Myinterestin aviationbeganatanearly age SomeyearsafterimmigratingtotheUnitedStatesfromtheNetherlandsinthe1960s, withlittle to theirname butanabidingfaith intheAmericanDream,myparentsowned a flyingoperation.
Anyonewhohasbeenapartofafamily businessknowsthatit isjustthat,“afamily’s business”—meaningit’severyone’sresponsibilityto chipin,workhard, anddotheirpart to makeitsuccessful.
WhenI wasn’tsweepinghangarsor cleaningsparkplugs, I wasdreamingofjumpingin an airplane, takingthecontrols andflyingit myself. WhetherIcouldseeoverthedashboard ornot,I wantedtoplaywiththebuttonsand knobsand learneverythingaboutflying.
BythetimeI wasateenager, Ihadflown a lotofdifferentaircraft. Igotmypilot’slicense beforeIgotmydriver’slicense. Mypassionfor aviation,andthescienceandphysicsbehind
it, wasstokedbymytimeasaCivilAir Patrol cadetandledmetoacareerintheAir Force. IsetmysightsontheAir Force Academyand graduatedwithadegreeinaeronauticalengineering. Mydream wastoflyfighterjets— I wantedtoflyMach1withmyhairon fire.
Fastforwardtonow, I’veloggedmorethan 4,200hoursofflighttimeinmorethan30differentmilitaryaircraft.Ihavebeenwearing theuniformformorethanthreedecadesand Ihavelovedeveryopportunitymyservicehas givenme;andastheAir Forcecelebratesits 75thanniversarymyhistoryandgoodfortune aspartofthisorganizationcomesintoeven sharperrelief.
TheAir Forceemployssomeofthemostadvancedaircraftandbest-trainedpeopleinthe worldtodefendournation,deterouradversaries, reassureallies, andhelpdiplomacyproceed fromapositionofstrength.TheworldrecognizesthattheAir Forceandoursisterservices pushtechnologicalandculturalboundariesto make ournationtheleaderinairandspace
TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservices on MacDill. ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsed by the U.S. government,the Department of Defense,
theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.
Theappearanceofadvertising inthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6thAirRefueling WingorthePublishingCompany of theproductsor service advertised.
Forretail advertising,call(813) 226-3318. Everythingadvertisedinthispublicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,orpatronagewithoutregardto race,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age, maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationoranyothernon-merit factorof the purchaser, user, orpatron
NearlyfouryearsaftertheAir ForceInstallationand MissionSupport Centerbegan rebuildingTyndallAFBfollowingHurricane Michael,adisasterrecoveryresponseteam armedwithexpertiseandlessonslearnedfrom thatstormishelpingMacDillAir ForceBase, Florida,assessdamageinthe wakeofHurricaneIan.
AfterHurricaneMichaeldevastatedTyndall inOctober2018, AFIMSCformedataskforce tohelpthebaserecover. Thattaskforcehas evolved intotheAir Force Civil Engineer Center’s NaturalDisasterRecoveryDivisionand nowincludesaDisasterRecoveryResponse Team.
Thedivisionservesasastrategicreserveof
SeeRECOVERY, Page11
Fromleft,ScottPeacemanandJohnDunnhelpteamleadMaj.AllenLewisloadtheDisaster RecoveryResponse Teamtrailerat TyndallAirForceBase,Florida,Sept.29.TheteamtraveledtoMacDillAirForceBasetohelpstabilizetheinstallationafterHurricaneIanmadelandfall.
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—TheAir ForceannouncedplanstotransitionfoundationaltrainingforallAirmenbeginningOct.1 ensuring they havethenecessaryskillsetstosurviveandoperateduringcontingencies bothathomestationanddeployed,includingremoteandcontestedenvironments
ReadyAirmanTrainingwillprepareAirmentodevelopanddemonstratethemindsetrequiredtosupporttheAir Force ForceGeneration,or AFFORGEN, deploymentmodel.
“ThevisionforhowAirmentrainanddeployembracesanemerging cultureofsupportmaintainingandbuildingreadinessacrosstheAFFORGENphases,” saidAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr. “We must challengethestatusquotoprepareourAirmenforoperatingin environmentsfarmorecomplexthanwehaveinthepast.”
AlignedwiththeOct.1implementationofAFFORGEN, Airmenwill beginreceivingtailoredtrainingspreadthroughoutthe18-monthReset, PrepareandReadyphasesoftheAFFORGENcycle Unitcommanders mayadjustthenumberoftrainingeventsrequiredbasedonanAirman’s
PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenClevenger
Airmenassignedtothe36thWingputuptentsduring an operational readinessexerciseatAndersenAirForceBase,Guam, Sept.12.The U.S.Indo-PacificCommandstrategycentersonfieldingandsustaining aforcecapableofcombat-credibledeterrenceposturetowinbefore fightingandif necessary, readyto fightandwin.
WASHINGTON(AFNS)—
TheDepartmentoftheAir ForcereleaseditsClimateActionPlanOct.4,whichdefineshowitwillpreserveoperationalcapability, increaseresiliency, anddoitsparttohelp mitigatefuture climateimpactsthroughspecificandmeasurableobjectivesandkeyresults Itlays outitsenterprise-wideapproach to ensuringpolicies, technologyinnovation, andevolvingoperationsremain relevantina changing climate.
“Makenomistake–thedepartment’smissionremainstofly, fight, andwin, anytimeandanywhere. We arefocusedonmodernizationand improving ouroperationalposturerelativetoourpacing challenge: China. We remainreadytorespondandachieveairandspacedominance when andwherethe nationneedsus,” saidSecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendall.“Ourmissionremains unchanged, but we recognizethattheworldisfacingongoingandaccelerating climate change and wemustbe prepared to respond,fight,and wininthis constantly changing world.”
TheplanoutlinesthreemajorprioritiesthatensuretheDepartmentofthe Air Forcemaintainstheabilitytooperateundera chang-
KIRTLANDAIRFORCEBASE, N.M. (AFNS)—Everhavethatfeelingwhenthe workdayisalmostover, andyourminddrifts offtothatrecreationalactivitycomingup? Anticipationisbuildingfortheupcomingadventure. Maybeitinvolvesgoingforahike upthemountain,ridingamotorcyclethrough thetwistsand turns, snowboardingtheAlps, chillingatthebeach,orevenskydivingwith friends. Nomattertheactivity, throwingcautiontothewindcouldendindisasterwithone bad decision.
To helpAirmenandGuardiansidentifyand lessentheriskstheymayencounterintheiroff time, theAir ForceSafetyCenterwillsponsor adepartment-widefocusonoff-dutyriskmanagementfromOct.8throughNov. 27. The campaignreachesouttotheAir ForceandSpace Forceforparticipationinbothvideoandsafety slogancontestshighlightingoff-dutythreatsto the humanweaponsystem.
AirmenandGuardiansmakegoodriskmanagementdecisionsevery daywithoutevenrealizingtheyaredoingit, butbetweenfiscal years2017and2022,theDepartmentofthe Air Forcelost172servicememberstooff-duty activities.
“OurAirmenandGuardiansareourmost valuableresource,” saidMaj.Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, Departmentofthe Air Force chiefof
safetyandAFSECcommander “Itisimportant thattheymakegooddecisionsnotonlyonduty, butalsointheoff-dutyenvironment.Thereis inherentriskinmanyofouractivities, andthe keyistoidentifythatriskandthennegateor mitigateitwhenever possible. Ourgoalisto inspireAirmenandGuardianstohaveaproactivesafetymindsetwhentheyapproachrisk.”
Wasanoff-dutyriskassessmentdonebeforehand?Exposuretounnecessaryriskswhile participatingincommonoff-dutyactivities withoutproperriskassessmentscanresultin damage, destruction,impededjobperformance, injury, andpossiblylossoflife. Takingalittle timetothinkabouttherisksversustheconsequences beforehandcouldbothimproveyour enjoymentoftheactivityandpreventtragedy fromhappening.
“Poordecisionmakingandunnecessary risksintheoff-dutyenvironmentareacontinuous, andunendingthreattothehumanweaponsystem,” said William Walkowiak, chiefof OccupationalSafetyattheAir ForceSafety
Center “Ashumans, wehaveanamazingcapabilitytoadapt, overcomeadversity, andremain resilientinthefaceofdifficultcircumstances. However, weareneitherindestructiblenorimmunetothepotentialconsequencesofouractions.”
AstheAirandSpace Forcesevolve, the servicescontinuetodevelop waystomitigate threatstoweapon,mechanicalandcybersystems, andtheymustdothesameforthemost valuableasset, thehumanweaponsystem.
TheDepartmentoftheAir Forcehasestablishedarobuston-dutyriskmanagementprogramthateducatesitsservicemembersand civiliansonhowtoassessrisksinherenttothe missionstheyperform.Theprogramisbased onthe Five-StepRiskManagementprocess wheretheylearntoidentifyrisk,assessrisk, developcontrols, implementcontrols, andevaluatethosecontrolsto avoidormitigateunnecessaryriskanddecidewhatisacceptablerisk. Thisisallbeingdone whilekeepingin mind
TbyC. ToddLopez DODNews
heDefenseDepartmentprovidesbroadopportunitiesforservicemembersandcivilians alike, butmorecanbedonetoincreasethediversityofthoseholdingDODpositions, includingHispaniccitizens, said theundersecretaryofdefenseforpersonnelandreadiness.
“Thedepartmentoffersavarietyofcareeropportunitiesinandoutofuniformthatspan fromastronomy, tonuclearscience, tohumanresourcesandeducation—nottomentionthe vastarrayofopportunitiesinscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, whichareingreat demand,” GilbertCisnerossaidatthe19thNationalLATINASymposium’sDistinguishedMilitaryService Awards.
TheDefenseDepartmentprovidesbroadopportunitiesforservicemembersandcivilians alike, butmorecanbedonetoincreasethediversityofthoseholdingDODpositions, includingHispaniccitizens, said theundersecretaryofdefenseforpersonnelandreadiness.
“Thedepartmentoffersavarietyofcareeropportunitiesinandoutofuniformthatspan fromastronomy, tonuclearscience, tohumanresourcesandeducation—nottomentionthe vastarrayofopportunitiesinscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, whichareingreat demand,” GilbertCisnerossaidatthe19thNationalLATINASymposium’sDistinguishedMilitaryService Awards.
CisnerosalsoservesastheDOD’s chiefdiversityofficer, andhetoldtheaudiencethathe wantsfuturegenerationsofyoungpeopletoseetheDefenseDepartmentasamodelemployer and wanttoservetheircountryinuniformorasDODcivilianemployees Buthealsosaidthe departmentmustdomoretoincreasethediversityofthosewho choosetoserveineithercapacity.
GilbertCisneros, undersecretaryofDefensefor PersonnelandReadiness
WhileHispanicsarewellrepresentedintheenlistedforce, thesamecan’tbesaidacrossthe board,hesaid.
CisnerosalsoservesastheDOD’s chiefdiversityofficer, andhetoldtheaudiencethathe wantsfuturegenerationsofyoungpeopletoseetheDefenseDepartmentasamodelemployer and wanttoservetheircountryinuniformorasDODcivilianemployees. Buthealsosaidthe departmentmustdomoretoincreasethediversityofthosewho choosetoserveineithercapacity
GilbertCisneros, undersecretaryofDefensefor PersonnelandReadiness
“WestillneedmoreimprovementinHispanicrepresentationinourofficercorpsandespeciallyinourgeneralandflagofficers,” hesaid. Withinthecivilianworkforce, hesaid,thereis alsoa discrepancyinHispanicrepresentation.
WhileHispanicsarewellrepresentedintheenlistedforce, thesamecan’tbesaidacrossthe board,hesaid.
“WestillneedmoreimprovementinHispanicrepresentationinourofficercorpsandespeciallyinourgeneralandflagofficers,” hesaid. Withinthecivilianworkforce, hesaid,thereis alsoa discrepancyinHispanicrepresentation.
“WhiletheDODhasmadeprogressinincreasingthepresenceofHispanicsintheDepartmentofDefensemilitaryandcivilianranks, thereisstillmuchworktobeaccomplished. This iswhereIneedyourhelp,” Cisnerossaid,callingonHispanicsymposiumattendeestorepresentmilitaryserviceintheir communities.
“Toeachofyouinthisroom,asaninfluencerinyourcommunity;I calluponyoutohelpincrease awarenessforwhattheDepartment of Defensehastoofferbysharingwithyoungpeoplethevalueofpublicservice, particularlyservicetoourcountry, eitherinthemilitaryranks orasacivilianservant,” Cisnerossaid.“DODwilldoitsparttobuildmoreinclusivecultures andcommunitiesthatworktogetherto influenceconstructive change.”
“WhiletheDODhasmadeprogressinincreasingthepresenceofHispanicsintheDepartmentofDefensemilitaryandcivilianranks, thereisstillmuchworktobeaccomplished This iswhereIneedyourhelp,” Cisnerossaid,callingonHispanicsymposiumattendeestorepresentmilitaryserviceintheir communities.
“Toeachofyouinthisroom,asaninfluencerinyourcommunity;I calluponyoutohelpincrease awarenessforwhattheDepartment of Defensehastoofferbysharingwithyoungpeoplethevalueofpublicservice, particularlyservicetoourcountry, eitherinthemilitaryranks orasacivilianservant,” Cisnerossaid.“DODwilldoitsparttobuildmoreinclusivecultures andcommunitiesthatworktogetherto influenceconstructive change.”
Charmane S. Johnson,whoservesasDOD’sdirectorofpolicyforspecialemphasisprograms, toutedthe sizeofthe U.S. militaryandthesignificanceofitsmission.
“Forthosewhoarenot aware, DODisthebiggestemployerintheUnitedStateswithatotal forcepopulation of approximately2.5million militaryservicemembersandover900,000civilians,” shesaid “Wearealsothelargestgovernmentagency, weownthemostland, andweare thebiggestpartofthepresident’s budget And,nottomention,wehavethebestmissioninthe world—atleastinmyopinion—becausewegettosolveproblemsnooneelsecan,andthat makesDODaprettyexcitingplacetowork.”
Charmane S. Johnson,whoservesasDOD’sdirectorofpolicyforspecialemphasisprograms, toutedthe sizeofthe U.S. militaryandthesignificanceofitsmission.
“Forthosewhoarenot aware, DODisthebiggestemployerintheUnitedStateswithatotal forcepopulation of approximately2.5million militaryservicemembersandover900,000civilians,” shesaid “Wearealsothelargestgovernmentagency, weownthemostland, andweare thebiggestpartofthepresident’s budget And,nottomention,wehavethebestmissioninthe world—atleastinmyopinion—becausewegettosolveproblemsnooneelsecan,andthat makesDODaprettyexcitingplacetowork.”
ForDODtomaintainthesuccessesitalreadyhas, Johnsonsaid,itneedssomethingelse: diversity
ForDODtomaintainthesuccessesitalreadyhas, Johnsonsaid,itneedssomethingelse: diversity.
“Weneed talentfromeverycommunityinAmericatohelpusgetthejob done,” shesaid. Atthesymposium’s awardsceremony, abouttwodozenHispanicwomenfromallbranches ofthemilitary, bothuniformedandcivilian,wererecognizedforservicetotheDefenseDepart-
“Weneed talentfromeverycommunityinAmericatohelpusgetthejob done,” shesaid.
Atthesymposium’s awardsceremony, abouttwodozenHispanicwomenfromallbranches ofthemilitary, bothuniformedandcivilian,wererecognizedforservicetotheDefenseDepart-
SeeHISPANIC,Page10
ing climate, preservesoperationalcapability, protectsitssystems, and contributestowardenhancing climate changemitigation.
Threepoints:
1.Maintainairandspacedominanceinthefaceof climaterisks: Investin climate-readyandresilientinfrastructureandfacilitiesso ourinstallationsarebetterabletoprojectairandspacecombatpower.
2.Make climateinformeddecisions: Developa climate-informed workforce, integratesecurityimplicationsof climate changeintoDepartmentstrategy, planning, training, andoperations, andincorporate
FromPage6
thefourprinciplesofriskmanagement;toacceptnounnecessaryrisk, makeriskdecisions at the appropriatelevel,integrateriskmanagementintooperations, activitiesandplanningatalllevels, andapplythe processcyclicallyandcontinuously.
Off-dutyriskmanagementcanbeassimpleaslookingboth ways beforecrossingthestreet, designatingasoberdriverbeforeattending a party, planningasafehikingroute, swimmingnearalifeguard, andridingabicycleormotorcyclewithahelmet.
AirmenandGuardianstypicallyenjoyrecreationalactivitiestoblow offsteamandhavefun.Theseventuresareneededtoreducestressand keepnourished, physically, emotionally andspiritually, properlysustaining thehumanweaponsystem.
climateconsiderationsintoDepartmentrequirements, acquisition,logistics, supply chainprocesses, and wargaming.
3.Optimizeenergyuseandpursuealternativeenergysources:Expandoperationalcapabilityandpowerprojectiontosupportoperations globallywhilesimultaneouslyreducinggreenhousegasemissionsand adoptingcost-competitivealternativeenergysources.
Thedepartmentwillprovideupdatesasnecessarytoaddressnew policies, technology innovationandevolvingmissionsthatanswer emerging climateconcerns.
“ItisourresponsibilityasleaderstotrainourAirmenandGuardians todoeffectiveriskmanagementwhileon-duty;however, wemusttake anaggressiveapproachineducatingthemonhowtoapplytheirrisk managementskillstotheiroff-dutyactivities,” Leavittsaid.“EveryAirmanorGuardianwelosetoanoff-dutyactivityhurtsourmission,our force, andaffectstheirfamilyforever.”
To defendfromunnecessarythreatsandrisks, Airmenshouldapply thesameriskmanagementandsounddecision-makingtoolkittheyuse onduty. Whenparticipatinginoff-duty, activitiestheydoariskassessment,takeacourseiftheyhaven’tparticipatedinaparticularactivity inawhileorgowitha club, andalwaysweartheproperfittingpersonal protectiveequipment.
FromPage8
ment. Johnsonaskedallthoseinattendancetolookto thosewomentoseehowdiversityishelpingtheDODaccomplishitsmission.
“Aswelearnmoreabouttheiraccomplishments, Ihope youwillalsotakenoteofthevastopportunitiestogrow and excelinDOD, whetherinuniform orasa civilservant,” Johnsonsaid. “Aswecelebratethisgreatheritage monthformanyyearstocome, we hopetotellevenmore successfulstories, likehowwomen, especiallywomenof color, manyinthisroom,howtheywillbeseatedatthe table and representedinseniorranksatthesamerateas theirmalecounterparts.”
JohnsonsaidDODrecognizestheimportanceofdiversity, includingHispanicwomen, toitsmission, andfailure torecognizethat willbe detrimentaltoitsmission.
“DOD will continuetoplayaroleinadvancingequityin Hispaniccommunitiesbecauseweunderstandthatreadinessrequirespeople, and,whentalentismarginalized, organizationslose,” she said.
The19thNationalLATINASymposiumDistinguished MilitaryService Awardsevent washeldduringNational HispanicHeritageMonth,whichrunsSept.15through Oct.15.
expertiseequippedtotacklenaturaldisastersthatmaystrikeanyAir ForceorSpace Forceinstallation. Withcapabilitiesthatincludedamage assessment,requirementsdevelopmentandconstructionexecution,the division is uniquelyqualifiedtostabilize a baseafteranaturaldisaster event.
AsHurricaneIan was closingin onthe TampaareaandnearbyMacDillAir ForceBase, the team wasspunup.
“Wewereready,” saidMaj. AllenLewis, NDRResponseOperations Branch chief.
Forthefledglingteam, whichhadonlyconductedoneexercisepreviously, HurricaneIan wasitsfirstreal-worldactivation.AlthoughIan’s courseeventuallytookitfarthersouthfromMacDill,thebasestillsuffered somedamagefrom thehighwindsoftheCategory4hurricane Whenthecallforassistancecame, theteamdeployedtoassessdamaged roofs acrossthebase.
Upuntilthatpointtheteamhadleanedforwardand watched the weather. TheyconducteddailycallsandupdateswithMacDillleadersandAFIMSCteammatesinSanAntonio, whoalsohadtheirbags packedreadytoflytoFloridatojointheTyndall-basedteam.
“This wasthefirsttimewewereabletogetthisteamtogetherin anoperationalstance,” Lewissaidabouthavingtheteamassembled, equipmentorganized,vehiclesstagedandmissionpartnersreadyto support.
Thatstrategicreserveofexpertiseisn’ttheonlyasset availableto the team. Withreachback toAFIMSC’sIncident Response TeaminSan Antonio, theteamcantapintocrucialcapabilitieslikefinance, contracting, securityforces, logistics, communicationsandthemorethan 150 installationandmissionsupport capabilities thatcentralizedunder AFIMSCwhenthecenterstoodupin2015.
Immediatelyfollowingadisaster, theteamfreesupinstallationleadershipandresourcestofocusontheirpeopleandmission, whilethe teamconductsafullassessmentofthedamageandbuildsarecovery plan.
The teamofprojectmanagers, programmersand experiencedcivil engineerscanaugmentbaseexpertisewithstructural,electrical,and
“Thisteamcangoonsiteandoperate out ofitsownequipment,” Lewissaid. “Webringatentwherewecansleepandatrailerwecan operateout of.”
Withageneratorandtheirgearonhand,alltheteamrequiresis a smallopenspace.
“We’lldoaninitialcostestimate,” Lewissaid.“WhatCongressor higherheadquarterscontinually wantswithinthatfirstsevendaysis a number…something. What’sthemagnitude?Arewetalking$100,000 or$1million?Arewetalking$10million?Or, inthecaseof Tyndall, billions? Whatisthenumber?”
To the 30-day post-eventmark, the teamisthere towriteastatement of work, generateandprogramprojects, dodetailedcostestimatesand submitthenecessarypaperworkDoDusestosubmitrequirementsand justifications formilitaryconstructionfundingrequeststoCongress.
BasedonlessonslearnedfromTyndall’sexperiencewithHurricane Michaelandcatastrophic floodingatOffutt AFB, Nebraska,in2019, the NDRteamlearnedcommandersweremostworriedabouttakingcareof theirpeopleand gettingtheirmissionsback on track.
“They’renotworriedaboutlong-termrecoverywhenthey’rein that crisis mode,” Lewis said.
GettingassistancefromtheDisasterRecoveryResponse Teamisas simpleasmakingaphonecallorsendinganemailtotheNDR chief. Oncetheteamgetsthegreenlight,theyliterallyloadupthetruck and startdriving, Lewisadded.
“I’mproudofwhatthisteamhasaccomplished,” saidNDRDivision ChiefCol.RobertBartlow. “Thisagile, rapid-responsecapabilityisjust anotherexampleof ourintegratedAFIMSCteam providinginstallation supportwheneverandwhereverneeded.”
Aswithpreviousdisasterresponses, AFCECisalwayslookingfor howtodo thingsbetter in the future.
“Westresscontinualimprovement,” Bartlowsaid,“andwesolicit feedbackandevaluateouroperationstoensurewe’redoingthebest jobpossible. We’reconfidentwecan continue tomeetthe challengesour mission provides.”
levelofpreparednessandthedeploymentphasetheyareentering.
Previousdeploymenttraining, whichataminimumconsistedofBasic AirmanReadinessandBasicDeploymentReadiness, wasaccomplished asjust-in-timetraining, oncenotifiedofadeployment,andconsistedof approximately30hoursoftraining.
InMarch,ateamof70expertsgatheredinSanAntonioforaReady AirmanTrainingDesignSprintwheretheyidentified12focusareas, designatedasReadyTrainingAreas, withspecificdesiredlearningobjectivesnecessaryforAirmentodeployfasterwhilesimultaneouslyincreasingoverallexpertise.
ReadyTrainingAreasinclude:Lawof War;Survival,Evasion,ResistanceandEscape;SmallArms;IntegratedDefense;ActiveThreatResponse;Chemical, Biological,RadiologicalandNuclearTraining;ExplosiveOrdnanceHazard; TacticalCombatCasualtyCareAllService MembersCourse;ComprehensiveAirman Fitness;CrossCulturalCommunications;InformationEnvironment Awareness;andBasicCommunications
TheReadyTrainingAreaassociatedtrainingeventswillbespread overtheentireAFFORGENcycleincrementallyoverthenexttwoyears. Thetotalestimatedtraininghoursrequiredoverthecourseofthetwoyearcycle–fouryearsforGuardandReserve–dependonwhetherthe
Airmanisconsideredinexperienced(40hours),experienced(24hours)or staff(15hours).
“ReadyAirmanTrainingservesasthecontinuumofcombatlearning forallAirmenwhilebeingadaptabletoeachindividualAirman’sexperiencelevelandallowingcommanderstheflexibilitytotailortrainingfor specificoperatingenvironments,” saidMaj.Gen.AlbertMiller, Air Force TrainingandReadinessdirector.
Cross-functionaltrainingrequirementsandtrainingpackagesforcommandersweredevelopedusingvalidationmethodsthatwillpresentan Airmanpreparedtoexecutemissionsbasedonemergingoperational timelines. Additionally, Ready AirmanTrainingincreasesflexibilityfor commandersatalllevelstotailortrainingrequirementstotheirAirmen.
“Thisisthemodelandmethodneededtocompeteanddeterwhere theadversary’stacticsandtechniqueshaveevolvedinanefforttomatch ours,” saidChiefMasterSgt.of theAir Force JoAnne S. Bass. “ReadyAirmanTrainingishowwe, asanAir Force, continuetooutpaceourstrategiccompetitorsandwinthehigh-endfight.”
SpecifictrainingobjectivesforReadyTrainingAreasare availableon theAEFOnlineandAFFORGENConnectwebsites. Majorcommandsare responsiblefortrackingandreportingreadinessannuallythroughmyLearning.
power. TheAir Forcealsosucceedsbecauseithastalented,determined, braveanddiverseAirmenandcivilianswhoblendtheirskillsandexperiencetosolvetough challengestostayaheadofouradversaries.
Just likeformyparents, successhas not beeninevitable. Ithasbeen theproductofthehardworkfromourAirmenandthecontinuousinvestmentandcooperationwithourpartnersaroundtheglobeincluding theAmericanpeople. WiththearrivaloftheAir Force’s 75th anniversary, IthinkaboutthetrailblazingAirmenwhopavedthe waytomakeus thegreatestAir Force ontheplanet.Thosewholedbyexample, thought unconventionallyandnevergaveupon their journeyofbreakingbarriers.
Peoplelike Capt.Charles“Chuck” Yeager, who wasthefirsttobreak thesoundbarrierin1947,nearlyonemonthtothedayafterthebirthof theAir Force. ThatbreakthroughshowcasedourreachtohighervelocitiesandprovedthatmachinesandAirmencouldoperateeffectivelyin newrealms.
TheTuskegeeAirmendisplayedunmatchedskillandprecisionwhile facingracialdiscriminationduring World WarII.Theirvalorearned themmorethan150DistinguishedFlyingCrosses, destroyedmorethan 250enemyplanes, andhelpedencouragetheintegrationofthearmed forces.
Iamgratefulforthe97womenoftheAir ForceAcademy’s graduating class of 1980.Whenthey walkedup therampattheAcademyontheir firstdayin1976, theydidsobeneathalargesignwithtwo-footaluminumlettersboldlystating, “BRING ME MEN”. Thosewerewordsfrom aSam Walter FosspoemtodescribeAmericanleaders, wordsthatno longerencompassedthedescription of alltheleadersattheAcademy.
Theseweremenandwomenofcourage, whohadstrengthandperseveranceto challengethestatusquoandhelprebuildthearmedforces
inthe challengingdays followingthe Vietnam War.
Standinginthe stadiumatmyownAir ForceAcademygraduation in1988, abouttothrow my cap in theair, Inever wouldhavethought Iwouldbecomeafour-stargeneral.Ididit,inpart, becauseof thegrit anddeterminationofthosewhocamebeforeme, fromtheTuskegee Airmenand WomenAirforceServicePilotsof World WarIItothefirst femalegraduating classat theAcademy.
Itiseasyforinstitutionstocasuallytossaroundwords likeinnovation, butmuchmoredifficulttoacceptthe riskanduncertainty required toinnovate. AnydispassionateaccountoftheAir Force’s historyisfilled withsuchexamples, fromstealthtotheGlobal PositioningSystemsatellitesthatfuel theworldeconomy.
Withtheriseofstrategicpowercompetitorsandtheproliferationof technologyintended to eliminateourairpoweradvantage, oursecurity isnolongerassured. To maintainacompetitiveadvantageinabattlespacewithoutboundaries, allAirmenareencouragedtoremember thatadaptingforthefuturefighthasalwaysbeenpartofourservice identity, anditwilltaketheirgame-changingideastopropelourAir Forceforwardintothe next75years.
The“familybusiness”I’minnowisabitlargerthantheoperation myparentsran, butthesameprincipleofeveryone chippingin,working hard,anddoingtheirpartisjust as relevanttodayasit was then.
EmpoweredAirmen,whoarereadytoinnovateandacceleratethe changesneededtogiveour nationthe securityandfreedomtothrive, are the competitiveedgewehave over our adversaries.
Likemany, I chosethispathtodosomethinggreaterthanmyself, to serveandprotectthisnationthatwelcomedmyfamilysomanyyears ago. IamproudofourAir Forcelegacyandequallyproudto be an AmericanAirman.
Common AccessCard (CAC)- By Appointment
OnlyorMissionEssential Actions(Initial CAC issue;lost CAC;PIN Reset; CAC expiringwithin 7days;emergency hardships
Retiree/Dependent ID Cards- 2Kiosks available at the BX for renewalsor by appointmentonly
Passports -By AppointmentOnly
Military PersonnelFlight
APF/NAF/CIV PersonnelOffice
Manpower &OrganizationOffice
SchoolLiaison/EFMP NAFCashierCage
PrivateOrg/UnitSM&W Funds
Emergency FinancialAssistance
Breakaway EventCenter Theater
DFAC
Rickenbacker’sCafe
Brews oftheBay Bar
FitStopSmoothieBar (FitnessCenter) (OpenSept12)
8IronGrill (GolfCourse)
BoomersBar&Grill (Breakaway Event Center)
Hangar6Grill (BowlingCenter)
SeaScapesBar- Friday nightsonly1500-2000 AAFES FoodOperations
Follow Us on facebook @macdillfss
MainBase Pool -Closed For Season
FamCamp
Marina -1/2or FullDay Boat/ Equipment Rentals,Snacks &Drinks
Boat/RV Registration+ WetSlips
GolfCourse
Arts&CraftsCenter
Bowling
Information, Tickets& Travel
DIYAutoHobby Shop
DIYWoodShop
Skeet Range
Archery by ReservationsOnly Car Wash/Resale Lot
FitnessCenter
ChildDevelopmentCenters (CDCs)
FamilyChildCare SchoolAgeProgram
YouthCenter
Military& Family ReadinessCenter
Open for walk-incustomersandappointments. Classes& Workshopsareamixture of virtual andinperson.
Library Base Education Base TrainingOffice
Airman LeadershipSchool
ProfessionalDevelopmentCenter/FTAC
WAPS/Vol. Education Testing Lodging (MacDillInn)
Playand walkfiveholesofgolf (14-18ontheNorthcourse)for$5. Addacartfor$5andadd$5ifyou need clubs. Visitmacdillfss.com/ bay-palms-golf-complex/ formore information.
START(serving, thriving, and reading together) eventisOct.17 and24attheMacDillLibrary. Open toallservicemembers, veterans, andfamilymembersages6and older. We willofferfreedinner, stories, andconversations. Reservations recommendedby calling828-3607.
It’stimetogetpowderpufftough attheShort Fitnesscenter Oct. 20 from 4to6 p.m.Twoteams ofnine areneededtohosttheevent.Registeryourteamatwww,6fss.fsvs.fitnessprograms@us.af.mil.
PartyisOct.22from11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Celebratethespookyseason withyourlibraryteam.Therewill beacostumecontest,crafts, games andgoodiebags. Allagesarewelcome.
Therearetonofactivitieshappeningatthe Famcampthisseason includingdinnertrips, book club andgolfscrambles. Visitmacdillfss. com/famcamp/forthefullschedule ofevents.
NewtoMacDill? Visitmacdillfss. com/relocation/
TheUSSOCOMJoinServiceColorGuard
NormalHours-
Monday-ThursdayMass
OtherFaithGroups-
Catholic
Formoredetails
MacDill’s
