Thunderbolt 11/24/2022

COMMENTARY

U.S.DepartmentofDefense

NovemberisNational VeteransandMilitary FamiliesMonth.

TheDefenseDepartmentrecognizesthesignificantrolemilitaryfamiliesandtransitioning veteranshaveinsupportingastrongerforce.

“Tothenearly5.2millionservicemembers andfamilies, wecelebrateandthankyouforthe supportyougivetoournationeachday. Novemberisatimetohonorourfamilies, butitisalso criticaltoacknowledgetheeveryday challenges youface,” said PatriciaMontesBarron, deputy assistantsecretaryofdefenseforMilitaryCommunityand Family Policy.

“TheDODhasmadeitatopprioritytoensureyouhavethesupportyouneedtothrive. Therecentlyannounced TakingCareofOurServiceMembersand Familiesinitiativewillfurtherstrengthenoursupportformilitaryfamilies Thisinitiativewilladdresssecuringaffordable basicneeds, makingmoveseasier, supplying addedsupporttofamilies, andexpandingspou-

salemployment. We willcontinuetoofferaccess toresourcesthathelpyounavigateandcreate healthyrelationshipsandconnectionsthroughoutdifferentMilLifeexperiencesandtransitionalmoments,” saidBarron.Thedepartment ishighlightingawiderangeofresourcesand support availabletomilitaryandtransitioning veteransfromacrosstheDOD, thefederalgovernmentandotherorganizations. VisitMilitary OneSourcetoexploreresources, podcastsand specialofferings availablethroughoutNovember.

“A strongmilitaryreliesnotonlyontrainingandeducationtoensurereadiness;itreliesonstrongfamiliessupportingourfightfor freedom. Frombasictrainingtoseparation, we ensureourpeoplearepreparedforanygiven task,includingtransition.Notonlydowecreatethebest warfightersintheworld,wecreateproductivemembersofsociety,” saidSenior EnlistedAdvisortotheChairmanRamón“CZ” Colón-López.“Thatisourduty, andwetakeit seriously.”

MilitaryOneSourceconnectsservicemem-

bersandfamiliestoinformation,resourcesand supportprovidedbytheDefenseDepartment. CallMilitaryOneSourceat800-342-9647to speakwithaMilitaryOneSourceconsultant,or startalive chat.MilitaryOneSourceprovides helpfulinformationandguidanceon: Relationshipsupport,parenting, andcaregiving PCSordeploymentassistance

Spouseemploymentopportunities

Childcareoptions

Financialandtaxconsultationsupport

AboutMilitaryCommunityand Family Policy

MilitaryCommunityand Family Policyisdirectlyresponsibleforestablishingandoverseeingquality-of-lifepoliciesandprogramsthat helpourservicemembers, their familiesand survivorsbewell andmission-ready. Military OneSourceisthegateway toprogramsandservicesthatsupporttheeverydayneedsofthe5.2 millionservice members andimmediatefamilymembersofthemilitarycommunity. These DODservicescanbeaccessed24/7/365around theworld.

Besuretovisittheofficial6th

MacDillThunderbolt

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservices on MacDill.Contentsofthe MacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,or endorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentof Defense,

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6th Air Refueling WingorthePublishingCompanyoftheproductsorserviceadvertised.

Forretailadvertising,call(813)226-3318.

Everythingadvertisedinthispublicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,or patronage withoutregard to race,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age,maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationoranyothernon-merit factor of thepurchaser, user,orpatron.

Newsitemsforthe MacDill Thunderboltcanbesubmitted tothe6thAirRefueling WingPublicAffairsoffice,8208HangarLoopDr.,suite14,MacDill AFB,FL33621.CalltheThunderboltat828-2215.Email:6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadlineforarticlesubmissions is noon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemay beconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity, conformancewiththe“Associated PressStylebookandLibelManual”andAirForceInstruction35-101.

Publisher: Joe Deluca Editor: NickStubbs

Energyleasepowers MacDill AFB resilience

byBreanneHumphreys AFIMSCPublicAffairs

JOINT BASESANANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas—TheDepartmentof theAir ForcesignedanEnergyAssuranceLeaseNov. 9with Tampa ElectricCompanytoconstruct,maintainandoperatea75-megawatt producingnatural gas peakingplantatMacDillAir ForceBase. UnderthetermsoftheMacDillAFBlease, theAir Forceisleasing2.7 acresto TampaElectricfor33years. Inexchangefortheleaseofthe landto TampaElectric, theinstallationwillreceivefirstrights to electricity producedbythesystemduringcommercialelectricgridfailures oradeclaredemergency.

Thelandismade availablethroughtheleaseofnon-excess, underutilizedAir Force-managedrealestate. TheAir ForceCivilEngineerCenterInstallationsDirectorate’sRealEstateDevelopment Divisionis responsiblefornegotiatingandmanaginglong-termenergyassurance leaseagreementsbetweentheAir Force anddevelopers.

“Realestateisapowerfultool,” said JeffreyDomm,AFCECinstallations director, “Wenegotiaterealestatedevelopmentopportunitiestoboost installations’energyassuranceandoperationalresilience.” ForMacDill,oneofthoseenergyassuranceenhancementsisa20-megawattBatteryEnergyStorageSystemthatcanprovidebackuppower.

Makeholiday safetyapriority

AirForceSafetyCenter

Stepstofollowbeforecookingaturkey:

Readlabelscarefully Temperaturelabels showifthebirdisfreshorfrozen.Ifyouplanto serveafreshturkey, purchaseitnomorethan twodays beforeThanksgiving.

Purchasetwo thermometers: arefrigerator thermometertoensuretheturkeyisstoredat 40°Forslightlybelow and afoodthermometer

tomakesurethecookedturkeyreachesasafe 165°F.

TheUSDArecommendsthawing afrozen turkeyintherefrigerator24hoursforeach 4 to5pounds. Placetheturkeyinacontainerto preventthejuicesfromdrippingon otherfoods.

Stepstofollowwhencookingturkey: Washhandswith warm waterandsoapfor20 secondsbeforetouchinganyfoodtopreventthe spreadof manytypesofinfectionandillness.

Donot washtheturkey Thisonlyspreads pathogensontokitchensurfaces. Theonly way tokillbacteriathatcausesfoodborneillnessis tofullycook theturkey.

Keeprawturkeyseparatedfromallother foodsatalltimes.

Useseparatecuttingboards, plates, andutensilswhenhandlingrawturkeyto avoidcrosscontamination. Washitemsthathavetouched rawmeatwith warmsoapand water, orplace

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WEEKINPHOTOS

AU.S.AirForceF-15EStrikeEagleaircraftassignedtothe335thExpeditionaryFighterSquadron,conductsaerial refuelingoperationsin theU.S. CentralCommandarea of responsibilityOct.23.The335thEFSdelivers airpower andshowcasesU.S.commitmenttodeterrenceand regional stability.

U.S.AirForceCapt TaylorKlinkman,and1stLt.KyleGrosselin, KC-135 Stratotankerpilotsassigned tothe340thExpeditionaryAerial Refueling Squadron, conductaerial refuelingoperationswithintheU.S.Central Commandareaof responsibility,Oct.23.The KC-135providescore refueling capabilitieswithintheCENTCOM AOR.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.DanielAsselta

Photoby Tech.Sgt.DanielAsselta

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

U.S.AirForce Airman1stClassEthanSchuele,left,and Staff Sgt.AlexBullock,6th AircraftMaintenance Squadroninstrumentandflight control systemstechnicians, repair apitot-statictubeonaKC-135Stratotankeraircraftassignedtothe 6thAirRefuelingWingatMacDillAirForceBase Nov. 17.IFCStechniciansensuretheelectroniccomponentsthat run the guidanceandcontrol systemsarefunctioningproperly.

Militarycommunitycanshopearlyfortheholidays

byMarisaConner

DALLAS—Servicemembersand families canenjoytheholidayswithoutthelast-minute stressbyshoppingearlyatArmy&Air Force ExchangeServicestoresandShopMyExchange. com.

Shoppingearlyallows military shoppersto avoidpotentialsupply-chain-relatedstockor shippingdelays. Additionally, shopperscan takeadvantageofmajordiscountsduringthe 12 WeeksofBlack FridayDeals;Black Friday throughCyber Weeksavings;andmore. Shopperscanviewallcurrent salesat ShopMyExchange.com/savings-center/weekly-ads.

“TheExchangeencouragesshopperstomake theirlistsand checkthemtwicenowtoreceive greatsavingsaswellaspeaceofmind,” saidAir ForceChiefMasterSgt. KevinOsby, theExchange’sseniorenlistedadvisor. “Takingcareof

yourholidayto-dolistearlymeansmaximizing timewithfamilyandfriendsinsteadofsearchingforlast-minutegifts.”

Active-dutyservicemembers, retirees, militaryfamilies, Veteranswithservice-connected disabilitiesandDepartmentofDefenseciviliansareamongthosewhocanshopin-storeat the Exchangeor usetheExchange’s curbside pickupandbuyonlinepick-upinstoreservices. Honorablydischarged Veteranscanshopthe dealsonlineatShopMyExchange.com.

Social-media-friendlyversion:Getgreat dealsandpeaceofmindbyshoppingearlyfor theholidaysat@shopmyexchangestoresand online!Readmore:https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-2fz.

Since1895,theArmy&Air ForceExchange Service(Exchange)hasgonewhereSoldiers, Airmen,Guardiansandtheirfamiliesgoto improvethequalityoftheirlivesbyproviding

valuedgoodsandservicesatexclusivemilitary pricing. TheExchangeisthe54th-largestretailerintheUnitedStates. 100%ofExchange earningssupportmilitarycommunities. Inthe last10years, yourExchange benefit hasprovided$3.5billioninearningsforcriticalmilitaryQuality-of-Lifeprograms TheExchangeis anon-appropriatedfundentityoftheDepartmentofDefenseandisdirectedbyaBoardof Directors. TheExchangeisa50thAnniversary Vietnam WarCommemorative Partner, planningandconductingeventsandactivitiesthat recognizetheservice, valorandsacrificeof Vietnam Veteransandtheirfamiliesinconjunction withtheUnitedStatesofAmerica Vietnam War Commemoration. To findoutmoreaboutthe Exchangehistoryandmissionortoviewrecent pressreleasespleasevisittheExchangewebsite athttp://www.shopmyexchange.comorfollowon Twitterathttps://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

Mobileappgives shoppers convenientaccesstoCommissary

byDeCACorporateCommunications

FORTLEE, Va.—CustomerscannowdownloadamobileapptoaccesstheDefenseCommissaryAgency’s(DeCA)websiteprogramssuch asCommissaryCLICK2GOonlinepaymentandcurbsidepickup, digitalcoupons, thesalesflyer, dietitian-approvedrecipes andmuchmore. AvailablefreefordownloadviatheGooglePlayandAppleappstores forAndroidandAppledevicesrespectively, themobileappgivescommissaryshoppersaccesstoavarietyofDeCA’sonlinefunctionsontheir smartphones andtablets.

“We’vetestedourmobileappforseveralmonths andreceivedgoodreviews onitsabilitytoconnectuserswithmanyoftheagency’s popular websiteprograms,” said Willie Watkins, theDefenseCommissaryAgency’s directorofeCommerce. “Nowthroughtheseapps, our patronshavemore convenience and flexibility when theyusetheir commissary benefit.”

DeCA’smobileappwillallowcustomerseasyaccesstoonlinefunctions like thefollowingonDeCA’swebsite:

One-clickaccesstoCommissaryCLICK2GOonlineorderingandpayment features(accountinformation,orderhistorywithsaveditemsand lists, digital receiptsandmore)

HealthyLivingresourcessuchas“ThinkingOutsidetheBox”recipes, nutritionalinformationonhealthierliving, productdietitian-approved recipeslistedonthewebsite’smealsolutionspageandmore

SavingsCenterfortheCommissarySaleFlyer, informationonCommissaryStoreBrands, digitalcouponsonthe Commissary Rewards Cardandmore

“A lotofcommissarycustomerslovetheconvenienceof using on-

linefeaturestoboosttheirphysicalshoppingexperience,” Watkinssaid. “And,withourmobileapp, theyhaveevenmoreoptionsattheirfingertips–wherevertheyare–withtheirpersonaldevices.”

AboutDeCA: TheDefenseCommissaryAgencyoperatesaworldwide chainofcommissariesprovidinggroceriestomilitarypersonnel,retirees andtheirfamiliesinasafeandsecureshoppingenvironment.Commissariesprovideamilitarybenefit,savingauthorizedpatronsthousands ofdollarsannuallyontheirpurchasescomparedtosimilarproducts atcommercialretailers. Thediscountedpricesincludea5-percentsurcharge, whichcoversthecostsofbuildingnewcommissariesandmodernizingexistingones. Acoremilitaryfamilysupportelement, andavaluedpartofmilitary pay andbenefits, commissariescontributetofamily readiness, enhance thequalityoflife forAmerica’smilitaryandtheir families, andhelprecruitandretain thebest andbrightestmenand womento servetheircountry.

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DODasks participantstoweighin on Exceptional Family Member Program

byC. ToddLopez DODNews

Forthefirsttime, theDefenseDepartmentwill offerthoseenrolledintheExceptional Fa mily MemberProgram,alsocalledEFMP,anopportunitytoprovidedetailedinputabouttheirexperiences. Feedbackwillbeusedtoimprovehowtheprogramprovidesservicestoparticipatingfamilies.

“It’sprettyexcitingbecauseit’sthefirstofficialDOD surveyaboutEFMP,” said Je nnifer Wo ng, aprogram analystwiththeDefenseDepartment’sOfficeofSpecial Needs.“It’saphenomenal chanceforfamilieswhoare enrolledintheprogramtobehearddirectlyattheDOD policylevel.”

About105,000active-dutyservicemembersarepart oftheEFMP, which providessupporttofamilieswith childrenoradultdependentswhohavespecialmedical oreducationalneeds.

Everyservicememberwithafamilymemberenrolled inEFMPiseligibletotakethesurvey, Wongsaid.Servicememberswillreceiveanannouncemente-mailcontainingauniqueticketnumber.Servicememberswitha ticketnumberwillbedirectedtogotowww.dodsurveys. milandentertheticketnumbertotakethesurvey.It’s expectedthatthoseemailswillbesentoutonorafter November17,2022.

Accordingto Wong,EFMPensuresthat,amongother things,specialneedsaretakenintoconsiderationwhen amilitaryfamilyismovedtoanewdutyassignment.

“WhenafamilyPCSstothenextlocation,theymay belookingforparticularmedicalservices, specialists, therapies,behavioralhealth—thosetypesofservices —andwe wanttomakesurethatwhentheydoPCS, they’llhavecontinuityofcare,” Wongsaid.

Wongsaidtheresultsofthesurveywillbeusedby thedepartmenttobothimprovetheprogramandstandardizedeliverytoallfamiliesacrosstheservices.

“WithintheOfficeofSpecialNeeds,wearecommittedtoimprovingsupportformilitaryfamilieswithspecialmedicaland/oreducationalneeds,” Wongsaid. “A vitalpartofthat...ishearingfromfamilieswhoare enrolledintheprogram.It’sveryimportanttohear fromthefamilieswhoareintheprogramsowe have feedbackthat’srepresentativeofthefamiliesweserve, andit’sbasedofftheirreal-lifeexperiencesandtheir interactionswiththeprogram.That’swhyit’sagreat opportunityforfamilieswhoareenrolledtoparticipate inthesurvey.”

TheEFMPismadeupofthreecomponents:Identificationandenrollmentoffamilymembersintotheprogram,whichiscompletedbythemedicalcommands; an assignmentscomponentthatensuresthemedicaland/ oreducationneedsofthefamilymemberaretakenintoconsiderationwithanupcomingPCS, whichiscompletedbythemedicalandpersonnelcommands;anda familysupportcomponent,whichfamiliescanreachout toforinformationregardingresourcesandnon-clinical casemanagement.

“Thesurveyisgoingtoaskaboutallthreecomponentsandwhatafamily’sexperienceorinteractionhas been... sowecan seeall thosedifferent touch points forafamily, what’sworkingorwhatcanbeimproved upon,” Wongsaid.

EveryfamilyenrolledintheEFMPwillbeableto takethesurveyandsharetheirownfamilyexperiences withtheprogram. While Wongsaidinvitationswillbe sentouttoservicemembersonly,sherecommendsthat thesurvey—whichshouldtakeabout15minutesto complete—bedonewithalladult serviceandfamily members’involvement.

“Weencouragetheservicemembertomaybesitdown, haveaconversationwithotheradultfamilymembers, andperhapstakethesurveytogether...toprovidethat fullperspectiveofEFMPandalsoservicesoutsidethe programsuchasmedicaloreducationalservices,” Wong said.

Alsoofnote, Wongsaid,isthatwhilethedepartment expectstoinviteeveryEFMPfamilytoparticipatein thesurvey,itispossiblethatrecentlyenrolledmembers mightnotgetaninvitation.It’salsopossiblethatifa militaryservicedoesn’thaveanaccurateemailaddress foraservicemember,thenthatservicemembermight notgetaninvitation.ThoseEFMPfamilieswillstillbe abletoparticipateinthesurvey,however,andareencouragedtodoso, Wongsaid.

“We wantmaximumparticipation,”shesaid.“Thisis agreatopportunitytogiveyourfeedbackstraightto DOD—straighttoyourservicelevelleadership.”

Forservicememberswithfamilymembersenrolled intheEFMPwhodon’tgetaninvitationandticket numbertoparticipateinthesurvey,theycangotowww. dodsurveys.mil, clickthe“ClickHere”buttonbelowthe “Don’thaveaticketnumber?”message,andthenenter theirDODIDnumberanddateofbirthtotakethesurvey. Formoreinformationonsupportforfamilieswith specialneeds,visittheMilitaryOneSourcewebpageon specialneeds.

Photoby ChustineMinoda

PhotobyCharlotteRichter

ENERGY

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Beingacoastalinstallation,MacDillfacesthreatsposed bysevereweatherand climate change, saidDavidMairs, EnhancedUseLeaseassetmanagerfortherealestate developmentdivision.

“AssuredpowerisessentialforMacDill,” saidMairs. “Relyingonasinglesubstationfor powercreatestoogreat ofamissionrisk—thisEALcreatesaredundantenergy sourcethatcanimmediatelymitigategriddisruptionimpacts.”

Frominceptionto award,theproject wassuccessfully executedduetotheincredibleteamworkandcollaborationfrompersonnelatMacDill,AFCEC, AirMobility Commandand TampaElectric, said KevinKish, installationmanagement flight chiefforthe6thCivil Engineer Squadronat MacDill.

Together, theprojectteamnavigated challengingrequirementssuchastheEnvironmentalImpactAnalysis Processandestablishedafoundationforgreaterenergy assurance, saidAndyRider, 6thCESEnvironmentalElement chief.

“Climate changeisahugeissueforMacDillsinceitis surroundedbyHillsboroughand TampaBaysontwo sides,” saidRider. “Providingredundantenergyisa key part of theequationto creatingaresilientinstallation.”

Constructionisexpected to beginin early 2023.

TheAFCECInstallationsDirectorate’sRealEstateDevelopmentDivision providescradle-to-gravemanagementoftheAir ForceEULandEALprograms, ranging fromsourceselectionacquisitionandlease closingto post-closingmanagement. To date, AFCEC, aprimary subordinateunitoftheAir ForceInstallationandMissionSupportCenter, hasexecutedtwoEALsandfiveEnergyEULs.

HOLIDAYSAFETY

theminadishwasher.

Cookthe turkeyuntilitreaches165°F, as measuredbyafood thermometer Checkthe turkey’stemperaturebyinsertingthethermometerinthreeplaces:thethickestpartofthe breast,theinnermostpartofthethigh,andthe innermostpart of the wing.

Thanksgivingispeakfor cooking fires: Be sure to keep a fireextinguisher in the kitchenincaseofemergency, andteachyour family how touseit

Becautiouswhenusingturkeyfryersasthey poseanumberofdistinctsafetyconcerns, includingburnandfirehazards

Neverwearloosefitting clothingwhencooking;long, opensleevescouldigniteandcatch firefromagasflame ora hotburner; wear short, closefittingortightlyrolledsleeveswhen cooking

Makesureyouhavesmokealarmsonevery levelofyourhome;testalarmsmonthlyandreplace allthatare10+yearsold

Keepa close watchonyourcookingandnever leavefoodunattended

Keepovenfoodpackagingandothercombustibles away fromburnersandother heatsources

Havea“kid-free” zoneof at leastthreefeet aroundthestoveandareaswherehotfoodsand drinks are preparedor carried

Keepalidnearbytosmothersmallgrease fires

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EVENTS

FSSThanksgivingclosures

MostofourFSS Facilitieswill have closedor modifiedhours ofoperationfortheThanksgiving weekendholiday. Check thefulllistoffacilitiesand hoursofoperationatmacdillfss. com/2022thanksgivinghours/

12daysoffitnessDec.1-12

TheShort FitnessCenterishostingthe12daysoffitnesswithparticipantscyclingthrough12rounds ofeachsetofanexercisejustasyou wouldsingthesong“The12Days ofChristmas.” Visitmacdillfss.com/ short-fitness-center/orstopbythe frontdesktofindoutmoreinfo.

MacWonderland FestivalDec. 2

Joinusfrom5-9 p.m.atthe Breakway EventCenteraswekick offthestartof theholidayseason withthebasetree-lightingandour winterfestival.There willbefree treats, facepainting, livereindeer, skatingrink,photoswithSanta, foodtrucksandtonsofholiday cheer. ThisfreeeventisopentoeveryonewithaccesstoMacDill. Visit macdillfss.com/macwonderlandfor moreinfo.

TreesfortroopsDec.8

TreesforTroopsisanannual eventonMacDillprovidingfree, fresh-uttreestoactivedutyfamiliesfrom11a.m.–1 p.m.andeveryonewithbaseaccessfrom1 p.m. –3 p.m. Basetrimmingandtwine willbe provided. Visitmacdillfss. comformoreinfo.

Findmoreinfo atmacdillfss.com

Thechamp!

U.S.AirForceChief MasterSergeantTiffanyPatterson,left,theseniorenlistedleaderassigned tothe6thMedicalGroup,AirForceSeniorAirmanJavonteFranklin,anaerospacemedicalairmanassignedtothe6th MedicalGroupandU.S.AirForceCol.Adam Bingham,6thAirRefueling Wingcommander, poseforaphoto to commemorateFranklinforbeingChampionofthe Week atMacDillAirForce BaseNov8.Champion ofthe Weekisanew command initiativeto allow 6th ARWleadershipto recognizeAirmen personallyfortheircontributionstothe 6ARW’s mission.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday 9a.m.to 3p.m. After hourschaplain,calltheCommand Postat828-4362/4361.

Monday-WednesdayMass 12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Catholic(in-person) - Sunday- 9:30 a.m. (confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices -Sunday 11 a.m.

Jewish MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forsched-

ule&tojoindistro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

IslamicService - Friday1:30p.m.(spacereserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Pleasecontactthe Chapelat(813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW. HCADMIN@us.af.mil

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

For moredetailsandinformation,visit theChapel Facebookpage at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

HOLIDAYSAFETY

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checkedbags,sotrytofiteverythingintocarry-onluggage.Nottomention,you’ll avoid baggage claim or theriskofyourbelongingsgetting lost ordamaged.

ArriveEarly–Duringtheholiday season,andparticularly during Thanksgiving, flightsare packed.Ifyoumissyourflight,your chancesof gettinganotherflighttoyourdestinationareunlikely. Wakeupearlyand gettotheairportwithplentyoftime to spare.

BookEarly–LastminutebookingaroundThanksgivingisnotagreat ideaformanyreasons. Withmostpeopletryingtobookforthesame traveldates,flightsgetbookedupearlierthanusualandcostsbeginto surgeastheholidaysapproach.It’sbettertostartlookingforflightsas early as possible.

Driving:

LeaveEarly–Trafficgetsbrutalaround3 p.m.onthe Wednesday beforeThanksgiving. Ifyouleaveduringthe early hours of themorning, youwill bypass a lot ofcongestion on the roads.

UseaTrafficApp–Ifyou’retravelingthroughabigcity, checktraffic conditionsbeforeleavingforyourtrip Youcanplanyourroute accordingly to avoidtheheadacheofbumper-to-bumper traffic.

ChargeElectronics–Makesureyourphoneis chargedbeforeyoubeginyourjourney Youneverknowwhenyou’regoingtoneedittofinda gasstation,ortohelpyounavigatethroughunfamiliarcitiesalongthe way. It’sagoodideato investina car chargerjustto besafe.

BringaSnack– You wanttobesureyou’vepackedenoughsnacks(and

water)togetyouthroughyourroadtripwithouthavingtomakefrequent stops.

Check Your Vehicle–Notonlydoyou wanttofillyourtankbeforeleaving, butalsotakeyourvehicleforaquick inspection.Makesureyourfluidsandtirepressureareonpointto avoidbreakingdowninanunfamiliartown.NothingwillruinyourThanksgivingplanslikebeingstranded ontheside of theroad.

Keeping your home safewhileaway:

Removefall-relatedobjectsthatmightallowaccesstoyourhome For example, laddersfor cleaningleavesoutofgutterscanbeusedtoentera windoworscaleafence

Don’tpostThanksgivingtravelplansonsocialmedialettingpeople knowthatyou willbe outoftown

Turnyourtelephoneringerdownsonooneoutsidecanhearrepeated rings;andreviewyouransweringmachinemessagetomakesureitdoes notimplythatyou are away

Makesuretohaveallmail,newspapers, anddeliveriesstoppedor pickedupbyaneighbor, friendorrelative

Neverleaveakeyhiddenoutside. Burglarsknowallthebesthiding places

Secureallwindows, includingthoseupstairsandreducethe chanceof easy entrybycuttingtreelimbs away fromsecond-storywindows

Haveafriendmoveyourcaroccasionallyifitisparkedinthedriveway Usetimers to operatelights