department and partner nations to travel freely without the need of a safe haven on land.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings

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