Thunderbolt 01/13/2022

AF celebrating 75 years

Photo by Nicholas Pilch

Bob Miller, Tournament of Roses president, and

Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., present a cake in honor of the

birthday,

DepartmentoftheAirForcetolaunchmyEvalin2022

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—Beginning January2022,theDepartment oftheAir Forcewilllaunchanewenlistedandofficerevaluationsystem application,myEvaluation(myEval),tofurthersupportongoingITand talentmanagementtransformationsfor Total ForceAirmenandGuardians.

“Shiftingtoa21stcenturyITapplication,likemyEval,enablesthe departmenttogreatlyimproveourperformancefeedbackandevaluationsystems, synchronizingandcomplementingthemanyupdates we’vemadetoourtalentmanagementsystemsoverthepastcoupleof years.ThemyEvalapplicationreducesadministrativeburdens, enhancestheuserexperience, andprovidesleaderswithperformancedatato assistinmakinginformedtalentmanagementdecisions,” saidLt.Gen. Brian Kelly, DeputyChiefofStaffforManpower,Personnel,andServices.“FortheAir Forcespecifically, transitioningtomyEvalinearly2022 alsobeginstheevolutiontoa cloud-basedofficerandenlistedevaluationsystemgroundedinourAirmanLeadershipQualities.”

To allowforaprogressiverolloutofmyEval,humanresourceprofessionalsacrosstheDAFgainaccesstothemyEvalappfromthenew myFSSplatformlandingpagestartingtheweekof Jan.4,2022,inadvanceofallroutine-accessusers.Thisprovidestimeforfamiliarization ofthenewapplicationandtoworkoutanytechnicalissuespriortoa fulllaunch.On Jan.18,2022,myEvalwillopenafamiliarizationperiod forallAirmenandGuardians. Fullusageandfunctionalitywillopen DAF-wide Feb. 4,2022.

TheDAFwilltransitionfromvPCtomyEvalinmultiplephasesto allowforappropriateadjustmentcyclespriortomandatoryuse.Across

the Total Force, beginning Feb. 4,2022,AirmenandGuardiansmustaccomplishperformancefeedbackusingmyEval,andofficerandenlisted evaluationswitha close-outdateofMay31,2022,orlater, mustbeprocessedinmyEval.Evaluationswitha close-outdateMay30,2022,or earlier, willcontinuetobeprocessedinvPC.

AllLettersofEvaluationandTrainingReports, regardlessof closeout date, willcontinuetobeprocessedusingcurrentsystemswhiletheDAF finalizesplanstointegratetheseproductsintomyEval.AstheAir Force transitionstoALQ-basedfeedbackthisspring, andtoALQ-basedevaluationsthisfall,theSpace ForcewillcontinuetousethecurrentAirman ComprehensiveAssessmentfeedbackformsandcurrentofficerandenlistedperformancereportsaccessibleinmyEval,untilatransitiondecisionisannouncedatalatertime.

WhilenumerousenhancementswillbelivewhenthesystemmyEval launchesin January, theDAFwillcontinuetodevelopandreleaseadditionalcapabilitieswithinmyEvaltheappthroughout2022.Improvementsincludeauto-populationofinformationdirectlyfromtheMilitary PersonnelDataSystem(MilPDS),introductionofa click-to-signfeature, andtheintegrationofmyEvalwithothermyFSSapplications, such asmyFitness, toauto-populateperformancerelateddata,reducingthe numberofsupportingdocumentationitemstobemanuallyattached.

“Thejourneyofimprovingourevaluationsystemforboththeenlistedandofficercorpsisinfull-swing,” saidCol.LauraKing, theAir Force TalentManagementInnovationCellDirector.“Thereareseveralmilestonesalongthisjourneytoacompetency-basedevaluationsystemthat enablesincreasedtransparencyandmoredirectfeedbackbetweenAirmenandtheirsupervisors.ThelaunchofmyEvalisabigsteptowards reachingourendgoals.”

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MacDillThunderbolt

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TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentofDefense,

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Deadlineforarticlesubmissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

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MacDillnamedpreferredlocationfornextKC-46APegasus

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—TheDepartmentofthe Air ForceselectedMacDillAir ForceBaseasthepreferredlocationtohostthenextactivedutyKC-46A Pegasusaircraft,Dec. 21.

Thedecision wasmade afterconductingsite surveysthatassessedlocationsbasedonfactorsrelated tomission,infrastructurecapacity, communitysupport,environmentalconsiderationsandcost.

Twenty-fourKC-46AswillreplaceactivedutyKC135StratotankersatMacDillAFB.

Thenewtankerswillbringmanyenhancedcapabilities, suchasboomanddroguerefuelingonthe samesortie, worldwidenavigationsandcommunication,cargocapacityontheentiremaindeckfloor, receiverairrefueling, improvedforceprotection,and multi-pointairrefuelingcapability.

Afinalbasingdecisionwillbemadeafteranenvironmentalimpactanalysis, whichisexpectedtotake placeinfall2023. FairchildAFB,Washington,isconsideredareasonablealternativeandwillalsoundergoanenvironmentalimpactanalysis.

ABoeingKC-46APegasustakesoffat YokotaAirBase,Japan,Oct.25,2018,duringasystemevaluation.ThisisthefirsttimetheKC-46AvisitedJapan.Theflightistosupportan initialevaluationbytheUSAFoftheKC-46A’s integratedmissionsystemsuiteaswellasits abilitytoconductworldwidenavigation,communicationandoperation.

PairofSOFSoldiers receiveMedalofHonor

storycourtesyofU.S.Army

MasterSgt.EarlPlumlee wasbornin Clinton,Oklahoma.Hegrewupworkingonhis family’scattleranchandoilfieldinstrument company. HebeganhismilitarycareerbyjoiningtheOklahomaNationalGuard,servingin the45th FieldArtilleryBrigadeasarocketartilleryman(13M)duringhisjunioryearofhigh school.Aftergraduatinghighschoolin2000, PlumleejoinedtheUnitedStatesMarineCorps. HeattendedbootcampatMarineCorpsRecruit Depot,SanDiego, CaliforniaandMarineCorps SchoolofInfantry. Plumlee wasthenassigned toAlphaCompany, 1stBattalion,3rdMarine Regiment,locatedinKaneohe, Hawaii,where heservedhisfirstenlistmentinaweaponsplatoon.

PlumleedeployedtoOkinawa, Japan,after the9/11attacksoccurred.He wassenttoBahrainandservedonaMarineSecurityElement tothe5thFleet.In2003,he wasdeployedto

Zamboanga,Philippines, tothe JointSpecial Operations Task Force-PhilippinesonCamp Navarro.Afterreturningfromthisdeployment, Plumleeattendedthe4th ForceReconnaissance, ReconIndoctrinationProgram,and was selectedtoattendtheMarine’sAmphibiousReconnaissanceCourseandbecameaBasicReconnaissanceMarine.Afterwards, PlumleeattendedandgraduatedfromNavySERESchool, BasicAirborneSchool,theMarineCorpsHigh Risk PersonnelCourse, andMarineCombat DiveSchool.Uponreturningtothe4th Force Recon,hevolunteeredforadeploymenttoIraq withthe2nd ForceReconnaissanceCompany.

Plumlee wasdeployedtoIraq’sAlAnbarregion,operatingfromtheAlAsadAirfieldfrom August2005to February2006.Uponreturningfromthisdeployment,heattendedMilitary Free FallSchool. Fromthere, he waspromoted toReconteamleader. In2007,he marriedhis wife,Terrie. Followinghiswedding, Plumlee volunteeredtodeploytoIraqagainin2008.

MasterSgt.EarlD.PlumleeisoneoftwoU.S. ArmySoldiers recentlyawardedtheMedalof Honor,themilitary’shighesthonor.

Duringthisdeployment,he wasselectedand recognizedastheMarineCorpsRecon Team Leaderofthe Year.AfterreturningfromIraq, Plumleedecidedtomakea changeinhiscareer

AFWERXcourtesygraphic

Photoby YasuoOsakabe

Airmenassignedtothe31stMedicalGroup receivetheirfirstCOVID-19vaccinationat AvianoAirBase,Italy,Jan.8,2021.Inoculationsforthe31st FighterWingweregiveninatieredapproach,withfirst-tier recipientsincludinghealthcareworkersandfirst respondersgettingpriority.

PhotobyJoshuaJ.Seybert Airman1stClassBethanyDacus,911thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron crewchief,posesforaphotoafterconducting routinemaintenanceona C-17GlobemasterIIIatthePittsburghInternationalAirportAirReserve Station,Pa.,March1. Today,womenplaymanyvital rolesinaccomplishingtheU.S.AirForcemission,andtheiraccomplishmentsandcontributionstosocietyarecelebratedduringthemonthofMarch,which wasdeclared Women’sHistoryMonthbyCongressin1987.

A40thExpeditionaryAirliftSquadronflyingcrewchieftouchesthenose ofaC-130JSuperHerculesforgoodluckpriortoboardingtheaircraft foramissionsupportingCombinedJoint TaskForce-OperationInherentResolve,intheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,July20. TheflexibledesignoftheC-130enablesittobeconfiguredformultiple differentmissions,allowingoneaircrafttoperformthe roleofmanyand projectpremierairliftairpowerintheUSCENTCOMAOR.

PhotobyStaffSgt.K. TuckerOwen

PhotobySeniorAirmanBrennenLege

Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.Day:Remember!Celebrate!Act!

DefenseEqualOpportunityManagementInstitute

EachyeartheDepartmentofDefensejoinsthenationinhonoringthe lifeandlegacyofDr. MartinLutherKingJr.

Dr. MartinLutherKingJr. Dayisa U.S. federalholidaymarkingthe birthdayofRev. Dr. MartinLutherKingJr. Itisobservedonthethird Mondayof Januaryeachyear, aroundthetimeofKing’sbirthday, Jan.15. Thisyear,theMartinLutherKingJr. DayofServicewillberecognizedon Jan.17,2022.

TheMontgomeryBusBoycottisregardedasthefirstlarge-scale U.S. demonstrationagainstsegregation.Itrepresentsapivotalmomentinthe modernAmericancivilrightsmovement.Additionally, itremainsoneof themostpowerfulstoriesoforganizingandsocial changein U.S. history.

InMontgomery, segregation wasapartofeverydaylife Blackpeople werefacedwithJimCrowlawsinparks, schools, restrooms, theatersand buses.

Oneareaofacrimony wasthesegregationlawwithinthecitybussystem.ThelawstatedthatBlackpeoplecouldnotsitinfrontofthebus, regardlessofwhethertheseatswereemptyornot.Theywererequiredto paytheirfaresinthefrontofthebus, then walktothebackdoortoboard thebus.

ThecampaignlastedfromDec. 5,1955—theMondayafterRosa Parks,

anAfrican-Americanwoman, wasarrestedforherrefusaltosurrender herseattoawhiteperson—toDec 20,1956.ItendedwiththeUnited StatesSupremeCourt’sdecisionthatdeclaredtheAlabamaandMontgomerylawsthatsegregatedbuseswereunconstitutional.

Bytheendoftheboycott,Dr Kingenteredthenationalspotlightasa civilrightsleaderandaninspirationalproponentoforganized,nonviolentresistance.

TheDefenseDepartmentunderstandsthatfreedom,equality, andinclusionaretrueforcemultipliersandimperativetonationaldefenseand thestrengthofournation.

In1995,CongressdesignatedMartinLutherKing, Jr. Dayasthefirst andonlyfederalholidayobservedasanationaldayofservice. Congress chargedtheCorporationforNationalandCommunityServicewithleadingthisnationaleffort.

TheMLKDayofServiceisa wayto channelDr. King’slifeandteachingintocommunityaction.

Eachyear, onthethirdMondayin January, theDoDjoinsthenation inhonoringthelifeandlegacyofDr Kingbymakingtheholidayadayof communityservice– “A DayOn,NotADayOff.”

Americansanswerthecalltoactionbyservingtheirneighborhoods andvolunteeringtheirtimetomakeapositivedifferenceintheircommu-

nities.ThemenandwomenoftheDoDhonorDr. Kingbylivinguptothe standardheset. Togethertheyensurehislegacyliveson,andasoneDoD family, riseuptomeettoday’s challenges.

AswerememberDr. Kingonhisbirthday, letuscontinuetoliveupthe

tothestandardheset,ensurehislegacyliveson,and,asoneDoDfamily, riseuptomeetthe challengesthatremain. Visithttps://www.nationalservice.gov/serve-your-community/mlk-day-serviceformoreinformationon theMartinLutherKing, Jr. Day.

MACDILL

DODgraphicbytheDefenseEqualOpportunityManagementInstitute

TheU.S.AirForce TotalForce BandtakesaphotowithAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQ Brown,Jr.,(front rowcenter), beforethe TournamentofRoses ParadeandRoseBowlDec.31, 2021,inPasadena,Calif..America’sAirForceparticipatedin America’sNew YearCelebration tokickoff2022andtheyearlong celebrationofthe75thanniversaryoftheDepartmentofthe AirForce.

U.S.AirForcegearsuptocommemorateits75thanniversary

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—It’s nevertooearlytostartcelebratingamajor milestone, whichexplainswhythe U.S. Air ForceandDepartmentoftheAir Forcekickedofftheyearwithabang Jan.1byhighlightingthestartoftheir 75thyearatthe TournamentofRoses ParadeandtheRoseBowl.

Seventy-fiveyearsaftertheAir Force’sbirthonSept.18,1947,thespiritofinnovationthathasdriventheservice wasondisplaywhenaB-2Spiritfromthe 509thBomb Wing, locatedatWhitemanAir ForceBase, Missouri,roaredoverthe TournamentofRoses Paradeandoneofthemostprestigiouscollegebowlgames, the2022RoseBowl,tokick-offtheyearlong75th-anniversarycelebration.

TheB-2hassupportedthe TournamentofRosesandRoseBowlfornearly twodecades, showcasingoneoftheAir Force’spremierweaponsystemsover theskiesof Pasadenatoinspireafuturegenerationofpatriotismand aviation.

JoiningtheB-2thisyeartokickoffthecelebration wasanAir Force Total ForceBand,comprisedof75Airmen-Musiciansfrom14units. Fittingly, the bandmarchedinthe75thspotinthe TournamentofRosesparadelineup.

TheAirmentakingpartinthestartoftheyearcelebrationhighlightedone oftheservice’sgreateststrengths:thenearly700,000activeduty, Guard,ReserveandcivilianAirmenwhoremaintheheartandsouloftheservice, saidAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.,whocurrentlyservesastheservice’s highestrankingmilitaryofficer.

“EversincetheAir Forcebecameaseparatemilitaryservice, empowered Airmenhavepushedtheboundariesoftechnologyandinnovationthathave allowedtheservicetoexcelandkeeppacewiththerapid changesandthedemandsplaceduponus,” Brownsaid.“Ourcommemorationofthisimportant anniversaryprovidesa chancetoreflectontheamazingaccomplishmentsof ourserviceandthosewhohaveservedamongitsrankssince1947,whilealso celebratingtheboundlessfuturethatliesahead.”

Brownadded, “AstheAir Forceapproachesits75thanniversary, wehave aresponsibilitytoournationandourinternationalalliesandpartners Iam confidentthatourAirmenwillcontinuetoinnovate, accelerateandthriveso thatwecanexecuteourmissiontoFly, Fight,and Win…AirpowerAnytime, Anywhere.”

To honorthepast,presentandfuture, thethemeforthe75thanniversary is“Innovate,Accelerate,Thrive–TheAir Forceat75.”Thatfocuscapturesa rangeofactivitiesandobservationsthatwilltakeplacethroughouttheyear andhighlighttheanniversary’ssignificance.

“The75thanniversariesofthe U.S. Air ForceandtheDepartmentoftheAir Forceprovidesauniqueopportunitytohighlightthecontributionsofour Total ForceAirmen,bothpastandpresent,whohavefoughtanddefendedournation inairandspace,” SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendallsaid.“Whenyou thinkaboutwhattheAir Forcehasaccomplishedsinceitsinceptionin1947, there’ssomuchtobeproudof–it’strulyincredible.

“Thesepast75yearshaveshowcasedtheservice’sabilitytoadapttoanysituationandprovideunparalleledairpoweraswellasspacepowerrightuptothe establishmentofthe U.S. Space ForcewithintheDepartmentoftheAir Force in2019,” hesaid. “Aswelookaheadtothenext75years, wemustcontinueto adaptandmodernizesothatourAirmenandGuardianshavethe warfighting capabilitiestheyneedtostayaheadofourpacing challenges, whilealsoensuringtheyandtheirfamilieshavetheresourcestheyneedtothrive Oneteam, onefight!”

Throughout2022,theAir Forcewillcelebrateits75thmilestonewithvariouseventsaroundthe U.S. andworldwidetoshowcasethevalues, commitment, andexpertiseofAmerica’s Total ForceAirmen,pastandpresent.Inaddition, theservicewillspotlightitshistory,accomplishments, andmanyofthepioneeringAirmenwhoseinnovation,dedicationtomission,and war-fightingspirit helpedestablishedthe U.S. Air Forceoftoday.

InnovationfueledbyAirmenhasalwaysbeenapartoftheAir Force’sheritage evenbeforeitbecameanindependentservicein1947.

Maj.Gen.BillyMitchell,alsoknownasthe“FatheroftheAir Force,” wasone Airmanwhopavedthe wayfortheservice.Accordingtomilitaryhistorians, hiscommitmenttopushingboundariesandworkingtowardsadistinctaerial servicebranchseededarenaissancefortheairpowerlegacythatwoulddistinguishitselfduringconflictsacrosstheglobeforyearstocome.

Likewise Gen.HenryH.“Hap”Arnold,who wasdesignatedthefirstand onlyfive-starGeneraloftheAir ForcebyPresidentTruman,alsoplayedakey roleinleading, developingandinnovatingAmericanmilitaryairpowerduring World WarII,providingthenecessaryvisionanddrivetoultimatelycreate theconditionsforanindependent U.S. Air Forcefollowingthe war. Today, Gen. ArnoldisconsideredanairpowerpioneerwhoseeffortshelpedtolaythefoundationformodernAir Forcelogistics, R&D, andoperations, accordingtothe NationalMuseumofthe U.S. Air Force.

TheAir Force’shistoryisalsothehistoryofthenation’sadvancementsin space UndertheAir Force’searlyspacepioneerssuchasGen.BernardSchriever, theAir Forcedevelopedandintegratedthetechnologiesthatput U.S. rockets andsatellitesintospace ByOperationDesertStormin1991,oftencalledthe nation’sfirstspace war, spacebecamecentraltonearlyallmilitaryoperations. ThesesametechnologiesthatbroughtvictoryinDesertStorm,suchasGPS andcommunicationsatellites, arenowessentialtomodernlifeinAmerica.The importanceofspacegrewandthe U.S. Space Forceemergedasanindependent servicewithintheDepartmentoftheAir Forcein2019.

“Thisiswhatisbeingcelebratedasthe U.S. Air ForceandtheDepartmentof theAir Forceentertheir75thyearsandwhat wasondisplayintheskiesover CaliforniawhentheB-2roaredoverhead:75yearsofAmericanairpower, spacepower, andinnovationthathavesecuredournationandmadeusstronger,” said Brig Gen. PatrickRyder, DepartmentoftheAir ForcePublicAffairsdirector.

PhotobyNicholasPilch

AirForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.,hiswife,Sharene, andChiefMasterSgt.Daniel Valadie,U.S.AirForce TotalForce Banddrummajor,takeapromotionalphototogetherbeforethe TournamentofRosesParadeandRoseBowlDec.31,inPasadena,Calif.America’sAirForceparticipatedinAmerica’sNew YearCelebrationtokickoff2022andtheyearlongcelebrationof the75thanniversaryoftheDepartmentoftheAirForce.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.DylanNuckolls

AB-2SpiritfromWhitemanAirForceBase,Mo.,fliesoverthe 108thRoseBowlinPasadena,Calif.,Jan.1,2022.America’sAir ForceparticipatedinAmerica’sNew YearCelebrationincluding the TournamentofRosesParadetokickoff2022andtheyearlongcelebrationofthe75thanniversaryoftheDepartmentofthe AirForce.

PhotobyNicholasPilch

ForceSupportSquadronServices ForceSupportSquadronServices

OPERATIONAL

LIMITEDSERVICES CLOSED

MASKREQUIRED INDOORSREGARDLESSOF VACCINATION STATUS

ADMINISTRATIVESERVICES

Common AccessCard (CAC)- By Appointment

OnlyorMissionEssential Actions(Initial CAC issue;lost CAC;PIN Reset; CAC expiringwithin 7days;emergency hardships

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on

COMMUNITYSERVICES

MainBase Pool -Closed for theSeason

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Marina -1/2or FullDay Boat/ Equipment Rentals,Snacks&Drinks

Boat/RV Registration+ WetSlips GolfCourse

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Information, Tickets& Travel DIYAutoHobby Shop DIY WoodShop Skeet Range

Archery by ReservationsOnly Car Wash/Resale Lot

READINESS/DEVELOPMENT

FitnessCenter- Masksmustbe wornwhile indoors at alltimes exceptwhileactivelyengaging oncardiooranaerobicequipment.

FacilityHours: Monday - Friday 0500-2030 Weekends/Holidays 0600-1400

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Open forwalk-incustomersandappointments. Classes& Workshopsareamixture of virtual andinperson.

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MacDillcommunitycankeepsmilesbright withopeningofDOCSDentalOffice

by6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

MacDillAir ForceBaseretireesandmilitaryfamiliescankeeptheir smilesbrightwithouthavingtogooffbasethankstotheopeningofa DOCSDentalOfficeattheArmy&Air ForceExchangeServiceshoppingcenter.

ThomasKuttamperoor, MacDillAir ForceBaseExchangeGeneral Manager, Ronald JonesIIofthe TampaBayBuccaneers, Dr. Lawrence Caplin,DOCSownerandCEO, Col. JasonLoschinskey, 6thMission SupportGroupcommander, SherriSamudio, MacDillAFBExchange ServicesBusinessManagerand WilliamGholstonofthe TampaBay BuccaneerscuttheribbonforthenewDOCSDentalOfficelocatedat theMacDillAFBExchangeshoppingcenteratMacDillAFB, Fla.,Dec. 14.

“TheconvenienceofdentalservicesontheinstallationisatremendousbenefittotheMacDillcommunity,” saidKuttamperoor.“TheExchangeiscommittedtomakinglifebetteratMacDill.”

Inadditiontoretireesandmilitarydependents, veteranswithservice-connecteddisabilitiesandDepartmentofDefensecivilianscanalso utilizethedentalofficeservices.

SeeDENTALOFFICE,Page13

Fromleft,ThomasKuttamperoor,MacDillAirForceBaseExchange GeneralManager,RonaldJonesIIofthe TampaBayBuccaneers,Dr. LawrenceCaplin,DOCSownerandCEO,Col.JasonLoschinskey,6th MissionSupportGroupcommander,SherriSamudio,MacDillAFB ExchangeServicesBusinessManagerandWilliamGholstonofthe TampaBayBuccaneerscuttheribbonforthenewDOCSDentalOffice locatedattheMacDillAFBExchangeshoppingcenterDec.14.

MACDILL

Courtesyphoto

trajectoryandjoinedthe U.S. Armyunderthe 18Xprogramin January2009.UponsuccessfulcompletionoftheSpecial ForcesAssessment andSelection,he was chosentoattendtheSpecial ForcesQualificationCourse, wherehehad theuniqueopportunitytoattendSERESchool forasecondtime.

In2009,successfullygraduatedSFQCasa Special Forcesweaponssergeant(18B)and was assignedto4thBattalion,1stSpecial Forces Group(Airborne).There, heservedinvarious rotationsthroughtheIndo-Pacificareaofresponsibility. PlumleedeployedtoAfghanistanin April2013,wherehisunit wastaskedwithconductingstabilityoperations. Laterinthisdeployment,he waslocatedat ForwardOperating BaseGhazni,which wassubjecttoacomplex attackonAug 28,2013.

AfterreturningfromAfghanistan,Plumlee completedninemonthsofphysicalrehabilitation,whilecontinuingtoserveinthe4thBattalion,1stSFG(A).

In2015,Plumlee wasstationedinOkinawa, Japan,withthe1stBattalion,1stSFG(A), whereheservedintheINDOPACOM-CrisisResponse Force.Thereheservedonforeigndetails forPresidentObamaandPresidentTrump. In 2018,he wasselectedforpromotiontomaster sergeantandendedhistimeinOkinawa. He andhisfamilyreturnedto JointBaseLewisMcChord, Washington,whereheservedinthe 1stSFG(A)headquarters InAugust2020,he wasselectedtobecomeateamsergeantat3rd Battalion1stSFG(A),wherehecontinuesto serve.

His awardsanddecorationsincludetheSilverStar, theBronzeStarMedalwith“V”device, thePurpleHeart,theMeritoriousService Medal,theArmyAchievementMedal,twoNavy AchievementMedals, theCombatActionRibbon,fourArmyGoodConductMedals, twoMarineCorpsGoodConductMedals, theNational DefenseServiceMedal,theArmed ForcesExpeditionaryMedal,theAfghanistanCampaign MedalwithCampaignStar, theIraqCampaign MedalwithCampaignStar, theIraqCampaign MedalwithArrowheadDevice, theGlobal War on TerrorismExpeditionaryMedal,theGlobal War on TerrorismServiceMedal,theMarine CorpsExpeditionaryMedal,theArmed Forces ReserveMedalwith“M”Device, threeNoncommissionedOfficerProfessionalDevelopment

Ribbons, theArmyServiceRibbon,theOverseas ServiceRibbon,fourSeaServiceDeploymentRibbons, theNATO Medal,twoNavyUnit Commendations, theMarineUnitCommendation,theSpecial Forces Tab, theCombatInfantrymanBadge, theMilitary Free-Fall Parachute BadgeandtheIndonesian ParachutistBadge. Thebattle:Aug.28,2013| ForwardOperatingBaseGhazni

Then-StaffSgt.Earl D. Plumleedistinguishedhimselfbyactsofgallantryandintrepidityaboveandbeyondthecallofdutywhile engagingwiththeenemyinsupportofOperationEnduring FreedominGhazniProvince,Afghanistan,onAug. 28,2013.

Plumlee servedasaweapons sergeantassignedtoCharlieCompany, 4thBattalion,1st Special ForcesGroup(Airborne),at Forward OperatingBaseGhazni,whenthecomplex was attacked.Plumleeinstantlyrespondedtoamassiveexplosionthatcauseda60-footbreachin thebase’sperimeter wall. TeninsurgentswearingAfghanNationalArmyuniformsandsuicide vestspouredthroughthebreach.

Plumleeandfiveotherspecialoperations Soldiers, intentondefendingthebase, mounted twovehiclesandracedtowardthedetonation site. Plumlee’sdriverpurposefullymaneuvered thevehicleintoenemyfiretoshieldthreedismountedteammates, twoofwhomwereinjured, placingthevehicleundereffectiveenemyfire fromthefrontandrightside.

Usinghisbodytoshieldthedriverfromenemyfire, Plumleeexitedthevehiclewhilesimultaneouslydrawinghispistolandengagingan insurgent15meterstothevehicle’sright. Withoutcoverandwithcompletedisregardforhis safety, headvancedtowardtheenemyforce, engagingmultipleinsurgentswithonlyhispistol. Uponreachingcover, hekilledtwoinsurgents.

Plumleeleftcoverandcontinuedtoadvance alone. Movingforward,heengagedseveralcombatantsat closerange. Underintenseenemy fire, Plumleetemporarilywithdrewtocover, wherehejoinedanotherSoldier.

Plumlee, ignoringhisinjuries, quicklyregainedhisbearingsandreengagedtheenemy. Intenseenemyfireonceagainforcedthetwo Soldierstotemporarilywithdraw. Undeterred and resolute,Plumleejoinedasmallgroup of Americanandcoalitionsoldiersmovingfrom covertocounterattacktheinfiltrators.Asthe

Sgt.1stClassChristopherA.Celiz,Medalof Honor recipient.

coalitionforcesadvanced,Plumleeengagedan insurgenttohisfront-left.

PlumleethenrantoawoundedSoldier, carriedhimtosafety, andrenderedfirstaid.Afterwards, heorganizedthreecoalitionmembersin adefensivestanceashemethodically cleared thearea,remainedinasecuritypostureand continuedtoscanforanyremainingthreats.

Throughouttheentireengagement,Plumlee repeatedlyplacedhimselfinextremedanger toprotecthisteamandthebase, andtodefeat theenemy Plumlee’sextraordinaryheroism andselflessnessbeyondthecallofdutywerein keepingwiththehighesttraditionsofmilitary serviceandreflectgreatcredituponhimself, his unitandtheUnitedStatesArmy.

Sgt.1stClassChristopherA.Celiz,a nativeofSummerville, SouthCarolina,enlisted intheUnitedStatesArmyinSeptember2006. HecompletedBasicCombatTrainingandAdvancedIndividualTrainingasacombatengineer(12B)at FortLeonard Wood,Missouri.

Celiz’sfirstassignment waswithCompany E,2ndBattalion,7thCavalryRegiment,1st CavalryDivision, FortHood, Texas. Following thisassignment,Celiz wastransferredtoCompany C, SpecialTroopsBattalion,4thBrigade, 1stCavalryDivision,alsoat FortHood,asa teamleader.

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Annual reminder:union representation/Weingartenright&grievanceprocedures

UnionRepresentation:BargainingUnitemployees are reminded that underSection7114(a)(2)(B)ofChapter71,Title5, U.S.C., employeeshave therighttoberepresentedatanyexaminationinconnectionwithaninvestigationif:a.Theemployeereasonablybelievesthattheexamination mayresultindisciplinaryactionagainsttheemployee, and b. Theemployeerequestsrepresentation.*Pleasenoteanemployee’s Weingartenright doesnotapplytoOSIindependentinvestigations.

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andrequestpersonalreliefinmattersofconcernrelatingtoconditionsof employmentwithinthecontrolofAir Forcemanagement.Thenegotiated grievanceprocedureforbargainingunitemployeesiscontainedintheapplicableunionagreement.DODI1400.25-V771_AFI36-706,DoDCivilian PersonnelManagementSystemAdministrativeGrievanceSystem,containsthegrievanceproceduresfornon-bargainingunitandnon-DCIPS employees(https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dodi1400.25-v771_afi36-706/dodi1400.25-v771_afi36-706.pdf).

forbeneficiaries, aswellasthe FederalEmployeeDentaland Vision InsuranceProgram(FEDVIP)andotherinsurances. Formoreinformation,call813-425-2300.TheMacDillAFBExchangeshoppingcenteris locatedatBldg. 926,3108 N. BoundaryBlvd.

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Celiz wasthenassignedtothe530thEngineerClearanceCompany, 92ndEngineerBattalion,3rdInfantryDivision, FortStewart,Georgia, whereheservedasasappersquadleaderandplatoonsergeant.

In2013,Celiz wasselectedtoservewiththe75thRangerRegiment and wasassignedtoHeadquartersCompany, 1stBattalion,75thRanger Regiment,HunterArmyAirfield,Georgia,whereheservedasthebattalionmasterbreacherandengineer. InMarch2017,he wasassignedto Company D, whereheservedasthemortarplatoonsergeant.

Celizdeployedfrom2008to2009insupportofOperationIraqi Freedomandfrom2011to2012insupportofOperationEnduring Freedom. He wasonhisfifthdeploymentwiththe1stBattalion,75thRangerRegiment,whenhe waskilled.

Celiz’smilitaryeducationincludestheInfantryMortarLeaderCourse; Senior,AdvancedandBasicLeaderCourses; JumpmasterCourse;SapperLeaderCourse;RangerAssessmentandSelectionProgram2;Basic AirborneCourse; U.S. ArmyRangerCourse;RouteReconnaissanceClearanceCourse-SapperandtheCombatLifesaverCourse.

His awardsanddecorationsincludetheBronzeStarMedalwith“V” device, the JointServiceCommendationMedal,theArmyCommendation Medal(2bronzeoakleaf clusters),theNavyCommendationMedal,the JointServiceAchievementMedal,ArmyAchievementMedals(4bronze oakleaf clusters),theMeritoriousUnitCitationMedal(2),theAfghanistanCampaignMedalwithCampaignStar(3),theIraqCampaignMedalwithCampaignStar(2),theGlobal Waron TerrorismExpeditionary Medal,theGlobal Waron TerrorismServiceMedal,theArmyService Ribbon,theOverseasServiceRibbon,theNATO Medal,theRangertab, theSappertab, theCombatActionBadge, andthe ParachutistBadge.

Celizissurvivedbyhisspouse, KatieCeliz,andtheirdaughter. Thebattle: July12,2018| PaktiaProvince,Afghanistan

Sgt.1stClassChristopherA.Celizdistinguishedhimselfbyactsofgallantryandintrepidityaboveandbeyondthecallofdutywhileengaging withtheenemyin PaktiaProvince,Afghanistan,on July12,2018.

Astheleaderofaspecialoperationsunitcomprisedofpartneredforces andmembersofthe1stBattalion,75thRangerRegiment,Celizledan operationto clearanareaofenemyforcesandtherebydisruptfutureat-

tacksagainstthegovernmentoftheIslamicRepublicofAfghanistan.

Shortlyafterhisteamreachedtheirinitialobjective, alargeenemy forceattacked.Theenemyplacedeffectivefireonhimandhisteam,preventingthemfrommaneuveringtoacounterattack.Realizingthedanger tohisteamandtheoperation,Celizvoluntarilyexposedhimselftointenseenemymachine-gunandsmall-armsfire.

Underfire, heretrievedandemployedaheavyweaponsystem,thereby allowing U.S. andpartneredforcestoregaintheinitiative, maneuvertoa securelocation,andbegintreatingacriticallywoundedpartneredforce member.

Asthemedicalevacuationhelicopterarrived,it wasimmediatelyengagedbyaccurateandsustainedenemyfire. Knowinghowcriticalit wastoquicklyloadthewoundedpartner, Celizwillinglyexposedhimself againtoheavyenemyfiresohecouldtake chargetodirectandleadthe evacuation.Asthecasualty wasmovedfromapositionofcover, Celiz madeaconsciousefforttoensurehisbodyactedasaphysicalshieldto protecthisteam,theinjuredpartnerandthecrewoftheaircraftfrom enemyfire.Afterthewoundedpartner wasloaded,Celiz’steamreturned tocover, butheremainedwiththeaircraft,returningahighvolumeof fireandconstantlyrepositioninghimselftoactasaphysicalshieldtothe aircraftanditscrew.

Withhisfinalreposition,Celizplacedhimselfdirectlybetweenthe cockpitandtheenemy, ensuringtheaircraft wasabletodepart.Upon thehelicopter’sliftoff, Celiz washitbyenemyfire. Fully awareofhis injury, butunderstandingtheperiltotheaircraft,Celizmotionedtothe pilotstodepartratherthanremaintoloadhim.Hisselflessactionssaved thelifeoftheevacuatedpartneredforcememberandalmostcertainly preventedfurthercasualtiesamongothermembersofhisteamandthe aircrew. Celizdiedasaresultofhisinjuries. Hisextraordinaryheroism andselflessnessbeyondthecallofdutywereinkeepingwiththehighest traditionsofmilitaryserviceandreflectgreatcredituponhimself, his unitandtheUnitedStatesArmy.

Throughouttheentireengagement,Celizsignificantly changedthe courseofthebattlebyrepeatedlyplacinghimselfinextremedangerto protecthisteamanddefeattheenemy.

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M&FRC FederalResumeWriting Workshop Jan.20 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Freeworkshopto learnbasicresumeconstruction withdifferentformatstotarget goodemploymentopportunities andtocaptureemployers’attention.

MCEE–meetingat TinkerK-8 Jan.24

Forparentsofmilitary-connectedK-12studentsenrolled inHillsboroughCountyPublic Schools. OnMonday, Jan.24,4 p.m.-5 p.m.,therewillbeamilitaryfamilyforumtodiscussK-12 educationalconcernswith MacDillAFBLeadershipandHCPS Districtleadership.Parentsmust bepresenttoaskeducational questionstoMCEEcommittee. Formoreinformationcontact: venetia.waters@us.af.milorcall 828-0146. Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

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