Thunderbolt 12/07/2023

Vol. 51, No. 49

Thursday, December 7, 2023

News/Features: page 2 Information warefare

News/Features: page 3 Chaplain bridging gaps

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

Community: page 15 Events, Chapel, more...

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 15th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, approaches a KC135 Stratotanker assigned to the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, over the Southeastern United States, Nov. 28. Air Mobility Command utilizes the airlift capability of the C-17 and aerial refueling capability of the KC135 to maneuver the Joint Force and sustain global reach.

NEWS/FEATURES

Wing intel provides competitive edge in information warfare

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Since its creation in 1947, the U.S. Air Force has been engaged in an ongoing competition to gather and maintain timely and relevant information. In efforts to gain a competitive edge, individual wings have been equipped with intelligence analysts to collect, assess and manage access to pertinent information.

The 6th Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight, headed by Maj. Andrew Schafter, 6th OSS senior intelligence officer, 1st Lt. Cassidy Ley-Han, 6th OSS intelligence officer in charge of readiness, and 1st Lt. McKenna DePue, 6th OSS intelligence OIC of operations, is dedicated to bringing the most accurate and timely information to installation leaders, utilizing their connections to ensure the operational readiness and safety of thousands of Airmen across MacDill Air Force Base.

As a whole, the team is focused on ensuring the safety of the entire installation; to include U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and several other joint mission partners.

One method of ensuring security is through See INTEL, Page 13

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jake Owens, 6th Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight chief, completes a pre-deployment briefing at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 7. The 6th OSS intelligence flight is dedicated to bringing the most accurate and timely information to installation leaders, to ensure the operational readiness and safety of thousands of Airmen across MacDill AFB.

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 Editor: Nick 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,

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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.

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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 , FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. : 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

6th ARW chaplain bridges gap between generations

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Capt. James Whitfield, 6th Air Refueling Wing chaplain, led a leadership boot camp for the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Nov. 29-30.

The course focused on four main topics of interest: understanding Generation Z Airmen, the difference between good and toxic leadership, subconscious bias and emotional intelligence.

Whitfield, a former school counselor, drew from his counseling sessions to explain, “I’ve seen an uptick in stress among our Airmen. A lot of that stress comes down to how our leaders are leading and how the Airmen receive that leadership.”

Junior enlisted Airmen made up the first session. Here, Whitfield addressed the role of followership in the workplace to better connect the younger group with their supervisors.

The following sessions were filled with noncommissioned officers, senior NCOs and the 6th LRS’s officers. These groups focused on understanding the impact of social media and pandemic driven isolation on the younger generation’s development.

“Our older Airmen may have spent time down range, whether it be 9/11, the War on Terror, Iraq or Afghanistan,” Whitfield said. “Whereas, our younger Airmen have exposure with social media, technology and COVID-19. That separation in experience is what I’ve identified as a root cause for that gap.”

By breaking down the barrier in communication and addressing the separation directly, Whitfield hopes both supervisors and their subordinates can walk away with a better understanding of how and why certain behaviors occur.

See CHAPLAIN, Page 12

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

U.S. Air Force Capt. James Whitfield, 6th Air Refueling Wing chaplain, leads a group discussion during a leadership bootcamp at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 29. The course focused on four main topics of interest: understanding Generation Z Airmen, the difference between good and toxic leadership, subconscious bias and emotional intelligence.

FY24 Experienced Aviator Retention Incentive, Rated Officer Retention Demonstration Programs Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—The Air Force recently announced the opening of two Regular Air Force FY24 Aviation Bonus programs – the FY24 Experienced Aviator Retention Incentive, formerly known as the Aviation Bonus, and the FY24 Demonstration Bonus.

Eligible active-duty aviators have until Aug. 1, 2024, to apply for EARI and the FY24 Demonstration Bonus; however, the program eligibility window will close early if the budgetary maximum number of contracts are met before Aug. 1.

Additionally, eligible Guard and Reserve aviators continue to have until Dec. 31, 2023, to apply for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve’s current 2023 Aviation Bonus programs.

EARI builds upon the previous years’ offers to deliberately shape and retain experienced rated officers to meet Air Force retention, training, and mission readiness requirements to maintain the lethality of the

force. Information will be announced separately in the future regarding the Reserve Component offering the FY24 EARI. “In today’s strategic environment, the requirement to preserve critical skills in our Air Force has never been more important,” said Maj. Gen. Adrian Spain, Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Headquarters, Air Force. “Specifically, aviation-related skillsets, formed through the crucible of combat and daily execution of high-intensity operations, is the foundation necessary to continue to effectively deliver warfighting capability to the Joint Force and the American people. Retaining these professional aviators’ experience and expertise within the Total Force is imperative in order to outpace future challenges that may emerge throughout the spectrum of conflict.”

EARI, combined with the Rated Officer Retention Demonstration Bonus, offers specific rated officers with experience in flying critical weapon See RETENTION, Page 12

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Crew chiefs assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform maintenance on a 6th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 20. The 6th AMXS’ mission is to provide reliable mobile forces to generate, launch, and recover air refueling, combatant commander support and transient aircraft.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

Photo by Senior Airman Jessica Do

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Huesgen, 63rd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, performs aerial refueling duties over the Southeastern United States Nov. 28. The 63rd ARS refueled a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 15th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, providing both squadrons with necessary training for deployment readiness.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Devan Siler, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal journeyman, conducts an x-ray on an unknown package to ensure its contents were safe to open, during an exercise at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.29. Upon completing the exercise, Siler was STEP promoted by wing leadership. STEP promotion allows commanders to immediately promote enlisted Airmen who exhibit exceptional potential beyond their rank.

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NEWS/FEATURES

Fairchild AFB demos strategic deterrence, readiness during Titan Fury 24-1 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS)—Airmen assigned to the 92nd and the 141st Air Refueling Wings conducted exercise Titan Fury 24-1 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Nov. 13-17.

During the exercise, Airmen demonstrated how various support activities contribute to mobilizing KC-135 Stratotankers at a moment’s notice if called upon to support strategic deterrence and other National Defense Strategy priorities.

“It’s critically important that Fairchild Air Force Base conducts exercises like this for one reason only, and that’s deterrence,” said Lt. Col. William Dowd, 97th Air Refueling Squadron commander. “We have to send a clear message to our adversaries and allies alike that Fairchild Air Force Base stands ready to execute this mission. Without making sure our crews are ready and able—regardless of how hard it is and how fast we need them to be—we can’t ensure the delivery of deterrence worldwide.”

For decades, the KC-135 has been the backbone of Air Mobility Command’s air refueling capabilities around the world because of its ability to extend global reach and project U.S. airpower.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Clare Werner

Airman 1st Class Ryan Howlett, left, and Senior Airman Keith Beamon, crew chiefs assigned to the 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, drain a drogue of residual fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Titan Fury 24-1 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Nov. 13. Titan Fury is a recurring total force exercise that ensures Fairchild’s Airmen are trained and ready to Rapid Global mobility at a moment’s notice in support of See FURY, Page 10 strategic deterrence and the National Defense Strategy.

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NEWS/FEATURES AFWERX, NASA collaborate to develop digital Advanced Air Mobility operations center

by Kristen Dennis AFWERX WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS)—AFWERX is partnering with NASA to develop a digital operations center for future Advanced Air Mobility efforts through the Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program awardee, ResilienX. With the fast-growing field of AAM technology, AFWERX’s Airspace Innovation and Prime Partnerships program has partnered with NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration to fill in technological and administrative gaps that present themselves. Earlier in 2023, AFWERX formalized these partnerships with a Memorandum of Understanding and participation in the AAM Interagency Working Group to plot the future of AAM. The CCRPP is a NASA Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program which takes mission-relevant technologies in development and infuses them with funding intended to foster commercialization.

This system is intended to enhance base security, special forces efforts, emergency disaster response, and passenger and cargo transportation planning. It is further being developed to include other technologies necessary for air domain awareness.

See AFWERX, Page 14

Photo by Andrew Carter

AFWERX is partnering with NASA to develop a digital operations center for future Advanced Air Mobility efforts through the Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program awardee, ResilienX.

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AMC and AETC team up to empower next generation story and photos by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Through the collaborative effort of Air Mobility Command and Air Education and Training Command, Air University and the 6th Air Refueling Wing hosted a ROTC mentorship session and Tuskegee Airmen Heritage Site tour, Nov. 16.

The day kicked off with an ROTC mentorship session onboard four AMC and AETC aircraft. Among the mentors was Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, Col. Adam Bingham, 6th ARW commander, Col. Abigail Frander, 42nd Air Base Wing deputy commander, and Col. Christopher Bromen, Jeanne M. Holm Center For Officer Accessions and Citizen Development deputy commander.

Minihan and Bingham focused on presenting the AMC mission set, sharing their experience piloting and commanding global air refueling hubs.

“The Air Force needs Airmen that are bold and driven, and I can’t think of a better group of people to join the Air Force than the ROTC cadets that are around us today,” Minihan said. “We’re here showing them our team- the Air Mobility team- and some of the amazing aircraft we fly.

These cadets, whether they be ROTC or Junior ROTC, are invited in to come in, ask questions and get a feel for what they want to do in the Air Force.”

Among the aircraft was a 6th ARW KC-135 Stratotanker, a 437th Air Wing C-17 Globemaster III, a 19th Air Wing C-130J Super Hercules and a 14th Student Squadron T-1, each accompanied by a pilot to answer any questions for the students in attendance.

Following the mentorship session, the group relocated to Motor Field in Tuskegee, Alabama for a Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site tour and remarks from Brig.

Gen. Terrance Adams, Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy.

Adams, a Tuskegee native, shared his experience growing up in Alabama, joining the Air Force and rising to the rank of brigadier general. During his remarks, Adams shared his view on the future of recruiting for the Air Force.

“If we want to get more people into our United States military, we can’t continue to ‘fish in the same fishing hole, we need to find new areas to fish in,” Adams said. “That’s something that is going to be important for us- to go to every corner of America and give all of those individuals an opportunity to serve.”

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The tour provided cadets with an opportunity to better understand how the Air Force operates, with Minihan providing insight on how major commands- like AMC- localize initiatives.

During a questions and answers session, he addressed the introduction of Gen. David W. Allvin, the new Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and how his “follow through” ideology will apply to future AMC operations. “‘Follow through’ for mobility Airmen means we’re going to continue with the aggressive path that we have set,” Minihan said. “We are driving hard to close the gaps on what it means to be ready, to deter and to win decisively.

That means each and every Airman understands their role, how they get after their jobs and they understand what our mission is. It’s our aim to make everybody else successful and we take that seriously.”

Furthering the conversation, Adams elaborated on the future battlespace many of the cadets may enter. In his role as the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Adams provided a unique perspective to the military’s interconnected nature and painted a picture of the discussions had at the higher Air Force level.

“If you can imagine all things that are connected to cyberspace today, and you can envision what more is going to be connected- as many things that are connected will have to be defended,” Adams said. “As we think about just AMC’s mission, most of the things that we do are connected through unclassified sources which gives our adversaries an opportunity to really connect in and impede our ability to move the nation’s military when we need to move it.”

The day ended with a Tuskegee Airmen Historic Site tour with the intent to better connect cadets with the Air Force’s rich legacy. Minihan and Adams accompanied the tour, providing their insight living in Alabama during the early stages of their lives.

Adams left the cadets with a parting piece of advice as the day came to an end, “you can achieve anything. Once you gain perspective about life, do you think life represents a glass half full or a glass half empty? There will always be people around you to support you, your job is to stand up and speak. Speak your voice and wait for someone else to answer.”

Tours and engagements like this serve in support of AMC’s ongoing commitment to empowering Airmen everywhere, even before they join the force.

For more information on how to join the Air Force visit, https://www.airforce.com/find-a-recruiter.

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U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike M 16, 2023. During the event

Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, delivers opening remarks during a ROTC mentorship session at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Nov. t, Minihan served as a mentor for more than 200 ROTC and junior ROTC cadets, sharing his experience in the military and explaining AMC’s mission.

(Far left) Junior ROTC cadets navigate the flight line during a mentorship session at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Nov. 16. Among the mentors was Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Abigail Frander, 42nd Air Base Wing deputy commander, and Col. Christopher Bromen, Holm Center deputy commander.

(Left) U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, speaks with Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, left, and Chief Master Sgt. Raun Howell, 6th ARW command chief, during a ROTC mentorship session at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Nov. 16.

FURY

From Page 5

Dowd explained how teamwork and collaboration are the keys to Fairchild AFB’s ability to keep this proud tradition going strong.

“The teamwork that goes into executing a mission of this scale really boils down to the relationship between operations and maintenance, then everything else has to come up and build the support pyramid for those two,” he said. “It is a challenging week for everybody, from maintenance and operations to the defenders in security forces who protect the ramp and aircraft and the folks in the Force Support Squadron who are turning out meals for them and bringing food to the crews at the jet.”

Dowd also praised the hard work and long hours of airfield managers, fuel operations, safety, inspector general and the other essential functions of the exercise that enable mission readiness.

“We could tell they were getting tired, but there was a gleam in their eyes, and we knew they were ready to show the world that Fairchild is ready to execute this mission,” he said. “The 92nd ARW, along with our Guard partners, the 141st ARW, conduct these exercises to ensure we are always prepared because there isn’t an aircraft in our fleet that can kick ass without tanker gas.”

In addition to the 92nd ARW active duty and 141st ARW Air National Guard units at Fairchild AFB, TF-24-1 included aircraft and personnel assigned to the 912th Air Refueling Squadron who traveled from March AFB, California, to participate. The 912th ARS is a geographically separated unit of the 92nd ARW. According to Lt. Col. Roque Zarate, 912th ARS director of operations, participating in the exercise enabled his unit to integrate with 92nd ARW Airmen and build interoperability in a training environment that resembles the manner in which they would operate during a real-world scenario.

“Titan Fury is important, not only for the aircrews and maintenance, but for our controllers as well,” he explained. “They have to practice things that maybe they’re not used to with the crews that are organic to the 92nd. So, for them to actually integrate us into the exercise, being a geographically separated unit, there’s a lot more plan-

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ning and a lot more nuances. It’s important for everybody to exercise the way we would go to war, or really, to deter our adversaries from attacking us.

“It’s nice just for us to be able to come here and see how our parent wing executes the same [mission],” Zarate added. “We’re taking lots of notes on how we can do things better at March, and we’re also providing notes to Fairchild on what they can do better.”

Master Sgt. Dustin Brockman, a generation superintendent for TF 24-1, highlighted the importance of exercising to build both proficiency and speed. “[Getting] the aircraft ready quickly is important,” he said. “If it was a real-world situation, we don’t know how fast we would need to act.

If we take too long to get ready, then we might not be able to meet the mission requirements. We work quickly yet safely to get the aircraft generated as fast as possible.”

Like many Airmen, this exercise was a first for Capt. John Will, a KC-135 pilot assigned to the 97th Air Refueling Squadron. He said his first Titan Fury experience enabled him to develop at a steady pace in his role as an aircraft commander supporting Fairchild AFB’s mission.

“There’s still a lot of learning to be done,” he said. “I feel like with every step of the process, I’ve been slowly learning this mission and getting better at it. We do other smaller exercises and classes to get us ready for this, so it’s not just everything at once. Seeing it all come together has been really cool.”

This recurring total force exercise is an example of how the 92nd ARW and the 141st ARW at Fairchild AFB are engaged, postured and ready with a credible force to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment.

“We ran 24-hour operations for a week, generated 21 aircraft and demonstrated our ability to deploy personnel and conduct our mission from anywhere,” said Col. Chesley Dycus, 92nd ARW commander. “We did this all by combining our efforts with our teammates in the 141st ARW, and the crews and jet here from the 912th ARS. I couldn’t be more proud.”

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CHAPLAIN From Page 3

According to Whitfield, the LRS group is just the start, and he’s awaiting feedback before taking the course to other squadrons across the installation.

The leadership boot camp will be opening to all 6th ARW personnel during an upcoming Wingman Day, featured alongside a week of wellness training, including retired Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley’s Warrior Heart initiative.

Courses like Whitfield’s leadership boot camp serve as a part of the 6th ARW’s efforts to localize Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin’s “follow through” initiative.

In a memorandum, Allvin defined “follow through” in part as a commitment “to adapt our organizational structure to optimize for great power competition.” Whitfield’s course sets out to bridge the gap in communication throughout the LRS chain of command, identifying an issue and striving towards a better future for the 6th ARW as a whole.

RETENTION From Page 3

systems, both monetary and non-monetary incentives to extend their service commitment. The monetary options range from $15,000 per year to $50,000 per year for contracts ranging from three to 12 years of additional service. Non-monetary options continue to include an assignment of choice, assignment declination, or remain in place.

EARI will be available for RegAF, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve rated officers. However, the Rated Officer Retention Demonstration Program will be only available to select RegAF rated officers.

Complete eligibility requirements and application instructions is available on the myFSS website Welcome Page at myFSS (or by copying/pasting the following link into your browser: https://myfss.us.af.mil/ USAFCommunity/s/knowledge-detail?xid=34479)

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INTEL

From Page 2

threat working groups (TWG). These meetings are a collaboration of intelligence, security forces and joint mission partner representatives, designed to proactively address potential threats to the installation.

“A TWG isn’t necessarily tied to a present threat, we meet routinely with the security forces commander, and talk through anything we may have noticed and anything we feel may arise,” Ley-Han said. “In addition to the wing commander, we also meet with representatives from CENTCOM and SOCOM because they’re equally affected by these potential threats.”

According to Ley-Han, since the introduction of the internet in 1983, open-source intelligence has been on the rise, and with the rapid influx of quickly uploaded information came the concern for its use by adversaries.

Serving as the Air Force’s information filters, OSS intelligence flights are tasked to fact-check, synthesize and route relevant information to the appropriate channels.

“Intelligence has shifted a lot with the internet,” DePue said. “50 years ago, people couldn’t pull out a phone and record something. Now, our adversaries know how important that information is, and they will use that to their advantage. Our job is to verify that information and filter through false narratives so our command team can have an accurate view of global events.”

Aside from their day-to-day responsibilities, intelligence officers are tasked with the duty to test and evaluate the readiness of Airmen across the installation.

On occasion, the intelligence flight is directed by higher Air Force leaders to hone high priority skills. Recently, the team played a vital role in localizing scenarios for Exercise Global Thunder, an operational readiness response scenario developed by U.S. Strategic Command.

“Global Thunder was a STRATCOM driven exercise, so we were given information from Air Mobility Command on threats to implement and

objectives to accomplish,” Ley-Han said. “These types of exercises are important because it shows us what AMC and higher Air Force leaders are focusing on and that helps us better align with their priorities.”

During the exercise, Ley-Han and her team were essential to the wing’s success. Important information was passed from STRATCOM to AMC to 6th OSS intel analysts in efforts to relay pertinent information while retaining operational security for the exercise.

OSS intelligence analysts are also occasionally given the opportunity to connect with the tactical impact of their work. During Exercise Mobility Guardian, 6th OSS intel analysts were tied with aircrews during a month-long operation in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Here, analysts exercised their pre and post mission skills and engaged in real time feedback..

“Sending our analysts out to support aircrew provides them with a better connection to the work they are completing,” DePue said. “It gives them a better understanding of how the information is being utilized and really makes them feel like they’re part of the fight.”

As a result of the exercise, 6th OSS intel analysts were able to gain invaluable insight to the joint operations environment and further developed partnerships with indispensable regional allies. Through their contributions, AMC was able to bolster posture in the Indo-Pacific AOR, expanding the range of mobility assets and sustaining military power across the globe.

The 6th OSS intelligence flight capitalizes on every opportunity to develop their skills, inform their command team and ensure the operational readiness of all 6th ARW Airmen and their mission partners.

Intelligence offices across the Air Force have given a distinct advantage to the Joint Force, ensuring their capability to project and sustain immediate power, anytime and anywhere.

For more information on the intelligence and all career fields in the Air Force, visit https://www.airforce.com/find-a-recruiter.

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

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AFWERX From Page 7

“CCRPP is a true example of public-private partnership where government stakeholders and an industry consortium are working together on the airspace efforts,” said Darshan Divakaran, AFWERX Airspace Innovation and Prime Partnerships program manager.

ResilienX is a company focused on the holistic safety assurance of AAM ecosystems and is leading the way with an industry consortium to create a digital system for AAM operations. The project intends to define and perform initial integration of an AAM Operations Center that is scalable, tactical and enables verification and validation of the various systems and sensors involved in uncrewed aerial systems, electric vertical take-off and landing operations, and other advanced aviation technologies. The initial AAM Operations Center will be built out in collaboration with NUAIR at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, with an aim to test and transition it to additional locations by 2025.

Each company in the consortium contributes their industry expertise and technological advancements to create the most robust system possible. As additional requirements are included by military and other government stakeholders, AFWERX plans to bring in additional industry partners in the next phase.

“We are thrilled with the trust AFWERX has put in us to lead this consortium,” said Ryan Pleskach, CEO of ResilienX. “Through a dedicated systems engineering approach, we intend to develop a dual-use solution to the core digital infrastructure needed for advanced air mobility that is inherently scalable and extensible. Through this pioneering effort and with support of all the federal stakeholders that AFWERX is bringing to the table, we believe this solution will be turnkey and available to government and commercial markets in late 2024.”

Utilizing the research expertise of NASA and AFWERX’s subject matter experts, this collaborative project will attempt to meet the needs of the emerging field of AAM operations.

It is informed by the U.S. Air Force AAM Operations Center requirements through testing and operator interactions.

“Agility Prime helped pave the way for government and industry to work together on aircraft certification,” Divakaran said. “The Airspace Innovation team is taking it a step forward with airspace integration, management and security efforts focused on emerging aviation technologies.”

The first phase of development will include a detailed need and task assessment, feature development with user interviews and observations, initial integration of baseline technologies, and testing. The second phase will see user testing of human factors, safety development, prototype testing, and a live demonstration of the system.

For this project, ResilienX has received $4.8 million in AFWERX and NASA funding through the CCRPP. The program is planned to progress through October 2025.

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

6 ARW Goal Day closures For a full list of 6 Force Support Squadron program facilities, dining options, and recreational facility closures for Friday, December 8, macdillfss.com/GoalDay_8Dec. Trees for Troops Join FSS and the Christmas Spirit Foundation in spreading holiday cheer and gratitude to military families on December 8!

Trees for Troops provides a free, fresh-cut tree, limit one tree per family. Active duty families from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m. and everyone with base access from 1– 3 p.m. (1904 Golf Course Ave, bld. 72 parking lot). For more details, visit bit.ly/ Trees4Troops2023.

Winter Runderland 3K/5K The Short Fitness Center will be hosting a Winter Runderland fun run on Friday, Dec. 15 starting in the South Field. Warm up starts at 6:45 a.m.; 7 a.m. start. All runners and walkers are welcomed. Participants are encouraged to wear festive holiday attire, fitness attire or physical fitness uniform. The top female/male in both the 3K and 5K will be awarded a prize. Visit bit. ly/Winter3K5K for information.

December 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/.

Find more events at macdillfss.com

The Champ!

Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian

Denise Heady, a Family Advocacy Program Assistant assigned to the 6th Medical Group, is recognized as Champ of the Week by the 6th Air Refueling Wing leadership team at MacDill Air Force base Nov. 28. Heady has been instrumental in coordinating safety measures for Wing personnel and families at risk of fatal injury, recently she worked above and beyond coordinating a High Risk for Violence Response Team, handling a critical situation administratively seamless.

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.

(confessions by appointment)

Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Chapel 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, December 7, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 15

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WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, December 7, 2023 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT