Thunderbolt 12/14/2023

Vol. 51, No. 50

Thursday, December 14, 2023

News/Features: page 2 Pioneering the future

News/Features: page 3 Building a Warrior Heart

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

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

Members assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing and members with Tampa Electric stand for a photo during a ceremony announcing a new power station at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 5. The new power station will enable MacDill AFB to operate independently from the broader electricity grid in times of emergency and will be less vulnerable to disruptions caused by natural disasters, cyberattacks or other events.

NEWS/FEATURES

Pioneering the future

by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MacDill Air Force Base recently hosted its 5th annual tech expo, that showcased the latest advancements in technology and their potential impact on military operations. The expo provided an invaluable opportunity for Airmen and base personnel to gain firsthand experience with cutting-edge equipment and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of military technology.

The event featured a wide range of new technologies, including advanced computing systems, sophisticated communication tools, and innovative photography drones. These exhibits provided Airmen with a tangible sense of the evolving technological landscape and its potential applications in military contexts.

“I think our system offers commanders the ability to bridge the communication gap between the tactical, operational and strategic level” said David Clukey, the senior director for mission engagement of Immersive Wisdom.

“The ability for the commander to have that real-time situational awareness to share across their staffs is huge.”

See FUTURE, Page 13

Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenneth Fernandez, noncommissioned officer in charge of traffic management assigned to 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Mike Ray discuss a drone model during a technology expo at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 5. The expo showcased the latest advancements in technology and potential impacts on military operations.

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 Deluca Editor: Nick Stubbs 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

Building a Warrior Heart

by Senior Airman Jessica Do 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

In an effort to boost wingmanship, help Airmen better communicate and offer resources to handle stress, the MacDill Integrated Resilience Office organized a Warrior Heart and MacDill University event. The event culminated with a presentation by Retired Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, recognized leadership expert, inspirational speaker and CEO of ‘On the Brink Consulting,’ on Dec. 4,.

Brinkley led off by answering the questions: What is a Warrior Heart?

Is it something we are born with, or something built over time?; and discussing the importance of leadership.

“The heart of the matter, is a matter of the heart,” stated Brinkley.

“In my opinion, great leaders are part heart surgeons. You have to meet people where they are located. You have to understand that there are things going on within a person that makes them function a certain way.”

Brinkley continued by explaining that military members, especially enlisted, have one of the most stressful jobs in America and by extension if you lead those enlisted, then the job becomes even more stressful.

According to Brinkley, 50 percent of Americans have experiences a PTSD triggering like event by the age of 14. The number goes up to 85 percent by the time someone reaches 25.

“You may be working with people who seem to be lacking attention, they may seem to be easily agitated or distracted, they could be dealing with trauma,” said Brinkley. “Great leaders must be part heart surgeon.

You have people in your organizations who have a full-blown case of life going on, their going through some stuff, and they have on one of the See WARRIOR, Page 11

MacDill accelerates innovation in education

by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs The MacDill Council for Education Excellence hosted a meeting between military leaders, school staff, and parents to discuss initiatives for improving the education of military children, Nov. 27.

The MCE is making significant strides in supporting military families and their educational needs. This initiative, now in its sixth year, has become a beacon of collaboration between military and educational districts, offering unique solutions to challenges faced by children of service members.

“It’s a quarterly meeting of MacDill Air Force Base and Hillsborough County public school leadership where we come together to better the

Photo By Senior Airman Jessica Do

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Anthony Brinkley, meets Airmen and base personnel, after a Warrior Heart presentation at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 4,. Brinkley is a recognized leadership expert, inspirational speaker and CEO of ‘On the Brink Consulting’. Brinkley served 12 years and a First Sergeant and six as a command chief. education experience for our military affiliated families” said U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Szczpanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing deputy commander.

The MCE actively addresses concerns unique to military families, such as deployments and high turnover rates. Schools have implemented ‘Anchor for Life’ groups, which aid new students in acclimatizing to their new environment. These groups provide support kits, including items like special bears for children with deployed parents, helping them cope with the absence.

One of the many initiatives explored was expanding the Military and Family Life Counseling program which provides confidential, non-medical counseling services to military personnel and their families.

They work closely with schools and educators to develop strategies that accommodate the unique needs of military children. This includes helping children adapt to new schools, catch up academically See EDUCATION, Page 10

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Piaget Brown, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs preflight maintenance on an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, at MacDill AFB Dec. 4.

The F-35A is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft with advanced integrated avionics, unsurpassed situational awareness, positive target identification and precision strike in all weather conditions.

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Photo by Senior Airman Jessica Do

Aircrew assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron perform a post flight inspection on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during Exercise Coastal Dragon at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 30. The A-10C is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. The aircraft offers unmatched maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.

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

DAF leaders emphasize adapting AI for warfighting success Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall made it clear that the Air Force and Space Force are fully committed — and pushing hard — to develop and deploy artificial intelligence as a key element in meeting security challenges posed by China and other adversaries Dec. 2.

Kendall’s remarks were not new, but by voicing them during a session at the influential Reagan National Defense Forum, he added additional weight to the Department of the Air Force’s efforts to use AI as part of a larger push to modernize.

“I care a lot about civil society and the law of armed conflict,” Kendall said. “Our policies are written around those laws. You don’t enforce laws against machines, you enforce them against people. Our challenge is not to limit what we can do with AI but to find how to hold people accountable for what the AI does. The way we should approach is to figure out how to apply the laws of armed conflict to the applications of AI. Who do we hold responsible for the performance of that AI and what do we require institutions to do before we field these kinds of capabilities and use them operationally.”

See DAF, Page 6

Courtesy photo

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks at a panel regarding Artificial Intelligence at the Reagan National Defense Forum at Simi Valley, Calif., Dec. 2. The Reagan National Defense Forum, celebrating “10 Years of Promoting Peace Through Strength,” brings together leaders from across the political spectrum and key stakeholders in the defense community.

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DAF

From Page 5

Courtesy photo

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks at a panel regarding Artificial Intelligence at the Reagan National Defense Forum at Simi Valley, Calif., Dec. 2. The Reagan National Defense Forum, celebrating “10 Years of Promoting Peace Through Strength,” brings together leaders from across the political spectrum and key stakeholders in the defense community.

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Kendall pointed out that China and other adversaries are aggressively using AI, and while the U.S. maintains an edge, it is shrinking. Kendall’s comments dovetailed with those from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, who said at a separate session during the conference that the Air Force must modernize to properly meet the security threats of today.

Part of that effort, Allvin said, is diligently working to integrate AI and machine learning into new capabilities that mesh seamlessly with mission needs and proven technologies, while understanding performance tradeoffs.

“I do believe the future is going to be about human-machine teaming,” Allvin said.

“Optimizing the performance and being able to operate at speed. That investment in our collaborative combat aircraft program is what is going to get us there.”

Speed and automation of AI systems have vastly shortened decision timelines. That’s why the DoD’s National Defense Strategy focuses on accelerating decision making and the way information is analyzed and shared.

“We are leveraging algorithms and starting with data fusion and being able to gain insights,” Allvin said. “The changing character of war is speed. If we are going to be privileging speed and have massive amounts of data, the ability to have algorithms and the tools that support and let the analysts do what only humans can do which is make that human decision.”

“Our job on the government side more than anything else is to thoroughly understand this technology, have the expertise we need to really get into the details of it and appreciate how it really works,” Kendall said. “To be creative about helping industry find new applications for that technology and developing ways to evaluate it get the confidence we’re going to need to ensure that it can be used ethically and reliably when it is in the hands of our warfighters.”

Replacing obsolete, legacy systems by harnessing emerging information, communications, and AI technologies to provide operational targeting and decision support with the speed, adaptability and resilience needed to fight in a highly contested environment is a priority for DAF and falls under Kendall’s Operation Imperatives.

“The critical parameter on the battlefield is time,” Kendall said. “The AI will be able to do much more complicated things much more accurately and much faster than human beings can. If the human is in the loop, you will lose. You can have human supervision and watch over what the AI is doing, but if you try to intervene you are going to lose. The difference in how long it takes a person to do something and how long it takes the AI to do something is the key difference.”

Rapid AI development requires DAF to be agile and adaptable in its approach, focusing on rapid testing, experimentation and deployment. The Department of Defense continues to maintain a robust regulatory and ethical framework to ensure the responsible use of AI in defense.

Both men stressed the importance of innovation. Allvin said that innovation is a critical element of modernization and is necessary for maintaining readiness.

“War is a human thing and the ability to leverage technology with human innovation is something we can never walk away from as we’re continuing to develop and more sophisticated systems,” Allvin said.

The Reagan National Defense Forum, celebrating “10 Years of Promoting Peace Through Strength,” brings together leaders from across the political spectrum and key stakeholders in the defense community, including members of Congress, current and former presidential administration officials, senior military leadership, industry executives, technology innovators and thought leaders. Their mission is to review and assess policies that strengthen America’s national defense in the context of the global threat environment.

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NEWS/FEATURES U.S. announces additional humanitarian assistance for Palestinian people Office of Press Relations U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

SOUTHWEST ASIA—Today in El-Arish, Egypt, Administrator Samantha Power announced that the United States, through USAID, will provide more than $21 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza and the West Bank affected by the ongoing conflict, which has left approximately 2.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Today’s announcement builds on the $100 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance announced by President Biden on Oct. 18.

The funding announced today will support the provision of essential hygiene and shelter supplies, food, and market-based assistance for more than 120,000 people. In addition, the funding will support psychosocial care and critical health services for the overwhelmed health system in Gaza where approximately 60 percent of hospitals are not operational. Additionally, this funding will support the establishment of an NGO-operated field hospital in Gaza that will boost the existing health system by providing in-patient care.

This announcement comes as, at USAID’s request, the Department of Defense (DoD) U.S. Central Command delivered another 16.3 metric tons, or 36,000 pounds, of United Nations medical supplies, winter clothing, and food and nutrition assistance to address immediate needs on the ground. This is the second DoD airlift of

Photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Hernandez

U.S. Air Force Airmen offload humanitarian aid from a C-17 Globemaster III at an undisclosed airfield in the Middle East, Dec. 5. The U.S. government partners with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

UN relief supplies from Jordan to Egypt – the first, on November 28, airlifted more than 54,000 pounds of UN supplies. In addition, the United States recently delivered more than 500,000 pounds of emergency food supplies to help the civilians in Gaza. Much more support from the American people is on the way.

With partners throughout the region and across the globe, the United States has been

leading efforts to address the grave and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increase the flow of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The United States continues to work around the clock to overcome diplomatic and operational hurdles for humanitarian access, present solutions to emerging humanitarian assistance challenges, and significantly scale up this response to where it needs to be.

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6th CS ensures fail safe communications story and photos by Airman 1stClass Michael Killian 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs The 6th Communications Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base recently completed an upgrade to the base’s phone network, massively upgrading the capabilities of the 6th Air Refueling Wing and reducing the risk of security breaches.

Far from an ordinary hardware update, this undertaking included a full overhaul of an aging system.

The new $750,000 upgrade, now supports double the amount of secure internet calls, raising the capacity from 125 to 250 concurrent calls.

The process of upgrading was anything but easy. It involved meticulous planning and coordination among various entities, including the 6th CS, defense contractors and medical groups.

The technical team overcame these hurdles through relentless effort, including 24-hour shifts, to ensure a smooth transition. This dedication exemplifies the squadron’s commitment to the mission and the safety of military personnel.

“We were the technicians who did the hands-on work during the last couple of weeks,” said Senior Airman Tristan Westbay, a cyber transport systems specialist assigned to the 6th CS. “We were speeding to get it done those last couple of days, in a real buzzer beater moment. But the planning was done over the course of two years by our planning department which did a fantastic job.”

The impact of this upgrade extends beyond MacDill. The base’s improved capabilities now serve as a template for the rest of the AMC, with six more bases planning similar implementations, totaling an additional $4.5 million investment.

“This upgrade was a crucial step forward, not just for MacDill but for the entire Air Mobility Command.” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Gross the noncommissioned officer in charge of the cyber requirements shop assigned to the 6th CS. “Doubling our DSN call capacity and ensuring fail-safe communications during critical operations marks a significant leap in our operational capabilities and security.”

Beyond increased capacity, the upgrade’s most significant benefit is its failover capability. The new system ensures 100% redundancy, meaning if one call manager goes offline, an alternative system takes over seamlessly, maintaining uninterrupted service.

“Leadership at MacDill has expressed strong support for the project, acknowledging the initial growing pains but ultimately focusing on the long-term benefits.” Said Gross.

The upgrade not only enhances security and operational efficiency but also offers a more user-friendly interface. The modernized system replaces a dated, complex interface with a web-based, easy-to-navigate platform, facilitating quicker and more efficient operations for all users.

As MacDill AFB moves forward with this advanced communication system, the 6th CS continues to demonstrate its pivotal role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of military operations. The successful implementation of this project stands as a testament to their skill, dedication, and unwavering commitment to supporting the U.S. military’s communication needs.

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Gross, the noncommissioned officer in charge of cyber requirements, for the 6th Communications Squadron, and Senior Airman Tristan Westbay, a cyber transport systems specialist assigned to the 6th CS, work in the server room at MacDill Air Force Base Dec 1. The 6th CS puts in relentless effort to ensure smooth operations. The 6th CS recently completed an upgrade to the base’s phone network, significantly enhancing the capabilities of the 6th Air Refueling Wing and reducing the risk of system breaches.

(Far left) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Gross, the noncommissioned officer in charge of cyber requirements, for the 6th Communications Squadron, and Senior Airman Tristan Westbay, a cyber transport systems specialist assigned to the 6th CS, answer phones at MacDill Air Force Base Dec 1.

(Left) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Gross, the noncommissioned officer in charge of cyber requirements, for the 6th Communications Squadron, and Senior Airman Tristan Westbay, a cyber transport systems specialist assigned to the 6th CS, work in the server room at MacDill Air Force Base Dec 1. The 6th CS recently completed an upgrade to the base’s phone network, significantly enhancing the capabilities of the 6th Air Refueling Wing and reducing the risk of system breaches.

EDUCATION From Page 3

after moves, and moves and providing resources for special educational needs.

One of the most impactful policies, spearheaded by the council, ensures that military families affected by rezoning can maintain their children in their current schools. This stability is crucial for families frequently on the move and has been well-received in the community.

Understanding the military lifestyle is essential for educators. The base has introduced an immersion program for teachers to familiarize them with the challenges military families face. These activities offer insights into aspects like varying time zones and family dynamics, fostering a deeper understanding among educators.

Looking ahead, the MCE aims to enhance student engagement and belonging. Initiatives like integrating clubs within the school day have been introduced, offering activities like weaving, cheer-leading, and soccer. These clubs are designed to foster connections and a sense of community among students based on shared interests.

A key challenge highlighted by the council is the unpredictability of military life and its impact on students.

The council emphasizes the importance of adaptability and awareness among staff to provide immediate support in times of sudden deployments or conflicts, ensuring that the educational environment remains a supportive space for students.

“Let’s make sure that we give all our students extra love because their lives could change at a moment’s notice” said Ms. Rachel Waters, Tinker Elementary School principal. “I remember being told by a parent that some people were being called up with a recent conflict brewing in the middle east, and within ten minutes I was able to get a staff meeting going to address that.”

The success of the MCE at MacDill Air Force Base is becoming a model for other districts, showcasing the benefits of a strong partnership between military bases and educational institutions. As these initiatives continue to evolve, they promise to enhance the educational experiences of military children, ensuring they receive the support and stability they need for academic success.

MCE’s efforts demonstrate a commitment to the wellbeing and educational advancement of military families.

Their innovative approaches, from policy changes to immersive programs, are making a tangible difference in the lives of many. As this model gains recognition, it has the potential to influence similar initiatives across the country, further supporting the unique needs of military families.

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Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian

U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing deputy commander, discusses educational initiatives during a MacDill Council for Education Excellence meeting at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 27. A key challenge highlighted by the council is the unpredictability of military life and its impact on students. The council emphasizes the importance of adaptability and awareness among staff to provide immediate support in times of sudden deployments or conflicts, ensuring that the educational environment remains a supportive space for students.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian

Military and District leaders listen to a brief about Military and Family Life Counseling services during a MacDill Council for Education Excellence meeting at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 27.

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WARRIOR

From Page 3

most stressful jobs in America, and they need the best leadership possible.”

In addition to Brinkley’s presentation, U.S. Air Force Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, addressed the Airmen in attendance and explained what can be gained from attending the MacDill University classes.

“Today and tomorrow will help us remember some of the good things that we need to be doing to overcome some of the storms that our going to happen in our lives,” said Bingham.

“The great thing I know about storms is, they never last. If we charge them, we can minimize the amount of pain, time and frustration we feel from them”.

Photo By Senior Airman Jessica Do In his 38 years of service Brinkley served U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Anthony Brinkley, speaks to attendees, during the Warrior Heart event at MacDill 12 years and a First Air Force Base Dec. 4. Brinkley is a recognized leadership expert, inspirational speaker and CEO of ‘On the Brink ConSergeant and six as a sulting’. Brinkley served 12 years and a First Sergeant and six as a command chief. command chief, and foot stomped the Air U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Anthony Force core value SerBrinkley, speaks to attendees, during the Warvice Before Self. He rior Heart event at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. added, “It is service be4. Brinkley is a recognized leadership expert, fore self, not service beinspirational speaker and CEO of ‘On the Brink fore health.”

Consulting’. Brinkley served 12 years and a Having a warrior First Sergeant and six as a command chief. heart means pushing through the struggles, recognizing there is a problem, reaching out to get help with those problems, and coming out the other side a better person.

Photo By Senior Airman Jessica Do

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FUTURE From Page 2

One of the key objectives of the expo was to provide an efficient environment for Airmen to network with industry leaders and experts.

This setup allowed for a focused exchange of ideas and knowledge, facilitating a deeper understanding of emerging technologies.

“Here we have software that’ll translate what you say in English directly into Spanish or any one of the 100 different language options” said Chris Gonzales, an associate with Cubic Defense. “It’s very useful for communicating accurately with coalition forces from around the world with as little delay as possible.”

The expo also featured on-site demonstrations, allowing Airmen to witness the practical applications Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian of new technologies. This Service members and technology industry professionals discuss new innovations during a tech expo at MacDill Air hands-on experience is cruForce Base Dec 5. Exhibits at the tech expo provided Airmen with a tangible sense of the evolving technological cial for finding realistic and landscape and potential military applications. efficient solutions to the challenges faced in military operations.

The 5th Annual tech expo served to show MacDill’s commitment to embracing military-technology integration. By providing Airmen with access to the latest technological innovations and the opportunity to engage with industry experts, the event plays a crucial role in maintaining the United States Air Force’s position at the forefront of innovation and operational efficiency.

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Winter Runderland 3K/5K The Short Fitness Center will be hosting a Winter Runderland fun run tomorrow 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.

Short Fitness Center closures The Short Fitness Center will be closed Dec. 15, 25, 26, and 30 but will be accessible to those patrons with 24/7 access. Visit macdillfss. com/short-fitness-center/ for more details.

Pro Shop Holiday Sale Gear up for the holidays with Bay Palms Complex Golf Pro Shop sale, December 18 – 24. Swing into the season with unbeatable discounts on top-quality clubs, stylish apparel, and cutting-edge accessories. Visit macdillfss.com/ bay-palms-golf-complex/ for more information.

Holiday gift shopping with FSS Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Visit the Arts and Crafts Center on MacDill AFB for unique hand-crafted items perfect for friends and family. Visit macdillfss.com/services/ for more details. Theme Park and local attraction tickets make great stocking stuffers. Visit the MacDill ITT office inside the Base Exchange or visit macdillfss.com/recreation/.

Find more events at macdillfss.com

The Champ!

Photo By Senior Airman Jessica Do

U.S. Air Force Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, left, and Chief Master Sgt. Raun Howell, right, recognize Tech. Sgt. Chauncey Griffin, 6th Force Support Squadron, during a Champion of the Week recognition at MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 5. Griffin demonstrated unparalleled courage and composure, diffusing a volatile situation caused by a disgruntled individual within the MPF premises. Through her rapid response and astute coordination with security forces, she secured the protection of 45 Airmen and 30 customers, averting potential harm and ensuring the stability of the environment.

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 Cha-

pel 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 14, 2023 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 15

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