MacDill Thunderbolt 12/02/21

NEWS/FEATURES

DODlooksatwaystoimprovechildcareaccess

byC. ToddLopez DoDNews

DuringtheCOVID-19pandemic, the challengesfacedbyservicemembersandtheirfamiliesingetting childcaredemonstratedjusthowimportant childcareistothemilitarymission.Andnowthedepartmentis workinghardtofindnew waystoensurethatthosewhoneed childcare cangetit,thedeputyassistantsecretaryofdefenseformilitarycommunityandfamilypolicysaid.

“Whatthepandemicdid,andwhatitshowedus wasthat childcareis notjusta‘nicetohave,’”PatriciaBarron,whospokeonTuesdayaspart oftheAssociationofthe U.S. Army’s“ThoughtLeaders”seminar, said. “You’vegottohaveit.Ifyou’regoingtogotowork,you’vegottohaveyour childcareinplace.”

DeputyDefenseSecretaryKathleenH.Hickshas challengedthedepartment,andMC&FPtouncovernewandinnovative waystoexpand accesstoqualityaffordable childcareformilitaryfamilies, Barronsaid.

“We’vebeenworkingreallyhardonwhatthatcouldlooklike,” she said. “Andwe’vehadacoupleofthingsthatI’mvery, veryproudof.”

Earlierthisyear, Barronsaid,thedepartmentkickedoffapilotprogramthatallowsmilitaryfamiliestoseekin-home childcareproviders, andthedepartmentwillhelppayforthecost.

“Nowyoucanhiresomeonethatcomesintoyourhome.Theystillneed tobevetted,andstillkindofhavetogothroughtheprocessthatwe wouldifweweretohireanybodytoworkinourcenters. Butyouhire someonethatcomesintoyourhome.Andwewillprovideyouwithfeeassistancetohelppayfortheirsalary,” Barronsaid,addingshehopesthe programwillbeexpandednextyear.

BarronalsohighlightedtheDOD’s“MilitaryChildCareinyourNeighborhood+”effort,whichaimstogetmore childcareproviderseligiblefor

fee-assistancebytheDOD. Rightnowthateffortisunderway inMarylandand Virginia,butBarronsaidtheprogramisexpandingintoother statesaswell.

“That’llprovidemoreopportunitiesforaccesstofeeassistance,” she said.

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca

Editor:NickStubbs

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PhotobyArmyMasterSgt.RyanC.Matson HarrisonReserveCentergymnasiuminHelena,Mont.,Sept.7,2019.

Let’sGo:AirMobilitycommanderlaysoutmobilitywarriorcreed

byMaj.HopeCronin AirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

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.

50thARSboomoperator recognizedasbestinAMC

bySeniorAirmanShannonBowman 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Eachyear,AirMobilityCommandrecognizesAirmenthathave madeoutstandingcontributionstotheAir Force’sglobalmobility mission.

U.S. Air ForceMasterSgt.MichaelFulton,50thAirRefuelingSquadronsuperintendent, wasrecognizedasAMC’s2021GeneralRobert “Dutch”HuyserOutstandingAircrewMember Award,BoomOperator category, forsustainedexcellenceinairmanship.

The awardisnamedafterGen.Robert“Dutch”Huyser, aformeraircraftcommanderwhoservedinthe Vietnam Warandflewmorethan 9,000hoursinmultipleaircraftduringhismilitarycareer.

“ThefactthatIreceivedthis awardstillhasmein awe,” saidFulton. “Iamblessedtoworkwiththemenandwomenofthe50thwhotruly setthestandard,soformetonotidentifythisasagroup awardwould becompletelyfoolish.”

ForFulton,thebestpartofhisjobasthesquadron’ssuperintendent isleadingandsupportingthe128Airmenassignedtohissquadron.

See AWARD,Page12

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

U.S.AirForceMasterSgt.MichaelFulton,50thAirRefuelingSquadron superintendent,pausesforaphotoinfrontofaKC-135Stratotanker aircraftontheflightlineOct.6atMacDillAirForceBase.Fultonwas recognizedasAirMobilityCommand’s2021Gen.Robert“Dutch”HuyserOutstandingAircrewMember Award,BoomOperatorcategoryfor sustainedexcellenceinairmanship.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.ZacharyBoyer

U.S.AirForceairmenattendAirMobilityCommandcommanderGen.MikeMinihan’skeynote

U.S.AirForce niorfitnesstrainer,liftsaweightedball duringAirmenFitnessSchoolatMacDillAirForceBaseNov.16.MacDill’s AirmenFitnessSchoolfocuseson functionalfitnessactivitiesand resiliencyskillstobuildandsustainathrivingand resilientAirForcecommunity.

“AhealthyandfitAirmanhasthecapacitytodealwithstress,fatigue,and ultimately reducetheriskstheypresenttosafetyandthemission.This programisawaytogetafterthose requirementsthathavebeenoverlooked inthepastandincorporatetheminto trainingamorewell-rounded, resilient, andcapableAirman,”saidSantos.

U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassStaceyPatterson,6thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron(AMXS)crewchief,

StaffSgt.RochelleJames,NavajoNationinArizonamemberand 6thSecurityForcesSquadron, joinedtheAirForcebecauseshe feltitis“herturn”asthegranddaughterofaMarineandNavajo Code Talker.Nowshesharesher culturewithanyonewho’swillingtolisten.

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

MacDillinvestinginAirmandevelopment,empowerment

byAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

6thAirRefuelingWing/PublicAffairs

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.”

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.JoseLopezRodriguez,AirmanLeadership School(ALS)instructor,facilitatesaprofessionalmilitaryeducation classatMacDillAirForceBase,Oct.28,duringProfessionalMilitary Educationweek.

PhotobyStaffSgt.Scott Warner

Forparentsneeding short-term childcare— suchasababysitter— BarronsaidtheDODhas partneredwith“Sittercity.”

“IfyougoontoMilitaryOneSource, wehave waivedtheregistration fee,” shesaid.“Youcango rightintotheportalthere andyoucanputinyourinformationandalistofpeoplewillcomeup—andof courseit’suptoyoutotalk tothemandvetthemand allofthat.Butthey’vehad theirbackground checks done.”

Barronsaidboththe DODandtheservicesare workinghardtoimprove accessto childcareformilitaryservicemembersand theirfamilies.

“There’sjustnever enough childcare, because wehaveayoungforce,” she said.“Youknow, we’realwaysgoing to have young peoplecomingin,we’realways goingto havebabies ...and children.”

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AmyLovgren

Airmenfromthe133rdAirliftWing,alongwiththeirfamiliesandfriends,takepartinFamilyDayactivitiesinSt.Paul, Minn.,Sept.14,2019.

AirmencanapplyforRatedPrepProgramuntilDec.31

byCapt.KenyaPettway

AirEducationandTrainingCommandPublicAffairs

JOINTBASESANANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas(AFNS)—TheAir ForceextendedthedeadlineforAirmenapplyingforthe RatedPrepProgramuntilDec. 31.

ActivedutyAir Forceofficers andenlisted personnelinterestedinbecomingratedofficers haveuntilDec 31toapplyfortheSpring2022 Air ForceRatedPreparatoryProgram,scheduledforMarch20-25,2022,andMarch27-April 1,2022,inDenton, Texas.

U.S. Air Forceratedcareerfieldsconsistof pilots, combatsystemsofficers, airbattlemanagersandremotelypilotedaircraftpilots.

RPPprovidesqualifiedAirmeninterestedin cross-trainingtoanAir Forceratedcareerfield theopportunitytogainandstrengthenbasic aviationskills.

“TheRatedPreparatoryProgramprovidesa uniqueopportunityforofficersandenlistedpersonneltobecomeratedofficers,” saidBrig. Gen. Brenda P. Cartier,AETCdirectorofoperations andcommunications.“ThroughRPP, qualified Airmengainskillstheymayhavenothadthe opportunityorresourcestogainbeforeentering theAir Force.We wanttoprovideourAirmen thetoolstopursuetheirlifelongdreamofflyingintheAir Force—adreamtheymayhave neverthoughtpossible.”

Programparticipantswillreceiveself-paced groundtraining, abouteightflighthoursina CivilAir PatrolCessna182Skylane, andadditionaltrainingin FAA-certifiedsimulators helpingthem becomemorecompetitivefor ratedselectionboards.

“RPPhasprovensuccessfulinimproving students’Air ForceOfficerQualifying Testand TestofBasic AviationSkillsscores, whichare

SeeRATED,Page10

U.S.AirForcegraphic

bySeniorAirmanShannonBowman, 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

DuringtheirmostrecentdeploymenttoAlUdeidAirBase, Qatar, notonlydidthe91st AirRefuelingSquadronprovidesixmonthsofairrefuelingsupportto U.S. Central Commandoperations, butitalsodemonstratedwhatitmeanstobemulti-capable Airmenduringthelargestpersonnelevacuationoperationinglobalhistory.

Whenthecallcameforthe U.S. Air ForceinAugusttoensuretheairliftofmorethan 124,000AmericansandvulnerableAfghancitizensfromKabul,Afghanistan,the91stARS Airmenweretaskedtobothfueltheairliftmissionandprovidelifesavingaidtothe children affectedbytheiremergencyevacuationfromAfghanistanduetothe Talibantakeover.

“There wasanaircraftthatcameinthat wasfullof children,andwewentoutthereand startedtohelpmovethemintoapassengerterminalonbase,” saidLt.Col.IvanBlackwell,91stARScommander.“We ultimatelybecamethese children’sfull-timecaretakers;

weworkedtokeepthemsafeandtoprovideessentialstothemuntiltheStateDepartment couldgetthemthroughin-processing.”

InadditiontoprovidingahavenandhelpingtheAfghan childrenarrivingatAlUdeidAB, theAirmenfromthe91stARScontinuedtocompletetheirtaskedflyingmissions, withmore than100sortiesflowninsupportofOperationAlliesRefuge.

“Theairrefuelingoperationsneverstopped,” saidBlackwell.“Manytimes, ourAirmenhad justflownorworked12-to15-hourdays, however theystill wantedtoworkanothereight hourshelpingthe children.

“AttimeswehadtoforceourAirmentoleavesotheycouldgetadequatecrewresttokeep theflyingmissiongoing.”

AccordingtoCapt.Zachary Vadnais, a91stARSKC-135Stratotankeraircraftpilot,when theyreceivedthenoticethattheirsix-monthdeploymentwouldbeextended,theyunderstoodthemagnitudeofwhattheywerebeingtaskedtosupportandthe91stARS wasready

Courtesyphoto drenfromAfghanistanposeforaphoto,Aug.26,atAlUdeidAirBase,Qatar.EilandandAirmenwiththe91st ARSprovidedassistancetochildrenevacuatedfromAfghanistan,duringOperationAlliesRefuge(photowas alteredtoprotectchildren’sidentity).

U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassCassandra Wesley,aboomoperatorassignedtothe91stAirRefuelingSquadron (ARS)andchildrenfromAfghanistaninteractinapassengerterminalatAlUdeidAirBase,Qatar,Aug.26,2021. InsupportofOperationsAlliesRefuge,91stARSAirmenweretaskedtobothfueltheairliftmissionandprovide lifesavingaidtothechildrenaffectedbytheiremergencyevacuationfromAfghanistan(photowasalteredtoprotectchildren’sidentity).

Courtesyphoto

Courtesyphoto

consideredatratedselectionboards, byabout40percent,” saidKathrynGifford,AETCrateddiversityimprovement programanalyst.“Ofthe93RPPstudentstrainedinfiscal years19and20,70appliedtotheundergraduateflying trainingboard,with55(78%)ofapplicantsselectedfora ratedposition.”

Airmenwhocanmeettherequirementsbelowareencouragedtoapply.

Officerrequirements:

u Beofhighmoral character.

u Obtaingroupcommander(orhigher)approvaland endorsement(onapplication).

u ScoreatleastminimumpassingfortheAir Force physicalfitnesstest.

u TaketheAFOQTandTBAStoreceivePilotCandidateSelectionMethodinitialscoringresultspriortoRPP. Then,retaketheAFOQTandTBAStwo-fourweeksafter completionofRPP.Note:TheAFOQTandTBAScannotbe attemptedmorethanthreetimestotal.RPPofficialswill provideanexceptiontopolicyforRPPgraduateswhorequirea waiverforretestintervals, andforthosewhohave testedtwicealready.

u Havelessthanfivehoursoftotalcivilianflighttime. Note:Applicantswithgreaterthanfivehoursofflight timewillbeconsideredonaspace-availablebasis.

u PriortoattendingRPP, obtaintheappropriateAir Forceflightphysicalspecifictotheratedcarrierfield. For example, InitialFlyingClass1forpilots.

u MeetUFTboardrequirementspostRPPinaccordancewithAFMAN36-2100.

u ReviewCivilAir Patrol-assignedstudymaterialprior to classstartdate.

Enlistedpersonnelrequirements:

u Mustbeunder33yearsofageonMarch20,2022.

u PriortoattendingRPP, haveorobtainabachelor’sdegreefromanaccrediteduniversitywithatleasta2.5GPA.

u AftercompletionofRPP, applytoanAir Forceofficer commissioningsourceatthenext availableopportunity.

Airmeninterestedinapplyingtotheprogramcanfind additionalinformationviathecallfornominationson MyPershere(CACrequired).

Foranyquestions, emailAF.Rated.PrepProgramWorkflow@us.af.milwith “Attn:RatedPrepProgram”asthe subjectline.

TheAir ForceRatedPreparatoryProgramisledbyAir EducationandTrainingCommand’sRatedDiversityImprovement Team,headquarteredat JointBaseSanAntonio-Randolph, Texas, andsupportedbyCivilAir Patrol.

RPPisnotacommissioningprogram,nordoesitguaranteeparticipantswillbeselectedforanAir Forcerated position.

Effectiveas of 2021

OPERATIONAL LIMITEDSERVICES

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Breakaway EventCenter Theater

FOODOPERATIONS

DFAC

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READINESS/DEVELOPMENT

FitnessCenter- Masksmay be removedwhile engagedinphysicalactivity;24/7 Access Activated;OutdoorFitnessClasses

Intramurals/Sauna/ChildCareAccessAuthorized FacilityHours:

Monday Friday 0500-2030

Weekends/Holidays 0600-1400

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Open forwalk-incustomersandappointments. Classes& Workshopsareamixture ofvirtual andinperson.

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Lodging (MacDillInn)

todoitspart.

“Weweretheretodoonejobandallofasuddenwehadthisother needarise,” said Vadnais.“So, wemadethedecisionthatweweregoing todoeverythingwecouldtoofferhelptothese children.”

Overthecourseoftwoweeks,the91sthadprovidedaidto84 childrenwhowereevacuatedfromAfghanistantoAlUdeid.Inthattime theyprovidedfood, water, shelterandevenraisedfundstopurchaseessentialsforthe children.

Althoughtheirdeployment wasextended,knowingthattheirparticipationultimatelyhelpedimproveandsavethelivesoftheseAfghan childrenmadetheireffortsworthwhile.

“It wasasquadron-wideeffortandwecouldsensesuchadeephu-

manneedfromthese children,” said Vadnais.“It wasanhonortohelp thehelplessandgiveaidtothesepeoplewhentheyneededitmost.”

ForbothBlackwelland Vadnais, thisdeploymentisonebothwillalwaysremember.

“Wesavedlivesonthisdeploymentwithoutadoubt,” saidBlackwell. “Undeniably, therearepeoplealivetodaythankstoCapt. Vadnaisand asquadronfullofAirmenjustlikehimandIcouldn’tbemoreproudof myteam.”

Intotalthe91stAirRefuelingSquadronflewmorethan1,000sortiesduringtheirdeploymenttoAlUdeidandprovidedmorethan4,000 man-hoursassistingwitheffortstosupportAfghantravelersinsupport ofOperationAlliesRefuge.

“AsayoungAirman,I wasinstructedtodevelopmyownreplacement,” saidFulton.“Mygoalistoempowerourenlistedforcetoleadat alllevelsandtoprepareAirmenforthenextlevelofleadership.”

AccordingtoFulton’sformersupervisor,ChiefMasterSgt. Kenneth Harwood,92ndOperationsGroupsuperintendent,Fultondisplayed leadershipqualitiesearlyonasaboomoperator, andassuch, wasofferedseveralopportunitiestoteachandguideotherAirmen.

“MasterSgt.Fultonissucha charismaticpersonwithnaturalleadershipabilitiesthatjustcan’tbetaught,” saidHarwood.“Hespendsthe timetogettoknoweachoneofhispeoplesothathecanprovideguidance, mentorshipandmaintaindisciplinewithintheunit.”

Fultoncreditshispersonalexperiences,hissquadronandtheleaders whohavesetagoodexampleforhimforhisownpersonalsuccess.

“Iovercamesomestrugglesearlyoninmycareer, by changingmy environmentandemulatinggoodleaders,” saidFulton.“Ittooksomany peoplefromthe50thARSandthe6thOperationsGroupformetoreceivethis awardandI’mtrulythankful.”

HarwoodexplainedthattheAirmeninthe50thARSrespectFulton, andthathisdedicationtotheunit’smissionandAirmenpermeates throughout.

“MasterSgt.Fultonissuchawell-roundedpersonandisexactlythe typeofleaderthattheAir Forceneedsinmyopinion,” saidHarwood. “HeistrulyoneofthebestpeoplethatI’vehadthe chancetoworkwith andIconsidermyselfluckytocallhimmyfriend.”

Fultonofferedsomehelpfuladvicetothenewboomoperatorsinhis squadron.

“Takeamomenttolisten,keepanotepadandtakenotes,” saidFul-

ton.“Getuncomfortable, challengeyourselftotakeonnewrolesthat youareunfamiliarwith.Bepreparedtofail,learnfromthemistakes. Andalwaysputyourunitbeforeyourself Becreditableandifyoudon’t knowtheanswer, sayit,andthengoseektheanswer.”

Fulton’sformersquadroncommanderLt.Col.MenolaGuthrie, 6th OperationsGroupdeputycommander, explainedthathisauthenticity andhisabilitytomotivateAirmenwerekeytosolidifyingFulton’soutstandingaircrewmember award.

“MiketrulycaresforeachAirmenandpushesthemtoreachtheirfull potential,” saidGuthrie.“Hegoesoutofhis wastorecognizeAirman’s achievementswhichhashelpedwithsky-rocketingmorale, withour readinessexercisesandourfirstsquadrondeploymentdespiteCOVID peaking.”

AmongtheachievementsthatledtoFulton’s awardwere:adeploymenttoAlUdeidAirBase, Qatar, whereheservedasthe50thExpeditionaryAirRefuelingSquadron’sfirstsergeant;providedguidance onemergencyandtacticalproceduresdirectlyimpactingoperations InherentResolveand FreedomSentinel;being awardedtheAir Force CommendationMedalforactionsthatresultedinsavingthelifeofa memberofAlUdeid;andhisunitbeingrecognizedasthe2020Senior MasterSgt.AlbertEvansOutstandingAirRefuelingSection Award.

AnativeofChicago, Illinois, Fultonbecameaboomoperatorin2015 afterserving10yearsasanaerospacemedicaltechnician.Duringhis timeasaboom,heexcelledthroughseveraljobtaskingsincludinga trainingadministrationnoncommissionedofficer, flight chief, operationssuperintendent,actingfirstsergeantandnowsquadronsuperintendent.

DEVELOPMENT

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, thatgoesalong way,” said U.S. Air ForceStaffSgt.SolTrinidad,amemberofthe290th Joint CommunicationsSupportElement.“Ifyouhavefaithinthem,andshow themthatyouhavefaithinthem,maybetheywillexcelandbecome thatleaderthattheycouldbe.”

Air Forceleadershipwillcontinuetobecrucialinhavingsuccess whereverthefighttakesplace.TeamMacDilliscommittedtoelevatingAirmentoflourishinanyroletheymaytakeonthroughouttheir careers.

FromPage3

Minihan’ssecondlayerofmeaningidentified “Let’sGo”asacontractbetweenoneanother. It assertsanAirmanistrained,readyandunderstandshisorherroleinthemission–andvice versa.

Minihan’sthirdandfinallayerofmeaningto “Let’sGo”tieddirectlytothepacing challenge presentedbyChina.

“They’redesigningaforcetodefeatyou–a boutiqueforcetoestablishanewrules-basedorderthatisledbythem,thatservesonlythem,” saidMinihan.

Minihanspentnearlyadecadesupportingthe Indo-PacificCommandmissionpriortoassumingcommandofAMC.Theexperienceinformed hisfocusandtheimpetusbehindthe warrior creed.

“Thethirdlevelofunderstandingof‘Let’sGo’ isthatweallunderstandwhatthepacing challengeis–thatweunderstandthatthepeace, prosperityandprestigeofAmericaisatstake here,” saidMinihan.“Wealsounderstandthat wearegoingtousewinninglanguage ... andwe aregoingtoadoptalexiconthatgetsafterthe winpart.”

Minihancitedthecreedasaprofessional contractthatallmobilityAirmenshouldunderstandmovingforward.

“Thisisincrediblyimportantwork,” Minihansaid.“‘Accelerate changeandwin’isn’tjust somethingwetalkto, it’ssomethingwehaveto walktoanddeliveron.Thepeace, prosperity andprestigeofAmericaiscountingonustodo ourjobs. Let’sgo!”

(Above)U.S.AirForceGen. MikeMinihan, AirMobility Commandcommander,delivershiskeynoteaddress atthe53rdAirlift/Tanker AssociationConventionin Orlando,Florida,Oct.28th.

(Left)U.S.AirForceairmen attendAirMobilityCommandcommanderGen. MikeMinihan’skeynote speechduringthe53rd Airlift/TankerAssociation ConventioninOrlando, Florida,Oct.28th.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.ZacharyBoyer

EVENTS

MacwonderlandDec.3

Runs5 p.m.–9 p.m.atBreakaway EventsCenter.Visitmacdillfss.com/calendar

Youthsoccerregistration

OpennowuntilDec 3.Ages 5-12.Seasonrunsmid-January throughmid-March Visitmacdillfss.com/youth/

Give ParentsaBreak

RegisterbyDec. 3.Opento eligibleparentsand childrenon Saturday, Dec. 11. Viewrequirementsatmacdillfss.com/child-development-center.

YouthCenterholiday

Callingallteensages13-18. RegisterbyDec. 3tojoinusaswe takeatriptoCurtisHixon Park Dec. 17from6 p.m. –9 p.m.for iceskating, hotcocoaandmore holidayfun.Thepriceis$20per child.MustregisterbyDec 3by callingtheyouthcenterat8287958.

Treesfor TroopsDec.9

Freefresh-cuttreesforactive dutymilitary, theirfamiliesand thosewithbaseaccess.Across thestreetfromBay PalmsGolf Clubhouse. 11:30a.m.–1 p.m.for activedutyandtheirfamilies;1 p.m.–3 p.m.forallotherswith baseaccess.Visitmacdillfss.com formoreinformation.

Military&veteranshiringevent

The M&FRCishostingamilitary hiringeventDec 8,10a.m.-2 p.m.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

OperationThanksgiving!

Airmenassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingposewithmembersoftheDel WebbLakewood RanchAssociationof VeteransandMilitarySupportersandbasecommissaryemployeesduringtheannualOperationThanksgivinggiveawayatMacDillAirForceBaseNov.17.Operation Thanksgivingsupported283militaryfamiliesbydonatingover4,000poundsofturkeyand$14,150 worthofcommissarygiftcards,eachwithapersonalizednotefromadonor.

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,call828-4362/4361.

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

Catholic(in-person) -Sunday -8&9:30a.m. Protestantservices(virtual)-Sunday 11 a.m.atwww.facebook.com/6amwhc

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin