Thunderbolt 1/18/2024

Vol. 52, No. 3

Thursday, January 18, 2024

News/Features: page 3 Wing Wednesdays

News/Features: page 7 Pathway to purpose

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Photo by Senior Airman Zachary Foster

Community: page 11 Events, Chapel, more...

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Reilly, 6th Maintenance Group hydraulics technician, repairs KC-135 Stratotanker components at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 10. The 6th MXG team focused their efforts on repairing an azimuth pantographing drum that links the boom controls and the boom.

NEWS/FEATURES Air Force’s Office of Special Trial Counsel fully operational Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Arlington, VA (AFNS)—On Dec. 28, the Department of the Air Force’s Office of Special Trial Counsel became fully operational, providing expert, independent and ethical representation of the United States in matters primarily involving victim-based offenses.

Pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, each service established an OSTC to represent the United States in the investigation and prosecution of 14 categories of offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. These offenses are primarily victim-based offenses, including sex-related crimes, incidents of interpersonal violence, sexual harassment and some violent offenses.

OSTC will integrate with commanders, law enforcement and installation legal offices to ensure accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault, domestic violence and other violent crimes, and will make determinations about whether a covered offense will be tried by a general or special court-martial.

From the initial report of a criminal allegation to final disposition, OSTC operations will integrate with local law enforcement and legal professionals across the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

“I am committed to the success of this path forward,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “That success depends on the willingness of victims of these crimes and others to report offenses when they do occur. We know this can be an extremely difficult decision. We will do everything we can to ensure victims are supported and justice is done.”

In December 2022, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Brown was

confirmed by the Senate as the Lead Special Trial Counsel, directly reporting to the Secretary of the Air Force. He is supported by a team of specialized prosecutors and paralegals.

“Every OSTC litigator is personally selected, specially trained and qualified, and vetted from nomination through certification. This process ensures our counsel are experts in the execution, management and supervision of complex litigation,” said Brown.

The STC Qualification Course includes practical exercises and an objective final exam, testing each candidate’s knowledge and ability to manage the investigation and prosecution of covered offenses.

The OSTC headquarters is located on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C., and there are six command-aligned field operations: n District 1: Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Force District of Washington Located on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virgina n District 2: Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command Located on Travis Air Force Base, California n District 3: Space Operations Command, Space System Command, Space Training and Readiness Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, and U.S. Air Force Academy Located on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas n District 4: Air Education and Training Command Located on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas n District 5: U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Located on Ramstein Air Base, Germany n District 6: Pacific Air Forces Located on Kadena Air Base, Japan See TRIAL COUNSEL, Page 12

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 , FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. : 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.

NEWS/FEATURES

Wing Wednesdays program develops wing warriors

by Tech. Sgt. Sergio Gamboa U.S. Air Forces Central

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Southwest Asia—In an effort to promote self-improvement lifestyles, multiple units collaborated to launch a new initiative for deployed members.

The new Wing Wednesday Warrior Development program’s goal is to provide Airmen and Soldiers opportunities to learn about self-improvement methods and to develop leadership skills.

“We want to build leaders,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Friese, the air expeditionary wing chaplain. “The intention is to get the involvement of Airmen and Soldiers in what we are trying to do by educating them on life skills and giving them leadership opportunities by having them present topics.”

The program was started by the installation helping agencies: the chapel corps, legal office, equal opportunity office, mental health clinic and public affairs.

Each Wednesday there is a 30 minute session conducted at the dining facility, minimizing time they would need to spend away from their daily mission-set.

“Most of us are going to eat lunch anyway, so here is an opportunity to come by, have lunch, See WING WARRIORS, Page 5

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Friese, the air expeditionary wing chaplain, briefs a developmental course at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Jan. 3. Friese briefed service members on financial enhancement methods to help with financial preparedness during a new initiative called Wing Wednesday Warrior Development that focuses on self-improvement.

‘Are You Ready?’

DAF marks National Mentoring Month Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—The Department of the Air Force will host a series of events to show Airmen and Guardians how mentoring can help maximize their potential during National Mentoring Month in January.

The DAF theme for 2024 is “Are You Ready?” The service is committed to increasing deliberate mentoring for the Total Force and values mentorship as an enterprise imperative.

NMM was launched in January 2002 to connect people invested in the mentoring movement and to help people accomplish their personal and professional goals.

“Are You Ready?” is a call to action for all members to engage in men-

toring relationships, both as mentors and mentees, recognizing that preparedness for any challenge is significantly enhanced through shared knowledge and experience. Mentoring can be a cornerstone in advancing key DAF strategic initiatives, and DAF NMM 2024 will focus on the relationship between mentoring and readiness in key areas such as Great Power Competition, civilian readiness, Air Force Generation, amplifying the Guardian spirit, Multi-Capable Airmen and more.

Mentoring, at its core, is a partnership that facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience and wisdom. A mentor is someone who offers guidance, support and advice, helping to shape the career and personal development of their mentee. Conversely, a mentee is an individual who seeks growth, learning, and is open to receiving this guidance. This reciprocal relationship is fundamental in fostering a productive mentoring environment within the Air Force and Space Force.

“We are extremely excited to launch this year’s National Mentoring Month. Mentoring is more than just sharing knowledge; it’s about building the leaders of tomorrow,” said Director of Force Development Crystal See DAF, Page 9

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Airmen and Coastguardsmen assigned to Airman Leadership School Class 24-A conduct reveille at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 8. ALS is meant to develop non-commissioned officers into competent supervisors and teach them leadership skills that will help them guide and train the Airmen of tomorrow.

Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Victor Vasquez, 6th Wing Staff Agencies emergency actions controller, participates in morning formation at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 15. ALS is a five-week course designed to motivate, educate and inspire the followers and leaders of today and tomorrow.

Airmen and Coastguardsmen assigned to Airman Leadership School Class 24-A conduct reveille at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 30. ALS is meant to develop non-commissioned officers into competent supervisors and teach them leadership skills that will help them guide and train the Airmen of tomorrow.

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WING WARRIORS From Page 3

learn something and be able to motor on with the day,” Friese said.

Some of the subjects covered are obtaining goals, financial readiness, and healthy professional and personal relationships.

Senior Airman Angelina Coleman, a force support squadron Airmen, attended a lesson on how life-hacks can be vital to one’s future and was inspired to work with the helping agencies to conduct a goal-oriented class.

Coleman, who joined the Air Force at 39, talked about the obstacles she had to overcome in order to be able to enlist in the service. Through small, focused goals, she was able to overcome the hardships and become a sisterin-arms.

“I think the program opens up a lot of opportunities to the Airmen on base,” Coleman said. “I [deployed] here with goals in mind and didn’t know what it would look like, but they are giving us the tools to make those goals successful here.”

The program gives attendees different perspectives and ways of achieving things, whether it is having better communication skills or being able to save extra cash.

According to the Department of Defense’s annual report on financial preparedness, approximately 52 percent of active duty service members save and invest regularly each month.

During the month of January, the topic is finances.

Briefers are presenting materials on how to save efficiently and how to set goals to achieve financial freedom.

“All of this is intended so that people can come in and learn, gain and grow, wherever they find themselves at this particular season in life,” Friese said. “They will be able to add value into elements that they may learn and hear ideas that will make sense six months, a year, or even five years from now.”

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Pathway to purpose story and photos by Senior Airman Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing, Public Affairs

H

ow do you find your purpose? For Air Force Master Sgt. Zachary Pletcher, 6th LRS POL quality compliance section chief, it took a journey around the world, a brush with death and an incredible amount of faith.

Pletcher grew up in a quaint town on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. He spent weekends visiting Monticello, learning the history behind one of America’s founding fathers, a subject he always found interesting.

During the summers he spent time in his grandparents’ quiet antique shop, asking the stories behind each of the store’s oddities.

“I remember asking my grandmother about a set of aqua tiles she had in her shop,” Pletcher said. “She told me they were a part of an old church that burned down in Richmond; she’d saved those tiles for all this time because they were the last piece to a once long standing structure. She fixed and framed them, making sure to preserve their story for the next owner.”

Soon Pletcher’s curiosity for the unknown turned towards the world.

At the age of 23, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

He found himself quickly learning and excelling as a fuels system technician at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington, developing the skills that would be fundamental for his career.

His first taste of adventure came at his second assignment to Anderson Air Base in Guam, a tropical island filled with rich history and coincidentally one of the stops his grandfather made during the Second World War. Pletcher recalled the time he’d spent hiking through the island’s jungle, searching for the mysteries left behind by former wars and imagining his grandfather walking the same path and swimming th e same beaches.

“It’s really awesome looking back on the letters he wrote to my grandma back then,” Pletcher said. “I’ve read through some saying ‘hey, I’m in Hawaii’ and each of the islands in the Pacific, all the way to Guam. They traced his path across the world and reading them almost makes me feel closer to him.”

On one particular trek through the island’s dense forest, Pletcher deviated from the path and found himself deep within the tropical labyrinth. While attempting to navigate his way home, he stumbled upon an abandoned canteen.

Pletcher knew the island had been littered with improvised explosive devices from the Second World War and the lone relic was likely a trap, but he couldn’t help to think, “could this have belonged to my grandfather?”

With caution, Pletcher proceeded to toss rocks, sticks and anything else he could to probe the bottle, and after an hour he’d sufficiently 6

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proved its safety, stowing away the canteen and deeming it a souvenir from the trip. Proudly displaying it as a symbol of his adventure and a reminder of his late grandfather.

After returning home, Pletcher’s tropical lifestyle would quickly become a bedridden nightmare.

“I received a cosmetic jaw surgery at the island’s Naval Hospital,” Pletcher said. “There were massive complications that brought me in and out of the ICU for the next two months.”

An unknown infection coated the interior of Pletcher’s face causing constant pain and swelling. The nursing staff was able to periodically treat the symptoms but without a diagnosis any medication was ineffective.

At the time, Guam’s medical infrastructure was underdeveloped forcing the tests to be conducted nearly 4,000 miles away at the nearest U.S. island: Hawaii.

Pletcher’s condition continued to worsen and he was unable to make the voyage, all he could do was wait for the life saving results.

“My worst memory is being discharged from that hospital just to have the swelling come back the second I made it home,” Pletcher said.

“My wife drove me back to the hospital but we didn’t have enough time to do surgery before the infection made its way to my brain. Two nurses came and held me down to a chair, the doctor came in with a giant needle and jabbed it in. There was no time for a numbing agent.”

His worsening condition confined the young adventurer to a gurney, trapping him in the hospital. All the medical staff could do at this point is make him as comfortable as possible.

“I ended up on a ventilator and near the end a nurse came in to tell me, ‘I just want to let you know they’re saying you’re not going to walk out of here. You should do what you can to prepare.’”

Pletcher had been born and raised a Christian. His Sunday’s were always spent at a church service with h is family, praying and oftentimes teaching the children.

On his deathbed, Pletcher looked to his faith for guidance. Guidance on how to accept the likely possibility of leaving behind his wife and young children or guidance on how to continue fighting.

Almost as a direct answer to his prayers, his test results came in at the last second. Pletcher had been living with six staph infections, a death sentence if left untreated any longer.

“I ended up fully recovering but I had to come to terms with the fact that there was a good chance I wouldn’t walk out of the hospital,” Pletcher said. “I don’t think I would have gotten through that without my faith. God kept me here for a reason and that experience gave me a very different appreciation for life.”

From that day forward, faith became a pillar of the household. The family had a renewed attitude towards the world and took it upon themselves to share the compassion they’d received wherever and whenever they could.

“Since that experience I have a newfound compassion and appreciation for life, which made me want to serve in a greater capacity for my faith,” Pletcher said. “Now, my wife and I do everything we can to give back to the community that got me through that time- whether that be teaching or serving food to the homeless.”

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See PATHWAY, Page 10

U.S. a can has a

Air Force Master Sgt. Zachary Pletcher, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricant flight quality compliance section chief, displays nteen at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 11. The pocket watch was gifted from his mother as a reminder of her trip to Berlin, Germany, in the 1990s. Pletcher a passion for history and strives to preserve his family’s story.

(Above) U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Zachary Pletcher, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricant flight quality compliance section chief, holds a Soviet-era pocket watch, at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 11. The pocket watch was gifted from his mother as a reminder of her trip to Berlin, Germany, in the 1990s.

(Left) U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Zachary Pletcher, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricant flight quality compliance section chief, displays a canteen at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 11. The pocket watch was gifted from his mother as a reminder of her trip to Berlin, Germany, in the 1990s. Pletcher has a passion for history and strives to preserve his family’s story.

USSOCOM hosts 1st SOF Truth conference focusing on force health

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Glen Dowling and his wife, Kelli, give a testimonial on how they health support system helped them prepare for retirement during the “Focus on First Truth” forum dealing with force health at Joint Special Operations University at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 14.

by Mike Bottoms U.S. Army Lt. Col. Glen Dowling and his wife Kelli give a testimonial on how the health support system helped them prepare for retirement during the “Focus on the First Truth” forum dealing with force health at Joint Special Operations University, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 14, 2023. This quarter’s 1st SOF Truth Conference highlighted humans over hardware and focused on force health with an emphasis on brain health and resiliency to empower leaders with access to the resources available for the command’s people. Photo by Michael Bottoms.

U.S. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Shorter hosted the fourth of a series of virtual forums focused on people , at Joint Special Operations University, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 14, 2023. This forum dealt with force health.

This quarter’s 1st SOF Truth Conference focused on force health with an emphasis on brain health and resiliency to empower leaders with access to the resources available for the command’s people.

The series of quarterly events are a component to the USSOCOM Preservation of the Force and Family’s Integrated Performance Campaign. The purpose of the events is to develop a mutual understanding across senior leadership and explore a variety of approaches to address the threat of self-harm to the people in the formation . And the intent is to generate follow on actions for the leaders to implement at the echelons below .

See USSOCOM, Page 12

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NEWS/FEATURES

Civilian Development nomination window opens Jan. 10

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Civilian employees in the grades of GS07 through GS-15 (and equivalents) may apply for more than 40 civilian development (CD) opportunities including professional military education, academic programs, fellowships, experiential assignments and leadership seminars starting Jan. 10.

CD programs support the DAF’s “Civilians We Need” dual-track career model, which distinguishes paths for both enterprise leaders and functional experts. Developing civilians throughout their careers also strengthens the force we need to meet today’s high-end challenges.

The CD programs include both short and long-term training and experiential assignments. Opportunities range from two days to three years in length; some are offered through virtual delivery platforms and others are delivered in person.

“The civilian workforce is a critical element to ensuring we prevail in great power competition and win any future fight. Our diverse and ex-

pansive civilian development portfolio offers growth opportunities for all civilians throughout their career journey,” said Director of Force Development Crystal Moore. “Whether a civilian aspires to enterprise leadership or functional expertise; serves as supervisor or non-supervisor; is mobile or is not mobile, there is something to help grow their skills and competencies.”

The development and leadership programs offered through CD are mapped to the Department of the Air Force’s foundational competencies, which are key to ensuring civilian Airmen and Guardians can operate successfully in a rapidly changing environment. These competencies span all occupations, functions, and organizational levels and support the development of current and future DAF leaders.

DAF civilians may apply for up to four programs by submitting their applications, resumes, and additional program-required documents through MyVector. Applicants must self-nominate no later than Feb. 16, although local organizations may establish deadlines as early as Feb. 9. The application must flow through the chain of command and be endorsed in MyVector by March 8.

Visit the myFSS Civilian Force Development home page to learn more about specific opportunities and to view the AY25 webcast recordings. For additional information and notifications, join the Official AY25 CD Nomination Call Teams channel, using code “dc4689p.”

DAF

From Page 3

Moore. “By investing in our people today, we are ensuring a more capable and resilient force for the future. Every conversation, every piece of advice, contributes to our collective readiness and adaptability. Finally, it’s important to me that every Total Force Airman and Guardian recognizes that anyone can be a mentor — one of my best mentors was a peer.”

As part of National Mentoring Month, the DAF will host a series of virtual, live events focused on the power of mentoring and the role it plays in Total Force Readiness.

Below are the virtual events scheduled for National Mentoring Month: n National Mentoring Month Kick-off (Jan. 10 at 1100-1200 EST on Zoom): This event will serve as a comprehensive introduction to the month’s activities, emphasizing the importance of mentoring in enhancing strategic readiness. Key speakers will discuss how mentoring relates to each readiness strategy, offering insights and personal experiences.

This webinar can be found here.

Webinar ID: 161 974 5487 Passcode: 123456 n Mentoring Impact on Resilience (Jan. 17 at 1100-1200 EST on Zoom): This session will delve into how mentoring can build resilience, both at an individual and organizational level. Speakers will share strategies on how to mentor for resilience, drawing on real-world examples and best practices. This webinar can be found here.

Webinar ID: 160 226 6898 Passcode: 0123456 n Virtual Speed Mentoring (Jan. 18 at 1300-1400 EST on Zoom): This innovative event will allow participants to engage in rapid, short-term mentoring sessions with a diverse range of leaders and experts. It’s de-

signed to provide quick insights and advice, fostering connections that can be developed further post-event. This webinar can be found here.

Webinar ID: 161 314 8427 Passcode: 123456 n Us-Mentoring-Us (Jan. 24 at 1800-1900 EST on Facebook): Focusing on peer-to-peer mentoring, this event will encourage participants to share their experiences and learn from each other in an informal, collaborative setting. It aims to highlight the value of horizontal learning and the sharing of diverse perspectives. This webinar can be found here. n Civilian Leadership Development School (CLDS) - Mentoring in Action (Jan. 31 at 2100 - 0000 EST on Zoom): CLDS will host a mentoring workshop to help build a solid foundation of supervisory skills. Supervisors are often the first level of mentorship, and it is crucial for them to be equipped with the skills needed to help develop the mentoring relationship. Experience a live virtual mentoring workshop to improve employee performance planning, goals and outcomes. This webinar can be found here.

Webinar ID: 160 531 1680 Passcode: 465635 n Establishing a Mentoring Program (Feb. 1 at 1100-1200 EST): Aimed at unit leaders and program managers, this session will provide guidance on setting up effective mentoring programs within their respective units. Topics will include program structure, mentor/mentee matching processes and measuring program success. This webinar can be found here.

Webinar ID: 160 401 0837 Passcode: 123456

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PATHWAY From Page 6

Pletcher set out to make the most of his second chance, leaving the tropical island of Guam for its complete opposite: Alaska. His mission here was to discover for himself why he’d been given a second opportunity to take on life.

His first instinct was to dive into prayer, seeking a “calling” to study and preach the Bible- but it didn’t come.

Lost and confused, Pletcher reminisced on all the experiences that’d brought him to where he is. He remembered the fascination he felt learning about Monticello, and stories his grandmother told him about her antiques.

He remembered the curiosity, sense of adventure and connection to the past he felt finding the canteen.

Suddenly, the idea to study history and tell, not just his family’s story, but the story of so many others arose.

“I am and always will be a man of faith,” Pletcher said.

“When I was at a crossroads with the path I wanted to take in life, I prayed for a calling. I didn’t get that callthat doesn’t mean I won’t get it later in life, but I feel that was my sign that God wanted me to take another direction. That was how I knew studying history and telling my family’s story was my purpose.”

Since that day, the pursuit of education and the dedication to storytelling has taken over Pletcher’s life. In 2023, he earned a Bachelor’s of American History and he is currently pursuing a Master’s in the same.

Now, Pletcher uses the knowledge he’s amassed to host heritage events across MacDill AFB. He uses his passion for learning to empower different groups each month, creating atmospheres that both teaches and embraces every culture.

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

MacDill Youth Center survey The MacDill Youth Center would appreciate your feedback. Visit surveymonkey.com/ r/7FGY5C6 and answer this short 5 question survey.

January Base Theater movies Your MacDill Base Library is offering free movies at the Base Theater this month. Movies are open to anyone with base access to MacDill AFB. For a complete movie schedule, visit macdillfss. com/library/.

MacDill Wingman Day The Short Fitness Center will be hosting a Tailgate Party and 6th ARW Wing Sports Day on January 26 from 7:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. as part of Wingman Day. For a full list of events and the sign-up link, visit macdillfss.com/short-fitnesscenter.

Short Fitness January closures The Short Fitness Center will be closed January 19 and 26 but will be accessible to those patrons with 24/7 access. Visit macdillfss. com/short-fitness-center/ for more details.

2024 Theme Park passes on sale Universal Orlando’s 2024 Military Freedom Pass and Disney World’s Armed Forces Salute tickets are now available at the Information Tickets & Travel (ITT) office located inside the Base Exchange (BX) on MacDill or visit, macdillfss.com/information-tickets-travel/ today.

Find more events at: macdillfss.com

‘Off we go...’

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing takes flight over MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 19. The 6th ARW operates two active duty flying squadrons: the 50th and 91st. Their mission is to deliver global air refueling support to extend the range of Department of Defense and allied nation aircraft.

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

Monday-Wednesday Mass - 12:10 p.m.

www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m.

(confessions by appointment)

Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Cha-

pel at 828-3621 or email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil for inquiries regarding Protestant religious education.

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

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30 p.m. (space reserved) Other Faith Groups - Please contact the Chapel at (813) 828-3621 or via email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, January 18, 2024 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 11

USSOCOM From Page 8

To open the discussion, Fenton stressed the forum is for O6 and above command teams from across the entire SOF enterprise to attain the tools to take care of their teams at the lowest levels. Discussions centered around understanding brain health, being aware of physiological recovery programs available, and knowing how to access integrated care services. Fenton and Shorter emphasized the commitment to the health and wellness of the force.

“This is an opportunity for our formation to be introduced to all the organizations we have as resources to help servicemembers – our number one priority; our people,” Fenton said.

This panel’s guests were retired Army Lt. Gen. Frank Kearney, former deputy commander USSOCOM, retired Navy SEAL Vice Adm. Robert Harward and retired Navy SEAL Rear Adm. Kerry Metz. Operation Anaconda was led by the 10th Mountain Division and supported by more than 400 U.S. and foreign special operations personnel. This panel discussed the initial planning, execution, and challenges of the operation.

“The O6 commands are where the rubber meets the road,” said Shorter.

“The O6 commanders deal directly with the individual person, they are there to take care of their people, we do not see that at the headquarters.

This virtual conference is for you to help you with your people.”

Guest speakers illuminated the data on performance and recovery programs aimed at special operations forces such as cognitive enhancement,

resiliency, rehabilitation, and traumatic brain injury. As SOCOM is constantly looking to transform with emerging tech and scientific data, how doctors evaluate the performance and treat the recovery of our operators lends to our culture of continuous improvement.

Briefers from National Intrepid Center of Excellence, 7 East, Special Operator Performance and Recovery, Post-Deployment Rehabilitation Evaluation Program, Homebase, and a Lead Nurse Case Manager all explained their programs and how they help service members. The forum also hosted a panel discussion entitled Framing Warfighter Brain Health: what is it, effects, symptoms, types of conditions. Additionally, testimonials from four different people on how certain programs help them recover physically, mentally and spiritually.

Finally, Brian Johnson founder and CEO of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation gave a briefing on how his company Heroic uses ancient philosophers’ wisdom to empower and strengthen the modern mind.

“If people are more important than hardware, the ultimate war is internal, [the mind] not external, and we win that war by learning how to flourish by putting our virtues in action,” said Johnson. “Then we must train and measure that.”

Note: All the presentations given that day are available through USSOCOM’s CAC-enabled internal portal and available for individual or unit training purposes.

TRIAL COUNSEL From Page 2

“Notwithstanding OSTC’s independent authority, commanders remain a crucial stakeholder in the military justice system with the ultimate responsibility for command climate and good order and discipline

within their units,” Brown said. “Commanders of victims and accused are uniquely suited to provide input to OSTC disposition decisions, and we welcome their perspective.”

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

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