






Talented,welltrainedandmotivatedpeoplearekeytoahighlyeffectiveandcapablespecialoperationsforce.Theotherkeytoitssuccess ispartnershipsacrossindustry, academiaandwithalliesandpartners, thecommanderof U.S. Special ForcesCommandsaid.
Asaresultoftheexperiencesandlessonslearnedduringthe warsin IraqandAfghanistanoverthelasttwodecades, specialoperationsforcesare“battletestedandprobablyoneofthemostcredible, integrated, capableforcesthatwe’veeverhad,”ArmyGen.Richard D. Clarkesaid yesterdayatthe2021AspenSecurity Forumin Washington, D.C.
AlthoughthefocushasshiftedtoGreat Powercompetition,particularlywithChina,thelessonslearnedfromcounterinsurgencyoperationsneedtoberetainedbecausethethreattothehomelandwillnot dissipate, hesaid.
“Thecounterterrorismmissionisgoingtoremain.There’sstillgoingtobefolksthat wanttocomeintoourcountry, especiallyfolksthat would,iftheyhadtheopportunity, takeashotattheUnitedStates. I’m notsayingthenext9/11isaroundthecorner, butIdothinkthatwealwayshavetobevigilantandbeprepared,” hesaid,addingthattheDefenseDepartmentdidagreatjobaddingthe“irregular warfareannex” totheNationalDefenseStrategy.
Underminingtheconfidenceofpotentialadversariesisaparticularly usefulroleofspecialoperationsforces, Clarkesaid.Informationoperationsplayapartinthat,alongwithbuildingresistancenetworks.
“Buildingresistancenetworksmeansthatwe wantanadversary tothinkthatbehindeveryrockisanIED[improvisedexplosivedevice]andupineverytreeisasniper, thatifyouwerewillingtoattack
Publisher:JoeDeluca
Editor:NickStubbs
TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentofDefense,
PhotobyArmySpc.JasonJohnston
Soldiersassignedtothe1stBattalion,10thSpecialForcesGroup(Airborne),jumpoutofaC-130HerculesaircraftoveradropzoneinGermany,March17,2015.
thiscountry, you’regoingtobefightingallthe waythrough,” hesaid, mentioningtheBalticnationsasoneofmanyexamplesemployingthis strategy.
Althoughspecialoperationsforcesmakeupjust2percentofthe Joint
theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.
Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6thAirRefueling WingorthePublishingCompanyoftheproductsorserviceadvertised.
Forretailadvertising,call(813)226-3318.
Everythingadvertisedinthispublicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,orpatronagewithoutregardto race,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age,maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationoranyothernon-merit factorofthepurchaser, user,orpatron.
NewsitemsfortheMacDillThunderboltcanbesubmitted tothe6thAirRefueling WingPublicAffairsoffice,8208HangarLoopDr.,suite14,MacDillAFB,FL33621.CalltheThunderboltat828-2215.Email:6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.
Deadlineforarticlesubmissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.
Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy,clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“AssociatedPressStylebookandLibelManual”andAirForceInstruction35-101.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Anewmobilitymantra beganto echobetween Airmenattendingthe Airlift/TankerAssociationconferencehosted inOrlando, Florida,Oct.28-30followingAMC CommanderGen.MikeMinihan’sremarksduringthefirstevening:“Let’sGo.”
“It’sacontractbetweenus,” saidMinihan. “It’sthemobilitycontract.”
Minihanoutlinedthreelayersofmeaning behindthephrase, whichhe characterizedas a warrior’screed,duringhisvirtualkeynote speechwithAirmenattheevent.
“Thefirstlevelofunderstandingisthatyou needtoknowthatwhenIsay“Let’sGo”toyou, itmeansIappreciatetheoathyoutook,Iappreciatetheuniformyouwear, andIappreciatethe factthatittakesallofustogetthisdone–and I’mexpectingthatit’scomingbackthat wayto me,” saidMinihan.
by6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairsNovemberisNationalAmericanIndian HeritageMonth,recognizingAmericanIndiansandAlaskaNativesforhavingservedwith valorinournation’sconflictsandfortheirmanydistinctandimportantcontributionstothe UnitedStates.
Thethemethisyearis“GroundedinTradition,ResilientinSpirit.”
AccordingtotheDefenseEqualOpportunityManagementInstitute,AmericanIndians andAlaskaNativesserveintheUnitedStates’ Armed Forcesatfivetimesthenational average.
Foracommunitythathaspersevered throughdecadesof challenges,AmericanIndiansandAlaskaNativeshaveremainedsteadfastintheirdefenseoftheUnitedStatesas membersoftheArmed Forcesforcenturies.
Currently, thereare574federallyrecognized AmericanIndianandAlaskaNativetribesand
morethan100state-recognizedtribesacross theUnitedStates Eachhavetheirownunique history, beliefs, governancestructureandculture.
Theirsignificantcontributionshavebeen recognizedinpartbythenamingofmilitary installations, withexamplessuchasTinkerAir ForceBaseinOklahoma,namedforMaj.Gen. ClarenceL.Tinker, OsageIndianandfirst Americangeneralkilledin World WarII,while personallyleadingadangerousmission.
AmericanIndiansandAlaskaNativeshave bravelydefendedandshapedourcountry’s characterandourculturalheritageandcontinuetobuildonlegaciesoffreedomanddiversity.Theyareleadersineveryaspectofour society—fromtheboardroomtothebattlefield, fromSecretaryoftheInteriortothe U.S.Poet Laureate.
TheobservationofNationalAmericanIndi-
PhotobyActsofbraveryandheroismbyAirmenhaveshapedthe U.S. Air Force intotheworld’sgreatestairpower.
U.S. Air ForceCapt.Lance P. Sijanexemplifiedwhatitmeanstoliveby a warriorethos, leavingbehindaheroiclegacyoftough-mindedness, tirelessmotivation,anunceasingvigilanceandawillingnesstosacrificeone’s lifefortheircountry.
“Leteverynationknow, whetheritwishesuswellorill,thatweshall payanyprice, bearanyburden,meetanyhardship, supportanyfriend,opposeanyfoe, toassurethesurvivalandsuccessofliberty,” President John F. KennedyduringhisInauguralAddresstothenationon Jan.20,1961.
AfewmonthsafterthatempoweringspeechbyPresident Kennedy, SijanbeganhispursuitofcommissioningasanofficerintheAir Forceby becomingacadetattheUnitedStatesAir ForceAcademy.
Sijandevelopedhisabilitytobealeaderamonghispeersduringhis timeattheAcademy. Helearnedaboutthehistoryofthe U.S. militaryand ofthebravemenandwomenthatworetheuniformbeforehim.
Healsolearnedaboutwhat wasrequiredofhimtoserveasanAirman intheArmed Forces, whichincludedfollowingtheCodeofConduct.
ThisgraphicdepictsU.S.AirForceCapt.Lance P. SijanandthedormitoriesattheU.S.AirForceAcademynamedafterhim,SijanHall.Sijan wasawardedwiththeMedalofHonorposthumouslyin1976forhisextraordinaryheroismandcouragetostaytruetotheCodeofConductas aprisonerofwarduringthe Vietnam War.SeeVALOR,Page14
anHeritageMonthhasitsrootsinPublicLaw99-471.Overseveralyears, theobservation wasmovedtodifferentmonthsbutin1990PublicLaw101-343setthemonth longobservanceinNovember.
EachyearthePresidentissuesaProclamationinrecognitionoftheobservance. NationalAmericanIndianHeritageMonthisobservedfromNov 1-30ofeachyear. NationalNativeAmericanHeritageMonthiscelebratedwithcommunitygatherings, festivals, governmentandeducationalactivities.
Formoreinformation,visittheDefenseEqualOpportunityManagementInstitutehttps://www.defenseculture.mil/Human-Relations-Toolkit/SpecialObservances/#national-american-indian-heritage-month.
(Above)AfamilywatchesanM977A4fuelertruckduringthe1-3rdAttackBattalion, 12thCombat AviationBrigadeFamilyDay attheGrafenwoehr TrainingArea,Germany,Sept.18.
(Left)ArmyCapt.Tim Wang,anofficercandidateschoolinstructoratthe WendellH. FordRegional TrainingCenterinGreenville, Ky.,poseswithhisfamilyafteranOfficer CandidateSchoolgraduationceremonyin Frankfort,Ky.,Sept.25.
TheDefenseDepartmentrecognizesthatmilitaryfamilieshaveimportantrolestoplayinsupportingastrongandreadyforce.
“Ournation’sservicemembersdonotservealone.Alongsidethemarethededicatedmembersoftheirfamilies, whosecommitmentandresolvestrengthenournation. Yoursupportandresiliencehelpstrengthenourforce,” said C. EddyMentzer, actingdirectorofmilitarycommunitysupport programs.
“Thedepartmentrecognizesthatreadinessdependsonastrongandresilienthomefront,andwe honorthosewhomakeitpossible—ournation’snearly3millionmilitaryfamilymembers,” said Mentzer whosespouseisanactive-dutyAir Forcecolonel. Everymilitaryfamilyisuniqueandcouldconsistofnotjustimmediatefamilymembers, butalso partners, caregivers, extendedfamilymembersandfriends.“Eachoneofyouisimportant.”
Militarylifehasits ownunique challengesand rewards andthe department wantstoensure familymembershavesupportandaccesstoresourcestheycanuse, saidMentzer.Theentiresuiteof
theseresourcesis availableontheMilitaryOneSourcewebsite.
“MilitaryOneSourceshouldbethefirststopforanymilitaryfamilywhenfacingadversity,” said Mentzer.“Servicemembersandtheirfamiliescanvisitthewebsite, callMilitaryOneSourceat800342-9647tospeakwithaMilitaryOneSourceconsultant,orstartalive chat.Ourteamwilllistento yourneedsandleadyoutotheresourcesyouneed.
“MilitaryOneSourceisnotjustforcurrentlyservingmilitaryfamilies, butalsofortransitioning servicemembersandtheirfamilies.TheyhaveaccesstoallMilitaryOneSourcehastoofferupto365 daysposttransition.”
Thatwebsiteprovideshelpfulinformationandguidanceontopics, suchas: Nurturingandgrowingfriendshipsandrelationshipstohelpmaintainimportantconnections.
Navigatingparentingandcaregiving.
Planningforandworkingthroughdifferenttransitionsinmilitarylife. Parenting, relationshipsupportand childcarehelp.
Programsforyouths.
Spouseemploymentopportunities.
Permanent changeofstationanddeploymentassistance.
PhotoBy:ArmySpc.JamesLiker Photo by Army Sgt. PhotobyArmyPfc.JesusMenchacaMinihan’ssecondlayerofmeaning identified“Let’sGo”asacontractbetweenoneanother. ItassertsanAirman istrained,readyandunderstandshisor herroleinthemission–andviceversa.
Minihan’sthirdandfinallayerof meaningto“Let’sGo”tieddirectlytothe pacing challengepresentedbyChina.
“They’redesigningaforcetodefeat you–aboutiqueforcetoestablishanew rules-basedorderthatisledbythem, thatservesonlythem,” saidMinihan.
MinihanspentnearlyadecadesupportingtheIndo-PacificCommandmissionpriortoassumingcommandof AMC.Theexperienceinformedhisfocusandtheimpetusbehindthe warrior creed.
“Thethirdlevelofunderstandingof ‘Let’sGo’isthatweallunderstandwhat thepacing challengeis–thatweunderstandthatthepeace, prosperityand prestigeofAmericaisatstakehere,” saidMinihan.“Wealsounderstandthat wearegoingtousewinninglanguage. .. andwearegoingtoadoptalexicon thatgetsafterthewinpart.”
MinihancitedthecreedasaprofessionalcontractthatallmobilityAirmen shouldunderstandmovingforward.
“Thisisincrediblyimportantwork,” Minihansaid.“‘Accelerate changeand win’isn’tjustsomethingwetalkto, it’s somethingwehaveto walktoanddeliveron.Thepeace, prosperityandprestige ofAmericaiscountingonustodoour jobs Let’sgo!”
(Above)U.S.AirForceGen. MikeMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander, delivershiskeynoteaddressatthe53rdAirlift/ TankerAssociationConventioninOrlando,Florida, Oct.28th.
(Left)U.S.AirForceairmen attendAirMobilityCommandcommanderGen. MikeMinihan’skeynote speechduringthe53rd Airlift/TankerAssociation ConventioninOrlando, Florida,Oct.28th.
MissionsuccesswithintheAir ForceonlyhappenswithitsNo. 1asset—itspeople.
TheProfessionalDevelopmentCenterandAirmanLeadershipSchool teameduptoprovidemembersatMacDillwiththefirst-everprofessional developmentweek,whichincluded classesonteamwork,emotionalintelligenceandleadership.These classesarepartofanAir Forceinitiative toempowerAirmentobemulti-capableandadaptableteambuilders, as wellascourageousproblemsolverswhocandeliverinanyenvironment.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. JoseLopezRodriguez,6th ForceSupport SquadronALSinstructor, facilitatedseveral classesthroughouttheweek.
LopezRodriguezsaidthemajorityofanAirman’sdevelopment throughouttheircareercomesfromon-the-jobtrainingcateredtoward thetechnicalaspectofone’sduties, andthatthese classeshelpAirmen growinotherareas.
“WewerethinkingabouttheMacDillAFBteammembers,” LopezRodriguezsaid.“Weallhavedifferentmissionsandresponsibilities.There isalotofpowerinsharingexperiencesandnetworking.”
PhotobyStaffSgt.Scott Warner U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.JoseLopezRodriguez,AirmanLeadership School(ALS)instructor,facilitatesaprofessionalmilitaryeducation classatMacDillAirForceBase,Oct.28,duringProfessionalMilitary Educationweek.
Forceand3percentofthedepartmentbudget,it’saprettygoodreturnoninvestment, hesaid,notingtheparticipationofspecial operationsforcesintheAfghanistanevacuationanditsconcurrentmissioninHaitifor humanitariandisasterassistance.
Sincespecialoperationspersonnelare globallydeployed,workingwithalliesand partnersisavaluableskillthattheybring, Clarkesaid.They’reculturallyastuteand skilledinlanguagesandcustomsofthe countryandregioninwhichthey’relocated.
Notonlydotheytrainwiththespecialoperationsunitsofothernations, buttheyalso trainwithconventionalforces, asthey’ve beendoing recentlyinNorway, Ukraine, ThailandandthePhilippines, Clarkesaid. Oneachtrainingmission, U.S. teamslearn newtactics, techniquesandprocedures, and partnernationslearnfromtheir U.S. counterparts.“Deploymentsareprobablythe besttrainingtheyget,” hesaid.
Besidestrainingwithalliesandpartners, specialoperationsforcesbenefitfromtrainingaspartofthelargerjointforceinsomeof theirhigherendexercises, hesaid.
“Workingwithandintegratingwiththe jointforceisabsolutelycriticalbecausewe wantthemtoseeusasanenablerandacapableforcethathelpsthem,whetherthat’s throughjointforcedentry, orbecausewe maybetheonlyonesinthatcountrythat canprovidethemaccess,” hesaid.
Specialoperationsforcesareresilientand creative, Clarkesaid,andtheirleaderslistentotheirideasandrespondappropriately.
Throughouttheweek,allDepartmentofDefensepersonnelandciviliansinattendancediscussedtheirvariousperspectiveswhilecultivatingnewrelationships, accordingtoLopezRodriguez.
“Wespentalotoftimeunderstandingthebehaviorsofaleaderbecausetherearemanymisconceptionsoutthere,” saidLopezRodriguez. “Onceweknowsomeofthosequalitiessuchasintegrity, competence, courageand character, wecandevelopthemandinstilltheminour force.”
PertheAirman’sCreed,beingaleaderispartofwhatitmeanstobe anAirman.DevelopingthenextgenerationofleadershipwithintheAir ForcecoincideswiththeAir Force’sobjectivetoaccelerate change.
Themembersinthe‘DevelopingtheLeader Within You’ classshared theirthoughtswithoneanotheronhownoncommissionedofficerscan beeffectiveinguidingtheirsubordinatesandhowtopromotehealthy workenvironmentsonalllevels.
“I believeif youhavefaithinyourAirmen, thatgoesa long way,” said U.S. Air ForceStaffSgt.SolTrinidad,amemberofthe290th Joint CommunicationsSupportElement.“Ifyouhavefaithinthem,andshow themthatyouhavefaithinthem,maybetheywillexcelandbecome thatleaderthattheycouldbe.”
Air Forceleadershipwillcontinuetobecrucialinhavingsuccess whereverthefighttakesplace.TeamMacDilliscommittedtoelevatingAirmentoflourishinanyroletheymaytakeonthroughouttheir careers.
TheProfessionalDevelopmentCenterandAirmanLeadershipSchool conductedvariousprofessionaldevelopmentclassesduringProfessionalMilitaryEducationweekatMacDillAirForceBaseOct.25-29.The classescoveredtopicssuchasteamwork,emotionalintelligenceand leadership,andareapartofanAirForceinitiativetoinvestinandempowerAirmentoacceleratechangeacrosstheAirForce.
PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastingsTheCodeofConductiscomposedofsixarticlesthatguideservicemembersonhowtoactincombator, ifacaptive, inaprisonerof warcompound.
Thearticlesstatethatmembersaretoresistcapturebyourenemies andneversurrender, andifcaptured,tomakeeveryefforttoescapeenemy confines, andnotdivulgeanyinformationthatcouldbeharmfultothe UnitedStates.
HavingtrustintheCodeofConductandthecouragetofollowithas helpedservicemembersenduretheterrorsofcaptivity, prevailovertheir captorsandreturnhomewithprideandhonor.
AftergraduatingfromtheAir ForceAcademyandcommissioningasan officer, Sijanbecameafighterpilotinthe Vietnam Warwherehisresiliencywouldbeputtothetest.
The Vietnam Warlastedfrom1961to1973.Inresponsetoincreased CommunisteffortsinLaosandSouth Vietnam,inApril1961,President Kennedyorderedthedeploymentofthe440thCombatCrewTraining SquadrontotraintheSouth VietnameseAir Force.
WarensuedwithNorth Vietnameseforces, aconflictthat challengedthe Air Force’sabilitytoadapttostringentrulesofengagementthatnegated thespeed,surpriseandflexibilityofmassedairpower.
SijanpilotedtheF-4Phantom,anaircraftthat wasusedextensivelyfor ground-attackandaerialreconnaissancerolesduringthe VietnamEra.
OnNov. 9,1967,Sijan wasflyinginthebackseatofanF-4onabombing passoverNorth Vietnam,whenhisplane wasengulfedinflamesfroman ordnanceexplosion.Sijanejectedhimselffromthedestroyedaircraftand parachutedtothemountainousterrainbelowhim.
TheimpacthesustainedfromthetreesandgroundcausedSijantosuffer askullfracture, amangledrighthandandcompoundfractureofhisleftleg.
Despitebeingseverelyinjuredandgoinginandoutofconsciousness, Sijan wasabletoeludeenemyforcesfor46days.
Becauseofhisinjuries, thewoundedAirmanhadtocrawlonhisback oversharplimestonekarststokeepmoving. Duringhisevasion,helosta significantamountofweightfromthelackofaccesstofoodand water.
Sijan’sbodymayhavebeenbrokenandmalnourished,buthismind was stillstrongandhiswilltosurviveovercamehisphysicallimitations.
OnChristmas, 1967,Sijan wascapturedbyNorth Vietnamesesoldiers. Sijan’s warriorspiritdrovehimtooverpoweraguardmonitoringhimand escape. Unfortunately, he wasrecapturedwithinhours.
Sijanspentthenextthreemonthsinaninterrogationcampwherehe enduredseveretortureandconstantbeatingsfromhisguardsforhisrelentlesseffortstoescape. OtherAmericanprisonersheardthescreams fromtheF-4fighterpilotwhothe Vietnamesewereattemptingtomake anexampleoutof.Sijannevercavedin.Herefusedtoprovideinformation thatmayhavebeenharmfultotheUnitedStates.TheloveSijanhadfor hiscountryandfreedomdrovehimtostaytruetotheCodeofConduct.
On Jan.22,1968,Sijanfinallysuccumbedtohisinjuriesasaprisonerof warinHanoi.
TheMedalofHonoristhemostprestigiousmilitarydecorationthe UnitedStatescanpresenttoamemberoftheArmed Forces.
OnMarch4,1976,PresidentGeraldR. Ford awardedthemedaltoSijan posthumouslyforhisextraordinaryheroismandintrepidityaboveandbeyondthecallofdutyatthecostofhislife.
Threeotherprisonersof waralsoreceivedMedalsofHonoronthatsame day, including U.S. Air ForceCol.GeorgeE.“Bud”Day. DaysaidthatSijan wastheepitomeofdedicationuptohisdeath.
Today, theAir ForcerecognizesAirmenwhodemonstratethehighest qualitiesofleadershipandmoral characterwiththeLance P. SijanLeadership Award,whichallowsthe awardrecipientstoweartheAir ForceRecognitionRibbonontheiruniforms.
TheAir ForcealsoremembersSijanwiththenamingofoneofthetwo cadetdormitoriesattheAir ForceAcademyasSijanHall.
“AsanunderclassmanAcademycadet,Ipassedbyalargepaintingof Lance P. SijaneverydayinmystairwellatSijanHallasIwenttodaily formations,” said U.S. Air ForceCol.Benjamin Jonsson,6thAirRefueling Wingcommander.“It wasalargeandimposingpainting, andhisstory loomedlargeoverusascadets. He wasaninspiringfigureasacombat pilot,andhisstorydemonstratedtenacity, grit,courageandsacrificethat weallhopedwecouldmeasureuptosomeday. Itstillinspiresmetodayall theseyearslateraftergraduation.”
Sijan wastheembodimentofPresident Kennedy’smessageinhisInauguralAddress, havingpaidtheultimatepriceforthevaluesthatdistinguishtheUnitedStatesfromeveryothercountryintheworld.
Whenconfrontedwiththe choiceofgivingintoAmerica’senemies, Sijan saidnoeverytime. Sijandidn’tjustdieforhiscountry—hefoughtforitto theend.Thatishislegacyofvalor.
GreetingCardLane
Squadrons/orgs/unitsarewelcometodesignandcreatetheir owngiantholidaygreetingcard tobedisplayedalongBayshore Blvd.fromDec. 1to Jan.4.Prizes willbe awarded:1st$500FSSgift card,2nd$300FSSgiftcardand 3rd$100FSSgiftcard. To sign upcontactKathySandersat5153704oremailKathy.sanders.1@ us.af.mil.
OpennowuntilDec 3.Opento ages5-12.Costformembers, $50. Non-members, $60.Scheduledto start January2022.Downloadthe AFMTandRegistrationformand moreinfoatmacdillfss.com/youth/ ontheyouthsportspageorcall 828-7958.
To applylogonatUSAJOBS. gov. ForaquickviewofMacDill jobslogonatmacdillfss.com/ open-jobs/.Call828-2911Monday, Wednesdayand Friday7:30a.m.3:30 p.m.
Findmoreinfoontheseevents andmoregoto:macdillfss.com
CommonAccessCard (CAC)- ByAppointment CAC CAC;PIN Reset; CAC expiringwithin 7days;emergency
Retiree/Dependent Cards- 2Kiosks the BX for renewalsor by appointmentonly &OrganizationOffice
FitnessCenter- Masksmay be removedwhile engagedinphysicalactivity;24/7 Access Activated;OutdoorFitnessClasses Friday 0500-2030 0600-1400 (CDCs) forwalk-incustomersandappointments.