Thunderbolt 1/12/2023

byAirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs AirMobilityCommand

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,IL—Anintenseoperationstempoand constantcallsformobilitycapabilitiesinsupportoftheNation’smost importantmissionsisnothingnewforAirMobilityCommandAirmen, butinmany ways2022stoodapartasthecommandintensifieditsfocusonsolvingfuture challengeswhileremainingwhollyresponsiveto today’srequirements. MobilityAirmensteppeduptothe challenge, employingtheiringenuity, gritandpassionin waysnoonecouldhavepredicted.

Earlyin the year, AMCAirmenonceagaintooktheinternational stageastheyposturedforadaptivesupporttoUkraine, deliveringhope inthe form of millionsofpoundsofequipmentandothercriticalsecurityassistance. Thesemissions, augmentedbycommercialpartners, continuedthroughouttheyear.

“Thisisatestamentto U.S. TransportationCommand’sabilitytorapidlyprojectandsustain,wheneverandwhereverournationrequires,” saidGen. Jacqueline VanOvost,USTRANSCOMcommander. “OurcommitmenttodeliveringsecurityassistancetoourUkrainianpartners remainssteadfast.”

MobilityAirmenwerealsocriticaltorespondingtothenationalbaby

formulacrisis, underscoringAMC’scapabilitiestogiveleadersoptions tomeetstrategicmobility challenges.

Inthemidstofallthis, AMCpushedthelimitsofpreviousmobility operationsaroundtheworld—allwhileprovidingRapidGlobalMobility fortheUnitedStates, alliesandpartners.

“Lastyear, themobilityteam was chargedwithunderstandingthe assumptions ofthefuturefightandpavedanaggressive wayforwardto closingidentifiedgapsforensuringvictoryforthejointforce,” saidGen. MikeMinihan, AMCcommander.

InMarch,MinihanannouncedtheAMCstrategyto win, codifying thisdirectiveandsettingavectorforhowMobilityAirmen,withtheir trulyglobalmission, delivervictoryforAmerica. To dothat,empowered Airmenneedto“intentionallydisruptthestatusquo”andfocuson“aggressivelyandurgently” closingcapabilitygaps.

Thecommandthenpresentedthosegapstomorethan200DoDand IndustrypartnersatitsinauguralSummerIndustryPreviewheldin JulyatScottAir ForceBase, Illinois. Attendeeswereinvitedbacktothe Airlift/TankerAssociationconferenceinDenver, Colorado, inOctober, to present theirsolutions to AMCleadersandsubject-matterexperts.

AMCalsohostedits2022MobilityAir Forces Weaponsand Tactics Conferencethatfocusedondelivering Pacific-orientedsolutionsforthe

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca

Editor:NickStubbs

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

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NEWS/FEATURES

CENTCOMyearin review2022: thefightagainstISIS

USCENTCOM

TAMPA,Fla.– Throughout2022,USCentralCommandandpartner forcesconductedhundredsofoperationsagainsttheIslamicStatein IraqandSyria(ISIS).TheseoperationsdegradedISISandremoved a cadreofseniorleadersfromthebattlefield,toincludetheemirofISIS anddozensofregionalleadersaswellashundredsoffighters. Allthese operationswerepartofthemissiontodegradetheterrorgroup’sability todirectandinspiredestabilizingattacksintheregionandglobally, to includeagainsttheUShomeland.

Duringcalendaryear2022,CENTCOMconducted313totaloperationsagainstISIS in Iraq andSyria as follows:

InSyria:

108partneredoperations

14USunilateral operations

215ISISoperativesdetained

466ISISoperativeskilled

InIraq: 191partneredoperations

159ISISoperativesdetained

Atleast220ISISoperativeskilled

TheseoperationswereconductedundertheauthorityoftheCENTCOMcommander, whoretains authorityforoperationsagainstISIS

NDAAraisespayfor2023

byAirman1stClassZacharyFoster 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Costofliving ison therise, but so isthepayforservicemembers!

Congress recently passedtheNationalDefenseAuthorizationAct, providingguidanceonmilitaryfundingandperformancefortheupcomingyear.

Theactgoesintoeffect Jan.1,2023,andkeyaspectsareaimedtowardsgraduallyimprovingqualityoflifeforservicemembersacross theworld.

TheNDAAauthorizeda4.6%payraiseforallmilitaryservicemembersandDepartmentof Defenseemployees In addition,basicallowanceforhousingfundinghasseenon averagea20% raisenationwide.

BAHratesforthe TampaBaymetropolitanarea,includingSt. Petersburg, Clearwater, BrandonandRiverview, canbefoundatwww. travel.dod.mil/allowancesorwww.defensetravel.dod.mil.

MacDillAir ForceBasehasresources availabletoservicemembers andDODemployeesdirectedtowardsutilizingthisadditionalfunding responsibly.

AppointmentscanbemadewithMacDill’sMilitary FamilyandRead-

SeeRAISE,Page12

in IraqandSyria,andunderthecommandofCombined Joint Task Force–OperationInherentResolve. NoUSforceswereinjuredorkilled intheseoperations Ourlocalpartners—theSyrianDemocratic Forces andtheIraqiSecurity Forces—haveandcontinuetoplayacriticalrole ensuring theenduringdefeatof ISIS.

Oneyearagothismonth,theUSsecurityrelationshipwithIraqfully transitioningtoaroleofadvising, assisting, andenablingIraqiSecurity Forces. IraqiSecurity Forcesarenowleadingsuccessfulunilateral offensiveoperationsatthebrigadelevelandmakingimpressivestrides in combinedarmsoperations.

“Overthepastyear, IraqiSecurity Forcesdemonstratedanabilityto continueoperationstodegradeISIS, toaggressivelypursuetheterror groupinIraq,andtoimprovesecurityandstabilitywithinIraq,” said GeneralMichael“Erik”Kurilla, CENTCOMcommander. “Today, they displaya highlevelofcompetence, professionalism,andprogressin leadingtacticaloperations, but thereis stillmuchworkto be done.”

“InSyria,theSyrianDemocratic Forcescontinuetodisplaythewill, skill,andabilitytoaggressivelyrootoutISISleadersandfighters,” Kurillacontinued.

“The emerging, reliableandsteady ability ofour Iraqiand Syrian partnerforcestoconductunilateraloperationstocaptureandkillISIS leaders allowsus tomaintainsteady pressure ontheISIS network,”

KimberlyBromell,MilitaryandFamilyReadinessCenterfinancialadvisor,schedulesafinancialconsultationatMacDillAirForceBase, Florida,Dec.19,2022.MFRCstaffprovidefreefinancial consultationstoallDepartmentofDefensepersonnelacrosstheinstallation.

Photo by Airman1stClass Zachary Foster

itsproximityto salt water.

SeniorAirmanMoriahWilliams,91stExpeditionaryAir RefuelingSquadronaerial refuelingspecialist, refuels anF-16FightingFalconassignedto the77thExpeditionaryFighterSquadronovertheU.S.CentralCommand areaof responsibility,Dec.17.TheKC-135aircreware responsiblefor deliveringfueltoU.S.and coalitionforces,enablingaconstantpresence intheAOR.

U.S.AirForceMaj. MatthewKellogg,left, and1stLt.Lane Nunier,pilots assignedtothe91stAirRefueling Squadron,operateaKC-135 StratotankeratMacDillAirForceBaseDec.21.TheKC-135hasservedasthe core aerial refuelingcapabilityfortheU.S.AirForceandhas excelledin this role formorethan60years.Thisuniqueasset enhancesAirMobility Command’scapabilityto accomplishitsprimarymissionof global reach.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

Photoby Tech.Sgt.DianaM.Cossaboom

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

Crewchiefsassignedtothe6thAircraft MaintenanceSquadronprepare to jackupaKC-135Stratotankeraircraftassignedtothe6thAirRefueling Wing atMacDillAirForceBaseDec.13.The6thMaintenance Groupis workingto

DOD Expands Military Parental Leave Program

courtesy of DOD

Today, the Department of Defense announced the expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) via Directive-type Memorandum 23-001 – “Expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program.”

The expansion was made in accordance with DTM 23-001 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, builds on the Department’s support of military families and Service members by streamlining and enhancing the parental leave benefit for Service members. Specifically, the expansion provides parental leave to active and reserve component service members (on active duty for 12 months or more) who have given birth, adopted a child or had a child placed for adoption or long-term foster care with them. Birth parents will be granted 12 weeks of parental leave following a period of convalescent leave and non-birth parents will be granted 12 weeks of leave following the birth of their child. Adoptive parents and eligible foster parents will also be granted 12 weeks of parental leave. The MPLP is designed to allow members to care for their children while balancing the needs of their unit.

Members who were on maternity convalescent leave or caregiver

leave on 27 December (before the new policy went into effect) and had not used up their leave will transition to leave under the new policy without any loss of benefit and will receive the expanded benefit. For example, birth parents on six weeks of maternity convalescent leave or six weeks of primary caregiver leave as of 27 December will, with transition to the new policy, receive a combined total of eighteen weeks of non-chargeable leave following the birth of their child In the future, under the new policy, the amount of convalescent leave birth parents receive will be determined on an individual basis, and the amount of parental leave will be a standard 12 weeks Members (other than birth parents), on caregiver leave, e.g., a father on three weeks of secondary caregiver leave, as of 27 December, will also transition to leave under the new policy and receive a combined total of twelve weeks of parental leave. The transition to the expanded parental leave benefit is intended to occur without interruption.* (See Editor’s Note)

The leave can be taken by both birth and non-birth parents and must be administered in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in the DTM. The expansion of the MPLP, which applies to all eligible service members as of January 4, 2023, takes precedence over previous DoD issuances and service regulations.

DOD increases childcarefeestomaintain quality child care for militaryfamilies

courtesyofDOD

TheDefenseDepartmentimplementedannual changestotheChild DevelopmentProgram Fee Policyandrestructuredtotalfamilyincome categorieswhichdetermine childcarefees. The policy changeincludesfee increasesnecessarytoensurethedepartment’sabilitytofindandkeep skilled childcarestaffandtocontinueprovidingqualitycareformilitary children.

TheDODrecognizesthatinordertofindandretainskilledstaffand continue providingquality childcareformilitaryfamilies, changestothe policythatguide childcarefeesarenecessarytoenhancerecruitment andretentionefforts.

“Mostfamilieswillseea changein childcarefees, butwealsoknow ourfamiliesunderstandtheimportanceofensuringtheDODisableto attractthebestemployees fromlocallabormarkets,” saidStacey Young, directoroftheOfficeof Military FamilyReadiness Policy.

TheDOD ChildDevelopmentProgram Fee Policyprescribesuniform feeregulationsformilitary childdevelopmentcentersbased on totalfamilyincome. DOD policy requiresaminimumof50%appropriatedfund supportfor childdevelopmentprogramswithrevenuegeneratedbyparentfeesprovidingtheremaining50%ofoperatingrevenue. Child care

costsaresharedbetweentheDODandfamilies. Childcarefeesareevaluatedeachyear.

ChildDevelopmentProgram Fee Policy changesfor2022-2023include: Thenumberofincomecategorieswillincreasefrom13to14, providing amore equitabledivision offeesbasedontotalfamily income.

Thehourlycarerate willincreasefrom$7to $8 perhour.

Militarydepartmentswillincreasethecommunityproviderfeeassistanceratecapfrom$1,500per child, permonthto$1,700per child,per month toensure childcare subsidiesfor military-certifiedfamily child careprovidersareconsistentwiththecommunityproviderfeeassistance rate cap.

Overall, these childcarefeepolicy changeswillhelpenabletheDODto recruitandretainthebest childdevelopmentstaffpossibleandcontinue toprovide quality childdevelopmentservicestoits militaryfamilies.

Militaryfamiliescanreachouttotheir child developmentcentersor school-agecareprogramstolearnhowthesefee changeswillimpactindividual households.

TheDefenseDepartmentremainssteadfastinitsmissiontoprovidea range of optionstomeetmilitaryfamilies’ childcareneeds. TheDODis workingtotacklethe childcare challengeswithnewstrategiesandpro-

Joint Force. TheseeventswerepartofaseriesthatsetAMConafast tracktoimprovereadiness.

“Nobodyisgoingtocarewhatourplansareforfiveto10yearsifwe losetomorrow,” MinihansaidattheAir ForceAssociation’sAirSpace andCyberconferenceinSeptember, wherehepreviewedtheMobility Manifesto. Thedocumentarguesfourkeyideas:Airmenarethemagic; lethalitymattersmost; AMC isthe Joint Forcemaneuver;andweneed toinvestinAmericantenacitytowinnow.

“Ourtoys, ourtraining, ourdesiresaremeaninglessunlesswemaneuverthemtounfairadvantageandunrepentantlethality,” hesaid.

Atthesameevent,Minihanannouncedtheculminationofayearlong sprinttooperationalizetheKC-46A,whichhadbeenutilizedinmultiple employmentconcept exercisestovalidatetheaircraft’sabilityto completeitsmission.

“Wearereadytousethisaircraftgloballyinanyfight, withouthesitation,” hesaid,whileannouncinghehad clearedtheKC-46Aforworldwidedeploymentstomeetcombatant commandtaskings.

InNovember, AMCpresentedtheculminationofitseffortstobuild awinningschemeofmaneuverinthe PacifictoAir ForceChiefofStaff Gen.CQBrown,Jr. andotherAir Forcemajorcommandcommanders that wasbuiltontheworkofAMC’s FightClubaswellasmultiplejoint planningeventsandstaff-to-staffexchanges. ThismarkedakeymilestoneinpreparingthecommandtoexecuteExerciseMobilityGuardianin2023,whichwilltakeplaceintheIndo-Pacificanddemonstrate

AMC’sroleas the Joint Forcemaneuver

AMCAirmentooktoheartthe challengetoextractmaximumvalue fromexistingtoolsbyexecutingvariousimpressive, sometimesrecordbreakingoperations, including a72-hourKC-135endurancemission, KC-46 limitedcrewflight,andaKC-4636-hourendurancemission.

ByDecember, AMC wastiedinwith U.S. Indo-PacificCommand, U.S. StrategicCommand,USTRANSCOM,andtheircomponentstoexecute abombertaskforcemission in the Pacificthat demonstrated AMC’s role inprovidingglobalreach withrapid,agile and resilient mobilityeffects through multipledomainsandacrossthefullspectrum of Jointoperations.

Allofthesesuccesseshingeona WarriorHeartmentality--areadinessmodel thatfocuses on Airmen’s developmentof mind, body, and crafttoensuretheyarepreparedforaviolentfight.Nowhere wasthis ondisplaymorethaninrecognizingthefirstanniversaryofOperation AlliesRefuge, thelargestnon-combatantevacuationoperationinAmericanhistory, whereMobilityAirmenmovedmorethan124,000people outofharm’s way, oftenunderhostileconditions. InOctober, AMCannounced96AirmenreceivedtheDistinguishedFlyingCrossand12 AirmentheBronzeStarMedalinoneofthelargestsuchrecognitions inhistory. The621stContingencyResponseGroupearnedtheGallant Unit Award.

MobilityAirmenarebold,solution-orientedandempowered,andas AMClooksto2023,thecommandisconfidentinitsabilitytoproject, maneuver, connect andsustain.

AJapanAirSelf-DefenseForceC-130HHerculesassignedtothe401st TacticalAirliftSquadron,RoyalAustralianAirForceC-130JSuperHerculesassignedtothe37Squadron,RepublicofKoreaAirForceC-130HHerculesassignedtothe251st TacticalAirSupportSquadron,RoyalNewZealandAirForceC-130HHerculesassignedtothe40squadron,andU.S.AirForceC-130JSuperHerculesassignedtothe36thExpeditionaryAirlift SquadronconductmultinationalelephantwalkatAndersenAirForceBase,Guam,Dec.10,duringOperationChristmasDrop2022.JASDF,RAAF,ROKAF,RNZAF,andUSAFC-130Jcrewmembersdelivered209bundleswith humanitarianaid totalingmore than71,000poundsofcargoto22,000 remoteMicronesianislanders.

USTRANSCOM YearinReview

bySgt. VontraeHampton

U.S.TransportationCommand

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.— It’stimetoput2022inthe books However, beforeweturnthepage, let’sreflectonwhat U. S. TransportationCommand(USTRANSCOM)accomplishedthispast year.FromdeliveringaidtoUkrainetodeliveringbabyformulafor ourmostvulnerablecitizens, USTRANSCOM’smilitaryandcivilian personnelhavecrushedit.

Ukrainesecurityassistance

USTRANSCOMdeliveredapproximately227millionpoundsofsecurityassistanceequipmenttosupportUkraineandNATO allies, enablingcriticalsuccessagainsttheinvadingRussianforces. Thisaid includesmissiles, artillery, tanks, helicopters, bodyarmorandmore.

“OurlogisticalsuccessisonfulldisplayasweensureUkrainereceivestheaidnecessarytodefendtheirnation,” saidGen. Jacqueline D. VanOvost,USTRANSCOMcommander.

“ThespeedandreliabilityatwhichwearedeliveringthissignificantassistancedemonstrateAmerica’sstalwartsupportforthe Ukrainiangovernment.”

Inadditiontosecurityassistance, USTRANSCOMhasalsoairliftedmorethan16,000troopsfromthe U.S. toEuropetoassureallies anddeterRussianaggressionagainstNATO.

CommandteamtourstheIndo-Pacific

VanOvostandFleetMasterChiefDonaldMyrick,USTRANSCOM seniorenlistedleader, visitedsixlocationsacrossfourcountriesinthe Indo-Pacificregiontodiscussinitiativesandoperationsimpactinglogisticsandcommunicationsthroughoutthetheater.

“Thistheaterisincrediblyunique–distancesarelong, operations aredispersed,andthepaceisquick,” said VanOvostduringhertripto thetheater. “WeareheretoensureUSTRANSCOMcanprovidewhat isvitaltodeploy, maneuver, andsustaintheIndo-PacificCommand warfighter, aswellasmeettheneedsofouralliesandpartners.”

Thetripprovidedopportunitiestostrategizewithseniormilitary and civilianleaders, showcasethecommand’ssupporttoalliesand partners, operationalizelogistics, andmeetwithpersonnelsupportingUSTRANSCOM’smissionintheregion.

OperationFly Formula

AfterPresident Jo sephBidenannouncedOperationFly Fo rmula onMay18,2022,a U.S. Air ForceC-17GlobemasterIIIimported132 pallets, or78,000pounds, ofspecialtyinfantformula,fromRamstein AirBase, Germany, toIndianapolisInternationalAirport.TransportingproductsfromEuropetothe U.S. wouldtypicallytaketwoweeks; however, thisdeliverytookmeredays.

“Togetherwithourindustrypartnersandalliesand[nation]partners, wenotonlyprojectandsustainthe nationalsecurity wherever

USTRANSCOMdeputytransition Navy USTRANSCOM,retired vyfor40yearsandassumedtheroleofdeputycommanderin2019. VanOvostpraisedMewbourne’sleadership.

Duringhisretirementceremony bysayingofMewbourne DCOM[DeputyCommander]isvalidated. andleaderIhaveeverworkedwith;I gether.

U.S. COM’sdeputycommander ity. ThefirstanniversaryoftheAfghanistanwithdra

InAugust,wepausedtoreflectonthe thelargestnon-combatantevacuationoperationin TRANSCOM,withthehelpofcommercialpartners 124,000peopleandmarkedthefinalmissiontoendtwodecadesof operationsinAfghanistan.It

cticalAirliftSquadron,RoyalAustralianAirForceC-130JSuperHerculesassignedtothe37Squadron,RepublicofKoreaAirForceC-130HHercticalAirSupportSquadron,RoyalNewZealandAirForceC-130HHerculesassignedtothe40squadron,andU.S.AirForceC-130JSuperHerculesassignedtothe36thExpeditionaryAirlift SquadronconductmultinationalelephantwalkatAndersenAirForceBase,Guam,Dec.10,duringOperationChristmasDrop2022.JASDF,RAAF,ROKAF,RNZAF,andUSAFC-130Jcrewmembersdelivered209bundleswith

“Togetherwithourindustrypartnersandalliesand[nation]partwenotonlyprojectandsustainthe Joint Forcetohelpensure nationalsecurity, butwecontinuetodeliverhope, wheneverand wherever,” said VanOvost.

USTRANSCOMdeputytransition Navy ViceAdm.DeeL.Mewbourne, the16thdeputycommanderof USTRANSCOM,retired June30,2022.MewbourneservedintheNavyfor40yearsandassumedtheroleofdeputycommanderin2019. nOvostpraisedMewbourne’sleadership. Duringhisretirementceremony, VanOvostconcludedherspeech bysayingofMewbourne, “Yourreputationasthemostthoughtful DCOM[DeputyCommander]isvalidated. Youarethefinestofficer andleaderIhaveeverworkedwith;I cherishedallofourmomentstoTherecanbenodoubt,whenournationcalled,youdelivered!” ArmyLt.Gen. John P. SullivanassumedtheroleofUSTRANSCOM’sdeputycommander, becomingthe17thtoserveinthatcapac-

ThefirstanniversaryoftheAfghanistanwithdrawal InAugust,wepausedtoreflectonthe one-yea ranniversaryof thelargestnon-combatantevacuationoperationin U.S. history. USTRANSCOM,withthehelpofcommercialpartners, movedmorethan 124,000peopleandmarkedthefinalmissiontoendtwodecadesof operationsinAfghanistan.It wasonlythethirdtimein U.S. history

Photoby YasuoOsakabe

PhotobyAustinFraley

PhotobyScottRoss

inessCentertomeetwithafinancialadvisor. Advisorsprovideservicememberswiththeopportunitytolearnbudgetingtechniquesforfinancialsuccess.

“Inthepast,wewouldadviseoursingleAirmenwhoareleavingthedormstorentwith a roommate,” said KimberlyBromell,MacDill’s MFRCfinancialadvisor. “Unfortunately, for ourmarriedservicemembers, thatisn’treally anoption.Thisrecentincrease[in BAH]isgoingtoallowthem abitmorecomfort inthat situation,butwestillurgeAirmentomake a budgetthatadjustsforthedifferencewhile stillallowingthemtocovertheirmonthlyrent andexpenses.”

MacDill’sMFRChostsanassortmentof coursesatnocosttoDODemployeesacrossthe installation.A“ditch-the-dorm” classishosted monthlytoadvisejuniorenlistedservicememberswiththetoolstosuccessfullymove off basewithoutplacingthemselvesinfinancial duress.

“Typicallyweadviseservicemembersto spendnomorethan25%to30%oftheirincome onhousing,” saidDoraMays, MacDill’sMFRC flight chief. “However, thislastyearwe’veseen rates closerto50%becauseof Tampa’sinflated costofliving. Thisrisein BAHisallowingAirmentogetalittle closertothatoptimalpercentage.”

AccordingtoMays, theMFRC’sgoalisto educateeveryservicememberinfinancialliteracy Frequentfinancialcounselingisa way forservicemembersateverypointintheir careertocontinuetogrowandlearnas challengesarise.

“OneofthethingsthattheNDAAdoes thatassistsinestablishingapersonalfinancialmindsetisthecreationoffinancialtouch

pointsacrossthemilitarylifecycle,” saidMays “Financialcounselingisnowrequiredatmajor focalpointslikedeployments, movesandmarriage.”

Theraisein BAHisprojectedtoreducethe leveloffinancialstressforservicemembersassignedtothe6thAirRefueling Wing

“WhenIworkedas afinancialadvisor, we were seeingAirmenasadisciplinaryaction formissedcreditcard or car payments,” said

Mays “Recently, it’s beenrent. We areinterestedandhopefultoseetheimpactthis BAH adjustmentwillhaveonthecommunity.”

FormoreinformationonMacDill’sMFRC andtheirresourcescall813-828-0145orvisit https://macdillfss.com/military-family-readiness/.

The6thARWiscommittedtoensuringthe healthyfinancialwellbeingoftheirservice membersandthesurrounding community.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

Dora Mays, Military and Family Readiness Center flight chief, left, and Kimberly Bromell, MFRC financial advisor, pose for a photo at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 19, 2022. MFRC staff provide free financial consultations to all Department of Defense personnel across the installation.

USTRANSCOM

thatUSTRANSCOMactivated the CivilReserveAirFleet,which requiresparticipatingairlinestoprovidecivilianaircrafttosupportmilitaryoperations.

Themissionrequiredatotalof2,627sorties, involving1,927military flightsand700commercialflights. U.S. citizensandpersonnel,Special Immigrant Visaapplicants, andotherat-riskindividualswereevacuatedfromAfghanistan.

NDTA-USTRANSCOM FallMeeting

The2022 FallMeeting, sponsoredbytheNationalDefenseTransportationAssociationandUSTRANSCOM, hostedfivekeynotesessions, tworoundtablediscussions, 64interactiveTransportationAcademysessions, andvendorboothsfillingfourhallsof thehistoricUnionStation.

VanOvostkickedofftheeventwithakeynoteaddresswhereshediscussedtheimportanceoftheconference.

“Thisyear’s FallMeetinghasalreadygeneratedimportantconversations,” said VanOvostduringheropeningcomments “Thisyear’stheme of‘evolvingthestrategicadvantage’iswelltimed,andIcannotoveremphasizetheneedforourorganizationstorapidlyadapttotherealities ofstrategiccompetition. We needyouwithus, allthe way.”

VanOvosthighlightedthe opportunitiesand challengesthatthe transportationenterprisefaces. Shealso calleduponthoseinattendancetoassistwithovercomingthose challenges, VanOvostvisitsSt.LouisUniversity

VanOvostspokewithROTCcadetsandfacultyinvolvedinscience, technology, engineering&mathematicalprogramsduringhervisitto St.LouisUniversityonNov 30,2022.

TheUSTRANSCOMcommanderalsolistenedtoseveralundergraduateandgraduatestudentspresenttheirresearchandspecialprojects, includingadditivemanufacturing(3Dprinting), machinelearningand artificialintelligence.

VanOvost’striptoEurope

VanOvostmet U.S. ArmyGen.ChristopherCavoli, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM)commanderandSupremeAlliedCommander Europe, attheNATO headquartersinBelgiumonDec 12,2022.During

hertriptoEurope, VanOvostalsometwithdeputycommanders, logisticsofficersandotherseniorstaffmembersthroughoutUSEUCOMand U.S. AfricaCommand.

Inadditiontotouring U.S. militaryinstallations, VanOvostalsotook theopportunitytomeetforeigncounterpartslike Polishstudentsattendingthe WarsawUniversityof Technology.

“Ilooktothetalentedindividualsinthisroomtoadvancethedisciplinesofscience, mathengineering, tohelpgrowamoredigitallyliterateworkforcethatwilldefendagainstemergingthreats–especiallyin cyberspace,” VanOvosttoldthe students, which includedcadetswho willjointhe Polishmilitaryupongraduation.“Yoursuccessandthesuccessofyournationwill closelyfollow. This, inturn,willinfluenceand benefitothercountries seekingto preservethehard-wonliberties so preciousinourcultures.”

VanOvostvisitedEuropetobetterunderstandandalignUSTRANSCOM’s abilityto deploy, maneuverandsustainforces, andaddress evolvingsecurity challengesinanintegratedmanner.

Lookingahead

“Asanorganization,USTRANSCOMrecentlycelebratedour35thanniversary. Andafteroverthreedecadesofoperations, thereisoneconstant:wemustmaintainourreadinesstofighttonightwhilekeeping a keeneyeonourabilitytodosointothefuture,” VanOvostsaidduring hermarksattheNationalDefenseTransportationandUSTRANSCOM FallMeetinginOctober.

Asbusyas2022hasbeen,themenandwomenofUSTRANSCOM won’trestontheirlaurels. Thecommandmustandwillbereadytotake onany challengesin2023andbeyond.

USTRANSCOMexistsasa warfightingcombatantcommandto projectandsustainmilitarypoweratatimeandplaceofthenation’s choosing.Poweredbydedicatedmenandwomen,USTRANSCOMunderwritesthelethalityofthe Joint Force, advancesAmericaninterests aroundtheglobe, andprovidesournation’sleaderswithstrategicflexibilitytoselectfrommultipleoptions, whilecreatingmultipledilemmas forouradversaries.

saidMajorGeneralMattMcFarlane, commanderofCombined Joint Task Force–OperationInherentResolve.

ISISmaintainsmalignintentionsregardingtheal-HolDisplacement CampandthemorethantwodozendetentioncentersinSyriasecured bythe SyrianDemocratic Forces ISIS alsomaintains thedesireto strikeoutsideoftheregionandcontinuestoworkwithaffiliatesaround theglobe, mostsignificantlyinAfghanistanandAfrica.

“CENTCOMseesISISinthreecategories,” saidKurilla.“First,ISIS atlarge. ThisisthecurrentgenerationofISISleadersandoperatives wearecurrentlyfightinginIraqandSyria. Whilewe havesignificantly degradeditscapability, thevileideologyremainsunconstrained. We mustcontinuetopressure ISISthroughourpartneredoperations.”

“ThesecondcategoryisISISindetention.Thereisaliteral‘ISIS army’indetentioninIraqandSyria.Thereare, today, morethan10,000 ISISleadersandfightersindetentionfacilitiesthroughoutSyriaand morethan20,000ISISleaders andfightersin detentionfacilitiesin Iraq.” The January2022ISISprisonbreakoutinAl-Hasakah,Syriais a reminderoftheriskimposedbytheseprisons. Theensuingfighttocontainthebreakoutresultedinmorethan420ISISkilledandmorethan

120partneredforcedkilled.

“Finally,” Kurillacontinued,“wehavethepotentialnextgeneration ofISIS. Thesearethemorethan25,000 childrenintheal-Holcamp whoareindanger. These childreninthecampare primetargetsfor ISISradicalization.Theinternationalcommunitymustworktogether toremovethese childrenfromthisenvironmentbyrepatriatingthemto theircountriesorcommunitiesoforiginwhileimprovingconditionsin thecamp.”

“CENTCOMremainsfocusedonsupportingthesesecurityforcesas theydiligentlyworktoimproveconditionsatthecamp. However, the onlyviablelong-termsolutionremainsthesuccessfulrepatriation,rehabilitation,andreintegrationofthecampresidentsbacktotheircountryoforigin.”

ThemissiontodefeatISISwillcontinuein2023asCENTCOMand itsCoalitionpartnersremaincommittedtotheenduringdefeatofthe terrorgroupinordertomaintainandenhanceglobalsecurity, stability, andhumanrights.

“Wearecommittedand,moreimportantly, ourpartnersinIraqand Syria are committedtotheenduringdefeatofISIS,” saidMcFarlane.

Annual reminder:UnionRepresentation/WeingartenRight&GrievanceProcedures

Union Representationand WeingartenRight: BargainingUnitEmployeesareremindedthatunder Section 7114(a)(2)(B)ofChapter 71,Title5, U.S.C., employeeshavetherighttoberepresented atanyexaminationinconnectionwithaninvestigationif:a.theemployeereasonablybelievesthat theexaminationmay resultindisciplinaryaction againsttheemployee, and b. Theemployeerequests representation. *Please notean employee’s WeingartenrightdoesnotapplytoOSIindependentinvestigations, performancecounseling, andissuingof discipline.

GrievanceProcedures:Allemployeeshavethe righttofileagrievanceandrequestpersonalreliefinmattersofconcernrelatingtoconditions of employmentwithinthecontrolofAir Forcemanagement.Thenegotiatedgrievanceprocedurefor bargainingunitemployeesiscontainedintheapplicableunionagreement. Fornon-bargainingunit employees, DODI1400.25-V771_AFI36-706, DOD CIVILIANPERSONNELMANAGEMENTSYSTEMADMINISTRATIVEGRIEVANCESYSTEM, containsthe applicable grievanceprocedure.

CHILDCARE

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grams. “These childcarefee changeswillensuremilitary parentscancontinuetobemission-readyknowingtheir children aresafe, nurtured and receivingquality child developmentservices,” saidHeidi Welch,directorofChildren, Youthand FamiliesfortheOfficeofMilitary Family ReadinessPrograms.

AboutMilitaryCommunityand Family Policy MilitaryCommunityand Family Policyisdirectlyresponsible for establishingandoverseeingquality-of-life policiesandprogramsthathelpourservicemembers, their familiesandsurvivorsbewellandmission-ready. MilitaryOneSourceisthegateway to programsandservices thatsupporttheeverydayneedsofthe5.2millionservice membersandimmediatefamilymembersofthemilitary community TheseDODservicescanbeaccessed24/7/365 aroundtheworld.

EVENTS

MacDill Lanesbowlingclosure

MacDillLanesBowlingwillbe closedforexcitingupgradesand renovations Jan. 2– Feb. 6.

January BaseTheater Movies

YourMacDillBaseLibrarywill beofferingfreemoviesattheBase Theater MoviesareopentoanyonewithbaseaccesstoMacDill. Visitmacdillfss.com/library/for a complete movieschedule.

5v5Soccer Championship

TheShort FitnessCenteris hostinga5v5soccer championship on Jan.21. To registera5-player team, email6fss.fsvs.fitnessprograms@us.af.mil, 4teamsminimumneededtohold event.

UpcomingM&FRC events

*Resume Writing101Private Industry – Jan.17

*MacDill Career Fair – Jan.19

*LinkedIn – Jan.20

*InterviewSkills–Jan.24

*ResumeWriting(Federal)–Jan.26 Visitmacdillfss.com/military-familyreadiness/formoreinformation.

OpenFSSpositionsavailable

Lookingfortheperfectcareer intheNew Year? Positionsare openforteensage14andup, dependents, retireesandactive duty lookingtoworkpart-time. Nopriorbaseaccessrequired. Visitmacdillfss.com/open-jobs/ to see current job openingsandapplytoday!

Findmoreevents at: macdillfss.com

Thisweek’schamp

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

U.S.AirForceCol.AdamBingham,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander, left,andChief Master Sgt. ShaeGee,6thARWcommandchief,poseforaphotowithAirman1stClassRoneishaMagloire,6thSecurityForcesSquadrondefender,duringaChampionof the Week recognitionat MacDillAirForce BaseDec.22.Magloire was rewardedfor exceedingexpectationsduringa recentvisit by the DefenseThreatReductionAgencytoU.S.Central Command.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain, callthe CommandPostat828-4362/4361.

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

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

Protestantservices -Sunday - 11 a.m.

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

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

OtherFaithGroups- PleasecontacttheChapelat(813) 828-3621orviaemailat 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

Formoredetails andinformation, visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel