Thunderbolt 10/26/2023

Vol. 51, No. 43

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Eyes on KC-135 News/Features: page 3 AFFORGEN deployers depart

News/Features: page 3 Ask and MTI

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

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

Crew chiefs assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform a visual inspection of KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Oct. 11. Crew chiefs perform routine inspections of aircraft prior to departure to ensure safety and operational capability.

NEWS/FEATURES

Climatic lab returns home under 96th Test Wing

by Samuel King Jr. Air Force Test Center

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS)—After almost eight years, Eglin Air Force Base’s McKinley Climatic Lab returns to 96th Test Wing possession as of Oct. 1.

The realignment moves the lab from Arnold Engineering Development Complex back to the 96th Range Group. A 2016 Air Force Test Center consolidation moved the lab under the unit at Arnold AFB, Tennessee.

The return, to better align with local infrastructure and Eglin AFB’s test and evaluation missions, puts the Lab back under the 782nd Test Squadron.

The capabilities available at the Lab help engineers ensure maximum reliability and operational capability of complex systems as global operational theaters continue to impose harsh environments.

Tests at the facility for the Department of Defense, other government agencies and private industry included items such as large aircraft, tanks, missile launchers, shelters, engines, automobiles and tires.

See LAB, Page 12

Photo by Samuel King Jr.

An amphibious Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion is showered with freezing rain in -10-degree temperatures in the McKinley Climatic Lab Oct. 6, 2022, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The LCAC, from Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, underwent climate testing in the Lab’s large chamber.

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.

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NEWS/FEATURES

First AFFORGEN deployers depart Travis AFB

by Nicholas Pilch 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS)—Over 400 Airmen were able to deploy through the new Air Force Force Generation as they head out from Travis Air Force Base. These Airmen are the first on Travis AFB to be able to experience the Air Force’s new deployment model.

The newly implemented AFFORGEN model aims to reconstitute manpower, aircraft and equipment into force elements that train, deploy and recover as cohesive units throughout each phase of the 24-month cycle.

“It feels like we are going back to our roots when it comes to deployments,” said Lt. Col Dominick Niziol, 21st Airlift Squadron and deployment commander. “This AFFORGEN model is helpful because we’re all deploying together and our families back home are given a stronger support system than before.”

The old deployment model crowd-sourced individual Airmen and custom packages for deployment requirements, where their first interactions were in-theater. AFFORGEN allows Airmen to train together before deploying, foster team and unit cohesion before arriving at See AFFORGEN, Page 10

Photo by Nicholas Pilch

Airmen deploy from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 27. Over 400 Airmen were the first on Travis AFB to experience the Air Force’s new deployment model, Air Force, Force Generation.

‘Ask an MTI’ informs recruiters, helps bridge gap for recruits heading to BMT

by Christa D’Andrea 37th Training Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS)—For recruits heading to basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, connecting with a military training instructor online prior to their departure is proving to help ease the transition from civilian to Airman.

“Ask an MTI” is a BMT-led program managed by Tech. Sgt. Sarah Bento, MTI and the 737th Training Group chief of protocol, that connects recruits, recruiters and instructors online to open lines of communication to better prepare the Air and Space Force’s next generation of trainees for the rigors of training.

“The program gives recruits and recruiters real-time information about BMT and the many changes [they can expect],” said Staff Sgt. Ruth Elliott, who has been an MTI for more than two years.

Elliott is one of several MTIs who volunteer their time to engage with recruits and recruiters online in a relaxed forum that encourages open discussion.

The program began as a grassroots effort in 2021, but Bento said that over the past several months, the program has increased significantly in terms of participants and all 25 recruiting squadrons across the country are now participating in a formalized program.

Bento, who collaborates with the Air Force Recruiting Service, said recruiters also benefit. She has received feedback from recruiters that they now feel more confident providing current information about BMT to recruits.

“They benefit from hearing the answers to questions submitted by other recruits on topics they didn’t even think to ask,” she added.

The call starts with a 30-minute window for MTIs and recruiters to talk amongst themselves and to share relevant information that benSee MTI, Page 14

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, conducts a training mission over Southern Florida, Oct. 11. The 482nd FW is a combat coded unit which provides F-16C and F-16D Fighting Falcon multirole fighter aircraft, along with mission ready pilots and support personnel for short-notice worldwide deployment.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Photo by Airman 1st Class Sterling Sutton

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justice Brown, 50th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, completes a pre-refuel checklist onboard a 6th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker over South Florida, Oct. 11. The 50th ARS operates the KC-135 to carry out the global air refueling mission of the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tyler North, 91st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, walks through the fuselage of a KC-135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 15, 2023. Boom operators have aircrew responsibilities extending past their in-air refueling capabilities; they also aid pilots by watching and listening to anything occurring in the aircraft to ensure a safe flight.

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NEWS/FEATURES

319th RW deploys first Airmen under AFFORGEN model

by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS)—Airmen from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing preparing to deploy to several locations in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. IndoPacific Command and U.S. Africa Command as part of the 24.1 cycle, attended a pre-deployment briefing Sept. 27 at Grand Forks Air Force Base.

The deployment is part of the newly implemented Air Force Force Generation model which aims to reconstitute manpower, aircraft and equipment into force elements that train, deploy and recover as cohesive units throughout each phase of the 24-month cycle.

The legacy deployment model crowd-sourced individual Airmen and custom packages for deployment requirements, where their first interactions were in-theater. AFFORGEN provides Airmen the opportunity to train together prior to deploying, foster team and unit cohesion before arriving to the fight and shift Airmen’s focus from providing capabilities to providing functionality.

“What matters when you hit the ground of wherever it is you’ll be ending up, is that you’ll be looking out for the people to your left and your See 319TH, Page 11

Photo by Airman 1st Class Colin Perkins

Col. Timothy Monroe, 319th Reconnaissance Wing commander, speaks with Airmen during a pre-deployment briefing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 27. This deployment is the 319th RW’s first implementation of the Air Force Force Generation deployment model.

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NEWS/FEATURES Through the Lens: NextGen tech allows Airmen to be in two places at once

by Capt. Emma Quirk and Senior Airman Joshua T. Crossman 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain—Have you ever wished you could be in two places at once? The 725th Air Mobility Squadron, located at Naval Station Rota, Spain, is making it possible.

Cyber and maintenance personnel assigned to the 725th AMS have collaborated with our industry partners to experiment with HoloLens, an augmented reality headset, as a tool to increase capability for deployed Air Mobility Teams and geographically separated units.

The 725th AMS demonstrated the technology to 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing leadership, the 725th’s parent wing, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2023 on July 6. During the demonstration, an air ground equipment maintainer at NAVSTA Rota was able to interface with a communications Airman who was deployed to Australia with the 521st AMOW’s AMT supporting MG23 operations.

“This is next level,” said Col. Dan Cooley, 521st AMOW commander. “This was the one of the most impressive innovations I have seen.

These Airmen are on to something that has massive scope for the wing and far beyond.

This technology allows us to keep our footprints small during Agile Combat Employment operations while ensuring we have the right people on the job at a moment’s notice.”

The two members, nearly 9,000 miles apart, executed a mock equipment inspection to showcase the idea and development to Cooley, Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Grisham, 521st AMOW command chief, and a room of observers.

“With the HoloLens, we’re able to leverage the expertise of one individual with the talent and hands of another at a distance of thousands of miles,” said Grisham. “The quality is so clear you can even read a manual.”

As a part of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center’s enterprise-wide Next Generation AMOW, or “NextGen AMOW,” initiative, the wing is organizing, training, and equipping these small AMTs consisting of aerial port, 6

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Photo by Capt. Emma Quirk

Staff Sgt. Daniel Wymer, a prior 725th Air Mobility Squadron cyber systems operations supervisor, showcases HoloLens augmented reality headset capabilities during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2023, July 9, at Naval Station Rota, Spain. Cyber and maintenance personnel assigned to the 725th AMS collaborated with industry partners to experiment with the augmented reality technology to increase capability for deployed Air Mobility Teams and geographically separated units. maintenance, and command and control functions to deploy to locations in areas beyond established nodes.

“This relatively inexpensive resource allows for collaborative audio and visual communication with augmented reality features that can connect home station subject-matter-experts with front-line Airmen to provide real-time assistance, which can exponentially expand the technical capabilities of a single Airmen beyond their primary Air Force Specialty Code,” said Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Sewejkis, 725th AMS maintenance superintendent.

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AMTs may deploy alongside contingency response forces to provide base operating support or to a location with the necessary infrastructure in place to support mobility operations. Though an AMT is a highly capable force package, their footprint is intentionally small in order to be easily maneuverable and leave minimal impact to home-station operations.

The HoloLens alleviates the risk of these small teams needing a specialized capability in a moment’s notice and not having it.

“Simply put, this is how we propel the MultiSee NEXTGEN, Page 16

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

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CMSAF meets high-speed recruiters, Sorensen team at drifting event

story and photos by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service

IRWINDALE, Calif. (AFNS)—It wasn’t just any other day in beautiful Southern California. A sunny, picturesque day with temperatures in the low 80s. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought that a fog had rolled in just as the festivities had begun. But no, that smoke accompanied by the distinct scent of burnt rubber is exactly why thousands of fans congregated together at the Irwindale Speedway; it was race day.

Motorsport fans traveled from all over to attend the Formula Drift event, Oct. 14.

U.S. Air Force recruiters with the 369th Recruiting Squadron, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves spent the morning showing the F-16 Fighting Falcon static display that sat to the left of the hangar, an interactive recruiting asset that allows the public to try their hand at three Air Force specialties; aircraft maintenance, metal fabrication and a virtual reality simulation of in-flight refueling operations. The recruiting setup drew attention from a variety of patrons, but it isn’t every day when the Air Force’s highest enlisted leader pays a visit.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass’ first stop of the day was spent meeting recruiters who were supporting the event, where she had the opportunity to recognize a few Airmen who had been identified by 369th RCS leadership as superior performers.

“These three individuals have really embraced the challenges that we have faced in the Air Force Recruiting Service this year,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Kelloway, 369th RCS senior enlisted leader. “They have really strived to master their craft and improve their skills, and really have exceeded on all fronts this year despite those challenges; we couldn’t be more impressed with their actions and what they have accomplished.”

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Munoz-Case, one of the three recruiters recognized, was celebrated by his leadership for his initiative to lean into utilizing social media to reach a wider audience, something that Bass shared that she can relate to. Munoz-Case said he was excited to meet a senior leader who understands the value of social media as a communication platform.

“I really appreciate that she recognizes the need for Air Force recruiters and leaders to have a digital footprint,” Munoz-Case said. “I think it helps us reach potential applicants from all walks of life and allows us to connect with communities who may not know what being an Airman is all about.”

Munoz-Case said that her recognition motivated him but he was especially inspired after she joined their team to interact with Formula Drift patrons.

Bass spent time sharing her Air Force story and conversing with several of the motorsports fans who took the time to stop in and experience the recruiting booth. After tal king with several potential future Airmen, Bass was in for a thrill as she continued to her next stop of the day’s events.

Bass met with Amanda Sorensen, AFRS-sponsored driver, who daringly invited her to join in a joyride in the Air Force-branded, high-performance stock car. Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track, filling the stadium with the smoke and aroma See DRIFT, Page 13

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Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass takes a picture with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, in Sorensen’s U.S. Air Force-branded stock car at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14. Sorensen parked her car in front of the USAF recruiting booth where she and her brother, Branden, did meet-andgreets and signed autographs for fans.

(Far left) Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen and Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans (Left) Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass operates an in-flight refueling virtual reality simulation at the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth supporting a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14. The VR recruiting asset allows the public to challenge themselves by virtually operating a simulated aerial refueling boom, giving fuel to three different aircraft in a short amount of time.

AFFORGEN From Page 3

the fight, and shift Airmen’s focus from providing capabilities to providing functionality.

“We were able to see our iron pickup and deploy with our personnel downrange,” said 1st Lt. Amy Arnold, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. “This is a good thing for our maintainers and pilots because they get to leave with the jets these Airmen are familiar with.”

Niziol said the majority of people deploying are supporting Travis AFB aircraft and in the past the small handful of people leaving all at once didn’t spurn any support for families back home, but now families are all experiencing the deployment together.

At the Operation Homecoming Passenger Terminal on Travis AFB, families gathered to say their goodbyes and received resources to get support while their Airmen deployed. Deployment kits were passed out to include resources for families to stay in touch with other family members in case they need assistance.

“Moving from the small groups of deployers, the one to two people deploying at a time, to this model, I believe, will be better for our force,” Niziol said. “We’re an expeditionary power, which is an important tenant of airpower.”

Incorporating the 860th Maintenance Squadron and 60th Operational Support Squadron into this group brings together an entire force element to support the mission overseas, Niziol said.

“To deploy as a team and working as one cohesive unit from Travis Air Force Base is pretty awesome,” Arnold said.

The four phases of AFFORGEN are reset, prepare, ready and available to commit. The first phase, reset, gives Airmen time to connect with family and friends, take post-deployment leave and reintegrate and reconstitute into their units and day-to-day way of life.

To receive family support during deployment, contact your local key spouses or visit www.militaryonesource.mil for resources and assistance.

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Photo by Nicholas Pilch

Airmen receive a pre-deployment briefing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 26. Over 400 Airmen were the first on Travis AFB to experience the Air Force’s new deployment model, Air Force, Force Generation.

Photo by Nicholas Pilch

Senior Airman Osvaldo Rodriguez Matias, 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-17 Globemaster III flying crew chief, spends time with a loved one before he deploys from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 27. Over 400 Airmen were the first on Travis AFB to experience the Air Force’s new deployment model, Air Force Force Generation.

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319TH From Page 5

Photo by Airman 1st Class Colin Perkins

Col. Timothy Monroe, 319th Reconnaissance Wing commander, addresses Airmen during a pre-deployment briefing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 27.

This deployment is the 319th RW’s first implementation of the Air Force Force Generation deployment model. right,” said Col. Timothy Monroe, 319th RW commander.

“You are not alone. There are several thousand other Airmen around the world who will be doing the same thing.”

The four phases of AFFORGEN are: reset, prepare, ready and available to commit. The first phase, reset, gives Airmen time to connect with family and friends, take post-deployment leave and reintegrate and reconstitute into their units and day-to-day way of life.

The second phase, prepare, allows squadrons to enhance unit proficiency with advanced and full-spectrum training and build high-end readiness through multi-unit tactics and training events. During prepare, Airmen will also develop cross-functional skills according to the MultiCapable Airman training framework.

MCA training is critical to the success of the AFFORGEN model and for agile combat employment operations which reduce the number of Airmen required for power projection and reduce the number of personnel in harm’s way.

Phase three, ready, is when Airmen will achieve their peak levels of readiness for the high-end fight. Force elements and demand force teams will participate in joint and local exercises, and bases hosting lead wings will undergo a large force exercise referred to as a certification event.

The fourth phase, available to commit, identifies Airmen as a deployable to support rotational deployments, ready response force requirements or Secretary of Defense taskings.

“Focus on the mission, on your training and on everything you’ve done to prepare you for this moment,” said Chief Master Sgt. Carl Vogel, 319th RW command chief.

See 319TH, Page 13

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LAB

From Page 2

Photo by Samuel King Jr.

An HH-60W Jolly Green II gets hit with 45 mph winds and drenched under 130 gallons-per-minute rain in the McKinley Climatic Lab April 1, 2020, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force’s new combat search and rescue helicopter and crews experienced temperature extremes from 120 to -60 degrees Fahrenheit as well as torrential rain during the month of testing. The tests evaluate how the aircraft and its instrumentation, electronics and crew fare under the extreme conditions it will face in the operational Air Force.

The Climatic Laboratory has five testing chambers: the main chamber; the equipment test chamber; the sun, wind, rain and dust chamber; the salt fog chamber and the altitude chamber.

The main chamber is the largest environmental chamber in the world. At approximately 252 feet wide, 260 feet deep and 70 feet high, tests have consisted of large items and systems for aircraft such as the B-2 Spirit Bomber and the C-5 Galaxy. The temperatures achieved in the chamber range between -65 degrees Fahrenheit to 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a simulation of all climatic conditions including heat, 12

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snow, rain, wind, sand and dust.

The equipment test chamber is 130 feet long, 30 feet wide and 25 feet high. Although it is smaller, it has the same capabilities of the main chamber. Tests usually consist of jet engines, small vehicles and turbine-driven ground power units.

The sun, wind, rain and dust chamber produces ambient or hot test conditions. Windblown rain at rates up to 25 inches per hour and heavy sand and dust storms can also be created in this chamber.

Because of the corrosive properties of salt fog

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test conditions, the salt fog chamber was designed to provide an ambient test chamber that is away from other test chambers. The chamber has two steam-fed heat exchangers that create the temperature to perform the salt fog test.

The chamber is approximately 55 feet long, 16 feet wide and 16 feet high. The chamber doesn’t have refrigeration capability.

The altitude chamber can create pressure altitudes as high as 80,000 feet with a temperature capability of -80 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The chamber measures 13 by 9 feet and 6 feet high.

319TH

From Page 11

“Your comrades that are staying here will hold the fort while you’re gone. Focus on the fight and coming back home safe.”

The department-wide transition to AFFORGEN provides combatant commanders predictable resources and allows smoother integration into joint force environments.

The sustainable force offerings also enable ACE concepts which senior leaders have deemed critical to the demands of future conflicts.

“When our Airmen get to their deployments, there is a high chance they’ll be asked to do something they have zero training for, and that’s okay,” Monroe said. “What they do have is our trust. Trust in their ability to think critically, think boldly and be decisive.”

Future and current conflicts require Airmen to operate in uncertain, complex and rapidly-changing environments. AFFORGEN ensures Airmen have familiar faces on their side providing trust, shared awareness and an understanding of their commander’s intent to guide them through congested and contested environments.

“Our Airmen already have those skills and more,” Monroe said. ‘That’s why they’re part of the world’s greatest Air force.”

DRIFT

From Page 8

of burnt rubber. Sorensen exited the track to drive Bass to meet her brother, Branden, who is also an AFRS-sponsored Formula Drift driver, at the recruiting booth where the trio met fans and signed autographs.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the partnership that the Air Force has with Team Sorensen, I think between that partnership and events like this, it allows us to connect with a diverse demographic of people from all ages and economic backgrounds, and that is important to our Air Force.”Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass Among the fans in the crowd were an especially proud group of soon-to-be Airmen and their families. Bass took a moment to personally congratulate the young men and women who were minutes away from reciting the oath of enlistment on the track during the evening’s opening ceremony.

Following the opening ceremony, the crowd roared with a combination of praise for the patriotic introduction and excitement for the day’s main event. Bass finished the evening enjoying the Formula Drift event, but she spent the day experiencing something uniquely special. Bass witnessed two key moments in the recruiting process; an applicant’s introduction to the Air Force and the recruit’s reciting the oath that every enlisted service member, past, present and future decrees to gain admittance into the armed services.

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MTI

From Page 3

efits both. Following, recruits join in for an hour-long discussion.

Tech. Sgt. Lacie Tadych is an enlisted accessions recruiter who recruits out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. She is the 369th Recruiting Group’s lead for the program and stated that she has seen a drop in the Delayed Entry Program discharge rate since the program began.

She described that those in the DEP that are seniors are most impacted.

“They are in the DEP for a much longer period, and these calls have kept them motivated and excited,” she said. “They constantly tell me that they can’t wait for the next one.”

“Ask an MTI” is held 25 times per quarter, once for each enlisted recruiting squadron. On average, there are more than 55 recruits on each call.

According to Bento, recruits will ask questions that range from what to bring to training, to what food is served in the dining facility, to how they should prepare for BMT. Since the program began, Tadych said the feedback received from recruits has been positive.

“The applicants feel more at ease and prepared,” she said. “There has also been quite a bit of feedback from the recruiters regarding how much they are learning as well. This is helping us better prepare our applicants and is all around improving the communication between the recruiters and MTIs.”

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Photo by Christa D’Andrea

Tech. Sgt. Sarah Bento, “Ask an MTI” program manager and 737th Training Group chief of protocol, conducts a Zoom call with military training instructors prior to the start of the weekly calls with Delayed Entry Program recruits March 7 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The Ask an MTI program gives recruits an opportunity to ask MTIs questions about basic military training prior to their arrival and set expectations and better prepares recruits for the rigors of BMT.

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Fall Festival The Force Support Squadron is hosting a Fall Festival on Friday from 5–9 p.m. This is a free event and open to all with access to MacDill AFB. Stop by the Youth Center and the field across the street and enjoy trunk-or-treating, face painters, kids crafting area, Halloween displays, sponsor booths, pumpkin decorating, and DJ. Food and beverage menu items will be available for purchase on site. Visit macdillfss.com/fallfestival/ for more information.

Kids Halloween Party MacDill Lanes is hosting a Kids Halloween Party on Sunday from 2–9 p.m. Don’t miss out on the kid food specials. All kids in costume will receive two free games and a complimentary snack (1 per kid bowler). For more information, visit macdillfss.com/macdill-lanesbowling/.

8 Iron Grill open 7 days a week Craving a tasty meal during your workday or the weekend? The 8 Iron Grill, located at the Bay Palms Golf Course, is now open every day and ready to serve you breakfast and lunch options from 6:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. The 8 Iron Grill offers call-in orders (828-1507) in case you are pressed for your tee time or need to pick-up breakfast on your way to work. Visit macdillfss. com/8-iron-grill/ to view more information, to include the complete menu.

Find more events at macdillfss.com

Fiscal ‘23 closes out

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Leadership from the 6th Air Refueling Wing stand for a photo with Airmen assigned to the 6th Comptroller Squadron and 6th Contracting Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 18. The 6th CPTS and 6th CONS teams were recognized for their efforts in finalizing the end of fiscal year finance closeouts.

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 Chapel 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, October 26, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 15

NEXTGEN From Page 6

Capable Airmen concept to an unimaginable level,” added Sewejkis. “Although our initial focus is the Aircraft Maintenance and Aerial Port communities within the AMOW, I am convinced this initiative can impact operations in numerous functional areas across the enterprise.”

The 521st AMOW, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, consists of nine squadrons operating out of 19 locations, or nodes, across three geographic theaters spanning 5,000 miles.

After a successful showcasing, the wing has begun purchasing HoloLens for all of its squadrons Photo by Capt. Emma Quirk in an effort to increase capabilities across the AMOW. Soon, the Staff Sgt. Daniel Wymer (left), a prior 725th Air Mobility Squadron cyber systems operations supervisor, guides Airmen of the 5-2-1 will all have Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Grisham (right), 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing command chief, during a Holothe capability to look through Lens augmented reality headset demonstration during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2023 July 9, at Naval Station Rota, Spain. the lens.

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News

“Refuel the Force”

6th Force Support Squadron’s Monthly Highlights – a Supplement to the MacDill AFB Thunderbolt

NOVEMBER ‘23

BONANZA BINGO

6th Force Support Squadron

DJ EVERY FRIDAY!

$500

Telephone Extensions Prefix 828

Jackpot

Commander....................................... 2823 Deputy ................................................ 2823 Ops Officer......................................... 2703 Mortuary Affairs.............................. 6597 Unit Readiness ............................... 2252 Senior Enlisted Leader.....................3969 Honor Guard ....................................5190 First Sergeant.....................................4153 Marketing & Publicity.......................3055

Coming Soon!

NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH!

Military & Family Readiness Flight..0134 Military & Family Readiness Ctr ......0145 Child & Youth Services Flight.......5097 Child Development Ctr 1.................. 3332 Child Development Ctr 2 ................. 2244 Child Development Ctr 3 ..................0195 Family Child Care .............................. 7760 School Age Care................................. 5971 Youth Center...................................... 7956 Civilian Personnel Flight................4286 Civilian Personnel .............................6090 Human Resource Office (NAF) .........2911

Menu Featuring... Nachos, Salads, Beach Time Favorites, Baskets, Sandwiches & MORE!

Community Services Flight............2921 Arts & Crafts Center..........................4413 Auto Hobby Shop ................... 373-6545 Wood Hobby Shop .........................2093 Bay Palms Golf Complex ................0046 8 Iron Grill.........................................1507 Information, Tickets & Travel ...............2478 MacDill Bowling Lanes.....................4005 Hangar 6 Grill ...................................7735 Outdoor Recreation/Equip Rental/ FamCamp ................................ 840-6919 Pool............................................769-9901 Marina ....................................... 840-1513 Skeet Range............................... 488-1244 Force Development Flight ............. 7320 Airman Leadership School.............. 2299 Base Theater...................................... 3607 Education .............................................3115 Library................................................. 3607 Professional Development...............1229 Training ...............................................4004 Manpower/Org Flight ..................... 9977 Manpower ............................................3711

Sustainment Services Flight ..........0034 2 Brews Catering...................... 840-2020 Diner’s Reef Dining Facility...............2412 Flight Meals....................................4998 Fitness Center...................................4496 MacDill Inn - Lodging........................ 4259 Rickenbacker’s ..............................7425 SeaScapes Restaurant ............. 840-1451 Breakaway Event Ctr/Boomers .. 840-2020

macdillfss.com

TUE-THU 11AM-9PM • FRI 11AM-10PM • SAT 3PM-10PM FOOD SERVED: TUE-FRI 11AM-8PM • SAT 3PM-8PM BAR: OPENS AT 3PM

BONANZA BINGO

ESM Welcome!

$500

Jackpot

rs Runne ers k & Wal me! o c l We SHORT FITNESS CENTER MACDILL AFB FL

THURSDAY

NOV 16 • 7AM SHORT FITNESS CENTER For More Info Call:

828-4496

TURKEY TR

6

5K 3K/ OT

Military Personnel Flight CAC Appointment Line ................796-5272 6fss.fsmps.deersidcards@us.af.mil Resource Mgmt Flight.....................1449 Private Organizations....................... 6962

For Inquiries Regarding Special Events at SeaScapes Phone: (813) 840-2020 6FSS.2.brewscatering@us.af.mil

CHECK OUT THE NEW MENU!

Coming Soon!

Located Inside the Breakaway Event Center

Food | Full Bar | Pool Tables TVs | Friday Stampede

NOW OPEN WED-FRI • 3-8PM Bounce Back Menu

Featuring... Salads, Wings, Nachos & MORE!

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6FSS NEWS

November ‘23

O U T D O O R REC R EAT I O N • ( 8 1 3 ) 8 4 0 -6 9 1 9

ARTS & CRAFT CENTER • (813) 828-4413

CAMPING HEADQUARTERS Primative Camp Sites Rental Equipment Call Outdoor Recreation Office at (813) 840-6919 for more information

We Rent... Tents • Blue Camping Pads • Screen Houses • Sleeping Bags Tent Cots • Cook Sets • Ice Chests • Portable Cooking Stoves AWARDS - Laser Engraving - Trophies - Framing - Plaques - Plates CUSTOM WOOD ITEMS - Shadowboxes - Flag Boxes - Coin Racks CHALLENGE COINS | ART CLASSES | GRAPHIC DESIGN - AND MUCH MORE!

$25 OFF

At Outdoor Recreation, Bldg. 2017 Please register in person or by phone for at least 3 business days in advance.

FamCampers register at FamCamp Office; Everyone else register at Arts & Crafts Ctr. •November 3rd 10AM - Acrylic Dandelion Canvas Painting (all ages, $20pp) •November 17th 10AM - Fall Leaves Chalk Silhouette (all ages, $10pp)

EQUIPMENT RENTAL SPECIAL $25 OFF Bounce Houses, Any Weekday. (Mon-Thu) B AY PA L M S G O L F C O U R S E • ( 8 1 3 ) 8 2 8 - 0 0 4 6

FREE ACTIVE DUTY CLINIC IS BACK!

12-1pm every Wednesday, at the golf course driving range.

Open to service members and their immediate families.

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November ‘23

6FSS NEWS

BONANZA BINGO

$500

3

ESM Welcome!

Jackpot

Coming Soon!

$2 All American Hot Dog $4 Cheese Fries $6 Chicken Caesar Salad $8 Bacon Cheeseburger Family Pack Special $20

Pick up & Dine-In. 1/2 Pizza (4 slices) & 8 Wings

Call Ahead Orders & Take-Out Available

(813) 828-7735

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, October 26, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 3

6FSS NEWS

4

November ‘23

INFORMATION, TICKETS & TRAVEL

Ticket Counter: (813) 828-2478

Leisure Travel Office: (813) 828-1860

https://macdillfss.com/information-tickets-travel/

DISNEY FLORIDA RESIDENT WEEKDAY MAGIC TICKETS

Tickets expire on 12/22/23 & Are NOT GOOD on Weekends TYPE ADULT CHILD 2 Day Base $193.25 $193.25 2 Day Hopper $232.75 $232.75 2 Day Base + Water Park & More Option $227.75 $227.75 2 Day Hopper +Water Park & More Option $247.75 $247.75 3 Day Base $213.00 $213.00 3 Day Hopper $252.50 $252.50 3 Day Base +Water Park & More Option $247.75 $247.75 3 Day Hopper +Water Park & More Option $267.50 $267.50 4 Day Base $232.75 $232.75 4 Day Hopper $272.50 $272.50 4 Day Base +Water Park & More Option $267.50 $267.50 4 Day Hopper +Water Park & More Option $287.25 $287.25

Start your Holiday Shopping Early!

Attraction Tickets & Passes Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

Coming Soon...

2024 Disney Salute & Universal Freedom Pass Promotions!!

Teaser Saultes

VISIT AGAIN AND AGAIN

With seasonal events, unforgettable animal encounters, and up-close experiences, there’s always a reason to visit again!

Zoo Pay For A Day Through Dec ‘24 (Ages 12+) $48.50 Zoo Pay For A Day Through Dec ‘24 (Ages 3-11) $37.75 With block out dates at Spring Break; Christmas and New Year’s.

BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH US! MAJESTY MEETS MEMORIES IN ALASKA

IT’S TIME TO BOOK YOUR ALASKA CRUISE FOR 2024 NOW! “SEE ALASKA UP CLOSE”

@macdillfss 4

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