Week in photos

Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian

Airmen assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing walk around the track during the Miles for Life run at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 21. The run required everyone to walk with a team member in support of the wingman concept.

Courtesy photo

On October 19th, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia, a U.S. Navy Ohioclass nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea. Kurilla was joined on the USS West Virginia by Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and NAVCENT.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin

Brian Cantler, an engineer for the University of South Flordia Institute of Applied Engineering, listens as a boom operator explains aerial refueling operations over the Southeastern United States, Oct. 20. A group of representatives from USF toured the base and witnessed aerial refueling operations after having reached an educational partnership agreement.

Commissaries lead record-breaking DOD donations

by Mike Perron

DeCA public affairs specialist

FORT LEE, Va.—The USDA’s annual Feds Feed Families (FFF) campaign, held June 1 through Sept. 31, has ended with 7.8 million pounds of food being donated to food banks across the nation.

Feds Feed Families encourages employees from across the federal government to donate to local food banks and pantries. This year marks the third that the Department of Defense (DOD) has designated the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) as its campaign leader.

“We’re honored to again lead the campaign and collaborate with our partners across the en-

See FOOD, Page 13

Photo by Kevin Robinson

Pictured here at the Fort Lee Commissary in Virginia are prepackaged donation bags for Feds Feed Families.

MacDill Exchange to recognize America’s heroes with coin giveaway

by Jeanette Devins

Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

In honor of Veterans Day, the MacDill AFB Exchange will recognize those who selflessly sacrificed for our nation with free challenge coins.

This is the third year Army & Air Force Exchange Service stores will distribute the limited-edition coins to veterans on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. while supplies last.

“The MacDill AFB Exchange is grateful to our veterans who served and sacrificed for our country,” said MacDill AFB Exchange General Manager, Nicholas Nguyen. “The freedoms we enjoy today are a testament to those who raised their right hands and answered the call to serve.”

The coins, which feature an eagle on one side and emblems for all six military branches on the other, are available while supplies last.

Veterans are encouraged to contact the MacDill AFB Exchange or visit the store’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MacDillAirForceBaseExchange/ for more information.

Since 2020, the military resale Army & Air Force Exchange Service; the Navy Exchange Service Command; Marine Corps Exchange; Coast Guard Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency have joined together to salute veterans through the collectible challenge coin giveaway.

Graphic by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service

On Veterans Day, the MacDill AFB Exchange is honoring those who have served with a free collectable challenge coin. Veterans can receive the coins at the Exchange on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. while supplies last.

From Page 3

Screenings can be performed at MacDill Women’s Health Clinic, Sabal Park Women’s Health Clinic and with your primary care provider.

Mammograms are recommended for anyone with a family history of breast cancer with routine screening starting at age 40 occurring annually. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed the better the chance of successful treatment.

Every October people worldwide show their support for those affected by breast cancer. This October could be your chance to wear pink, spread your story and remind your friends and family to get mammograms.

For more information, please contact MacDill’s Women’s Health Clinic at 827-9336.

storyandphotosbyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

The6thAirRefueling Winghostedan AviationInspirationMentorshipeventatMacDillAir ForceBaseonOct.15thatincluded a meet-and-greetwithinstructorpilotsassignedtothe85thFlying TrainingSquadronoutofLaughlinAir ForceBase, TexasandaKC-135 Stratotankerstaticdisplay.

The6thAirRefueling Wing wasthefirstwingtoimplementtheAIM program,whichsupportscommunityoutreachandengagementbyinformingandinspiringprospectiveAir Forcepilots. Theprogramfocusesonimpactingyouthmemberswhorepresentavarietyofeconomicandcultural backgrounds, inspiringtheminhopesofbecomingan aviatoroneday.

“IfoundoutabouttheAIMprogramafterbeingsentonatemporary dutyassignmenttoEglinAFBin June2021tosupporttheAIMHigh FlightAcademy,” saidAir ForceCapt.OrchydiaSackey, 50thAirRefueling Squadronexecutiveofficerand6thARWAIMdirector. “Ihadtheopportunitytotakestudentsuponanairrefuelingmissionwherewerefueled F-22sandF-35s. AfterreturningfromtheTDY, Ilookedatbecoming a member[ofAIM]andhavebeenoneeversince.”

Participantsoftheevent hereincludedUniversityof CentralFlorida AFROTCcadets, NavalSeacadetswiththeAmerican VictoryDivisionand localHillsboroughCountystudents. Theparticipantssatonthewingsof T-6A TexanIIaircraftastheypickedthebrainsofthe85thFTSinstructor pilots.

“There’ssomuchvalueinhavingtheAIMstudentsinteractwithinstructorscurrentlyassignedtoUPT[UndergraduatePilotTraining]bases,” Sackeysaid.“Theinstructorshavethemostknowledgeandaccurate perspectiveonwhatUPTcurrentlylookslikebecauseitconstantly changes. Theycangivetimelyadvicetopotentialfuture aviatorsthatsomeonea fewyearsremovedfromtheUPTpipelinewouldnothave.”

The85thFTSinstructorpilotscametoFloridaforanexerciseaspartof theirtrainingsyllabus, butalsomadetimetogivebacktoMacDill’scommunitymembersthroughthementorshipprogram.Unliketheinstructor pilotswhofly T-6Aaircraft,SackeycurrentlyfliestheKC-135duringrefuelingmissionswiththe50thARS.

“ThepurposeofAIMisn’ttonecessarilycreatetankerpilots, but aviators,” Sackeysaid.“Ithinkthemoreexposureweareabletogetthesestudents, themoreinformedandbetterpreparedtheywillwhenmakingthe decisiontobecomeAir Forcepilots.”

OneoftheparticipantsoftheAIMevent was Jack Ubben, UCFAFROTC cadet,whohadrecentlyearnedoneofthecompetitiveAir Force pilotslots.

“It’sreallyspecialtobeabletoseetheoperationalAir Forcesidethat, weascadets, don’tthinkgettoseeenoughof,” Ubbensaid.“To see KC135s, whiletalkingtooperationalpilots, there’snothingbetterthanthat. ThatexperienceformebroadensmyunderstandingofwhattheAir Force hastooffer.”

AsanactiveAIMwing, the6thARWisdedicatedtocontinuingcommunityoutreachanddisplayingthebestpartsofbeinganAir Forcepilot.

U.S.AirForceCapt.MaggieSiembida,85thFlying TrainingSquadroninstructorpilot,speaksduringan MacDillAirForceBaseOct.15.AIMisacommunityoutreachprogramwithamissiontoinform,influenceandinspirethenextgenerationofAir Forceaviators.MacDillhostedNavalSeaCadetswiththeAmerican VictoryDivision,UniversityofCentralFloridaROTCcadetsandlocalHillsboroughCountystudentsduringtheevent.

ainingSquadroninstructorpilot,speaksduringan AviationInspirationMentorshipeventat MacDillAirForceBaseOct.15.AIMisacommunityoutreachprogramwithamissiontoinform,influenceandinspirethenextgenerationofAir ctoryDivision,UniversityofCentralFloridaROTCcadetsandlocalHillsbor-

NavalSeaCadetswiththeAmerican VictoryDivisionposeforaphotoona KC-135Stratotankeraircraftassignedtothe6thAirRefueling WingatMacDillAir ForceBaseOct.15.TheNavalSeaCadets, alongwithUniversityof CentralFloridaROTCcadetsandlocalHillsboroughCountystudents, participatedinan AviationInspirationMentorshipevent.

(Farleft)Instructorpilotsassignedto the85thFlying TrainingSquadronshare theirexperiencesintheAirForcewith participantsduringan AviationInspirationMentorshipeventatMacDillAir ForceBaseOct.15.

(Left)Participantsofan AviationInspirationMentorshipeventtouraKC-135 Stratotankeraircraftassignedtothe 6thAirRefuelingWingatMacDillAir ForceBaseOct.15.AIMisacommunityoutreachprogramwithamission toinform,influenceandinspirethenext generationofAirForceaviators.

From Page 2 places a primary focus on the need to sustain and strengthen U.S. deterrence against China. It also advances a focus on collaboration with a growing network of U.S. allies and partners on shared objectives.

In addition to addressing both China and an increase in the importance of partnerships, the NDS also takes into account the challenges posed by Russian — especially considering its invasion of Ukraine — along with threats posed by North Korea, Iran and violent extremist organizations. The NDS also includes a focus on challenges to security, such as pandemics and climate change.

Spotlight: Support for Ukraine

The NDS lays out four top-level defense priorities the department must pursue. They include: 1. Defending the homeland, paced to the growing multi-domain threat posed by China 2. Deterring strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners 3. Deterring aggression while being prepared to prevail in conflict, when necessary; prioritizing the challenge posed by China in the IndoPacific region the Russia challenge in Europe 4. Building a resilient joint force and defense ecosystem

The NDS provides three ways to advance those priorities, Austin said. These include integrated deterrence, campaigning, and the building of an enduring advantage.

“We’re seamlessly integrating our deterrence efforts to make a basic truth crystal clear to any potential foe,” Austin said. “That truth is that the cost of aggression against the United States or our allies and partners far outweigh any conceivable gains.” 23:07

To do that, the secretary said, the department is aligning its activities and investments across all theaters, across the full spectrum of conflict, and across all domains. This includes also space and cyberspace, he said.

With the U.S. nuclear capability remaining the “ultimate backstop” for strategic deterrence, the secretary said the department plans to continue modernization efforts on the nuclear triad. The fiscal 2023 budget request, for instance, includes some $34 billion to sustain and modernize nuclear forces, he said.

The budget request also includes more than $56 billion for air- power platforms and systems, more than $40 billion to maintain U.S. dominance at sea, and nearly $13 billion to support and modernize land forces.

“Integrated deterrence isn’t just about steps that we take on our own,” he said. “It also means working even more closely with our unparalleled network of allies and partners to deter aggression in region after region,” he said.

Spotlight: Focus on Indo-Pacific

In the Indo-Pacific region, he said, that’s evident with the Australia,

Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Lawrence Sena

Two Air National Guard F-15C Eagles fly during Operation Noble Defender over the Caribbean Sea near Puerto Rico, June 29.

See STRATEGY, Page 17

From Page 5 tire DOD,” said Randy Eller, DeCA’s director of logistics. “It really demonstrates the department’s commitment to helping people in need, as well as the generosity of commissary employees and patrons. This year’s campaign was successful because of teams working diligently across DOD and other federal agencies.”

This year, 7.8 million pounds of groceries were donated across all federal departments and agencies. Of that, DOD contributed 4.7 million pounds, or 60 percent, marking an increase of more than 27 percent from last year. DeCA’s share of the 4.7 million was 3.2 million pounds, or 68 percent, an increase of more than 33 percent from last year’s total.

Participating stateside military installations help collect items designated as “most needed” by food pantries. Commissary customers and employees in these communities have a couple of ways to participate: First, by purchasing needed food and personal hygiene products for donation while shopping at commissaries, or bringing items from home and placing them in donation bins at the store; and second, by purchasing prepackaged donation bags available in commissaries.

The estimated number of bags sold was 81,423 this year, totaling approximately $854,070 in groceries. DeCA’s total estimated dollar donation value for the 2022 FFF campaign is approximately $3.2 million.

Once collected, installation officials worked with the commissary to deliver the donations to local food banks.

The demand for donations has increased this year as more families across the U.S. struggle with high food costs. According to the USDA more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, are food insecure in the United States. Many households that experience food insecurity don’t qualify for federal nutrition programs and visit their local food banks and other food programs for extra support.

“The annual Feds Feed Families food drive is a great way for commissaries and military families to give back to the communities that host us around the nation,” said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted advisor to DeCA’s director. “The summer months typically see food bank donations fall, so it’s the perfect time to set aside a few items to donate. This year especially, a little really goes a long way.”

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

From Page 12 U.K., U.S., or AUKUS agreement, and in the trilateral cooperation agreement with Japan and Korea. Across the Atlantic, he said, partnerships that support integrated deterrence efforts include NATO and the recently created Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which helps support Ukraine’s self-defense goals.

Spotlight: NATO

Campaigning, Austin said, means conducting and sequencing the military activities which over time shift the security environment in favor of the United States.

“It means working to limit and disrupt malign activities by our competitors,” he said. “We’re building and exercising the forces that we’ll need in a crisis or a conflict, including requesting $135 billion dollars in last year’s budget to further invest in our readiness.”

To build an enduring advantage for the United States, Austin said, the department is working to further strengthen the foundations of the defense enterprise.

“Innovation is central here,” he said. “Last year, for instance, we established the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve, which funds different parts of the department to work together to fill critical joint warfighting gaps. And our fiscal year 2023 budget request included more than $130 billion for research, development, testing and evaluation — that’s the largest R&D budget number in DOD history.”

The department is also working with industry partners to strengthen supply chains within the defense industrial base, and tackling the dangers of climate change, including ensuring that the military can continue to operate in both hotter and harsher environments.

“Above all, the NDS demands even deeper investments in our people,” Austin said. “They will always be this department’s most valuable resource and the bedrock of American security. And that’s why the president’s budget includes a 4.6% pay raise for service members starting January 1, 2023.”

The secretary announced in the Sept. 22 memorandum “Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families”, departmental efforts to better take care of both service members and their families, including efforts to make it easier to secure housing, to move to new duty stations, to find childcare, and help military spouses find work.

Spotlight: Taking Care of Our People

“Our outstanding service members and their families do everything that we ask of them and more,” Austin said. “Doing right by them is a national security imperative, and it’s a sacred trust. So, we’re looking forward to working with Congress to secure on-time appropriations to finalize this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, and to continue to implement this strategy.”

The classified versions of the NDS, NPR, and MDR were transmitted alongside the FY 2023 budget submission to Congress. The unclassified versions of the three documents are also available on DOD’s website.

Photo byNavy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, Oct. 27.

From Page 3 said Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of AMC. “This recognition is long overdue for what our heroes did during those historic 17 days.”

The DFCs and BSMs were among 350 additional individual awards approved for actions in support of OAR. The decorations were recently finalized following a September awards board held by Air Forces Central Command that considered the elevated level of awards for the heroic actions of hundreds of Airmen who participated in the largest noncombatant air evacuation operation in U.S. history.

“A mix of MAF and OAR experts led to award submissions being addressed thoroughly and with the mindset of recognizing actions in a way that will endure while preserving reverence for our most hallowed medals. Consequently, some submissions were upgraded or downgraded to reflect the distinct contribution of the Airman or team,” said Brig. Gen. Gerald Donohue, AMC’s deputy director of Strategy, Plans, Requirements and Programs, who served as the award board president. Donohue previously served as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, during OAR, through which most evacuees were processed on the way to their final destinations. “It’s important to note that we considered the contributions of crews as teams, and in the end, there was no disparity in award determinations among members of the same crews.”

A lapse in authorities tied to the end of the operation in September 2021 led to an administrative delay in reviewing higher-level award submissions. AMC worked closely with AFCENT and the Department of the Air Force to resolve the problem, resulting in not only the September awards board, but also new authorities that allow AMC to convene its own boards to award the same caliber of decorations moving forward.

“Make no mistake, we should have done this last year immediately after the operation, and I recognize our Airmen’s frustration with the process,” Minihan said. “We’re making that right, and we’ve worked with our partners across the Air Force to ensure AMC is able to swiftly and effectively recognize our mobility warriors as they deliver warfighting excellence across every combatant command worldwide.”

The DFCs, BSMs, and GUC are scheduled to be awarded across recipients’ units in the coming weeks.

“This is about taking care of our Airmen, and there is still more to be done,” Minihan added.

Minihan will present the first DFCs and BSMs during a scheduled base visit at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey in November.

To date, commanders have approved more than 4,500 medals for Mobility Air Forces Airmen who supported the operation.