Thunderbolt 02/10/2022

McKenziesaysISISleaderwhodiedduringU.S.raidwas‘evil’

by TerriMoonCronk DODNews

TheISISleaderwhodiedduringa U.S. SpecialOperationslong-range helicopterraidonamissiontocapturehiminnorthwestSyria was“everybitasevilandcommittedtoattacksontheUnitedStatesandits partnersas washispredecessor[AbuBakral-Baghdadi],” saidMarine CorpsGen. Kenneth F. McKenzieJr.,commanderof U.S. CentralCommand.

McKenziespoketotheMiddleEastInstituteyesterdayonthelatest developmentsin U.S. strategyandthe challengesandopportunitiesfacingtheUnitedStatesanditsregionalpartnersintheyearahead.He alsocommentedon Wednesdaynight’sraidinSyria,partofCentcom’s areaofresponsibility.

AbuIbrahimal-Hashimial-Qurayshi,alsoknownasHajiAbdullah, refusedtogivehimselfupto U.S. specialoperatorsandkilledhimselfin amassiveexplosion,McKenziesaid.Therewereno U.S. casualties.

“WhileBaghdadi wasiconicandaphilosopher, inISIS, [Abdullah] wasactuallyfarmoreofanoperationalplanneranddirectorofoperations,” thegeneralsaid.“He wasdirectlyorindirectlyresponsiblefor numerousatrocities, includingthoseagainstthe Yazidisearlyonand ISIS’reignofterrorinIraqandSyria,” headded.

“Hekilledhimselfandhisimmediatefamilywithoutfighting, even asweattemptedtocallforhissurrenderandofferedhimapathtosurvive,” hesaid,notingthatAbdullah wasejectedfromthebuildingduringtheexplosionand wasidentifiedbyfingerprintandDNAanalyses.

“I wanttocommendtheexpertiseandbraveryofthe U.S. forcesthat executedthemissionandourinteragencypartnerswhoplanned,sup-

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MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca Editor:NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentofDefense,

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

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Deadlineforarticlesubmissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy,clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“AssociatedPressStylebookandLibelManual”andAirForceInstruction35-101.

PhotobtNavyCapt.WilliamUrban MarineCorpsGen.FrankMcKenzie,thecommanderofU.S.Central Command,directsoperationswithMarineCorpsBrig.Gen.Farrell J.Sullivan,commanderoftheNavalAmphibious TaskForce51/5th MarineExpeditionaryBrigade,atHamidKarzaiInternationalAirport, Afghanistan,Aug.17.

6thCPTSAirmangoesabove andbeyondfor TeamMacDill

byAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

“Financeisoftensomethingpeopledread,” admitsSeniorAirmanBryanChappell,afinancialservicetechnicianassignedtothe6thComptrollerSquadron(CPTS).

Fromdeterminingthe availabilityoffundstoprocessingthedispersingofpaymentsandperformingaudits,Airmenassignedtothe6thCPTS recognizetheimportanceoftheirroleinservingthemilitarycommunity.

“Tosucceedintheworldoffinanceyoudefinitelyneedtohaveattentiontodetail,especiallyworkingwithpay,” saidStaffSgt.UniquaMiles, a6thCPTStravelteamsupervisor.“Youhavetobecustomerservice orientedandabletoputcustomersateasebydemonstratingsensitivity towardseachuniquesituation.”

ForChappell,hispassionforhelpingothersanddedicationtohis teamiswhathasdrivenhimtosuccessfullyensurecustomersaretaken careof.

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PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanBryanChappell,afinancialservicetechnicianwiththe6thComptrollerSquadron(CPTS),posesforaphoto outsideofhisofficeatMacDillAirForceBase,Florida,Jan.27.Chappell hasbeen recognizedasanoutstandingAirmanfromthe6thCPTSfor hisexceptionalcustomerserviceskills,innovationandmanyothercontributionswhichhaveleftapositiveimpressiononhisteam.

AirForcelaunchespilotprogramtoincentivizeoptimizedflying

AirForceOperationalEnergy

ARLINGTON, Va.(AFNS)—Aspartofits efforttostreamlineoperationsandincrease aircraftrangeandcapability, theDepartment oftheAir ForcelaunchedthepilotMissionExecutionExcellenceProgramtoincentivizeoptimizedflyingonaircraftthatconsumethemost fuelacrosstheenterprise.

MEEPwill encourageAirmento increase theiruseofefficientflying‘bestpractices,’ whichwillnotimpacttheirmissionandtrainingrequirements, throughdirectandindirect incentives.

Thepilotphasewillfocusprimarilyon C-17GlobemasterIIIaircraft,thelargestAir Forcefuelconsumers, at JointBaseCharleston,SouthCarolina,andTravisAir ForceBase, California,andwillcontinuethroughDecember2022.MEEPwillmainlyworkwithpilots andoperationsplanners, aswellasmaintainersandlogisticians, andwillleverageAirman innovationtointegrateimprovedtechniques

Aspartofitsefforttostreamlineoperationsandincreaseaircraftrangeandcapability,theDepartmentoftheAirForcelaunchedthepilotMissionExecutionExcellenceProgramtoincentivizeoptimizedflyingonaircraftthatconsumethemostfuelacrosstheenterprise.MEEPwill encourageAirmentoincreasetheiruseofefficientflying‘bestpractices,’whichwillnotimpact theirmissionandtraining requirements,throughdirectandindirectincentives.

Courtesygraphic

(Farleft)U.S.AirForcepararescuemen fromthe57thRescueSquadronperform astaticlinejumpover AvianoAirBase, Italy,Jan.12.ThetrainingexerciseensurestheAirmencanaccomplishtheir missionsetsincludingpersonnel recoveryandcombatsearchand rescue.

(Left) U.S.Navy ViceAdm.TimSzymanski,U.S.SpecialOperationsCommand deputycommander, retiredfromtheU.S. NavyduringaceremonyJan.28inhistoricHangar5onMacDillAirForceBase. Szymanski’s retirementmarkstheend ofa37-yearcareerthatbeganwhenhe graduatedfromtheUnitedStatesNaval AcademyatAnnapolis,Maryland,and wascommissionedintotheU.S.Navyas anavalsurfacewarfareofficerin1985.

PhotobyStaffSgt.BettyR.Chevalier

DAFannouncesSpark Tank‘22finalists

byIsabelZaru-Roque

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va.(AFNS)—TheDepartmentoftheAir Force’sSpark Tankprogramentersitsfifthyearandispoisedtoagainhighlightthe creativeandinnovativespiritamongstourAirmenandGuardians.The AirandSpace Forcevice chiefs, alongwithotherseniorleadersacross bothservices, selectedsixideastoadvance.Thefinalswillbeheldatthe Air ForceAssociation’sAerospace WarfareSymposiumasseniorleaders decidewhowillbedeclaredwinnerofSpark Tank‘22andtakepossession ofthecoveted3DprintedSpark Tanktrophy.

AstheDepartment’sflagshipinnovationevent,Spark Tankplaysa centralroleinestablishingtheDepartment’sstrategicmindsetfordeliveringfuturecapabilities. Inhis2020whitepapertitled “Accelerate ChangeorLose,” Air ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.said,“The UnitedStatesneedsanAir Forcethatcanfly, fight,andwinintheair domainasamemberofthejointteam.Inrecentyears, facedwithlesser adversaries, wehavetakenairsuperiorityforgranted,anditiseasyto forgetthatthejointforceloseswithoutaccesstotheairandtheabilityto denythataccesstoourenemies.”

Similarly, in“Spacepower, DoctrineforSpace Forces,” ChiefofSpace OperationsGen. John W. “Jay” Raymondstated, “Asalean,mission-focused,digitalservice, theUnitedStatesSpace Forcevaluesorganizationalagility, innovation,andboldness Elevatingthesetraitsstartswithempoweringsmallteamsandprizingmeasuredrisk-takingasopportunities torapidlylearnandadapt.Theseprinciplesapplyequallytooperations andday-to-daytasks.TheUnitedStatesSpace Forcemustdrawupon thesetraitstorelentlesslyadvancemilitaryspacepowerforthenation.”

“Spark TankpresentseachAirmanandGuardianwiththeopportunity toleaveamarkofexcellenceonourcorecompetenciesthroughanimprovementorinnovationbornoftheirsubjectmatterexpertiseandingenuity,” saidBrouGautier, Spark Tankdirector.“Italsoaffordsusoccasiontocelebratethoserisk-takers, ideamakersandintrapreneurswhorefusedtoacceptthestatusquoanddevelopedsolutionsthatadvanceourcapabilitiesor improveourreturnoninvestmentinordertoinspiremoreofthesame.”

Co-producedbytheOfficeoftheDeputyUnderSecretaryoftheAir Force, ManagementRichLombardi,andAFWERX,thisannualeventis designedtounleashourtotalforceinnovationcapacity, reflectingleadership’scontinuedeffortstoempowerintrapreneurs, celebratetheirproblem-solvingskillsandgivethemastagetosharetheirideaswithfellow servicemembers, theDepartment’sseniorleaders, andtheworld.Only thetop3%ofideassubmittedtotheSpark Tankcampaignwereselected tocompeteasfinalists.

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Reduceyourriskof developingcancer

byByGregChadwick

AirForceMaterielCommandHealth&Wellness Team

WRIGHT-PATTERSONAIRFORCE BASE,Ohio—Cancerisagroupofdiseases characterizedbytheuncontrolledgrowthand spreadofabnormalcells.Aboutoneofevery threeAmericanswilldevelopsomeformofmalignancyduringhisorherlifetime, accordingto theCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.

Ourgenes, lifestyle, andtheenvironment aroundusworktogethertoincreaseordecrease ourriskofgettingcancer Eachperson’scancer riskismadeupofacombinationofthesefactors.

Acancerriskfactorisanythingthatincreases your chanceofdevelopingcancer;acancerprotectivefactorisanythingthatdecreasesyour SeeCANCER,Page14

Cancerisagroupofdiseasescharacterizedbytheuncontrolledgrowthandspreadofabnormal cells.AboutoneofeverythreeAmericanswilldevelopsomeformofmalignancyduringhisor herlifetime,accordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.Genes,lifestyle,and theenvironmentworktogethertoincreaseordecreaseriskofgettingcancer.Eachperson’s cancerriskismadeupofacombinationofthesefactors.

Courtesygraphic

MACDILL

24thSOWDet.1conducts first readinessexercise underAFSOC

storyandphotosbyAirman1stClassHiramMartinez

6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Airmenfromthe24thSpecialOperations Wing, Detachment1,participatedintheirfirstjointdeploymentexercisesincetransitioningfrom UnitedStatesSpecialOperationsCommandtoAir ForceSpecialOperationsCommand Jan.31- Feb. 1,atMacDillAir ForceBase.

The24thSOW, Det.1conductedtheexercisetovalidatetheirabilityto provideshort-noticecivilengineering, forceprotectionandlogisticssupport towardawidevarietyofspecialoperationmissionsacrosstheglobe.

Duringtheexercise, Airmensecuredtheircargo, prepareditforloading, andensuredit wasreadyforasafetyinspection.

“ThisisourfirstdeploymentexerciseunderAFSOC,” said Tech Sgt.Ismael Hayes, thenoncommissionedofficerin chargeofAirTransportationforthe 24thSOW, Det.1.“We wantedtogetanunderstandingofsomeofournew rolesandhowwewouldproceedwithourmissionsfromhereonout.”

HayesaddedthatalthoughthetransitionfromSOCOMtoAFSOCdidnot entirely changetheirmission,itwouldhelpthemgetitdonefaster.

“We’reallabouttime,” saidHayes,“Nowthatwe’reworkingwithAFSOC, we’reabletoworkseamlesslywithotherunitsacrossthe6thAirRefueling Wing.”

Alongsidethe24thSOW, Det.1,wereAirmenfromthe6thLogisticsReadinessSquadron,conductingsafetyinspectionsandprovidingcargoloading supportthroughouttheexercise.

“Workingwiththe24thSOW wasdefinitelyinteresting,” saidStaffSgt. NasyaDidomenico, apassengerterminalrepresentativewiththe6thLRS. “Weensuredthatallthecargo waspreparedforloading, conductedthesafetyinspectionstopreventanyhazardoussituations, andexchangedfeedback withtheAirmenconductingtheexercise.”

Didomenicoaddedthatthe24thSOWAirmenwereextremelyefficientduringtheexerciseandthe6thLRSislookingforwardtoahigheroperations temponowthatthe24SOW, Det.1isunderAFSOC.

“We definitelystillhavethesamementalitywhenitcomestodoingour job,” saidHayes.“However, we’reverymuchlookingforwardtowhatthefuturehasinstoreforusbeingabletoworkunderAFSOCandwiththesupport ofthe6thARW.”

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.IsmaelHayes,thenoncommissionedofficerinchargeofAir Transportationforthe24thSpecial OperationsWing(SOW),Detachment1,andAirman1stClassZoeStough,agroundtransportationsupportoperatorwith the6thLogisticsReadinessSquadron,loadcargoontoasemi-truckatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.1.The24SOW,Det. 1conductedtheirfirstjointdeploymentexercisesincetransitioningfromUnitedStatesSpecialOperationsCommandto AirForceSpecialOperationsCommand.

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.IsmaelHayesthenoncommissionedofficerinchargeofAir Transportationforthe24thSpecial OperationsWing,Detachment1,helpsloadcargoatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.1.The24thSOW,Det.1conductedthe exerciseinordertovalidatetheirabilitytoprovideshort-noticecivilengineering,forceprotection,andlogisticssupport towardawidevarietyofspecialoperationmissionsacrosstheglobe.

U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassFelixAlvarez,a6thLogisticsReadinessSquadron(LRS)dispatch operator,tossesacargo ropeduringajointdeploymentexerciseatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.1. The6thLRS regularlyassistsmultipletenantunitsstationedatMacDill,ensuringcargoissecure and readytoshipanywhereintheworld.

Spark Tank2022 Finalists: BloodDeliveryby UAV

Maj.GiselleRieschick

99MedicalSupportSquadron NellisAir ForceBase, Nevada

AirCombatCommand

Timeisacriticalaspectincombatcasualty care.Thesooneracombatcasualtyreceives definitivecare, particularlywithinthe“golden hour”afterinjury, thebetterthe chanceofsurvival.Thetimely availabilityofbloodproducts withinthe“goldenhour”isessentialtosaving lives. Recentadvancementsinthemedicaluse ofunmannedaerialvehicles(UAVs),commonly knownasdrones, highlighttheincreasedefficiencyandreducedcostsacrossanumberof usesincludingblooddelivery.

Aerial TowRehookup-NovelRangeExtension CadetGrantSchlichting UnitedStatesAir ForceAcademyCadet Wing USAFA,Colorado

UnitedStatesAir ForceAcademy

TheAirborneAircraftCarrierhasbecomea reality. Insteadofconstraintdesignstofitwithinthemothership, theAerial TowRehookupsolutionistotowaircraftbehindthemothership. Thisopensupthedesignspaceforaerialrechargingofelectronicverticaltake-offandlanding, supersonictowingofvariousplatforms, and towingstealthassetstothefrontlinesofhighly contestedenvironments.ThiscouldprovideIntelligence,SurveillanceandReconnaissanceassetstoloiteroverenemyterritorylongerand spendlesstimeduringingressandegress.

F-22Project FoX(FighterOptimizationExperiment) Maj.AllenBlack

412th Test Wing

EdwardsAFB,California Air ForceMaterielCommand

TheF-22Raptor wasrecentlyupgradedwith anOpenSystemsArchitectureRack(OSA) whichopensthedoortorevolutionizethe wayin whichF-22missionsystemsaredevelopedand acquired.Project FoX,orthe FighterOptimizationExperiment,providesatransformative way toacceleratethedeliveryofnewsoftwarecapabilitiestotheaircraftwhiledecreasingthe costbytakingatabletconnectedto a governmentinterfacethatputstheaircraftdataintoa commonformat.Thisallowstheaircrafttohave someofthebestapplicationsdownloadedthat areportableacrossplatformsandprovidereal test,training, andtacticalbenefits.

DAGGER:DevelopingAirmenandGuardianswithGamesforEnhancedReadiness MatthewCorreia EakerCenter

MaxwellAFB, Ala.

AirEducationandTrainingCommand

DAGGER:DevelopingAirmenandGuardians withGamesforEnhancedReadinessistheapplicationofsound,proveneducationalpractices withgame-basedlearning ItaddressestheAir ForceChiefofStaff’s ActionOrder–Airmento transformthe waywedeliberatelyprofessionallygrowourAirmenandGuardians, bybuilding betterAirmenandGuardiansonAir Forcefoundationalcompetenciesandcorevalues.

Custom Facemasksfor FighterPilotsand Beyond

Maj.RyanSheridan

10thAirBase Wing

USAFA,Colo.

UnitedStatesAir ForceAcademy

Areourpilotsstrugglingwithoxygenmasks thatdon’tfit?Whereisthelinebetween“fit” and“comfort”? We havethecapability, butnot thecapacitytosolveaproblemthatmany warfighterssufferwithinsilence.Advanced3Dimaging, localdesign,andrapidprototypingwill utilizearobustnetworkinfrastructuretoalign civilianpartnershipstosupportthediverse facial featuresof ourpilots with customized maskstooptimizethehumanweaponsystem.

ProjectArcwater

SeniorMasterSgt.Brent Kenneyand Tech Sgt. MatthewConnelly

52nd Fighter Wing

SpangdahlemAB,Germany

UnitedStatesAir ForcesinEurope–Air Forces Africa

Waterandpowerarenonnegotiablewhen standingupaforwardoperatinglocation.But it’snottogetfueland wateronlocation.What ifwecouldgeneratefromthinair?ProjectArcwaterisanagilecombatemploymentsystem thataimstosignificantlydecreasethelogistics oftransporting waterandenergyneedsatoffthe-gridlocationsthroughsolarpanels, a water harvester, andAC/heatingtool,creating26gallonsofpotable wateroutofthinair.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

“Tome, thisjobisextremelyself-rewarding,” saidChappell.“MyfavoritepartaboutmyjobisanytimethatIamabletositdownwithamembertohelpexplainorstraightenouttheirfinances.”

Thoughhandlingcustomerswithfrustrationscanbeadifficultobstacle, forChappell,finding waystoresolveissuesfortheseindividuals makesthe challengeworthwhile.

“WhenImakeatediousprocesssmoothandeasyforamemberto followandunderstand,IknowIgavethemahugesenseofrelief,” said Chappell.“Inturn,helpingothersprovidesmewithalotofpersonalsatisfaction.”

Morethanin-personservice, Chappellandthefinanceteamareactivelylookingformoreefficientandprogressive waystoservetheMacDill community’sfinancialneeds.

Mostrecently, Chappellhasheadedupaninitiativetocreateanew customerservice-basedwebsite.

“Theideabehindthewebsite wastogivemembersauser-friendlyportaltofindallrelevantinformationtoanythingtheycouldpossiblyneed fromouroffice,” saidChappell.“Withthisplatforminformationisonlya clickorscroll away Iattemptedtomakeitimpossibletogetlostinthe website, keepingeverythingaccessibleonthesamepage.”

Chappelladdedthatheplanstoincludewrittenandvideoinstructions onhowtofilloutdifferentformsforthefinanceofficethatwouldallow memberstogettheinformationtheyneedandultimatelysavethemfrom havingtomakeunnecessaryappointments.

Morethandeliveringincrediblecustomerservice;Chappellcontinues toexcelprofessionallybytakingcollegecourses, designingnewautomationtofilefinancialreports, andmaintainingapositiveroleinhiscommunityasthetreasurerfortheAmericanSocietyofMilitaryComptrollers TampaBayChapter.

Miles, Chappell’ssupervisor,highlightedthathehashitthegroundrunningsincearrivingatMacDillAFBnearlyayearago Hisdedicationeven earnedhimabelow-the-zonepromotiontotherankofseniorairman.

“ThereisjustsomethingdifferentaboutChappell,” saidMiles.“Hehas adifferentdrive, adifferentworkethic, adeterminationtonotonlyget thingsdone, andgetthemdoneeffectively, buttoinnovate changewhere heseesit.Hewillcontinuetobeanassettoanyteamheworkson.”

Chappellandmembersofthe6thCPTSarecommittedto changingthe stigmaof‘dreading’financialhelpandwillcontinuetokeepa watchful eyeon TeamMacDill’sfinancialdatatoensurefundsarebeingutilized responsiblyandefficiently.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thur

portedandexecutedthemission,” McKenziesaid.“Iwouldalsoliketo acknowledgethesupportofourSyrianDemocratic Forcespartnersin Syria,whomadeinvaluablecontributionstothesuccessofthemission.”

ThegeneralsaidtheDefenseDepartmentdeeplyregretstheloss oflifeofanynon-combatants, butISISfightersweredirectlyorindirectlyresponsibleforeveryfamilymemberwhoperishedinthemission throughtheir“cowardly”actsorthroughtheir choicetofight U.S. forces. Headdedtheprofessionalismof U.S. forcessavedthemajorityofnoncombatantsandpursuedeverypossibleopportunitytosaveallofthose whowerepresent.

“ThedeathofHajiAbdullahisa clearsignalthattheUnitedStates remainsfocusedandcommittedtofindingandeliminatingtheterroristswhoareplottingtodousharm,andwewillnotrestwhiletheir organizationsremaincommittedtoterrorismandviolenceagainstthe internationalcommunityintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,” theCentcomcommandersaid.“It’salsoasignaltoallofthosewhowrongfully proclaimedthattheUnitedStates wasnolongerinterestedinorcommittedtosecurityinthe U.S. CentralCommandareaofresponsibility. Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth,andthismissionconfirms that,” headded.

Someofthemostimmediateandcrediblethreatstothe U.S. homelandemanatefromtheCentcomareaofresponsibility, McKenziesaid.

FollowingtheconclusionoftheAfghanistan warinlate July2021, theUnitedStatesnowappreciateswiththe“stunning clarityofhindsight”thatneithertheAfghanistangovernmentnoritsdefenseforces retainthewilltodefendtheircountryinthe U.S.’ absence, henoted. “As soonasthisbecame clear, Centcomsetinmotionwhatwouldultimately provetobethelargestairborne, non-combatantevacuationoperationin history, aseparatemissionthatconcludedon30August,2021.Afterthe evacuationofover123,000Americans, third-countrynationalsandatriskAfghans, this wasanexceptionallycomplexanddangerousmission conductedincontactwithISIS-K,avilefoe. Iwillneverforgettheheroicandinnocentlivesthatwerelostduringthisoperation.Butneither willIforgetthethousandsoflivessavedandthededicationofthemen andthewomenwhomadethe U.S. evacuationpossible,” headded.

McKenziesaidthatevenwithouta U.S. presence, theUnitedStates cannotrelentinitscampaigntodegradeandultimatelydefeattheviolentextremistorganizationsthatwouldexportterrortoourshores, addingthatISISremainsthegreatestterroristthreattotheUnited States.“We havecomeaverylong waysincethedarkdaysof2014when ISIShadoverrunRaqqa[inSyria]andMosul[Iraq]andthreatened Baghdadwiththeinvaluablecontributionsofnationsthatwouldform Combined Joint Task ForceOperation-InherentResolve,” henoted.

ISIShas, nevertheless,reconstitutedasanasymmetricthreat,andit continuestoterrorizetheinnocentpopulationsofIraqandSyriawheneveritcan,McKenzieadded.

ISIS’desiretoharmtheUnitedStatesisasintenseasever, hesaid, addingthatthereisa waytodealwiththem.“ISISfightersarebrutal andrelentless, butthey’realsofairlyconventionalmilitarytargets,” the generalsaid.“Ourtaskistofind,fixandfinishthem.”

Iranremainsacentralthreat,McKenziesaid.“Specifically, mymissionistodeterIranfromundertakingmalignactivitiesthatundermine

thesecurityandstabilityoftheregion,” headded.

“It’smyassessmentthatIranisnowevaluatingitsoptions—everythingfromde-escalationindiplomaticnormalizationtorampingupattacksagainstcoalitionforces,” McKenziesaid.

Fromageostrategicperspective, thegeneralsaidit’snotsurprising thatChinahasmadedeliberate, steadyinroadsintoaregionthat’sessentialtoits“BeltandRoad”initiative.“Lastyear’sstrategiccooperationagreementbetweenChinaandIran,aswellasrecentjointnaval exerciseswithIranandRussiaintheIndianOcean,senta clearsignal ofChina’sintentiontocounterAmericaninfluenceintheregion,” he said.TheChineseareeagertopushthesaleoftheirmilitaryequipment to U.S. partners, andthey’refully awareitcompromisestheUnited States’abilitytointegratethesecountriesintocollectivedefensearchitectures, headded.

“TheChinesemovewithgreatspeed,notwithstandingmajormuscle movements intheSouthChinaSea,andthissortofinsidiousactivity iswhatthefrontlineofstrategiccompetitionlooksliketoday, andnowhereisitmoreactivethanintheMiddleEast,” McKenziesaid.

TurningtoRussia,“Weneednot awaitthepassageoftimetodiscern thenatureofRussia’sinterestsintheregionorelsewhere,” hesaid. “WhereasChina’sapproachisrationalandpatient,thatofRussiaisessentiallyopportunistic.”

Russia’sdisregardofinternationalnormsisnowhere cleareratpresentthanonthebordersofUkraine, whereRussiahasamassedaconcentrationofconventionalmilitarypowerthatbeliesanylegitimate, peacefulpurpose, McKenziesaid,addingthatastheCentcomcommander, Ukrainewouldnotnormallydemandhisattention,butthe situationthereisfarfromnormal.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

PhotobyNavyMassCommunicationSpecialist3rdClassJustinWhitley MarineCorpsGen.KennethMcKenzieJr.,commander,U.S.Central Command,passesthroughsideboysasheboardsamphibiousassault shipUSSBoxer,July23,2019.

andbestpracticesintotheirday-to-dayoperations.

TheAir ForceplanstoincentivizeAirmentoincreasetheiruseofsix keyefficiencytechniquesacrosstheforcethatcanbeimplementedto lowerenergydemandandimprovereadiness.

PrecisionFuelPlanning–Decreaseexcessfuelcarriageduring plannedflightswhenpossible

ReducedEngine Taxiing–Reducethenumberofenginesrunning duringtaxitoonlywhatisrequiredforsafeoperationwhenpossible ReducedUseofAuxiliary PowerUnits(APU)–Limittheuseof APUsduringgroundoperationsandutilizemoreefficientgroundpower equipmentwhenpossible

ReducedorSimultaneousEngineStart–Minimizethetimebetween enginestartandtakeoffbyreducingenginesrunningorstartingthe enginesimultaneouslywhenpossible

DescentProfile Technique–Employcontinuousdescentoperations inalow-dragconfiguration,withminimalenginethrustwhenpossible CruiseAltitudeSelection–Flyatoptimalcruisealtitudeswhenpossible

“We’vemetwithanumberofcommercialairlinesandfreightand transportcompaniestoseehowtheyoperateinthemostefficientand effective waypossibleusing21stcenturytools,” saidDeputyAssistant SecretaryofAir ForceOperationalEnergy, RobertoGuerrero.“There arealotofopportunitiestosupportAirmeninflyingmoreefficiently –likesoftwarethathelpsAirmenfuelplanmoreeasilyorflyingtech-

niquesthatpilotscanimplement,maintenancepracticestoimprove engineperformanceand waystoimproveloadplans. Manyoftheseare low-hangingfruitthatwesimplyneedtofundandincentivize.”

InitialestimatesshowthatemployingMEEPcanimproveenergyintensity–orthemissioneffectivenesspergallonoffuel–by3%.Thisis expectedtoincreasecapabilityandreadinesswhilegeneratingasmuch as$80millionperyearinfuelcostsavingsthatcanbereturnedtothe Air Forceorparticipatingwings.

Theprogramismadeupofthreecomponents:dataandmetriccollectionvisibility, focusedwing-levelinteraction,anddirectandindirect incentives Collaboratingwiththewingsandin-houseinnovationcells, MEEPwillcollectandanalyzeflightandfueldatatogatherfeedback, trackperformancemetrics, andaddressany challenges.Throughvariouseducationandtrainingprograms, theteamswilldeveloprelevant dashboardsfornear-real-timeoperatorfeedback,connectwithsurvey analytics, encourageoperatorreportingcompliance, employplanning softwaretosupportoperations, andconductfocusgroupstocollectqualitativedata.

Incentives includedirecttransfer of operationsandmaintenance fundsorfundingofwingpriorityprojects, fundingorrebatesinproportiontosavings, and‘soft’incentiveslike awardsandrecognitiontoindividualAirmenandwingsthatshowincreasedenergy-awarebehavior.

Oncethepilotphaseiscomplete,AFOEplanstoexpandtheprogram tootherbasesandaircraft.

CANCER

FromPage 6 chanceofdevelopingcancer. Someriskfactorsforcancercanbe avoided, butmanycannot. Forexample,bothsmokingandinheritingcertaingenes areriskfactorsforsometypesofcancer,butonlysmokingcanbe avoided. Regularexerciseandahealthydietmaybeprotectivefactorsforsome typesofcancer.Avoidingriskfactorsandincreasingprotectivefactorsmay loweryourrisk,butitdoesnotmeanthatyouwillnotgetcancer.

Itisusuallynotpossibletoknowwhyonepersondevelopscancerand anotherdoesn’t.Butresearchhasshownthatcertainriskfactorsmayincreaseaperson’s chancesofgettingcancer.

Theriskofdevelopingcancerincreaseswithadvancingage;80%ofall cancersintheUnitedStatesarediagnosedinpeople55yearsofageor older. Certainbehaviorsandothermodifiablefactorsalsoincreaserisk, suchastobaccouse, havingexcessbodyweight,drinkingalcohol,sunlight, andhavinganunhealthydiet.

Youcanloweryourriskof gettingmanycommonkindsofcancerby makinghealthy choices Screeningtestscanfindsomecancerearly, when treatmentworksbest. Vaccinescanhelppreventseveralkindsofcancer To reduceyourriskofdevelopingcancer:

Protectyourskinfromthesun.SkincanceristhemostcommonlydiagnosedcancerintheUS, withmorethan5millionnewcasesannually. Mostskincancersarearesultofexposuretotheultraviolet(UV)raysin sunlight. To lowertheriskofskincancer, limitbeingexposedtoUVrays.

u AvoidthesunwhenUVraysarestrongest,usuallybetween10a.m. and4 p.m.

u Applyabroad-spectrumsunscreen,withasunprotectionfactorofat least30.

u Wear clothestoprotecttheskin,suchaslongsleevesandlongpants.

u Covertheheadwithawide-brimmedhatthatshadestheface, neck, andears.

u Putonwrap-aroundsunglassesthathaveUVprotectionfortheeyes andtheskinaroundthem.

u Avoidsunbathing, tanningbeds, andsunlamps.

u Checkskinregularlytospotanynewgrowthsorareas, andreport themtoadoctorright away.

Avoidtobaccoinallitsforms, includingexposuretosecondhandsmoke. Tobaccouseremainsthemostpreventablecauseofcancerdeath.Cigarette

smokingincreasestheriskofatleast12differentcancers, with30%ofall cancerdeathsintheUS, including80%to90%oflungcancerdeaths, attributedtosmoking. Usingothertobaccoproductssuchascigarsorpipes alsoincreasetheriskforlungcancer.Aftersmoking, radonisthesecond leadingcauseoflungcancerintheUS. Radonisanaturallyoccurringgas thatformsinrocks, soil,and water. Itcannotbeseen,tasted,orsmelled. Whenradongetsintohomesorbuildingsthroughcracksorholes, itcan gettrappedandbuildupintheairinside.Peoplewholiveinthesehomes breatheinhighradonlevels. Overlongperiodsoftime, radoncancause lungcancer. Getyourhometestedforradon.Nearlyoneoutofevery15 homesintheUShashighradonlevelsaccordingtotheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency.

Limitalcoholconsumption.Anestimated6%ofcancercasesareattributedtoalcoholintake Drinkingalcoholislinkedtocancersofthemouth, breast,liver, esophagus, colon,andothers Cancerriskincreaseswithalcoholvolume, solimitalcoholicbeverageconsumptiontoonedrinkadayfor women,andnomorethantwodrinksadayformen.

Eatahealthydiet.Approximately4%ofallcancercasesareattributed todietaryfactors. Dietswithanemphasisonavarietyoffruitsandvegetables, wholegrains, legumes, fishorpoultry, andfewerredandprocessed meatsareassociatedwithlowerriskofcancer.

Maintainahealthybodyweight.Anestimated5%ofcancersinmenand 11%inwomenareattributedtoexcessbodyweight.Maintainingahealthy weightmightlowertheriskofvarioustypesofcancer, includingcancerof thebreast,prostate, lung, colonandkidney. Beingoverweightcausesthe bodytomakeandcirculatemoreestrogenandinsulin,hormonesthatcan stimulatecancergrowth.Oneofthebest waystogetanideaifyouareat ahealthyweightisto checkyourbodymassindex,ascorebasedonthe relationshipbetweenyourheightandweight.Mostpeopleareatnormal weightiftheirBMIisbelow25.

Bephysicallyactive.Approximately3%ofcancercasesareattributedto physicalinactivity Beingphysicallyactivemightlowertheriskofbreast cancerandcoloncancer Exercisefightsobesityandlowerslevelsofhormoneslikeestrogenandinsulin,whichhavebeenlinkedtocancer.

6THFSSishiringinthefollowingareas:

*recreation

*foodservice

*hospitality

*childandyouth

Forjobinformation,visit: https://macdillfss.com/open-jobs/ AutoHobbyshopopen

TheAutoHobbyshopisopen every Wednesday- Fridayfrom 11a.m.–7 p.m.and Saturdays from9a.m.–5 p.m. Formore information,visithttps://macdillfss.com/arts-and-trade-crafts/

Valentine’scraftbazaar, Feb.11

9a.m.–3 p.m.Ahomemade craftbazaarwillbeheldinbuilding2017bythe FamCamp. opens at9a.m. Formoreinformation, call515-3704

Ilovetoliftevent, Feb.11

11a.m.-1 p.m. JointhepowerliftingcompetitionattheShort FitnessCenter.Participantswill liftasmuchweightastheycan towinprizes *Covidprotocolsin placedayofevent.

M&FRC-bundles4babies, Feb.15

8:30a.m.-12:30 p.m.Multiple baseagencieswillprovideinformationandservicestoassist participantsinpreparingforthe arrivaloftheirnewbaby.Participantswillalsoreceiveabundle ofinformation,resourcesanda specialgift(ifeligible).

Findmoreeventsatmacdillfss.com

RunforMaj.RaymondEstelleII

OtherFaithGroups

PhotobySeniorAirmanDavidD.McLoney

Getimmunized(HPV&Hepatitisvaccines).Certainviruseshavebeen linkedtocancer, butarepreventablethroughvaccination.Inthe U.S., approximatelyone-thirdoflivercancersarelinkedtothehepatitisBvirus andhepatitisCvirus.ThehepatitisBvaccinecanhelplowerlivercancer risk. Talktoyourphysicianaboutagerecommendationsforthehuman papillomavirusvaccine.TheHPVvaccinehelpspreventmostcervicalcancersandseveralotherkindsofcancer.

Getregularscreenings Gettingscreeningtestsregularlymayfind

breast,cervical,andcoloncancersearly, whentreatmentislikelytowork best.

Formoreinformationontohowpreventcancer, visitUSAFwellness.com orcontactyourlocalCivilianHealthPromotionServicesteam.ComprehensiveinformationoncancerpreventioncanbefoundattheCentersfor DiseaseControlandPreventionwebsiteatcdc.gov.

u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT