Issuu

Vol. 51, No. 44

Thursday, November 2, 2023

News/Features: page 2 F-16s support Middle East

News/Features: page 3 Exercise Golden Gateway

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Miles for Life Community: page 15 Events, Chapel, more...

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

Airmen assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing participate in a Miles for Life relay at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 20. The relay was held in support of suicide awareness and prevention for the military community.

NEWS/FEATURES

New F-16 squadron arrives, bolstering US defense posture in Middle East

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS)—The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived in U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility with an additional F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron, bolstering U.S. posture to deter further aggression in the region.

As a highly maneuverable and agile platform, the F-16’s capabilities ensure U.S. and coalition forces can establish air superiority in contested airspace with its proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack. The Atlantic City-based fighters, also known as the “Jersey Devils,” now aligned under 9th Air Force, provide flexible options to coalition leaders directing air operations throughout the Middle East, including contingency response capabilities and deterrence missions, while maintaining Operation Inherent Resolve’s “DefeatISIS” mission.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd

The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility on Oct. 24. This bolsters U.S. posture to defend U.S. See F-16, Page 12 forces and deter further aggression in the region.

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,

the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling Wing. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Refueling Wing or the Publishing Company of the products or service advertised. For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3318. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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

Team Travis explodes into Exercise Golden Gateway

by Nicholas Pilch 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.–Team Travis Airmen validated Rapid Global Mobility and Agile Combat Employment capabilities during Exercise Golden Gateway Oct. 15 – 19. Golden Gateway is a readiness exercise hosted by Travis AFB demonstrating total force integration from partner units to include the 349th Air Mobility Wing. The exercise showcased the installation’s role in enabling integration between active duty and reserve forces in support of mission requirements. “We are preparing the 60th and the 349th for potential future conflict,” said 1st Lt. Alexandria Valdez, 60th Aerial Port Squadron logistics readiness officer and Exercise Golden Gateway planner. “To demonstrate our ability to generate, sustain and employ forces, this readiness exercise focused on the installation’s biggest lines of effort. This effort was pivotal in syncing each group and our reserve partners in the successful mass movement of our deploying personnel, patients, cargo and supplies.” Travis AFB is known as “The Gateway to the Pacific”, not only because of its geographical location, but also because the base is known for its innovative approach and unique integration of all four Air Mobility Command mission sets. For this exercise, over 160 Airmen went through a simulated deployment while our support units were able to rehearse processes for reception, staging, onward movement and integration operations. “The way we’re preparing is by generating aircraft, people, equipment and supplies—as well as practicing our bed down procedures on the installation, our patient movement and making sure to get after multiple readiness objectives,” Valdez said.

Photo by Chustine Minoda

Medic Ambulance paramedics provide medical service to a simulated patient during Exercise Golden Gateway at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 18. Golden Gateway is a readiness exercise hosted by Travis AFB demonstrating total force integration support from partner units to include the 349th Air Mobility Wing. The exercise kicked off with preparations from the 349th Medical Group by building an En Route Patient Staging System (ERPSS) that could hold up to 50 patients. “The ERPSS is solely an Air Force mission and Travis is a hub for See EXERCISE, Page 11

Domestic Violence Awareness Month a xall to action by Hannah Hoffman LCSW, Family Advocacy Intervention specialist

In the 10 minutes that it will take you to read this, it’s estimated that approximately 200 people in the United States will be physically abused by their intimate partner (NCADV, 2023). Statistics garnered from the Department of Defense reflect similar trends with over 40,000 domestic abuse incidents being reported over a five-year period (Farell, 2021). I know many people reading this may be thinking, “well, that’s sad, but it doesn’t have anything to do with me.” Statistically, however, you are likely to interact with someone who has been impacted by domestic violence at some point in their lives. It’s important in your role as individuals, loved ones, partners, leaders, and wingmen that you know how to handle these situations appropriately. In fact, you have probably already encountered people who have experienced it without ever knowing. That’s because historically, domestic violence has been a hidden, isolating, and silent pandemic that is

often shrouded in fear and shame. When you hear the term domestic violence (DV) most of us conjure up images of physical battery, usually perpetrated within the context of a marriage. While this is one facet of the term, domestic violence is also characterized as the “willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, economic, and emotional/psychological abuse” (NCADV, 2023). An intimate partner is defined as “a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature currently or formerly” (Farell, 2021). Yes, the partner you met on a dating app but are no longer together would count. While bruises and scars may be easily identifiable in abusive relationships; psychological abuse is often more subtle. Here are a few examples of signs that may indicate an unhealthy relationship: See ABUSE, Page 13

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 3

WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

U.S. Air Force Col. Katherine Lily, right, 6th Maintenance Group commander, poses for a photo with members of the Women in Defense Logistics and Friends tour at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 23. During the tour, ambassadors from the National Logistics Officer Association (LOA) and WIDL were given the opportunity to learn best practices from logistics Airmen from across the installation.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Photo by Senior Airman Jessica Do

U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, provides remarks during an all call at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 27. During the all call, Airmen were recognized for recent achievements and current wing affairs were addressed.

U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, meets with U.S. Armed Forces veterans after their Honor Flight, at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Oct 24. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization that honors our nation’s veterans by flying them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice.

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

NEWS/FEATURES

LEAP: The solution to language, culture barriers in large-scale military exercises by Mikala McCurry Air Force Culture and Language Center Outreach Team MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS)—Large-scale military exercises across all branches focus heavily on integration with allies and partners as a cornerstone of the National Defense and National Security strategies. While seamless execution of this integration can pose a challenge when differences in language and culture are present, the Air Force Culture and Language Center offers a solution to overcome those barriers — the Language Enabled Airman Program. A recent article in defense trade publication highlighted the cultural and language challenges U.S. Air Force leaders faced during exercise Northern Edge 2. U.S. Air Force pilots worked with their Japanese and French pilot counterparts during this exercise to demonstrate the concept of agile combat employment, which relies on working with allies and partners in the region for success. Exercise leaders emphasized the need to overcome language barriers before they could effectively accomplish the mission. While focus is often placed on the tactical process of working side by side with ally and partner nations, many military leaders now recognize See LEAP, Page 7

Photo by Airman 1st Class Spencer Perkins

U.S. Air Force Japanese Language Enabled Airman Program scholar Staff Sgt. Kenichi Watanabe (right), 9th Air Force deployed equipment manager, translates for a member of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force during Pacific Defender on Pacific Regional Training Center-Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 24.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 5

NEWS/FEATURES CMSAF underscores need for 137th by Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire 137th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. (AFNS)— Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass saw firsthand how Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Wing set the Oklahoma Standard across the force during a visit Oct. 12. She encouraged every service member she met to understand the “why” of the Air Force’s prioritization of learning multiple skill sets and becoming multi-capable Airmen, noting that the wing had leaned into the concept through its mission sustainment team. “I hope you appreciate learning this skill set that we hopefully will never have to tap into,” Bass said. “We are more focused on reoptimization than we ever have been before. How do we reoptimize what the Air Force looks like to do the number one thing we are supposed to: defend our nation?” She noted that the variety of civilian and military experience of Air National Guardsmen makes them ready-made to be formed into small mission teams, whether someone is a power production specialist in the Guard and a mechanic as a civilian, or a fireman in the Guard and a carpenter as a civilian. See CMSAF, Page 10

Photo by Airman 1st Class Erika Chapa

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, left, shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony Hill, a civil engineer Airman with the 137th Special Operations Wing Mission Sustainment Team, Oklahoma Air National Guard, during a visit to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Oct. 12.

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

LEAP

From Page 5

the critical importance of having cultural and language understanding along with technical expertise for true integration. “The Department of the Air Force seeks to strengthen international relationships and work with our partners to build shared air and space capabilities and capacity, but we can’t stay connected and continue to strengthen relationships with our allies and partners if we don’t understand them,” Brig. Gen. William Freeman, Air War College commandant, said during a recent Facebook live event. “We need Airmen with language, regional expertise and culture skills to accomplish this.” That’s where LEAP comes in. The program serves as a force multiplier throughout the Department of Defense with a bench of more than 3,400 multi-capable, language-enabled Airmen who have proficiencies in language, regional expertise and culture across 97 strategic languages. LEAP scholars are ready to deploy, at a moment’s notice, with the language, culture and technical skills needed in diverse environments to strengthen strategic connections with partners and allies and enable agile combat employment, or ACE. “Language, regional expertise and culture skills are an enabler of ACE because it’s the only path to the type of integration that produces dominance in operational tempo when we’re working with our partners and allies,” said Howard Ward AFCLC director. “To defeat the strategy of our adversaries, our operational output as a team must be greater than the sum of the parts. LREC skills, in the hands of a force integrated by design with partners and allies, are required to produce that level of winning

capability.” Recently, LEAP scholars have supported several large-scale missions in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command region across all branches of service to help advance a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” as instructed in the Department of Defense Indo-Pacific Strategy. Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, utilized LEAP scholars to enhance understanding and integration with partners and allies during the command’s largest-ever full-spectrum readiness exercise, Mobility Guardian 23. “Mobility Guardian 23 focused heavily on enabling ACE with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, which cannot happen if we don’t understand each other. Having LEAP scholars in the mix during the exercise helped us take integration and understanding to a new level to lay the groundwork for a fortified, integrated and agile joint team ready to fight and win against our adversaries,” he said. Cope North is another large-scale annual exercise held in the IndoPacific region where LEAP scholars played a key role in facilitating partnership building for the Air Force. Cope North 23 was a multilateral field training exercise focused on integration of large-force employment, ACE and humanitarian and disaster relief training. During this event, two Japanese LEAP scholars worked alongside Air Force airfield experts to facilitate an exchange of skills with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force partners. See LEAP, Page 16

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 7

A Women in Defense Logistics (WIDL) and Friends tour learns about a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 23. During the tour, ambassadors from the National Logistics Officer Association (LOA) and WIDL were given the opportunity to learn best practices from logistics Airmen across the installation.

MacDill AFB hosts Women in Defense Logistics immersion tour story and photos by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing, Public Affairs

acDill Air Force Base’s Logistics Officers Association, LOA, hosted a Women in Defense Logistics, WIDL, and friends immersion tour Oct. 23. WIDL is an association that promotes discussions and opportunities for women across all aspects of the defense industry. Roughly 10 ambassadors from WIDL and associated industries were in attendance. Leading the tour was U.S. Air Force Capt. Mitch Przybocki, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director of operations and former LOA national ambassador. “Today, key industry members, many from upstart technology companies looking to help the Air Force accelerate change, came to MacDill to see how female Airmen in logistics fields support the mission,” said Przybocki. “That connective tissue from industry to warfighter is paramount. As an Education with Industry alumni and an officer who studies history, I see firsthand how a nation’s industry wins wars.” The tour provided WIDL and industry ambassadors an opportunity to observe daily operations for the 6th Air Refueling Wing and their mission partners. Stops across the installation included the 6th Maintenance Group plans and scheduling office, a KC-135 Stratotanker static tour, the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron warehouse, and the installation’s fuels distribution and storage center. The group was also connected with the 6th ARW Bolt Cell to discuss

ongoing projects and better understand areas of focus for the 6th ARW and Air Mobility Command. “I am very thankful to have the opportunity to present some of the projects the Bolt Cell is working on,” said Senior Airman Grace Holtey, 6th ARW Bolt Cell project manager. “I hope they were able to take away something of meaning to bring back to their respective industries.” Following the tour, WIDL ambassadors met with industry partners and 6th Operations Group leadership to discuss upcoming projects. Among the presentations was Aniza Brown, a representative for The Rosie Project. According to Brown, The Rosie Project is a program designed to empower and employ military spouses. Their focus being to change the mindset surrounding spousal employment, bringing career opportunities appropriate to the dependent’s education level. During the presentations, John Davis DuVall, LOA Board of Advisors chairman & WIDL representative, explained WIDL’s rationale for wanting to connect with MacDill’s Airmen, saying: “We can go talk about women’s issues all we want, but we [at WIDL] wanted to make a space where women can talk about their profession. Tours and immersions like this help to better connect women from across industry with logistics Airmen so they can learn from one another.” Tours such as this serve in support of MacDill’s continued devotion to empowering Airmen, dependents and all Department of Defense employees through community partnerships.

8 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

Aniza Wom The focu reer

Jess Rees, The Rosie Project chief operating officer, asks a question during a Women in Defense Logistics and Friends tour at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 23. The national program is designed to empower and employ military spouses and focuses on changing the mindset surrounding spousal employment, bringing career opportunities appropriate to the dependent’s education level.

za Brown, The Rosie Project chief executive officer, dons a gas mask during a men in Defense Logistics and Friends tour at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 23. national program is designed to empower and employ military spouses and uses on changing the mindset surrounding spousal employment, bringing caopportunities appropriate to the dependent’s education level.

Members of a Women in Defense Logistics and Friends tour climb a fuel storage tower at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 23. During the tour, ambassadors from the National Logistics Officer Association (LOA) and WIDL were given the opportunity to learn best practices from logistics Airmen across the installation.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 9

CMSAF From Page 6

Staff Sgt. Anthony Hill, 137th SOW Mission Sustainment Team, or MST, member, is a civil engineer Airman and policy analyst for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as a civilian. He encountered the MCA concept during a previous deployment to Africa where they did not have the equipment and training needed to rapidly establish a base for austere operations. “The tent systems we were setting up were more difficult and heavier in design, it took a longer time to train individuals and assemble units with those different levels of experience and they required a dedicated power grid,” he said. “The tent systems that are now part of our MST deployment package would have made a huge difference in sustaining the mission in that expeditionary environment.” Discovering how to better equip Airmen for expedient operations in locations with limited resources has been the focus of the MST since its inception. A photo of the MST’s preliminary training activity was featured in the U.S. Air Force “Profession of Arms” as it calls for Airmen to serve in whatever form is needed to get the mission accomplished while meeting the expected standard of excellence. “Our number one job is to deter. If deterrence does not succeed, we will make sure that we are able to compete and win. We are not fighting conflicts that we have before. We have to optimize ourselves in the information, space and cyber domains because if you lose in those things, you lose – period.”Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Group have developed equipment to be compatible with an expeditionary warfare environment. On the tour, Bass encountered the mobile processing, exploitation and dissemination center, which was built to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in austere locations. “We were the first to develop this package,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Rosebrook, 285th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron, Oklahoma National Guard. “We have since trained active-duty special operations squadrons as well as partner nation forces.” The 137th SOW mission is to provide forces organized, trained and equipped to support combatant commanders across the spectrum of conflict. Ensuring its citizen air commandos are prepared to deploy to the fight together anytime, anywhere, is a focus of the wing. “We have got to reprioritze and reoptimize to make sure that we can continue deterring,” Bass said. “It is not our job to predict when challenges and crises and conflict will come, but it is our job to be ready today for anything.” 10

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

EXERCISE From Page 3

receiving, caring, and distributing service members to either get them home or get them back to the fight,” said Master Sgt. Audrey Roldan, 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron aerospace medical technician. During the exercise, the base tested the current patient movement procedures. The simulated patients were staged on a C-5M Super Galaxy, cared for by the 60th Aeromedical Evacuation, then moved to one of the three locations for treatment. “After seeing the capabilities of the C-5M during this exercise, the airframe is really driving new accomplishments in the AE world,” said Maj. Alex Carter, 22nd Airlift Squadron C-5 pilot and Exercise Golden Gateway troop commander. Additionally, Airmen also posed as transient members. They stayed in a hangar throughout the week were a mix of nearly every job on base. “Seeing over 160 Airmen simulating a rapid deployment to stress the system and test all the agencies on base is a great real-world experience for everyone,” Carter said. To ensure Team Travis operates at the required readiness level, the exercise was evaluated by the Wing Inspection Team (WIT) and Air Mobility Command’s Inspector General staff. “Our WIT are an extension of the 60th AMW IG and are subject matter experts that belong to the various agencies on the installation,” Valdez said. “At every objective and every big rock of the exercise, we did have WIT on site as oversight and as evaluators for those respective lines of effort.” For every Air Force Specialty Code on base, involved in the exercise, there were WIT evaluators observing. “It’s not about only capturing deficiencies, it’s also about capturing the things that we’re doing really well,” Valdez said. “It’s both sides, the amazing things our airmen are capable of and the potential functions that we need to fine tune and pay a little more attention to in an effort to seamlessly accomplish our mission.” The exercise culminated on the fourth day of execution, preparing and strengthening our military for the era of strategic competition requires continuous practice. “I think it’s important to practice these things because it’s something

Photo by Chustine Minoda

U.S. Air Force Maj. Alexander Carter, 22nd Airlift Squadron pilot and Exercise Golden Gateway troop commander, conducts a briefing during roll call at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 18. Golden Gateway is a readiness exercise hosted by Travis AFB demonstrating total force integration support from partner units to include the 349th Air Mobility Wing. we don’t do every day, especially as Reservists,” Roldan said. “Big picture, we’re here to care for patients and our brothers and sisters in arms. Continuing to practice how we’re going to play is really important.” The vision at Travis AFB is to provide America’s finest mobility force, serving locally, engaging globally. Readiness exercises like these propel that vision. “The 60th Air Mobility Wing is really good at doing what we do, generating and moving forces,” Valdez said. “Embedding the 349th only made our team better.” Rapidly projecting American power, anytime…anywhere. TrUSt Travis, let’s go!

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 11

F-16

From Page 2

“We are fortunate to have the 119th EFS join us in U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, 9th AF and Combined Forces Air Component Command commander. “Air National Guard Airmen bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our mission in the Middle East. The arrival of these Airmen strengthens our ability to support our allied, coalition and regional partners as we work together to enhance regional stability and security.” As a highly maneuverable and agile platform, the F-16’s capabilities ensure U.S. and coalition forces can establish air superiority in contested airspace with its proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack. Ninth Air Force operates three F-16 squadrons, two A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons, and one F-15E Strike Eaglesquadron alongside several strategic airlift, aerial refueling, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

ABUSE From Page 3

Does your partner… Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family? Put down your accomplishments? Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions? Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance? Tell you that you are nothing without them? Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you? Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be? Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you? Blame you for how they feel or act? Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for? Make you feel like there is “no way out” of the relationship? Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with friends or family? Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson”? Do you... Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave? Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior? Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself? Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry? Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up? Some of you may be thinking, “well, why doesn’t that person just leave the relationship if it’s that awful?” If it were truly that simple of an answer, I would not be writing this article today or sharing these grave statistics with you. Common barriers for individuals in these situations include fear of the abuser’s actions escalating and becoming lethal, lack of healthy social support systems, the survivor may feel the relationship is a mix of

good times, love and hope along with the manipulation, intimidation, or fear, lack of knowledge of resources available, fear of losing custody of children, lack of financial means, and so forth. What can YOU do in these situations to be helpful? First, recognize these patterns of power and control and when they are present in relationship dynamics. Acknowledge without judgement, and instead practice compassion, understanding, and empathy with the survivor. I have included some resources for information or support. Family Advocacy Program also offers preventive services to include marriage workshops, anger management classes, and individual counseling. MacDill AFB offers a 24/7 domestic violence advocate that can help answer any of your questions, assist you through the process of restricted and unrestricted reports, or just general information regarding DV and IPV #813-279-1320. All of us have a shared community responsibility to protect one another whether that’s through education, awareness, practicing trustworthiness, promoting accountability, or building a stronger sense of belonging at MacDill AFB. So, to answer your initial question, yes, domestic violence prevention does involve you…it involves everyone. If you or someone you care about is seeking support for domestic abuse, confidential assistance is available. See the options below for information, support and services: Domestic abuse victim advocates are available 24/7 through your installation Family Advocacy Program. 813-279-1320 (DAVA Line) You can also call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to be connected to your closest Family Advocacy Program. For support outside of the military, you can connect with a victim advocate through the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 by calling 800-799-7233 or visiting thehotline.org for chat services. En Español: https://espanol.thehotline.org/ Call 911 or military law enforcement if you witness domestic abuse, or if you or someone you know is in immediate danger. MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 13

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Youth soccer registration Youth co-ed soccer registration is now open at the Youth Center for ages 5-12 Nov. 1 – Dec. 22. Youth center member cost is $50 and non-member cost is $60. For more information, contact Youth Center Sports at 828-7958 or visit macdillfss.com/youth/. Turkingo Families of pre-teens and teens are invited to join us at the Youth Center on Friday, Nov. 3 from 6– 8 p.m. to have some fun, play BINGO and win a turkey at our free TURKINGO event. For more details, contact the Youth Center at 828-7438 or visit macdillfss.com/ youth/. 2023 Cardboard Boat Regatta Register your team by Nov. 10 for the 2023 Cardboard Boat Regatta. Open to all squadron and mission partners, teams create a boat out of cardboard and then race for bragging rights and top winners receive up to $500 in FSS Gift cards. Find the full details and registration packet by visiting macdillfss. com/regatta/. November base theater movies Your MacDill Base Library will be offering free movies at the base theater. Movies are open to anyone with base access to MacDill. For a complete movie schedule, log onto macdillfss.com/library/.

The Champ!

Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, left, and Chief Master Sgt. Raun Howell, 6th ARW command chief, pose for a photo with Tech. Sgt. Orlando Navarro, 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron clinical specialty flight chief, during a Champion of the Week recognition at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 24. Navarro was rewarded for stepping into a flight chief role, administering over 260 flu shots to first responders and last minute deployers with a two-man crew.

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. Find more events at macdillfss.com

(confessions by appointment)

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

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

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

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30 p.m. (space reserved) Other Faith Groups - Please contact the Chapel at

(813) 828-3621 or via email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 15

LEAP

From Page 7

“Having support from language-enabled Airmen for this event is invaluable and vital for mission success. Cope North is historically the number one or two highest priorities in Pacific Air Forces out of roughly 47 annual exercises, and the linguist support enabled the Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force to further interoperability with our Japan Air Self-Defense Force allies,” Cope North lead planner Lt. Col. David Overstreet said. During Kamandag 6, a large-scale Marine Corps exercise held in the Philippines, LEAP scholars provided critical culture and language support along with their technical expertise from their career fields to completely transform the way servicemembers connected by bridging language and cultural gaps to strengthen the strategic bond between the two nations. Brig. Gen. Jimmy Larida, Philippine Marine Corps, 3rd Marine Brigade, commanding general, emphasized the positive impact LEAP scholar support had on this exercise. “In the 34 times that I have performed exercises with the U.S. Marine Corps, this is the first time that they’ve attached [LEAP] linguists —

linguists who are truly one of us. And it has made a huge difference. My Marines trust them, and my Marines are drawn to them. This needs to happen, every single time from here on out,” he said. Marine Corps Col. Thomas Siverts, commander, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit/Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, also highlighted the critical importance of LEAP support to the success of Kamandag 6. “The LEAP team enabled us to quickly establish trust with the 3rd Marine Brigade, and they facilitated an exceptional environment where both forces could learn from each other using our native languages,” he said. “The result was a great exercise that developed relationships, trust and interoperability at an unmatched pace. I will never do another bilateral exercise without requesting the language and cultural expertise that LEAP was able to provide.” All DOD and intergovernmental agencies can utilize LEAP scholars for interpretation and translation support in exercises, conferences and other missions. To request LEAP scholar support, visit the Air Force Culture and Language Center websiteand select the Training Partnership Request option in the sidebar menu.

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

WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 2, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT