Thunderbolt 03/31/2022

PhotobySeniorAirmanRyanC.Grossklag

DefensesecretarysaysU.S.commitmenttoNATOdefense‘ironclad’

byJimGaramone DoDNews

TheNATO alliesareunitedinopposingRussia’sactionsalong Ukraine’sborders, andSecretaryofDefenseLloyd J. AustinIIIemphaticallysaid U.S. commitmenttothecommondefenseisironclad.

Thesecretaryspokeattheconclusionofmeetingsofthealliance’s defenseministersinBrusselstoday.

InadditiontothemanymovestheUnitedStateshasmadeto strengthenNATO inthepastmonths,Austinannouncedthata U.S. ArmyStrykercompanywilldeploytoBulgariaforjointtrainingopportunities.

“ThesetroopswillbedepartingGermanyincomingdays, andthey willhelpensureourreadinessandinteroperabilitywithBulgariaas ourNATO ally,” thesecretarysaid.

Russiahasamassedmorethan150,000troopsalongUkraine’sbordersincludinginCrimea,BelarusandintheBlackSea.

“Inmany ways, thisbringsRussiantroopsrightuptoNATO’s doorstep,” hesaid.“So, letmebegintodaybymaking clearthatAmerica’s commitmenttoNATO andtoArticle5remainsironclad.AsPresident Bidensaidacoupledaysago, wewill—ifwemust—defendeveryinch ofNATO territory.”

ThesecretarysaidthereisnoreasonforRussianPresidentVladimir PutintoordertroopstoinvadeUkraine.“Ukrainedoesnotthreaten anyone, letaloneitsRussianneighbors,” Austinsaid. “Andyet,thatis whatMoscowwouldhaveusbelieve.ThatishowMr. Putincontinuesto justifyhisassemblyofsignificantcombatpower.”

SeeNATO,Page10

MacDillThunderbolt

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PhotobyChadJ.McNeeley

SecretaryofDefenseLloydJ.AustinIIIanswersquestionsduringa newsconferenceatNATOheadquartersinBrussels,Feb.17.

‘CandyBomber’ passesaway

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va.(AFNS)—RetiredCol. GailHalvorsen,alsoknownasthe“Candy Bomber,” passed away Feb. 16. He was101 yearsold.

Startinghiscareerinthe U.S. ArmyAir Corpsin1942,Halvorsenservedasapilotuntilhisretirementin1974,afteraccumulating morethan8,000flyinghoursand31yearsof militaryservice.

“ColonelHalvorsen wasanAmericanhero,” saidAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr. “Hemadesuchapositiveimpactonthisworld andwillberememberedforhiskindnessand bringingjoytothosewhodesperately needed it.Hisselflessdedicationandwillingnesstohelp

SeeCANDYBOMBER,Page12

U.S.AirForcegraphicbyRosario“Charo”Gutierrez RetiredCol.GailHalvorsen,alsoknownasthe“CandyBomber,”passedawayFeb.16,2022.He was101yearsold.StartinghiscareerintheU.S.ArmyAirCorpsin1942,Halvorsenservedasa pilotuntilhis retirementin1974,afteraccumulatingmorethan8,000flyinghoursand31years ofmilitaryservice.HalvorsenwentdowninhistoryforhisselflessactsduringtheBerlinAirliftin 1948and1949byattachinghandkerchiefparachutestochocolatebarsanddroppingthemfrom hisaircrafttothechildrenbelow.

Inmemoryof‘Chappie’:thefirstUSblack4-stargeneral

byKatieLange DODNews

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—TherearenumerousBlackAmericanservicememberswho broke barriersand couldbehighlighted duringBlackHistoryMonth.On Feb. 11however, itisthe101stbirthdayofGen.Daniel“Chappie” JamesJr.,thefirstBlackmantobecomea four-stargeneralinany U.S. militarybranch.

Jamesdiedshortlyafterheleftservicein 1978,buthisaccomplishmentsareworthcelebration.AsanAfricanAmericanAirmanwho servedinthree wars, Jamesovercameextreme poverty, racismandsegregation—including inthemilitary—tobecomeaskilledtactician incombatandasteady-handedleaderwhose speechesonpatriotismandtheAmerican way werehighlyregarded.

Humblebeginnings

James wasborn Feb. 11,1920,in Pensacola, Florida,and wastheyoungestof17 children. Hisdad wasalaboreratagascompanyand hismother wasateacher.

When James wasyoung, hismotherdecided shewouldteachherown childrenbecauseshe wasn’timpressedwiththequalityofeducation atthelocalsegregatedpublicschool,according toanAir ForceMagazinearticle. Shestarted herownschool,whichgraduallyattractedotherneighborhoodkids Sherantheschoolfor52 yearsuntilshediedattheageof82.

Oneofthemostmemorablethingsshe taughtherpupils wastoneverquit.Clearly, heryoungestsontookthattoheart.

Fromdreamstoreality

AsaBlack childinthesegregatedSouth, James wasn’tsurewhattypeofjobhewould onedaybeabletoget,buthegrewup watching thetakeoffsandlandingsatnearby Pensacola NavalAirStation,Florida,whichgavehimthe dreamofbeingapilot.

Chappie, astheycalledhim—anickname that washisbrotherCharles’untilCharles passeditdownto James–graduatedhigh schoolin1937.At6feet,4inchestalland250 pounds, theathleticteenearnedhimselfafoot-

During Vietnam,Gen.Daniel“Chappie”James Jr.flew78combatmissions,includingtheinfamousOperationBolomissionwhereseven communistMiG-21aircraftweredestroyed.SeeCHAPPIE,Page6

U.S.AirForcephoto

WEEKINPHOTOS

Airmenwiththe172ndAirliftWingHonorGuardstand

PhotobySeniorAirmanErickaA.

TwoU.S.AirForcepararescuemenassignedtothe82ndExpeditionary

AnF-15EStrikeEagle,assignedtothe144thFighterWingapproaches aKC-10Extenderassignedtothe60thAirMobilityWing,to

LVIabove LosAngeles,Calif.,Feb.13.TheKC-10provided83,000poundsoffuel tothreeF-15sthroughoutevent.

PhotobyStaffSgt.JaredBounds

Watsonasthenew172nd AW commander.

PhotobySeniorAirmanCameronOtte

Decreasinginjuriesthegoal

byLisaGonzales

AirForceSafetyCenter

KIRTLANDAIRFORCEBASE, N.M.—Whatissafety?Safetyisthe stateofbeingsafeornotbeingdangerousorharmful;freedomfromharm ordangerorasafeplaceaccordingtotheMerriam-Websterdictionary andtheOxforddictionarygivesitsdefinitionasthestateofbeingsafe andprotectedfromdangerorharm.

Asafetyprofessionalmayfeelthejobisbroadandwide, requiringinteractionswithmultipleagenciesinsideandoutsidetheAirandSpace Forces.Theyincludeinvestigatingavarietyofhazardsandmishapsthat mayleadtoorinvolveinjuriesandfatalities Ontopofallthat,mishap preventioncallsfortrendingandanalyzingacopiousamountofdata. Datathatspansallplainsoftheinjuryfieldsuchasinjurymechanisms, affectedbodyparts, injurytypes, activities, differentwork-shops, installations, jobspecialtiesandsomuchmore!Arewealone?No…hereare afewgreat wayssometeamsattheAir ForceSafetyCenteraretackling thesesame challenges.

TheDepartmentoftheAir Forcehasawell-establishedandrobust

SeeSAFETY,Page13

U.S.AirForcegraphic

TheDepartmentoftheAirForcehasawell-establishedand robustsafetyprograminplacetosafeguardpersonnel.Theprogramsassistpersonnelinidentifyingareasofconcernandgivingthemtheopportunity tobeproactiveinfindingandfixinghazardsbeforetheyoccur.Thisisa multi-frontapproachworkingwithotheragenciesandservicestoexpand resources,knowledgeandexpertise.

CHAPPIE

ballscholarshiptothefamedTuskegeeInstituteinAlabama.

James wasexpelledfromhisacademicstudiesatTuskegeeduring hissenioryearforgoingontoomany“escapades”thatwerefrowned uponbytheinstitution,saidHowardE.Halvorsen,Air Forcehistorian. However, he wasstillabletoattendtheCivilianPilotTrainingProgram offeredthroughTuskegee It wasoneofthefirsttrainingopportunities offeredtominorities.

HegraduatedfromtheprograminMarch1942withhiscivilianpilot certification.Heeventuallyearnedabachelor’sdegreefromTuskegee too, Halvorsensaid,buthedidn’tgetthatuntil1969whentheschool awardedhimthedegreebasedonthecredithourshe’dearnedduring hismilitarycareer.

Jamesmethiswife, Dorothy Watkins, whiletheywerebothenrolled atTuskegee.TheymarriedonthecampusinNovember1942andhad adaughterandtwosons.Theoldestofthetwosons, Daniel JamesIII, wentontohavehisownillustriousAir Forcecareer.

JamesstayedatTuskegeeasacivilianinstructorpilotfortheArmy AirCorps AviationCadetProgramuntil January1943,whenhejoined theprogramhimself.

He wascommissionedintotheArmyAirCorpsthefollowing July. He wasneversentoverseastofightin World WarIIafterhecompletedhis fighterpilotcombattraining. Instead,hespentthenextseveralyears trainingcadetsinthe U.S.

Combatcapable

WhentheAir Forcebeganimplementingitsdesegregationplanin 1949, James wasfinallysentoverseas. He wasassignedtothe18th Fighter Wing’s12th Fighter-BomberSquadron,anintegratedunitin thePhilippines. Jameslatertoldhissonthatveryfewwhiteservice membersinitiallytalkedtohim,buthepersistedanyway.

James wassentto Koreain July1950aspartofthe Korean Warand completed 101combatmissionsduring his deployment. A yearlater, he wasbackinthe U.S. andworkinghis wayuptheranks, includinga stintatthe Pentagon.

Bythetimethe Vietnam Warbegan,he wasacolonel.In June1967, JamesdeployedtoUbonRoyalThaiAir ForceBase,Thailand,wherehe wasnamedvicecommanderofthe8th Tactical Fighter Wing.Theunit wasunderthecommandofthen-Col.RobinOlds, who Jamesknewfrom workingatthe Pentagon.

Jamesflew78combatmissionsintoNorth VietnamandhelpedOlds planandleadthefamedOperationBoloin January1967.

Inwhat’softenconsideredthegreatestairbattleofthe war,U.S. fightersdestroyedsevenenemyMiG-21aircraftduringOperationBolo, which wasthehighesttotalkillofanyairmissionduring Vietnam. Themission,whichsawno U.S. losses, ishowthe8thTFWearnedits nickname“The Wolf Pack” —becauseOldstoldhispilotstheywouldbe “wolvesinsheep’s clothing.”

Steadyunderpressure

Afterreturningtothe U.S., Jamesservedasvicecommanderofthe 33rd Tactical Fighter WingatEglinAir ForceBase, Florida.

He waspersistent,tacticallyskillfulandseenasasteadycombat

leader—attributesthatearnedhimhisnextroleasthecommander ofthe7272nd FighterTraining WingatWheelusAirBaseinLibya.It wasAugustof1969,andMuammarGadhafihadjustsuccessfullyoverthrowntheLibyanking.

The U.S. hadagreedtoturnWheelusABovertotheLibyanspriorto thecoup, and James wasresponsibleforthewithdrawal.Hekeptacool headdespitethetensions, whichledtoasuccessfulandconflict-free drawdown.

“James’leadershipanddiplomaticskillswereputtofulluseinthat delicatesituationinwhichthenewanti-Western,radicalLibyanleadersoughttoexpeltheAir Force,” Halvorsensaid.“Backhome, James’ speechesonAmericanismandpatriotismweresowellregarded,many werereadintotheCongressionalRecord.”

Militaryofficialshadbeguntotakenoticeofhispublicspeaking skillswhen James wasatEglinAFB.AfterLibya,he wastappedtobe adeputyassistantsecretaryofdefenseforpublicaffairs.Whenhetook thejobinMarch1970,he wasalsopromotedtobrigadiergeneral,makinghimthefirstBlackgeneralintheAir Force.

InSeptember1974, JamestookoverasvicecommanderoftheMilitaryAirliftCommandbasedatScottAir ForceBase, Illinois. Hehad beenpromotedtwicebythistime, attaininghisthirdstaraslieutenant general.

Makinghistory…again

OnSept.1,1975, James wasofficiallypromotedtotherankoffourstargeneral,becomingthefirstBlackmantoattaintherankinthe U.S. military.

“Ifmymakinganadvancementcanserveassomekindofsparkto someyoungBlackorotherminority, itwillbeworthalltheyears, all thebloodandsweatittookingettinghere,”{Jamessaiduponearninga fourthstar.}

Alongwiththepromotioncamethepositionofcommanderin chiefof NorthAmericanAerospaceDefenseCommand,whichgavehimoperationalcommandofall U.S. andCanadianstrategicaerospacedefense forces.

InDecember1977, Jamestookoverasspecialassistanttothe U.S. Air Force chiefofstaff, butheretiredtwomonthslateron Feb. 1,1978, forhealthreasons. Sadly, Jamesdiedinlate February1978ofaheart attack.The58-year-old wasburiedinArlingtonNationalCemetery.

Legacy

James’successesearnedhimnumerousmilitaryandnationalaccoladesthroughouthiscareer, includingtheGeorge Washington Freedom FoundationMedalin1967and1968.He wasalso awardedhonorary JurisDoctordegreesfromatleastfivehigher-educationinstitutions–alongwithhisTuskegeedegree.

James’namelivesonacrossthemilitary, butperhapsmostnotablyat theinstitutionatwhichhiscareerstarted.

InMay1987,TuskegeeUniversitydedicatedtheGen.Daniel“Chappie” JamesJr CenterforAerospaceScienceandHealthEducationto thegeneral.Thecenterincludesthe JamesCenterArena,wherethe school’sbasketballteamscurrentlyplay.

AFannouncesofficerperformance reportstaticcloseoutdatesbeginOctober

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—TheAir Forceis takinganothermajorstepinaseriesoftransformationswithinitsofficerevaluationsystem withtheimplementationofofficerperformance report(OPR)static closeoutdates(SCODs)for officersinthegradesofO-1toO-6.

“AswecontinuetofullyexecuteActionOrder A(Airmen),implementingofficerstatic closeout datesiskeytoensuringtransparencyandconsistencyarecornerstonesofourfeedbackand evaluationsystems,” saidLt.Gen.Brian Kelly, theDeputy Chiefof StaffforManpower, PersonnelandServices.“SCODsdeliverimproved predictabilitytoourofficers, raters, andunits, whilealsoprovidingasynchronizedcomparison ofperformancewithinpeergroups.Thisarms officerswithamorecompleteunderstandingof theirperformanceassessment,theirstrengths andweaknesses, andwheretheystandamong theirpeers.Thisisessentialtoensurewegive

Airmenanopportunitytofullydeveloptotheir capabilitiesandexcelattheAirmenLeadership Qualitiesthey’llneedtobesuccessfulinthefuture.”

Indevelopingsolutionsthatbestsupportthe Air Force’stalentmanagementstrategy, transitioningfromnon-standardizedannualand changeofreportingofficial(CRO)OPR closeoutpoliciestoSCODsincreasestransparency byensuringstable, steady, andreliableassessmentsfromseniorratersandrating chains.

Additionally, consistentpredictabilityof evaluationsforAirmenandleadershiphelpsreducecurrentadministrativeburdensofevaluationtrackingandtiming.Thetransitionto officerSCODsfullyalignsallAirmen--officers, enlisted,andcivilians--withsteadyevaluation andappraisaltimelinesacrossthecalendar year.

Aftercarefullystudyingvariousimplementationoptions,Air Forceleadersestablishedthe

SeeSCOD,Page11

U.S.AirForcegraphicbyStaffSgt.KianaPearson

ImplementationofofficerSCODswilloccur inphasesforRegularAirForce,AirForceReserve,andAirNationalGuardAirmen.Thefirst SCODforofficersbeginswithfirstandsecond lieutenantsOct.31,followedbycolonelson Feb.28,2023,lieutenantcolonelsandmajors onMay31,2023,andcaptainsonAug.31,2023.

Raptordemopilotlooks forwardto TampaBay AirFesthomecoming

bySeniorAirmanShannonBowman

6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Afighterjetsoarsthroughthesky, performingprecisionbanks, acrobaticaerialmaneuversanddemonstratingsuperiorairpower.The cheers ofthecrowdareamerewhispercomparedtothedeafeningroarof theenginesfromtheaircraftoverhead.

Usedeffectivelyforrecruiting, airshowscaninspirethemassesand encourageyoungpeopletoaimhighandpursuetheirdreamsofbecoming pilotsoroneoftheaircrewmembersthatmakethesedemonstrationspossible.

For U.S. Air ForceMaj. JoshuaGunderson,annual childhoodvisitsto airshowsatMacDillAFBfueledhispassionformilitary aviationandset thecourseinhisjourneytobeingnamedAirCombatCommand’sF-22 Demonstration Teamcommanderin January2020.

“IwouldattendtheMacDillAirFesteveryyearwithmymotherwho was astrongadvocateformydesiretopursue aviation,” saidGunderson.“One ofthehighlights wasseeingtheF-15CEagledemonstration,andmeeting thepilot.Thatexperiencemeantalottomeandhelpeddrivemetowards pursuingacareerasanAir Forcefighterpilot.”

Asa Tampanative, Gundersonexplainedthathehasbeenlookingforwardtohishomecoming, andespeciallyhavingtheopportunitytoperform infrontoffriendsandfamilyatthe2022 TampaBayAirFesthereatMacDill.

“Prettymuchallofmyfamilylivesinthe TampaareaandI’mhumbled tohavetheopportunitytoflyinfrontofthem,” saidGunderson.“They havealwaysbeenproudofmymilitaryservice, andformany, thiswillbe theirfirsttimeseeingmeflyovermyhometown.”

AstheF-22Democommander, Gundersonleadsan18-memberteam andhastraveledtheglobetoshowcasethecapabilitiesofoneoftheworld’s premier5th-generationfighteraircraftformorethan10millionspectators. GundersonalsorepresentsAirCombatCommand,theUnitedStates Air Force, theDepartmentofDefenseandtheUnitedStatesofAmericaat morethan20airshowsannually.

“Themostimportantpartofourjobistointeractwiththelocalcommunities,” Gundersonstated.“Weaimtoshowpeopleineverycommunity thattheirgoalsarealwaysattainable.Whetherit’sflyinga165million dollarfighterjetortobecomeajetmechanic, doctor, lawyer, orwhatever yourpassionis…everythingisattainablethroughhardworkanddedication.”

Whatbeganwithanexperiencewitnessing awe-inspiringaerialperformancesatAirFestasa child,resultedintheaccomplishmentofalife-long dreamforGunderson.Hehopestocontinueinspiringthenextgeneration ofyouthtoreachfortheirgoalsinthesame wayastheexpertpilotshe watchedonMacDill’sflightline.

“Myfirstpieceofadvicetoyoungkids watchingourteamperformat

U.S.AirForceMaj.JoshGunderson,F-22RaptorDemonstration Teamcommander andpilot,preparestolaunchoutforamorningdemoatJointBaseLangley-Eustis, Va.,Jan.22,2020.Maj.Gundersonhasover1,500hoursflyingboththeF-15Eagle andF-22RaptorandisinhisfirstyearascommanderoftheF-22RaptorDemo Team.

U.S.AirForceMaj.JoshGunderson,F-22RaptorDemonstration Teamcommander andpilot,takesofftoperformapracticedemoatJointBaseLangley-Eustis, Va., Jan.22,2020.RepresentingAirCombatCommand,theF-22Demo Teamtravelsto airshowsallacrosstheworldshowcasetheperformanceandcapabilitiesofthe world’spremier5th-generationfighter.

Photoby2ndLt.SamEckholm

(Aboveandbelow)U.S.AirForceMaj.JoshGunderson,F-22RaptorDemonstration Teamcommanderandpilot,performsapre-flight walk-aroundatJointBaseLangley-Eustis, Va.,Jan.22,2020.Maj.Gundersonhasover1,500hoursflyingboththeF-15EagleandF-22 RaptorandisinhisfirstyearascommanderoftheF-22RaptorDemo Team.

Photoby2ndLt.SamEckholm

Photoby2ndLt.SamEckholm

OfficialsinMoscowhavesaidthatRussianforcesarewithdrawingattheconclusion ofmilitaryexercises.“Quitethecontrary, we seethemaddtothemorethan150,000troops theyalreadyhavearrayedalongthatborder —eveninthelastcoupledays,” thesecretary said.

Russianforcesareapproachingtheborder withUkraine.TheRussianshaveaddedmore combatandsupportaircraftandhavesharpenedtheirreadinessintheBlackSea.They’re evenstockpilingbloodsupplies, thesecretary said.

“I wasasoldiermyselfnotthatlongago,” he said.“Iknowfirsthandthatyoudon’tdothese sortsofthingsfornoreason.Andyoucertainly don’tdothemifyou’regettingreadytopack upandgohome.”

AustinsaidtheNATO alliesmustremain vigilantandbepreparedforRussianfalse-flag operations.“We willcontinuetoexplore ways toenhanceourreadinessastheUnitedStates andothershavedonewithadditionaltroopdeploymentstoNATO’s easternflank,” hesaid. “Andwewill closelymatchRussianwordsto Russiandeeds:Whattheysay[asopposed]to whattheyactuallydo.”

Putinhassaidhe wantsmoredialogue, and AustinandtherestoftheNATO leadershave saidtheywelcomethatsentiment.“Webelieve thereisstilltimeandspacefordiplomacyto work,andweareinlockstepwithourallies andpartnerstowardthatend,”Austinsaid. “A peacefuloutcomethatrespectsUkraine’s sovereigntyandterritorialintegrityrepresentsthebestoutcome—forUkraine, tobe sure, butalsoforRussiaandfortheRussian people. IfMr. Putinisseriousaboutachieving thatsortofoutcome, hewillfindintheUnited Statesandinthisalliancenobetterormore seriousinterlocutor.”

Ifheisnotseriousaboutdialogueandre-invadesasovereigncountry,“itwillbeMr. Putin whowillbeartheresponsibilityforthesufferingandtheimmensesacrificethatensues,” he said.

“IjoinedtheUnitedStatesArmyinthe middleoftheCold War, andIhaveservedand foughtalongsideNATO alliesforthebetter partofmyadultlife,” thesecretarysaid.“But IcanhonestlysaythatIhaveneverseenthe alliancemorerelevant,moreunitedormore

resolutethanIdorightnow. Mr. Putinsayshe doesn’t wantastrongNATO onhiswestern flank.He’sgettingexactlythat.”

Austinsaidheis“incrediblyproud”ofthe NATO alliance, andhesaidhe’s“satisfiedin theknowledgethatwewillbesure-footedin thefaceofaggression,butdedicated,asalways, totheprospectofpeace.Thereisnothinginevitableaboutthisloomingconflict.It canstillbe averted.Thepathofdiplomacy maybedifficult,butitisstillworththetrek.”

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

AirForce Tech.Sgt.JacobAlbers

TwoF-15CEaglestaxitotherunwayforalocalareafamiliarizationflightinsupportofNATO operationsatLaskAirBase,Poland,Feb.11.

officerSCODscheduletointegratewiththeexistingenlistedevaluation andcivilianappraisal closeoutperiodstoimproveevaluationplanning andtrackingacrosstheAir Force.Additionally, theselectedapproach minimizesexcessiveexceptionstopoliciesorundueworkloadshifts, whilestilldeliveringrelevantofficerperformancedatatoavarietyoftalentmanagementselectionboards.

“Whilemanytalentmanagementfactorsrelatedto closeoutdates wereconsideredandweoptimizedrecencyofthe closeoutdatetoassociatedpromotionboards, wealsorecognizenoSCODdateis100%perfect, butwebelievetheestablisheddatesprovidethebestoptionsforourAir Forceconsideringallfactors,” said Kelly.

LiketheenlistedSCODpolicy, officerSCODOPRswilluseaccounting datestoestablishtheofficer’sassignedunitandtherating chainresponsibleforprocessingandsigningtheevaluationontheSCOD.Accounting dateswillbeapproximately120calendardaysbeforeeachSCODand establishedasthethirddayofthemonth(likeenlistedAirmen)inorder toprovideconsistencyacrossallevaluationaccountingdates.

TheimplementationofofficerSCODswilloccurinphasesforRegular Air Force,Air ForceReserve, andAirNationalGuardAirmen.Thefirst SCODforofficerswillbeginwithfirstandsecondlieutenantsonOct. 31,2022,followedbycolonelson Feb. 28,2023,lieutenantcolonelsand majorsonMay31,2023,andcaptainsonAug. 31,2023.AllSCODswill repeatannuallythereafter.Thoseinapromotion-selectstatuswillalign theirOPRwiththeSCODoftheirselectedgrade.

SimilartotheenlistedtransitiontoSCODs, theAir Forcedeveloped anofficertransitionplanthatprovidesacceleratedandequitablesteps tobeginthefirstSCODforeachgrade.Thetransitionplanensuresnoofficer’sfirstSCODOPRislessthansix-monthreportingperiodorexceeds a16-monthreportingperiod.Thetransitionplanstandardizesreporting periodsduringtheSCODimplementationforeachgradeandmaximizes equitabletimetoassessallofficers’performancebeforethefirstSCOD. ForRegularAir Forcecolonel-selectsandmajor-selectswhoalreadymet promotionboardsin2021,AFPCwillprovidespecialinstructionstoensurethatallpromotion-selectofficerevaluations closeoutwithequitable reportingperiods.

IntroducingSCODsintotheofficerevaluationsystemalsoeliminates theneedforCROevaluations CROevaluationswillbeeliminatedin phasesforeachgradeseveralmonthspriortotheoccurrenceoftheirfirst SCOD.This changeeliminatestheneedfornearly29,000AirmenCRO reportsannuallyandremovestheunscheduledworkloadassociatedwith CROevaluations.

OfficerSCODsfurthereliminatetheneedtomaintainotherlegacy evaluationproductslikeeducation&trainingreports(TRs)andlettersof evaluation(LOEs),astheAir Forcetransitionstoamoreagileanddigital data-basedevaluationsystem.Instead,thenewmyEvaluation(myEval) applicationwill include afeature called“Education& TrainingInput,” thatwillbeusedtodocumentacademicandtrainingaccomplishmentson theSCODOPR.

CANDYBOMBER

thoseinneedembodythecorevaluesoftheAir Force, and hislegacywillliveonintheethosandvaluesofthegreatest Air Forceintheworld.”

HalvorsenwentdowninhistoryforhisselflessactsduringtheBerlinAirliftin1948and1949.Then-Lt.Halvorsen took it upon himself to help boost the morale of the childrenin WestBerlinbyattachinghandkerchiefparachutes to chocolatebarsanddroppingthemfromhisaircrafttothe childrenbelow.

Hewouldalsorockthewingsofhisaircraftashecame intonotifythe childrenofwhichplane wascarryingthe chocolate.TheGerman childrenbegancallinghim“Uncle Wiggly Wings.”

Soon,Halvorsen’sidea wasexpandedinto“OperationLittle Vittles,” whichgarneredpublicsupportanddonations. Bytheendoftheairlift,25planecrewshaddropped23tons of chocolate, chewinggumandothercandiesoverBerlin.

Halvorsen’seffortsstandasasymboloftheimpactone smallgesturecanhaveonanentirecommunity.

“AsIlookbackatOperationLittle Vittlesandtheyears thathavefollowed,thereisonehuman characteristicabove allothersthatgaveitbirth–thesilentgratitudeofthe childrenatabarbedwirefenceinBerlin, July1948,” hewrote inhisautobiography.

TheBerlinAirliftisarguablythemissionthatputheaviesonthemap. It wasthefirstmajorvictoryovertheSoviet UnionintheCold War, andit wasatremendoussuccessfor thethen-new U. S. Air Force.

In1994afterretiring, Halvorsenrequestedtoassistin thedeliveryoffoodtorefugeesfleeingfromtheconflictin Bosnia.

“Wehaveourfreedomto choose, andwhenthefreedom istaken away, airpoweristheonlyquick waytoanswera crisislikethat,” herecalledduringaninterviewwithAirmanMagazine.

safetyprograminplacetosafeguardpersonnel.Theprogramsassistpersonnelinidentifyingareasofconcernandgivingthemtheopportunity tobeproactiveinfindingandfixinghazardsbeforetheyoccur.Thisisa multi-frontapproachworkingwithotheragenciesandservicestoexpand resources, knowledgeandexpertise.

TheAir ForceSafetyCenter’sEpidemiologyBranchpartneredwith theNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealthforthepast fiveyearstoconductseveralcasestudies, onebeingonfinger, wristand handinjuriesandtheiraffectedjobspecialties.ThepartnershiphasprovidedabetterunderstandingofcommoninjuriesassociatedwithDAF specialtiesandexplores possiblesolutions and/or recommendationsfor futuremitigationandprevention.

“Tobetterunderstandinjuriesit’simportanttoexplorethevariousfacetsofinjuriessuchasaffectedbodyparts,injurytypes,affectedjobspecialtiesandworkwithcivilianandfederalpartnerswhenpossible,” said Lt.Col.HeidiStallings,AFSECinjuryepidemiologist.“NIOSHhasprovideduswonderfulexpertiseandsupportweotherwisewouldnothave.”

Inaseparateanalysis,AFSECrevieweddatafrom2017through2021 foron-dutymishapsbeingreportedthroughouttheDAF.Thosemostnotablyreportedwereslips, tripsandfallswithsprainsandstrains, lacerations, andhead-strikes.TheDAFsawa13%decreaseinhead-strikes fromthefiveyeardatapull.

HighlightsfromNIOSHandDAFeffortsareshownbelow,providinga well-researchedsummaryofsafetydata.

Finger/Hand/WristInjuries–NIOSH’scasestudyconsistedoften yearsofdata,fromfiscalyear2008through2018,coveringinjuriesaffectingfingers,hands, andwristsacrossaircraftmaintenanceandback shopssuchascivilengineeringandmetalworks.Thesetypesofinjuries accountedfor32%ofallon-dutymishaps.Thestudyidentifiedthatthere were14,552noncombatfinger/hand/wristinjuriesintheUnitedStates Air Forceduringthattimeframe.

ThepreliminaryNIOSHstudyshowsa26%decreaseinFHWon-duty injuries. Focusmaterialsandtraining wasdistributedthroughtheAFSEC publicwebsite, socialmediaandotherinternalmethodsforutilizationin safetyofficesandthroughouttheDAFtominimizeandmitigateinjuries.

Slips,Trips Falls–Thisfocus wasonelevatedworkingsurfacestoincludeaircraftandvehiclemaintenanceacrossallworkareas. Slips, trips andfallsaccountforthethirdlargesttypeofinjurymechanismwhich inturncausedsprainsandstrains, andsecondinlinetocausefractures andcontusions Fracturesaccountedfor44%inlostworkdays, dueto fracturesthatmayrequiresurgery, recuperationorphysicaltherapywith followupmedicalvisits.Whenproperriskmanagementisusedinjuries canbe avoided.

AccordingtotheBureauofLaborStatisticsin2020,fallsareamong thetopthreeleadingcausesofwork-relateddeathannuallyforworkers intheUnitedStates. Fallsintheworkplaceare avoidable, bytakingextraprecautionstofindandfixfallhazardsandtakingthestepsittakes topreventthem.

SprainsandStrains–Whenreviewedacrossallworkareas, sprains andstrainsaccountedforthetopinjurytypeforon-dutyinjuriesdueto slips, tripsandfallsinmostcases.A generaldownwardtrendisnotedfor on-dutycases;although,aspecificanalysisisnot availablefortheexact causeofthedownwardtrend.

HeadStrikes–Theuseofheadprotection,ifandwhenfeasible, isrecommendedinallworkareaswherehead-strikesarepossible. Bywearingabumpcaporahardhat,headinjuriescanbeprevented.Aircraft maintenancehadthehighestnumberofheadandneckinjuries, 3.6times higherwhencomparedtoSecurity Forces.Workingonaircraftorthe flightlinehasinherentrisksinvolved;however, whenproperriskmanagementandajobhazardanalysisisdone, itcanhelpalleviatethose risks.Wearingtheproperprotectioncanhelpprotectyourheadfromlacerationsorconcussions.

Lacerationinjuries–Thefocusonmaintenance, logisticsandcivilengineeringshowed122documentedamputationsfrom2015through2021, 80%(97)affectedfingersandaccountedforover76%ofpermanentpartialdisabilitycaseswithinamputationsoverall. Workingwithasawaccountedfor13%offingeramputations.

TheDAFhasseenanoveralldecreaseinon-dutymishaps, whileareductioninnumbersisgood,thegoalwillalwaysbezero.

SeeSAFETY,Page14

“WeencourageeveryAirmenandGuardiantohaveopendiscussionson safetyissuestheyseewithintheirworkareas,” said William Walkowiak, chiefofOccupationalSafetyattheAir ForceSafetyCenter.“Empowering AirmenandGuardianstogetinvolvedintheirshopstominimizeormitigate hazardsbeforeaninjuryoccurswillhelpcontinuethedownwardtrend.”

Nomattertheworkplace, theresponsibilityofmishappreventionand

RAPTOR

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AirFestwouldbethatnomatteryourgoals, lifeisateamsport,” said Gunderson.“Thesecondpieceofadvicewouldbetopursueyourpassionsinliferegardlessofwhateverobstaclesexist.Lifewillalways havehurdlesbutthosecanallbeovercomewithhardworkanddetermination.”

AtthehelmofoneofthemostcovetedseatsintheAir Force, Gundersoncreditshisteamandfellowservicemembersfortheircommitmenttoprotectingthenation’sfreedoms.

“ThemenandwomenofthisteamaresodedicatedtotheAir Force andtoservingthiscountry,” statedGunderson.“Theaerialdemonstrationweflydirectlyrepresentsthehardworkanddedicationofthe servicemenandwomenacrosstheglobewhosacrificetheirtime, effort andsometimestheirlivesprotectingourfreedoms.”

Fornow, Gunderson’sfocuswillbeonleadingthedemoteam,re-

safeoperationsfallstoeverymemberoftheAirandSpace Forcestotake theextralookaroundtheworkareatoidentifyhazardsandimplement thecontrolsnecessarytominimizeormitigatethem.

ForadditionalinformationaboutoccupationalsafetymishappreventionprogramsvisittheAir ForceSafetyCenterwebsiteathttps://www. safety.af.mil/Divisions/Occupational-Safety-Division/.

cruitingandretainingAmerica’sfinestpersonnelintotheArmed Forces, enhancinginternationalanddomesticrelationships, andnotesthat atsomepointhewouldconsiderreturningtoliveinthe Tampaarea.

“ReturninghomeisdefinitelysomethingIamconsidering, butIstill planonservingmycountryintheAir Forceforawhilelonger,” said Gunderson.“Lotsofthingscan changebetweennowandtheendofmy servicebuthavingfamilyin Tampamakesitoneofmytop choices. For now, I wanttokeepflyingjetsandIhopetocontinueservinginthat capacity.”

Gundersonisscheduledtoperformdemonstrationsduringboth daysofthe TampaBayAirFest2022. Formoreacompleteschedule ofperformances, visitwww.tampabayairfest.com. Formoreinfoabout theF-22RaptorDemo Teamvisithttps://www.jble.af.mil/F-22-DemoTeam/.

6FSSishiringinthefollowing areas:

•Recreation

•Foodservice

•Hospitality

•Childandyouth

Forjobinformation,visit: https://macdillfss.com/open-jobs/ Privateorganizationsneeded forAirFest2022Mar. 26-27

AirFestisanincredible way toraisemoneyforyourMacDill booster clubs!Ifyourorganizationisinterestedinsupporting AirFest,callResourceManagementat828-6962,oremail6fss. privateorg@us.af.mil.

AutoHobbyShopopen

TheAutoHobbyshopisopen every Wednesday-Fridayfrom11 a.m.–7 p.m.andSaturdaysfrom 9a.m.–5 p.m. Formoreinformation,visit:https://macdillfss.com/ arts-and-trade-crafts/

Seascapesbaropen Fridays

EnjoythesunsetattheSeascapesbar Openevery Friday from3 p.m.-8 p.m.withfood trucksfrom3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

YouthCenterteensnightout Friday

Callingallteens.Joinus6 p.m. -9 p.m.atthe YouthCenterfor funandgames. Opentoages1318. Findmoreeventsat: macdillfss.com

ALSschooloftheyear!

U.S.AirForceCol.BenjaminJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,andChiefMasterSgt. ShaeGee,6thARWcommandchief,congratulatetheChiefMasterSgt.AubertE.DozierAirman

U.S.AirForcephoto

THUNDERBOLT