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MacDill provides resilience ed at enlisted summit
by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster
6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
For the first time in MacDill’s history, the 6th Air Refueling Wing held an enlisted summit, Oct. 18, 2022.
The summit provided enlisted members across the installation with resiliency training centered around promoting a healthy work environment.
The event included a variety of guest speakers including Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Joanne S. Bass who attended the event virtually. The speakers provided insight on maintaining a healthy work-life balance for enlisted
See SUMMIT, Page 13
Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster
A group of airmen, assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, participate in an enlisted summit at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 18,. The event encouraged open discussion on topics being presented. Some of the topics included national defense strategy, information warfare and resiliency.
MacDill firefighter artist bringing wall to life
by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
What are you doing at 7 p.m. after a long day of work?
For Jay Scott, he’s heating up dinner in the office microwave, writing reports, preparing his painting supplies and turning on some Led Zeppelin.
Scott, a fire inspector assigned to the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base is no stranger to the sacrifices firefighters make to serve and protect at all hours of the day.
Firefighters assigned to the squadron frequently call the station a second home and Scott has made it his mission to bring the walls to life, boasting a proud heritage of fire prevention.
A 20-year Air Force veteran with over 30 years of experience in fire prevention, Scott saw an opportunity to pay tribute to those who came before him and share those stories with new Airmen through art.
“For me, it’s about pride,” said Scott. “Taking pride in your work and what you do is so important.”
Recently, he has completed two large-scale murals at Fire Station 1 along with a number of detailed sketches he has gifted to coworkers.
“We all come from somewhere,” said Scott. “These work as great conversation pieces; they bring up stories and good times about what happened back in the day.”
Scott shared that finding time to work on these sizable projects can be difficult, but has been a great way to interact with others during downtimes on shift.
At the station, Firefighters work 60-hour work weeks, a cumulation of four nine-hour shifts and one 24-hour shift. On the 24-hour shifts, most of the station will gather around to watch as soon as they hear his music start to play.
He humbly shares that his work is a team effort. Each night, he looks forward to hearing the interesting ideas and input from those on shift with him.
“I had to inject a little fun into it, of course,” he said. “I had to add the armadillos, the birds and the black snakes because we know those guys are everywhere in Florida.”
Giving the walls life takes time, it’s tedious work.
“There are so many little details that I had to improvise and use markers on,” he said. “But you do a lot of that in this job. If you can’t find a way to do something you need to improvise and find a way to make it work.”
Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin
Jay Scott, a fire inspector assigned to the 6th Civil engineering Squadron, poses with a mural he painted at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 13.
From Page 3 high school students to gather information on the different paths towards commissioning as an officer in the United States military.
“I’m looking forward to receiving more information on the Naval and Air Force Academys,” said Adrian Salazar, a candidate attending the event. “I want to study aeronautical engineering and the academics provide a great opportunity to do that.”
Included in the event were speakers from the Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy, College Reserves Officer Training Corp and the Marion Military Academy.
Academy advisors attending the event recommend students start planning their applications prior to their senior year. Congressional recommendations are available for students annually but the selection process is rigorous.
Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, summarized the event by recognizing the valuable education each academy graduate receives.
“U.S. Service Academies are renowned for molding students into the winners and leaders our Nation needs,” said Bingham. “These candidates are eligible to receive world-class education and mentorship, ultimately making an incredible contribution to our armed forces.”
Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster
Kathy Castor, congresswoman for Florida’s 14th Congressional District, speaks with U.S. Air Force Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, during Academy Day at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 15. Nominations from U.S. congressional representatives hold significant weight in candidate acceptance to any of the U.S. service academies.
William Merlin, academy admissions advisor, provides information to candidates and parents during Academy Day at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 15. The event featured representatives from the Air Force Academy, Military Academy at West Point, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy, College Reserves Officer Training Corp, and the Marion Military Academy.
From Page 3 fight. The winning innovation will support our troops in harm’s way. Unmanned aerial systems are the primary threat to our forces and partners in the Middle East. The c-UAS Trainer will serve as a universal training system that will train our troops o n s h o o t i n g U n m a n n ed Aerial Systems out of the sky before they harm our troops. “Sergeant Reeve identified a real need on the battlefield and developed a solution,” said Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM spokesman. “Now, we’re going to look to urgently implement this system across all our subordinate units.”
The 6thAirRefuelingWingposesforagroupphotoat MacDillAirForceBaseOct.21.The6thARWiscomposedoffive-uniquegroupstocarryoutglobalaerial refueling.
Photoby Airman1stClassZacharyFoster
From Page 2 contraception. That education campaign will also highlight that the DoD has eliminated TRICARE co-pays for medical contraceptive services, including intrauterine devices.
Austin also directed DoD officials to develop guidance to protect health care providers, who should not be held personally liable for performing their official duties.
Additionally, Austin reiterated the DoD will not change comprehensive access to contraception and family planning services for service members and their families. He directed military medical treatment facilities with the appropriate clinical capacity to expand their services, to include dedicated hours for walk-in contraceptive care for service members, and on a space available basis, for all other eligible beneficiaries. Some MTFs currently offer walk-in contraceptive services, and all MTFs will have walk-in contraceptive services by January 2023.
TRICARE beneficiaries also no longer have to pay cost-shares or co-payments for all TRICARE-covered contraceptives. These include IUDs, hormonal shots and slowrelease hormonal rods, which go under the skin. This change went into effect July 28. If you paid for services on or after July 28, you can submit a claim to your TRICARE contractor after Nov. 1 to receive reimbursement.
Department of the Air Force leaders sent a letter titled Total Force Airmen and Guardians on Reproductive Health Care Services on Aug. 17, 2022, listing resources and information about access to care, including a contraception chart, covered abortions, privacy,leave policies and DoD FAQs. These DAF-specific resources and policies remain in place as the DoD works to meet Austin’s outlined directives.
For additional information on reproductive health care, visit Air Force Medical Services.
From Page 5 members, noting the value of dividing up duties and tasks appropriately.
The Air Force has devoted it’s resilience training initiative to creating a community that thrives in the face of adversity.
Keynote speaker Anthony Brinkley, Air Force retiree and resilience trainer, focused on the influence that personal stability can have on the workplace. Brinkley insisted improving work-life balance can have profound effects on daily workplace activities.
Air Force Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, concluded the event with a challenge for all enlisted leadership.
The enlisted summit reflects the 6th ARW’s commitment towards empowering enlisted members and providing them with the tools to succeed.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Fitzpatrick, 6th Medical Group specialty services flight chief, participates in an enlisted summit at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 18. The event included an icebreaker activity involving the game rock-paper-scissors. The objective was to teach the crowd that personal defeat should not affect overall force support.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster
