Thunderbolt 01/27/2022

Vol. 50, No. 4

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Fueling the fight - page 8 News/Features: page 3 Tuskegee Airman passes

News/Features: page 3 Aerial Networks Summit

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Community: page 15 Events, Chapel, more...

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Whit Brewer, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, inspects a sample of jet-a fuel for contaminants at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 19. The jet fuel collected from a bowser, a transportable fuel tank, may contain water or sediments. Operators filter fuel to produce a clear sample which indicates that the fuel is free of waste and ready to be reused.

NEWS/FEATURES

Air Force unveils action plan to ‘Develop tomorrow’s enlisted Airmen’ DAF stresses importance of mentoring during National Mentoring Month Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—As part of National Mentoring Month, the Department of the Air Force will host a series of virtual live events focused on educating Airmen and Guardians on the importance of mentoring, how to be an effective mentor/mentee, and how to register on the MyVECTOR Mentoring platform.

Mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced person shares their knowledge and skills with a person with less experience in an effort to help them grow, develop and gain new perspectives. Often this relationship is between a senior and a junior member.

National Mentoring Month was launched in January 2002 to connect people invested in the mentoring movement and to help people accomplish their life and professional goals.

“Mentoring helps Airmen and Guardians discover their strengths while achieving their full potential through a structured, trusting mentoring relationship,” said Melissa Pagar, DAF Mentoring Program manager. “Mentorship is a critical strategy in developing the Airmen and Guardians we need to become more diverse, agile and inclusive personally and professionally.”

The DAF’s overarching theme throughout National Mentoring Month is “Everyone Wins with Mentoring.” Additionally, both services hope to motivate Airmen and Guardians to use the mentoring capabilities of MyVECTOR. Recent updates allow members to search for mentors with new attributes such as Exceptional Family Member status, race and ethnicity. Race and ethnicity were specifically added as an effort to

Courtesy graphic

overcome the lack of mentorship options addressed in the Racial Disparity Review.

To kick off National Mentoring Month, senior leaders participated in an “Inclusion Talks!” panel sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Leaders provided insight on the importance of mentoring and the benefits for the mentee, the mentor, and the organization as a whole.

“Mentorship is like a bridge that gets the mentee from where they are

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.

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

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MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

NEWS/FEATURES

Tuskegee Airman, AF legend passes away at 102

by Staff Sgt. Nick Z. Erwin Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman and Air Force legend, passed away at his residence in Bethesda, Md., Jan. 16. He was 102 years old.

McGee was an airpower champion, noted for his combat successes and impact on the cultural shift within the military.

“As a Tuskegee Airman and combat aviator with 409 missions across three decades, his years in uniform were nothing shy of heroic, and his example of integrity, service, and excellence endures,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. “His legacy is foundational to our service, and a daily inspiration for me personally, and to so many other Airmen.”

McGee’s aviation career began on Oct. 26, 1942, after he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a pilot. He would fly 108 See TUSKEGEE, Page 14

U.S. Air Force graphic by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman and Air Force legend, passed away at his residence in Bethesda, Md., Jan. 16. He was 102 years old.

Aerial Networks Summit provides roadmaps for JADC2, ABM

by K. Houston Waters 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFNS)—Senior leaders from around the Air Force recently traveled to Hanscom Air Force Base to discuss aligning the service’s aerial networking efforts in support of Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

The Aerial Networks Division hosted general officers and members of the senior executive service for a summit aimed at developing aerial networking roadmaps to meet Advanced Battle Management System and JADC2 objectives. These roadmaps will include capability reviews and requirements, research and development, and acquisition strategies for aerial network technology.

The Aerial Networks Division is part of the Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks Directorate, headquartered at Hanscom AFB. Brig. Gen. Evan Pettus, Air Force Warfare Center vice commander and attendee, said that the work that went on during the summit will have a significant impact on the warfighter for years to come.

“Bringing in important stakeholders from across the enterprise to put together the big picture of the technology that’s currently available has really helped synchronize our efforts,” he said. “This might be the beginning of a journey, but it’s an important one and one we’ve got

Photo by Mark Herlihy

Participants of the Aerial Networks Summit at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., pose for a photo Dec. 15, 2021. During the two-day event, Air Force senior leaders met to discuss the development of roadmaps aimed at meeting Joint All-Domain Command and Control and Advanced Battle Management System aerial networking objectives. to take. Because of the impact on the warfighter, we have to have our aerial networks right.”

The summit provided a forum for leaders from Air Staff, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory,

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing takes off during Arctic Gold 22-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 12. The readiness exercise evaluates the 354th FW’s ability to effectively generate F-35A aircraft and deploy personnel and cargo from across the wing.

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Photo by Senior Airman Ireland Summers

Photo by Senior Airman Bailee A. Darbasie

Tech. Sgt. Adrian Allred, 512th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, travels in an HH-60G Pave Hawk near Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Jan. 10. The 512th RS is responsible for training mission-ready combat aircrew to support national security missions.

Firefighters assigned to the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron participate in ground fire training at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Dec. 29. The training is designed to enhance skills and familiarize firefighters with their equipment.

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Force Support Squadron Services Effective as of 14 JAN 2022 OPERATIONAL

LIMITED SERVICES

CLOSED

MASK REQUIRED INDOORS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS COMMUNITY SERVICES

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Common Access Card (CAC) - By Appointment Only or Mission Essential Actions (Initial CAC issue; lost CAC; PIN Reset; CAC expiring within 7 days; emergency hardships Retiree/Dependent ID Cards - 2 Kiosks available at the BX for renewals or by appointment only Passports - By Appointment Only Military Personnel Flight APF/NAF/CIV Personnel Office Manpower & Organization Office School Liaison/EFMP NAF Cashier Cage Private Org/Unit SM&W Funds Emergency Financial Assistance

Main Base Pool - Closed for the Season FamCamp Marina - 1/2 or Full Day Boat/ Equipment Rentals, Snacks & Drinks Boat/RV Registration + Wet Slips Golf Course Arts & Crafts Center Bowling Information, Tickets & Travel DIY Auto Hobby Shop DIY Wood Shop Skeet Range Archery - by Reservations Only Car Wash/Resale Lot

READINESS/DEVELOPMENT

EVENT SUPPORT Breakaway Event Center Limited Capacity Theater

FOOD OPERATIONS

Take Out/Curbside Pick Up Only DFAC Rickenbacker’s Cafe Brews of the Bay Bar Smoothie Bar (Fitness Center) 8 Iron Grill (Golf Course) Boomers Bar & Grill (Breakaway Event Center) Hangar 6 Grill (Bowling Center) SeaScapes Bar - Social distance seating; Friday nights only 1500-2000 AAFES Food Operations

Fitness Center - Masks must be worn while indoors at all times except while actively engaging on cardio or anaerobic equipment.

Facility Hours: Monday - Friday 0500-2030 Weekends/Holidays 0600-1400 24/7 Access Available Child Development Centers (CDCs) Family Child Care School Age Program Youth Center Military & Family Readiness Center Open for walk-in customers and appointments.

Classes & Workshops are a mixture of virtual and in person.

Library Base Education Base Training Office Airman Leadership School Professional Development Center/FTAC WAPS/Vol. Education Testing Lodging (MacDill Inn)

Follow Us on facebook @macdillfss

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NEWS/FEATURES

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez: Shaping mission success

by Lt. Col. Joseph Edington 6th Mission Support Group deputy commander

Without many arguments around the proverbial water cooler, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez is affectionately known as the “Godfather” of the Air Force’s aircraft and munitions maintenance communities.

Not only did Marquez revolutionize aircraft maintenance by institutionalizing reliability and maintainability concepts, but he was also instrumental to munitions maintenance by directing the development of rapid munitions assembly concepts and creation of the Air Force Combat Ammunition Center’s Combat Ammunition Planning and Production Courtesy photo course to train and test these capabilities.

Because of his many accomplishments Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez spanning more than 33 years of military service and his important contributions to both the aircraft and munitions communities, units across the Air

Force nominate Airmen annually for the Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award of Maintenance Excellence to not only honor Marquez but to recognize maintainers for their superior service and performance.

In 2010, I had the privilege to have lunch with Marquez. As a munitions officer who has benefited from attending AFCOMAC’s CAPP course twice as a staff sergeant and as a captain, he begrudgingly told me about his time during the Vietnam War where he had his first real exposure to the munitions maintenance community.

Even though there are many lessons from his life, leadership, mentorship and guidance that I have drawn upon since meeting him, the following story in particular still resonates with me today.

While stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, then Major Marquez, an aircraft maintenance officer, was working maintenance control, now lovingly called the maintenance operations center, when he was informed by the base’s munitions officer that there was a problem with the next scheduled resupply of munitions components.

Specifically, the inbound shipment could not be picked up from the port on the Mekong River because the base’s entire fleet of M35 2 1/2 ton trucks aka “Deuce and a halves” were all non-mission capable.

Bottom line, without operational trucks, no munitions could be picked-up and transported to the munitions storage area, and without delivery, no mu-

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Fuel reclamation: Striving for greener skies story and photos by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

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uel, the lifeblood of all aircraft—the single factor that undoubtedly controls the capabilities of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base.

Fuel enables the Air Force to maintain global mobility and provide airlift support worldwide.

“MacDill is a flying gas station,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Johnson, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron distribution supervisor.

“It is our job to make sure good, clean fuel gets to the KC-135s so that they accomplish their mission; our work enables aircrews to project our environmental footprint on a global scale.”

Airmen are specially trained to handle these volatile liquids in compliance with meticulous safety regulations while maintaining a good perspective of quality control and financial consideration.

“We accurately account for every single gallon, every single quart of fuel that passes through our trucks,” said Johnson. “Any fuel that is reclaimable from the aircraft itself, we salvage.”

Airmen assigned to the 6th LRS fulfill their duties by sustaining a level of excellence within fueling operations and do that while saving the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fuel from waste annually.

A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft can carry approximately 202,000 pounds of jet fuel, most of which is used in global refueling missions.

With these aircraft capable of taking off with more than $90,000 worth of fuel, the ability to save any amount on flight costs makes a significant difference.

“The main thing is not letting any fuel gets wasted,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Howell, 6th LRS noncommissioned officer in charge. “When we’re working with thousands of pounds of fuel, we’re talking about thousands of dollars.”

Fuels specialists use a variety of tools and equipment to fuel and reclaim these resources from various aircraft engines across the Air Force.

“Just like when you get your oil changed for a car, the old oil is put into drums to be recycled,” said Johnson. “They are able to filter the oil, burn it and turn it into other usable grades of oil.”

The 6th LRS Petroleum Oil and Lubrication flight reclaimed 1,012 gallons of fuel-saving MacDill approximately $3,000 within a threemonth span last quarter.

Enabling a rapid and lethal force, MacDill Airmen continue to work diligently to maintain, protect and restore our assets.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Whit Brewer, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, reclaims jet-a fuel from a bowser with a single point nozzle hose at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 19. Bowsers are small, transportable fuel tanks used for various purposes on the airfield and for aircraft maintenance, saving MacDill approximately $2,700 worth of fuel last quarter.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Whit Brewer, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, drags a single point nozzle hose from a fuel truck at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 19. Operators use these hoses to collect unused fuel from a bowser, a fuel tank designed to transfer and distribute fuel for aircraft.

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Whit Brewer, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, reclaims jet-a fuel from a bowser with a single point nozzle hose at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 19. Reclaiming and reusing jet fuel from aircraft has saved MacDill more than $750,000 last quarter.

MARQUEZ From Page 7

nitions could be assembled to meet the fragmentary order in support of the wing’s flying schedule.

Armed with critical information that the base’s combat aircraft sorties were in jeopardy of being scrubbed, Marquez marched over to the base motor pool to see what he could ascertain.

Upon arrival at the motor pool, Marquez immediately discovered that his respective major counterpart was nowhere to be found, and had not been seen by the front-line lieutenant and master sergeant for several days.

Being the bold leader he was, Marquez immediately assessed the situation, rallied the on-duty vehicle maintainers, and most importantly, helped develop solutions to resolve the deuce and a half inventory’s non-mission capable status.

Once the entire fleet was triaged, he and the motor pool experts started fixing what they could fix through limited parts availability and cannibalization of their hard broke trucks.

Additionally, realizing this was not just a motor pool problem, he called back to the maintenance chief for help. Once the situation was explained, every available aircraft mechanic and electrician reported to the motor pool with tool kits in hand.

The next day, enough operational deuce and a half trucks arrived at the munitions storage area ready to be driven to the port for pick-up of their wing’s much-needed munitions.

After his story, I was completely spellbound from hearing how Marquez cut through organizational red tape with grace and ease.

More importantly, how Marquez’s actions transcended egos and hurt feelings while subsequently crushing the wing’s mission by successfully operating outside hard party lines of specific Air Force specialty code’s traditional tasks and responsibilities.

As I informed Marquez how awe and inspired I was by his story, he did something that completely caught me off guard—he laughed at my exuberance and said there was a little more to this story.

The rest of the story was what you would have expected.

Marquez briefed his boss, the wing’s deputy commander of maintenance of the situation. Fully realizing the impact, the DCM, with Marquez in tow, went directly to brief the wing commander.

While briefing the wing commander, the support group commander stormed into the wing commander’s office looking for an explanation why Marquez thought he was in charge of vehicle maintenance and how he needed to stay in his lane.

After some uncomfortable silence and glaring stares, the wing commander chimed in by providing some guidance and direction. The first is for the support group commander to find his vehicle maintenance major!

With that in mind, context is important. For example, in the late sixties, there were no emails, Internet, or smartSee MARQUEZ, Page 11

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MARQUEZ From Page 10

phones. When you were faced with emergent requirements or necessities, you had to make decisions on the spot with very limited information and then most importantly, act.

In Marquez’s defense, he did not have time to wait for lateral communication to facilitate organizational coordination, let alone initiate or participate in the search for the missing major who had oversight of vehicle maintenance. Nor was he in vehicle maintenance to solve their supply problems, however, he did provide solutions or drive their maintenance priorities. Bottom line, he was in vehicle maintenance to preserve combat sorties—which he did.

His lesson to me as a munitions officer was that the wing’s mission shapes and drives the organization, not the other way around.

I can’t tell you how many times in my career I have hit roadblocks from squadrons whose priorities are incongruent with the wing’s mission or strategic framework. More specifically, frustrated from friction caused by a squadron who has forgotten that the wing’s mission they are subordinate to is bigger than their specific AFSC or squadron namesake.

I am ashamed to say that I have been guilty of this on more than one occasion from a munitions maintenance customer support perspective.

In Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.’s directive to Airmen “Accelerate change or lose,” he explains that only through collaboration within and throughout will we win. If we as an Air Force are going to win the high-end fight, we must continually and candidly assess ourselves and address our internal impediments.

Like Marquez’s aforementioned story from Vietnam, we cannot shy away from our duties as Airmen we not only need for ourselves, or our squadron, but for our wing in preparation for the next challenge.

Additionally, to effectively collaborate on mission success, we must build enduring relationships throughout our wing at all levels that cut through bureaucratic and sometimes self-imposed “red tape” which transcends internal conflicts and most importantly, we must cultivate an environment that operates and thrives outside of our specific AFSC mindset by focusing on grand strategy.

Brown closes accelerate change, or lose with, “If we are bold enough, we can shape our future proactively vice reactively after experiencing catastrophic loss and potential defeat.”

If we as an Air Force do not continue to acceler-

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ate change, we as a nation risk losing a lot more than just combat sorties.

In regards to munitions maintenance, it was during port operations on the Mekong River where the first seeds of rapid munitions assembly development and AFCOMAC’s creation were planted as Marquez was amazed at all of the different components needed for munitions build-up to meet their FRAG requirements.

This simple observation during the Vietnam War would later bloom and prove critical as rapid munitions assembly development and AFCOMAC’s CAPP graduates were successfully battle-tested during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez was born on January 27, 1932. In honor of this date, his leadership, guidance, mentorship and boldness are remembered.

Around the aforementioned proverbial water cooler, some would argue that January 27 is also the birthday for both aircraft and munitions maintenance communities as we know it.

Regardless if you are a maintainer working in the missile fields, munition storage areas, weapons storage areas, maintenance back shops, or on the flight lines across our Air Force, happy birthday! And like our Godfather, we do not wait for mission success, we shape it

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NEWS/FEATURES

Counselors urge service members to review SBP before retirement

by Derrick Harris and Patricia Wittenborn

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS)—The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is a voluntary program which provides the survivors of participating retirees a monthly income that starts when the member dies and retired pay stops.

Although some may not be aware of it, automatic SBP spouse coverage became effective Sept. 10, 2001, under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002. While on active duty, the government provides this protection at no cost to spouses. Before retiring from the Air Force, however, the member must decide whether or not to continue the SBP. By law, spouses and eligible dependents are protected by maximum SBP coverage after retirement unless the spouse and retiree elect not to enroll in the SBP or elect coverage at a reduced level. However, once the member retires, SBP financial protection will no longer be free. If the member chooses to enroll in the SBP, a monthly premium will be deducted from their Air Force retired pay. The premium cost is 6.5 percent of covered retired pay, or less for some lower levels of coverage. The monthly cost is subject to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), but the percentage does not increase.

The amount of SBP annuity a spouse receives at the time of the retiree’s death depends on the level of coverage elected prior to retirement.

The level of coverage, or “base amount,” may be as low as $300, but can-

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not exceed full retired pay. The cost for the coverage is deducted from retired pay until the retiree’s death. The surviving spouse receives 55 percent of the base amount. The value of the annuity increases by COLAs before and after the retiree’s death, keeping up with the effects of inflation. In addition, the SBP allows the member to exclude the spouse and elect child-only coverage.

Although child-only coverage costs less than SBP coverage for the spouse, a child’s eligibility is limited to age 22, unless incapable of selfsupport. If the retiree dies after the children are age 22, the spouse will not be entitled to receive any payments. The only way to ensure spouse coverage is to select that option.

Because families may be significantly affected financially by their SBP decision, it is important they understand the program. The Air Force strongly encourages members to attend the SBP briefing with their spouses. The SBP briefing is a mandatory briefing for the member, and the DD 2656 is a mandatory checklist item for final out processing.

Members may not have an opportunity to enroll in the SBP after retiring, so the decision before retirement will be final.

Once again, retired pay stops when the retiree dies. The only way the survivor can receive a monthly check from Defense Finance and Accounting Service is through the SBP. The Air Force urges military members and their spouses to carefully weigh the many advantages of the SBP before making a decision.

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SUMMIT From Page 3

AFWC, the Rapid Capabilities Office, and multiple Air Force Life Cycle Management Center acquisition directorates and program offices to meet face-to-face at the appropriate level.

For Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle, AFRL commander, a major takeaway of the event was that decisions were made on how the Air Force should invest resources to ensure resilient communications for warfighters in all operational environments.

“Bringing everyone together, from technologists to the warfighters, allowed us to really shape our focus,” she said. “So much great work is going on in the Air Force and this summit really helped us streamline our priorities toward our ultimate goal.”

For Maj. Gen. Michael Schmidt, program executive officer for C3I&N, the summit reinforced his belief that industry partners are critical to the development of aerial networks in the Air Force.

“This summit was an opportunity for us to align our efforts and refine our requirements, and then we can turn to our industry partners and tell them exactly what we need them to work on for our military to stay ahead of our adversaries,” he said. “It also reinforced the fact that there is a lot of great work going on out there, but it’s not all aligned to the same strategic goal. These roadmaps will help us get there.”

Schmidt said he believes in the value of bringing the operational, requirements, and test communities together with the organizations that develop and acquire aerial network components. For Schmidt, these partnerships, like those with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lincoln Laboratory, the MITRE Corp., AFRL, and others, are critical to supporting aerial networks so the Department of Defense and coalition partners can continue to improve communication, both inside and outside of highly-contested environments.

In his address to the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, in September 2021, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall discussed the need to achieve and deliver measurable improvements with ABMS. “To be stronger, we are going to have to change,” he said. “Our strategic competitors have studied how we fight and they have taken asymmetric steps to exploit our vulnerabilities and to defeat us. We have to respond with a sense of urgency, but we also have to take the time necessary to make smart choices about our future and our investments.”

According to Col. Shane Louis, Aerial Networks Division senior materiel leader, the summit was a successful step in achieving the secretary’s objectives.

“This first-of-its-kind summit went exactly as we hoped,” he said.

“Not just endorsing the establishment of the Aerial Networks Division as the lead for the Air Force’s Aerial Networks Center of Excellence, but also in jump-starting the process of developing enterprise-wide roadmaps to provide a critical communications capability, even in highly contested environments.”

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MENTORING From Page 2

to where they want to be,” said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Thompson Jr, 361st Recruiting Squadron senior enlisted leader. “Without that bridge, the mentee may swim or even kayak from point A to B, but it’ll take a lot longer and be a lot harder.”

Three more virtual events are available to Airmen, Guardians and civilians. All events start at 11 a.m. EST:

Jan. 25 – Virtual mentor-centric mentoring workshop Jan. 27 – Virtual mentee-centric mentoring workshop In addition, a recorded MyVECTOR demonstration is available on the CAC enabled MyVECTOR Mentoring Resources page and a new public-facing website, with mentoring resources, was launched Jan. 10 athttps://www.af.mil/About-Us/Mentoring/.

TUSKEGEE From Page 3

combat missions throughout Europe during World War II. During this time, he and other Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves through their combat proficiency and competence.

With over 6,800 flying hours, McGee’s career spanned 30 years and three different wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. His decorations for outstanding service included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.

In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were presented the Congressional Gold Medal by former president George W. Bush, and in 2011, McGee was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Later in 2019, the Tuskegee Airmen were further recognized in naming the T-7A training aircraft, the “Red Hawk,” in honor of the airplane flown during World War II. For his efforts during and after his military service, McGee was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the age of 100.

The Tuskegee Airman dedicated his time to bettering the lives of all

Airmen. Often sporting his red Tuskegee Airmen jacket, McGee advocated for aviation and equal treatment of Airmen, regardless of their backgrounds. After his retirement, McGee continued to mentor young people, current and former Airmen and all others interested in aviation and science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Just last month, to celebrate his 102nd birthday, he spent time with Airmen, continuing to influence and teach long after retirement,” Brown said. “One of my favorite lessons, in his own words, was ‘Don’t let circumstances be an excuse to not achieve…that’s not the American way’.”

Through McGee’s actions, the Air Force has continued to break barriers and create a military branch that accelerates change at every possible instant. His legacy showcases the unending resolve and courage needed to secure and protect the nation at any time.

“Getting to know and spend time with him was an honor and a true joy, and my heart is with his family and all those affected by passing,” Brown said.

SUMMIT From Page 13

Over the last several years, the Aerial Networks Division has made progress demonstrating significant advances in aerial network capabilities, like self-healing mesh networks, high capacity backbones, software programmable radios, and protected tactical waveforms for secure and resilient satellite communications, Louis said.

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JADC2 is the U.S. Department of Defense strategic warfighting concept that connects the sensors, shooters, and related communications from all military services. The Advanced Battle Management System, or ABMS, is the Air Force’s primary contribution to JADC2.

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

We’ rehiring, join our team The 6th FSS is currently hiring in the following areas: • Recreation: (bowling outdoor rec, golf and arts and crafts) • Food service: (bartenders, cooks, cashiers and food service workers) • Hospitality (lodging, dining and event center) • Child and youth positions (child and youth program sssistant) For more job information visit https://macdillfss.com/open-jobs/ Free golf lessons Wednesdays Free golf lessons for active duty and their spouses. 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. every Wednesday at the golf course driving range. Instruction, golf balls and clubs will be provided, if needed. No reservation required. For more information call 828-0046.

Teen night out – Youth Center Jan. 28, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Join us at the Youth Center for the first teen night out of the new year.

We will have tons of fun and games for ages 13-18. Current HPCON rules will apply.

Mark the calendar Valentine’s Craft Bazaar Feb. 11, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Find more events at macdillfss.com

Say cheese, CES!

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

The 6th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) poses for a photo at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 17. The 6th CES provides resource protection, environmental quality, infrastructure maintenance and repair and human services necessary to support the 6th Air Refueling Wing mission.

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

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

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

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

Other Faith Groups Off-base referral as needed

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

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

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