Thunderbolt 12/08/2022

byJimGaramone DODNews

The2022ChinaMilitary PowerReportlaysoutthe challengesfacingtheUnitedStatesmilitaryasitworkstomanagerelationswiththe emergingsuperpower.

Thereport,releasedtoday, callsthe Peoples’RepublicofChina“the mostconsequentialandsystemic challengetoournationalsecurityand to afreeandopen internationalsystem.”

Aseniordefenseofficialspeaking on backgroundsaid Chinaisincreasingly clear, initsambitionsandintentions. “It’simportanttounderstandthecontoursof[Peoples’LiberationArmy]modernizationto includetheirthinkingaboutwhatthePLA’s wayof warwouldlooklike, tokindofsurveytheircurrentactivitiesandmodernizingcapabilities andtoassesstheirfuturemilitarymodernizationgoals,” hesaidtoreporters priortothereleaseofthereport.

TheofficialsaidanimportantelementofChina’sstrategy“isadeterminedpursuittoamassandexpanditsnationalpowertotransform atleast—aspectsoftheinternationalsystemtomakeitmorefavorable tothePRC’spoliticalsystemanditsnationalinterests.” Thisisaprime aspectofbothdomesticandforeignpolicyinitiatives.

Besuretovisittheofficial6th

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca

Editor:NickStubbs

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NEWS/FEATURES

Department of the Air Forceannounces Spark Tank2023semifinalists

byDeputyUnderSecretaryofthe AirForce, Management

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—ThesixthannualSpark Tank2023, or ST23, quarterfinalswereheldNov 9, at theBasicResearchInnovation andCollaborationCenterinArlington, withthetop15ideasselected toadvancetosemifinals. The Spark Tankcompetitionidentifies, supportsandcelebrateshigh-performingDepartmentoftheAir Forceinnovatorswhosubmit and rallyaroundideas throughtheGuardians andAirmenInnovation Network, orGAIN, aforce-widecrowdsourcing platform “Spark Tank’s democratizedanditerativevettingprocesses are howwe determinethetop15ideas,” said WilliamBrouGautier, Spark Tank director. “We want toensure theideasthat havethebestpotentialfor significant positive changein advancingmilitary capabilityareprovidedapathtoDAFadvocacy andbecoming a reality.”

TheventurecapitalstylepitchtoinvestmentSpark Tankcompetition isco-sponsoredandorganized by theOfficeoftheDeputyUnderSecretaryofthe Air Force, Management, orSAF/MG, andAFWERX. The eventfeaturedahybridpanelofin-personandvirtualsubject matter expertsfromacrosstheAir Forcewhodiscussedthemeritsofeach pitch.

Duringthe78-dayinnovationincubationperiod, GuardiansandAirSeeSPARK TANK,Page6

USCENTCOM

U.S. CentralCommandactivated U.S. Space Forces-Centraltodayatthe component’s permanentheadquarterslocated at MacDillAir ForceBase. TheactivationofUSSPACEFORCENTisanotherstepforthe U.S. Space Forcetoprovideforcestocombatantcommands, providingcombatantcommanderswithorganicspaceplanningandemploymentexpertise. USSPACEFORCENTisresponsibleforspaceoperations withinthe CENTCOMareaofresponsibilityincluding capabilitiessuchaspositioning, navigationand timing, satellitecommunication, missile warnings, and other missions asrequired.

“Justasthe evolutionofspaceasa warfightingdomainnecessitated the establishmentofa separateservice, USSPACEFORCENT provides CENTCOM a subordinatecommandfocusedsolelyandcontinuouslyon

spaceintegrationacrossthecommand, withinalldomainsandall components,” said U.S. Space ForceCol. Christopher Putman,USSPACEFORCENTcommander.

ActivatingthiscomponentunderCENTCOMprovidesexpertGuardianstoworkwithcoalitionandregional partnerstointegratespaceactivitiesinto sharedoperations andaddsanotherlevel of commitmentto partners byfurther strengtheningregional stabilityandsecurity within theCENTCOMareaofresponsibility.

“Spaceunderpinseveryelement of warfightingin the CENTCOM region,” saidCENTCOMcommander Gen. Michael “Erik”Kurilla. “Today’s ceremonycatches usupto thereality of history: since theCold War, space hasceasedtobeasanctuary.It is nolonger solelytherealmof progress andpeace.Spaceisnowadomainofconquest,conflict, and–forus–cooperation.”

Courestygraphic

mensubmitted235ideas onwide-rangingtopics designed to improve maintenance, operations, communications, medical and supportactivities. Originatingfrom enlistedandofficerintrapreneurs, ideascame fromalmosteverymajor and fieldcommand. AirCombatCommand led the waywith 44submissions. Newthisyear, andinsupport of theDAF’s digital transformationcultureshiftinitiative, ST23launchedwithagoal of100% digitalexecution.

The programaccomplishedthisbyleveragingGAIN’ssmarttechnology operating platformto streamline campaigncommunicationsbetween coordinators, moderatorsandintrapreneurs. Then,toensurethefastestandmostasynchronouscoordination,thecampaignmanagement teamcreatedaMicrosoft Teamscollaboration forumforinternalcommunications.

“ThecombinationofSpark Tankoperations’digitalworkflowsprovided real-timeupdates, reducedtheriskofoutdatedcampaignorideainformation, preventedlockingdatainemailmessages, andsignificantly reducedthecoordinationtimegapbetweenidentifyingconcernsand devisingsolutions,” saidCrystalOrtiz,SAF/MGSpark Tankoperations action officer.

Thisyear, GuardiansandAirmenparticipatedindualpeerreview phasesleveragingGAIN’s PairWiseand TokenVotingtechnology. “Thesetechniques allowedus toreview each ideaandvoteonwhich werethemostdeservingtomoveforward,” saidAaronBeebe, AFWERXSparkCellprogrammanagerandSpark Tank production manager. “The netresultofpeerreviewphases was that35distinctideas emergedwith clearsupport,” Beebeadded.“Ofthose, wesawtrends aroundadopting emerging technologyto solve emergingproblemsand areoccurringneedforfindingbettertoolstoimproveexistingtechniquesand workflows.”

Lastyear, Spark Tankcreatedanew Just Do It, orJDI,category. The team extendedthatconceptthisyearbyidentifyingalistofhigh fidelity, simple ideas.

Whilenolongerinthecompetitionfor financialsupport, allJDIs are tracked toensuretheconceptsarevettedbytheowningDAFhead-

quartersfunctional owner, theleadcommandresponsibleforthecapabilityanditssustainment,andthecapability delivery teamsorprogramofficeswhomustcoordinate onandapproveprogramkit,Ortiz said. Likein ST22,10innovations thisyearweredesignated asJDI thatwill challengethevelocitytheSpark Tank program can accelerate change atscale.

Thetop15ideaswillbe pitchedDec. 7, at the ST23 semifinals, an event co-chaired by thevice chief ofstaffoftheAir Forceandthe vice chief of SpaceOperations, U.S. Space Force. Thefinalswillbeheldduringthe 2023AirandSpace Forces Association’s WarfareSymposium, March8, 2023,inAurora,Colorado.

The 2023Spark Tankquarterfinalistsare:

Note: An asterisk(*)denotesselectionasasemifinalistanda double asterisk(**)indicatesJDIideas Noasteriskindicatestheideadidnot advance tothesemifinals.

-*Accelerate theKillchain-“Spinning the Killweb.”

-*Accelerated DevelopmentofMulti-CapableAirmen.

-*AgileContentEvolution andDeployment.

-*AdvancedMaintenance&Troubleshooting Suite.

-Air ForceMaterielCommand Test AircraftProblem-VR“Justin Time.”

-*Airspace OptimizationApplication.

-*AstroPsychiatricArtificialIntelligence.

-*B-52NuclearArmingComponents: MobileShielded Coding Enclosure.

-BaseComm OutBack UpPlan.

-**BoomCover Removaland Installation Tool.

-Contested DegradedEnvironmentCommSuite.

-**ELIMINATING“GHOSTS” FROMRESERVE UNITS

-EnterpriseAnalytics Platform.

-**Fighting FalconF-16 HorizontalStabilizerTrainingAid

-ForeignObjectDamage.

-ImprovingTraining Programwith LearningManagement System.

PeaseANGcrewflies recordbreakingendurancemission

bySeniorMasterSgt.TimmHuffman 157thAirRefuelingWing

PEASEAIRNATIONALGUARDBASE, N.H.(AFNS)—Inafeat ofairmobilityendurance, aKC-46A Pegasusfromthe157thAirRefueling Wingflewanon-stopmissionhalfway aroundtheglobeandback, Nov. 16to17.

Thepoint-to-point,36-hour, 16,000-mile, multi-crew, totalforcesortie wasthelongestsuchmissioninthehistoryofAirMobilityCommand, theactivedutymajorcommandtowhichthe157thARWis aligned.

Gen.MikeMinihan, AMC commander, hasrelentlesslydriventhe commandtofindnew waystoemploycurrentassetsinanticipationof a future fight.

“Thisextendedmissionisyetanotherexampleofcapable Airmen taking chargeandmovingouttoaccelerateouremploymentoftheKC46A,” Minihansaid.“Thistotalforcemissionboldlyhighlightstheimperativetothinkdifferently, changethe waywedobusiness, andpro-

SeeRECORD,Page17

PhotobySeniorMasterSgt.TimmHuffman

-**In-houseAutomated Solar PoweredCameraCleaningSystem.

-**InfiniguardCorrosionPrevention Solution.

-*Infrastructure in anAR World.

-**MediumReach ArticulatingStaircaseTypeIIMXStand“B7”Safety Step.

-*Mercury West -EmulatedSignal/TargetTraining Network.

-*OpsLabAutomatedScheduling.

-*Project Kinetic Cargo Sustainment.

-*Project OREGON TRAIL.

-**Project Patient Airlift(formerly StanchionLitterSystem).

-*Real-timeAssetManagementSystem.

-**Robotics Universal Remote.

-*SpaceBot-AIPlatform forSpace.

-**Space Force CrewScheduler.

-TacticalBallisticAppliedGeolocationSystem.

-TheNext RevolutioninMaintenanceInformationSystems.

-**Transformed EntryAuthorizationListSystem.

-TurboRequirementsGenerator.

-*Vital Beaconfor Personnel Recovery.

-WearableEdgeComputeforArtificialIntelligenceAided TargetDevelopment.

AboutSAF/MG

SAF/MGis responsibleforthe overallsupervisionofmatters pertainingtoAir ForceandSpace Forceperformancemanagementofanap-

proximately700,000-memberworkforce organizedinto160occupationalspecialtiesworkingat over200 locationsworldwide. Servingasthe DAFdeputy chief managementofficer, chiefriskofficer, performance improvementofficer, andcategorymanagementaccountableofficial, SAF/MGrepresentsthesecretaryorundersecretary atDepartment of Defenseperformancemanagementforums and the Office ofManagement andBudget Category ManagementLeadershipCouncil. Thissecretariatofficeisresponsiblefor providingdirectionand policy regardingDAFperformanceandriskmanagement using performance goalsandmetrics;developingandimplementingContinuousImprovement and Innovation policy, educationandtrainingprograms;building andmanaging productivityinvestmentmanagementsystemsfor trackingeffectivenessofCI2-based changes;andsupportservicerequirements, includingexecutionofprogramaction directiveandprogram guidanceletter processes. Asdirectorofbusiness management,SAF/ MGleadstheDAF’sOfficeofBusinessTransformationin accordance with U.S. lawandrelatedDOD policies. ThisroleprovidesSecretariat representationfortheBusinessMission AreaCouncil overseeingDefenseBusiness Systems performancewithintheDAF, assuresinformationtechnologyinvestment planning, control, anddatamanagement practicesareconsistentwithDOD andDAFstrategicplansandguidance, and certifiesallcoveredsystems’technicalcomplexity, implementationplanningandauditability

AcoveredNorthropGrummanB-21RaiderisdisplayedduringapracticeunveilingceremonyatNorthropGrumman’smanufacturingfacilityonAirForcePlant 42inPalmdale,California,Dec.1.TheB-21willbealong-range,highlysurvivable,penetratingstrikestealthbombercapableofdeliveringbothconventional andnuclearmunitions.

B-21 Ra idermakespublic de but;willbecom ebackbo neofAirForce’sbomberfleet

bySecretaryof the Air ForcePublicAffairs

PALMDALE,Calif. (AFNS)—Inatangibledisplay ofthenation’s resolvein meetingsecuritythreats, the U.S. Air Force, onDec. 2,publiclyunveiledthe B-21Raider, thefirstnew, long-rangestrikebomberinagenerationandan aircraftspecificallydesignedtobethemultifunctionalbackboneofthemodernizedbomberfleet.

WhiletheB-21isn’texpectedtobeoperationalandintroducedintoservice forseveralmoreyears, theformalunveilingceremonyhostedbyNorthrop GrummanCorporationatitsproductionfacilitiesinCaliforniaisasignificantmilestoneintheAir Force’s efforttomodernizecombatcapabilities The B-21isdesignedtobeamorecapableandadaptable, state-of-the-artaircraft thatwillgraduallyreplaceagingB-1LancerandB-2Spiritbombersnowin service.

Accordingtodesignrequirements, theB-21isalong-range, highlysurvivablestealthbombercapableofdeliveringamixofconventionalandnuclear munitions. Theaircraftwillplayamajorrolesupportingnationalsecurity objectivesandassuring U.S. alliesandpartnersacrossthe globe.

SeniordefenseofficialsnotethattheNationalDefenseStrategyandother analysesmake clear the needfortheB-21 and itscapabilities.

“TheB-21Raideristhefirststrategicbomberinmorethanthreedecades,” SecretaryofDefenseLloyd J. Austinsaidduringtheceremony. “Itisatesta-

menttoAmerica’senduringadvantagesiningenuityandinnovation.Andit’ proofoftheDepartment’slong-termcommitmenttobuildingadvanced bilitiesthatwillfortifyAmerica’sabilitytodeteraggression,todayandinto thefuture.”

TheB-21,Austinsaid, “is deterrencetheAmerican way. …Thisisn’tjust anotherairplane. It’snotjustanotheracquisition. …It’stheembodimentof America’s determinationtodefendtherepublicthatwealllove. It’satestamenttoourstrategyofdeterrence—withthecapabilitiestobackitup timeandeverywhere.”

Theworldanditsthreatshave changeddramaticallysincethelastnew bomber wasintroducedin1988,ashasthe waytheAir Force, other U.S. taryservicesandalliesworktogetherasajoint,multi-domainforce defenseofficialssaythatnewthinkingandinnovationareneededtomeetthe newandemergingthreats.

“Thatinnovativespiritissittingbehindusrightnow,” Air ForceChiefof StaffGen.CQBrown, Jr.,toldreportersshortlybeforetheplane wa veiled.

“Youthinkaboutwhatwe’reabletodointheamountoftimewiththe workforceherefromNorthropGrumman,thecollaborationwiththeUnited StatesAir Forcetobringinacapabilityusingadigitalapproachwhichisnew anddifferentfromanythingwe’ve doneanymajorprogram,that’spartofthe Raiderspirit,” hesaid.

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaM.Carroll

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaM.Carroll

AcoveredNorthropGrummanB-21RaiderisdisplayedduringapracticeunveilingceremonyatNorthropGrumman’smanufacturingfacilityonAirForcePlant 42inPalmdale,California,Dec.1.TheB-21willbealong-range,highlysurvivable,penetratingstrikestealthbombercapableofdeliveringbothconventional

neofAirForce’sbomberfleet

menttoAmerica’senduringadvantagesiningenuityandinnovation.Andit’s proofoftheDepartment’slong-termcommitmenttobuildingadvanced capabilitiesthatwillfortifyAmerica’sabilitytodeteraggression,todayandinto

…Thisisn’tjust …It’stheembodimentof It’satesta, every angeddramaticallysincethelastnew S. miliSenior defenseofficialssaythatnewthinkingandinnovationareneededtomeetthe rceChiefof wa sun“Youthinkaboutwhatwe’reabletodointheamountoftimewiththe workforceherefromNorthropGrumman,thecollaborationwiththeUnited rcetobringinacapabilityusingadigitalapproachwhichisnew eanymajorprogram,that’spartofthe

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaM.Carroll

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua M. Carroll

TheB-21isthefirstnewbombertobeintroducedsincetheendof theCold War. Air Forceofficialsenvisionanultimatefleetofatleast 100aircraftwithan averageprocurementunitcostrequirementof$692 million(baseyear2022dollars).

“WhenIthinkaboutaccelerate change, thisisexactlywhatitmeans to be able to bring this kind of capability very quickly and be able to adaptitvis-à-visthethreat,” Brownsaidinhismeetingwithreporters. “Andsotoday, I’mreallyexcitedthatwebringtheB-21Raiderintothe future. It’llbe the backbone of ourbomberfleet.”

Theaircraftisdesignedwithupdatedstealthqualitiesandmission flexibilitythatseniorleadersintheAir ForceandacrosstheDepartmentofDefensesayarenecessarytoachievethe U.S. goalofachieving integrateddeterrence, andifnecessary, capabilitiesrequiredtosuccessfullyrespondtoaggressionanywhereintheworldatanytime.

ThespecificB-21unveiledDec. 2isoneofsixunderproduction.Each isconsideredatestaircraft,buteachisbeingbuiltonthesameproductionline, usingthesametools, processes, andtechnicianswhowillbuild productionaircraft.Thisapproach hasenabledproductionengineers andtechnicianstocapturelessonslearnedandapplythemdirectlyto follow-onaircraft,drivinghomeafocusonrepeatability, producibility andquality.

Thetimingforfirstflightwillbedataandevent,notdatedriven.

WhiletheprecisedatewhentheB-21willenterserviceisunknown, basingdecisions havebeenmade. Ellsworth AFB, SouthDakota will becomethefirstMainOperatingBaseandformaltrainingunitforthe B-21.WhitemanAFB, Missouri, andDyessAFB, Texas, arethepreferredlocationsfortheremaininghomebases. Eachwillreceiveaircraft astheybecome available.

Inadditiontobuildingabomber withstate-of-the-arttechnologyand capabilities, Air Forceofficialsemphasizedthefocusoncontainingcosts whilesimultaneously allowingformaximum flexibility.

Forexample, theB-21isdesignedwithanopensystemsarchitecture thatwillenablerapidfuturecapabilityintegrationtokeeppacewith thehighlycontested threatenvironment.

TheB-21 designisbasedonfirmrequirementswithexistingand maturetechnologytocontrolprogramcosts. Infact, the plane’sprime contractor, Northrop Grumman,hasbeendirectedtouse production processes, productiontooling, andaproductionworkforcethatensures sustainedandseamlessproductionwhile avoidingunnecessarycosts.

“Leveraginginnovativemanufacturingtechniques, opensystemsarchitecturesandactivemanagementallowsustointegratenewtechnologyasitmaturesandensurestheB-21canadapttofuturethreatsand besuccessfulwhenandwhereweneedit,” AssistantSecretaryoftheAir ForceforAcquisition, TechnologyandLogisticsAndrew P. Hunter, said.

AboutAFRL

TheAir ForceResearchLaboratory, istheprimaryscientificresearchanddevelopmentcenterfortheAir Force. AFRLplaysanintegralroleinleadingthediscovery, development, andintegrationofaffordable warfightingtechnologiesforourair, space, andcyberspaceforce Withaworkforceofmorethan11,500acrossninetechnologyareasand40otheroperationsacrosstheglobe, AFRLprovidesadiverseportfolioofscienceandtechnologyrangingfromfundamentaltoadvancedresearch andtechnologydevelopment. Formoreinformation,visit: https://afresearchlab.com/.

AboutAFWERX

AFWERXisanAir ForceResearchLaboratoryDirectoratethatconnectsinnovatorsacrossgovernment,industryandacademia.Throughinnovationandcollaboration withournation’stopsubject-matterexperts, AFWERX harnessesthepowerofingenuityofinternaltalentwhile expandingtechnology, talentandtransitionpartnershipsforrapidandaffordablecommercialandmilitary capability. Additionalinformationis availableathttps:// www.afwerx.com/.

Theofficialnotedthataspartofthis, there isatrendofmorecoercivemilitarybehaviorby China.“We’veseenmorecoerciveandaggressiveactionsintheIndo-Pacificregion,includingsomeofwhichwewouldhighlightasbeing dangerous,” hesaid. ThisincludesPLAships andaircraftdemonstratingunsafeandunprofessionalbehavior.

Spotlight: FocusonIndo-Pacific

HenotedthatSecretaryofDefenseLloyd J. AustinIIIspecificallymentionedthisinhis meeting withhisChinesecounterparton the sidelinesoftheAssociationofSoutheastAsian NationsDefenseMinistersmeetinginCambodia lastweek.

Anotherelement of China’s strategyis strengtheningthePLA’s strategicdeterrence capabilities. Chinadefinesthiselementbroadlytoincludenuclear, space, cyber, electronic warfare, counterspacecapabilitiesandmore.

TheofficialsaidtheUnitedStatesassesses thatChinahasmorethan400operationalnuclear warheadsinitsstockpilenow. Ifthismodernizationeffortcontinues, theChinesecould fieldabout1,500 warheadsby2035,hesaid.

ThereportalsoexaminesChina’s“intensified”diplomatic, economic, politicalandmilitarypressureagainst Taiwan.Aspartofthis, thereportalsocoversChina’s effortstoconflate the U.S.’sOne China Policywiththe PRC’sownOneChinaPrinciple. Chineseleadersdothisto“erroneouslyportraybroadinternationalsupportforthePRC’s claimsover Taiwan,andattemptstolegitimizePRCcoercive actionsagainst Taiwan,” theofficialsaid.

SecretaryofDefenseLloydJ.AustinIIImeetswithGen. WeiFenghe,China’sdefenseminister, whileattendingtheAssociationofSoutheastAsiaNations’meetingofdefenseministersin SiemReap,Cambodia,Nov.22

Thereportisprimarilya discussionofthe militaryaspectsofChina, and itoffersnew insightson how thePLA viewsthefutureof warfare. “ThePLArefersto‘systemsdestruction warfare’ asthenext wayof war,” the officialsaid.“They’vealsobegundiscussing a newoperationalconceptforthem:whatthey callacoreoperationalconcept…calledmultidomainprecision warfare.”

Thisnewconceptis intendedtohelpiden-

tifykeyvulnerabilitiesinanadversary’soperationalsystem,andthentolaunchprecision strikesagainst thosevulnerabilities, hesaid. Thesecouldbekineticornon-kinetic. “Basically, it’sa waythatthey’rethinkingaboutlooking across domains toidentifyvulnerabilities inanadversary’soperationalsystemandthen toexploitthosetocauseitscollapse,” theofficialsaid

PhotobyChadMcNeeley

videoptionstothejointforce.”

Leaving from theeastcoast ofthe U.S. onacoldandrain-soaked morning, thecrewflewwestacrossthecountryandoutintothe Pacific Ocean.AfteroverflyingHawaii,thecrewflewacrosstheInternationalDatelinetoGuam,beforeturningaroundandretracingtheirsteps hometoNewHampshire, wheretheylandedontheeveningofNov. 17; 36-hours totheminuteafter they launched.

Maj.BillDaley, themission’saircraftcommanderandatraditional memberoftheNewHampshireAirNationalGuard,saidtheflight demonstrated theaircraft’sabilities toprojectandconnectthejoint forcethroughitscapacityforendurance, aircrewsustainment,refueling, situational awarenessandconnectivity, andairbornemissionplanning.

TheKC-46AprovidesstrategicflexibilitytotheAir Forcethroughits uniqueblendofpersistenceandpresence. Ittakesacontinuoussupply offueltostayaloftforhoursonend.SinceeveryKC-46Acanitselfbe refueledinflight, each aircraftcanpersistinoperationsareastoprovidesustainedsupporttoarmedaircraft.Theendurancemissionput thesecapabilitiesondisplay, takingonfuelthreetimesthroughoutthe flightanddeliveringgastoF-22Raptorswhileflyinga closed-looppatternoffthecoastofHawaii.

ThecrewalsoleveragedtheKC-46A’s secureandunclassifiednetworksandsituational awarenesssystems, whichallowforabroadarrayoffutureuses. The platform’ssituational awarenesscapabilities enableitsprotectionincontestedenvironments.

Ittakesmorethangastostayintheair—thecrewmustalsobesustained,andthis wasanotherrefuelingbarriertestedandshatteredon themission. TakingturnsatthestickweretwoaircrewsfromtheNew HampshireANG’s133rdAirRefuelingSquadronandoneactive-duty crewfromtheaffiliated64thARS Whileonecrewflew, theothertwo rested,takingadvantage of themodernamenities providedbythejet.

AccordingtoDaley, earliergenerationsofrefuelerslackedthebasics neededtosustaincrewsforlong-duration,multi-daymissions Hesaid theoldjets were incredibly uncomfortableandcouldgofromhotto cold,contributingtocrewfatigue. The Pegasusisastarkcontrastto

this.

“It’slikeflyingwithfirst-classservice,” Daleysaid,whoisacivilian airline pilotwhennotflyingfortheGuard.

TheKC-46Ais climatecontrolledandcomesequippedwithkitchen, crewbunksandalavatory. Theconfigurabilityofthecargoareaalsoallowsfortheplacementofairline-styleseatsandadditionalsleepingareastoaccommodatelargercrews Fortheendurancemission,apalletizedkitchenandlavatory wasalsoaddedtosupportthecrewof16that includedboom operators, aircraftmaintainers, andaflightsurgeon.

To passthelonghourswhennotonduty, thecrew, spenttimereading, watchingmovies, preparingmeals, andsleepingincotsspreadout throughthecargoarea.

MasterSgt Michael Windy, a133rdARSboomoperatorwhohad nearly3,000hoursofflighttimeontheKC-135beforeconvertingto theKC-46,agreedwithDaleyontheincreasedcomfortlevelsonthe newaircraftthatmakemissionslikethisonepossible. Withonlyafew hoursremainingintheendurancesortie,Windy said hefeltrestedand comfortable.

“I wasonthe22-hoursortieweflewtoSaipanafewmonthsago, so I alreadyhadanideaofwhattoexpect,” Windysaid,whoworkedhardto keeptherestofthecrewcomfortableandfed.“Ireallyhaven’tnoticed thatmuchofadifferencein how Ifeel.”

SeniorAirman PaigeDunleavy, a157thARW avionicstechnician, saidthis washer firsttripwithacrew.

“ThejokeisthatmyfirstTDYisto Pease,” shesaidoftheunusual point-to-pointmission.

AsanewerAirmanwhoisinupgradetraining, it wasanexcellent opportunitytoseefirst-handhowthecrewusesthesystemsshemaintains.

“Idefinitelylearnedthingsandit wasthefirsttimeI wasableto troubleshootasysteminflight,” shesaid,indicatingtheciviliansatellitecommunicationssystemrebootsheandanother avionicstechnician were called ontoexecutewhenit wasgivingthe aircrewproblems.

Neartheendofthemission,Dunleavyreportedfeelingnormaloverall,thoughsheaddedthatthehikerinher wasexcitedtogetbackto

Thereportalsoaddresses topicsthatilluminate the strategicthinkingofChineseleaders instrategicstability, China’sviews oninformationandinformationdominance, andwhatthe PLAis thinkingabout expandedmilitarydiplomacy, theofficial said.

OnekeythemeisChina“wants itseconomic andpoliticalandsocial andmilitaryandsecuritydevelopmentstobecoordinatedandmutually reinforcing, andtosupporttheambitiousobjectivesthatXiJinping haslaidoutfornationalrejuvenationby2049,” theofficial said. The reportlooksatChina’smilitarymodernizationand defensestrategy, but also looks atelementsofChina’seconomicpolicy andforeignpolicy, “andhowtheseallkindoffittogether withthe military and defense modernizationin pursuitofitsregionalandglobalambitions,” theofficial said.

Specifically, thisaddresses China’s military-civilfusiondevelopment strategy. Thereportsays Beijing seeksto developand acquireadvanced dual-usetechnologyforits military, while alsoservingabroaderpurposetostrengthen allofthePRC’s instruments ofnationalpower.

Chinaisalsogrowing itsnationalindustrialandtechnologicalbase. “intermsofkindofbroaderdefense ambitions, thePRChasastrategy thatentailsstrengtheningandadaptingitsarmedforcestowhatit

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thegroundafterflyingovertheGrandCanyononthereturnlegofthe trip.

Maj.HeidiMacVittie, a PeaseANGbaseflightsurgeon,servedas a humanperformancemonitoraboardtheflightandcollectedquantitativedatathroughoutthemission.Thisdata,alongwiththatcollected duringthewing’srecent20-hourmission,willbeusedtoinformdecisionmakingforsimilarmissions inthefuture.

“Thismission wasatrueexampleoftotalforceintegration,” saidLt. Col.BrianCarloni,the157th OperationsGroupcommander “TheexpertiseofbothourGuardandactive-dutyAirmeninexecutingthismis-

viewsaskindoflong-termtrendsandglobalmilitaryaffairs,” theofficialsaid. “Asanoutcomeofthe20th PartyCongress[in October],Beijingisfocusingon intensifyingandacceleratingthePLA’smodernizationgoalsover thenextfiveyears, includingstrengthening what they refer to asitssystemofstrategicdeterrence.”

ThereportdetailsChina’s regionalandglobalambitions. “Aswenotedinlastyear’sreport,XiJinpingandthePRCleadershiparedetermined that thearmedforcesshouldtakeamoreactive roleinadvancingthePRC’sforeignpolicygoalsglobally,” theofficial said.

TheChinese military is pursuingoverseas bases andlogisticsfacilities. ThiswouldallowthePLAtoprojectandsustainmilitarypowerat much greaterdistancesfromitsborders.

Thereportstressesthat there is apotentialfor misunderstanding andmiscalculation. “Thatkindofemphasizes theimportanceofeffectiveandtimelycommunicationsbetweenthe DepartmentofDefense andthePLA,” theofficial said “Strategiccompetition—evenas strategiccompetitionintensifies—doesn’tmeanthat confrontation orconflictis inevitable orunavoidable. Andwe’vebeen clearthat we’recommittedtoresponsiblymanagingthe competition withthe PRCto try to ensurethatitdoesn’tveerinto conflict unnecessarily.”

sion,demonstratedhowcriticalteamwork is inany wartimescenario.”

Daleysaidthesuccess wasduetomorethanthetotal force crew aboardthejet.Themission,whichcamenearlytwomonthstotheday afterMinihanapprovedtheKC-46Afor worldwide deployments—includingcombatmissions—wastheresultofthehardworkanddedicationofthewholewingovermultipleyearsandultimatelydemonstrated thestrength they bringtothefight.

“We haveahealthyfleetanddemonstratedfullmission-readiness withonloadandoffloadcapabilities We couldexecutetomorrowifwe hadto,” hesaid.

EVENTS

EFMP FamilyFunDay

JoinEFMPonDec. 10 forthis freeeventattheQuantumLeap Farmforponyrides, ponypainting, artsandcraftsandlunch.This dateisdesignatedastheirholiday party. RSVPonlineatquantumleapfarm.org/FFD/.

BundlesforBabiesDec.13

JoinrepresentativesfrommultiplebaseagenciesattheMilitary and FamilyReadinessCenterfrom 8:30a.m.–12:30 p.m.Agencieswill provideinformationandservices toassistattendeesinpreparingfor thearrivaloftheirnewbaby. Duringtheworkshop participantswill receiveabundleofinformation, resources, andaspecialgift(ifeligible).

3on 3 HoopfestDec.16

Jointhe FitnessCenterfortheir 3on3Hoopfestevent.Aminimum offourteamsareneededtohost theeventwithaminimumofthree players on each team. To register yourteam,email6fss.fsvs.intramuralsports@us.af.milorvisitthe Fitness Centerfrontdesk.

HolidaygiftshoppingwithFSS

Lookingfortheperfectholiday gift? VisittheArtsandCraftscenteronMacDillforuniquehandcrafteditemsperfectforfriends andfamily Visitmacdillfss.com/ arts-and-trade-crafts/formore details. Themeparkandlocalattractionticketsmakegreatstockingstuffers! VisittheMacDillITT officeinsidetheBXorvisitmacdillfss.com/information-ticketstravel/ today.Wh

Findmoreinfoatmacdillfss.com

Thechamp!

Fromleft,U.S.AirForceCol.AdamBingham,6th AirRefuelingWing commander,Princesca Dew,acommunity readinessconsultantmilitaryandfamily,and AirForceChiefMasterSgt. ShaeGee,6thAirRefuelingWingcommandchief,posefor aphototo commemorateDewfor beingChampionofthe Weekat MacDillAirForceBaseNov.29.Championofthe Weekis anew commandinitiativetoallow6thARWleadershipto recognizepersonnelpersonallyfortheircontributions tothe6th ARW’smission.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday 9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,callthe Command Postat828-4362/4361.

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

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

Protestantservices -Sunday 11 a.m.

Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forsched-

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

IslamicService Friday1:30p.m.(spacereserved)

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

MacDill’s Chapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetails andinformation, visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterling Sutton