Thunderbolt 3/21/2024

News/Features:page2

Wingsofchange

News/Features:page3

Special order uniforms

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page 11

Events, Chapel, more...

A FloridaFishand WildlifeConservationCommissionbiologistbandsa burrowingowlatMacDillAirForceBase, Florida,March14.Theowlwas releasedatMacDill after rehabilitationand wasbanded fortrackingand identification purposes.TheairfieldatMacDillis home tooneoftheonly knowncolonies ofburrowingowls in the TampaBayarea andisanideallocationfor releasing rehabilitatedowls.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

NEWS/FEATURES WingsofChange:McConnellAFBdefendersadd1stfemaleRaven

byAirman1stClassWilliamLunn 22ndAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

MCCONNELLAIRFORCEBASE, Kan. (AFNS)—FacinganinjuredtendonatthePhoenixRavenQualificationCoursedidn’tstopStaff Sgt.AmandaEstoresfrombecomingMcConnell Air ForceBase’sfirstfemaleRaven. Neitherdid therestoftheobstacles, largeandsmall,that camebeforeandaftertheinjury.

“Asawoman,Isetasideanypredispositions anyonemighthaveaboutmygendereachday, toprotectpeopleasasecurityforcesdefender,” saidEstores, whoservesasapatrolmanforthe 22ndSecurity ForcesSquadron.

EstoresrecentlyreturnedtoMcConnellAFB aftergraduatingfromthePhoenixRavenQualificationCourse, takingherplaceasMcConnell AFB’sfirstfemaleRavenand bringing a new senseofwhatispossibleforAirmenwhoface adversitybasedontheirgender.

“Thiscontinuestohighlighttheincredible workourfemaledefendersdoonadailybasis,” saidMaj. JeremiahBaxter, 22ndSFScommander. “Itprovestheycanaccomplishallaspectsof combatscenariostheyareplacedin.”

Beforethe1970s, womenintheAir Force werebarredfromparticipatinginanypolice orsecurityduties. However, apivotalmoment

PhotobyAirman1stClassWilliamLunn

StaffSgt.AmandaEstores,22ndSecurityForcesSquadronpatrolman,guards theflightlineFeb. 2,atMcConnellAirForceBase,Kan.Estores recently returnedasMcConnell’sfirst female Raven.

occurredin1971whenwomenweregranted accesstolawenforcementspecialisttraining exclusivelyattheSecurity PoliceAcademyon LacklandAir ForceBase, Texas. Thismarkeda notableshiftinhistoricalgenderstigmawithin themilitary.

In November 2023,Estorestook anotherstep inbreakingdownthatbarrierwhenshegradu-

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TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDillThunderbolt ispublishedby the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. militaryservices on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are notnecessarily the officialviews of,or endorsed by the U.S. government,the Departmentof Defense,

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atedfromRaventraining.

Thetrainingisafour-week course at McGuireAFB, New Jersey, thatfocusesonenhancingtheskillsofAir Forcesecurityforces. RavensarehighlytrainedAirmenresponsiblefor criticaltasks, suchasbasesecurity, protection ofvaluableassetsandpresidentialmissions.

SeeRAVEN,Page12

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Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

Special-orderuniforms provideaccommodations

byMaj.TiffanyLow AirForceLifeCycleManagementCenter

WRIGHT-PATTERSONAIRFORCE BASE,Ohio(AFNS)—Militaryuniformsare designedtoaccommodatemostbodytypes, but manyindividualsfacedifficultyfindingagood fitbasedonuniqueproportionsorevenmedical needs.

TheAir Forceprovidesspecial-order–often usedinterchangeablywithspecial-measurementwhichisthemostcommontypeofspecial order–uniformstoservicememberswhofall outsideofthestandardsizerange. Therearealsooptionsforthosewhoneednon-permethrintreatedoperationalcamouflagepattern,orOCP, uniforms.Permethrinisaninsectrepellent.The special-orderprocessallowsservicemembersto complywithmilitarystandardsandmaintaina professional appearance withoutincurring additionalcosts.

SeeUNIFORMS,Page8

DAF releases2025budgetproposal

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—TheDepartmentoftheAir Force unveileda$217.5billionbudgetrequestMarch11, designedtocontinue modernizingthe Air ForceandSpace Force, maintainreadinesstorespondtocurrentthreats, andaddresskeycapabilitygapswhileinvesting tomanagerisksthatareincreasingwithtime.

The$217.5billionproposalthatCongresswillnowconsiderforfiscal year2025includes$188.1billionfortheAir Forceand$29.4billionfor theSpace Force. Ifenactedintolaw, theDepartment’soverallbudget wouldgrowby1.1percent,$2.4billion,fromlastfiscalyear’sbudget.

SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendallstressedtheimportanceof adequatelyfundingthemilitaryforcompetitivenessinarapidlyevolving globallandscape.

“Ithinkthat2025,whiledifficult,isatalevelthatIthinkwecanaccept,anditwillstillallowustomakeprogressonthemodernizationwe need,” Kendallsaid.

TheFY2025budget wasbuiltforeachservice’suniquemission.

“TheAir Force’scorefunctionsremainunchanged:airsuperiority, globalstrike, rapidglobalmobility, commandandcontrol, andintelligence, surveillance, andreconnaissance,” saidKristyn Jones, performingthedu-

tiesoftheUnderSecretaryoftheAir Force. “TheSpace Force’seffortsreflecttheindispensablesupportthatunderpinsallotherjointoperations anditscontinuedtransformationintoa warfightingservicetosecureour interestsin,fromandtospace.”

Thebudgetrequestincludes:

•$14.9 billioninvestmenttoenhancecompetitivecapabilitiesand maintainairdomainlethality

•$24.9billiontoensureunmatchedabilitytodeliverglobalstrike aroundtheworld

•$29.4billioninreadinesswhilecontinuingtomakemaximumpossibleinvestmentinmodernization

•$4.7billiontoproliferateamulti-orbitmissile warningarchitecture tocounternear-peerthreats

•$538millionforAgileCombatEmploymenttobuildtherightmixof capabilitiestodefendagainstcurrentandfuturethreats

•$6.2billionincommercialspacelaunchesandresilientspacedata networktodelivercapabilitiestothe Joint Forcein,fromandtoSpace

•$4.4billioninfundsforintegratingsatellitecommunications to increasespacesuperioritybyconnectingandsupportingouralliesand partners

•$3.4billionintheNextGenerationAirDominance FamilyofSystemstoaugmentcurrentandfutureplatformsinhighlycontestedenvironments

U.S.AirForcephotosby88thABW/PA

Female FitmentProgramOfficeclothingdesignersMelea Green and Francesco Vetrano record measurementsduringauniformfittingat Wright-PattersonAirForceBase,Ohio,March7.Initiated andhostedbytheAirForceLifeCycleManagementCenter,theprogram’smissionistoacquireand supporthumansystemstoenhancewarfighterperformance,protectionandsurvivability.

WEEKINPHOTOS

Inducteesposeforaphotoduringthe ChiefMaster SergeantRecognitionCeremonyin Tampa,Florida, March8.Membersof Team MacDillwereselectedfor promotiontothehighestrankintheAirForce. Only1%ofenlistedAirmen reachtherankofChief MasterSergeant.

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.CynthiaBuchetto,6thMaintenanceSquadron aircraftfuelsystemstechnician,dawnspersonalprotectiveequipment duringa routine repaironaKC-135Stratotankerassignedtothe6thAir RefuelingWingatMacDillAirForceBase,Florida,March8,2024.Units acrosstheinstallationareassemblingall-womanteamsin recognition of Women’sHistoryMonthwhichaimstohighlighttheachievementsof femaleservicemembers acrossthejointforce.

AFloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionbiologistinspects aburrowingowlatMacDillAirForceBase,Florida,March14,2024.The owlwas releasedatMacDillbecausetheairfieldishometooneofthe onlyknowncoloniesofburrowingowlsinthe TampaBayareaandisan ideallocationfor rehabilitatedowlstoacclimateinthewild.

PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

ROKAirForce,USTRANSCOMexerciseMutualSupportAgreement

byErikAnthony U.S.TransportationCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—TheRepublicof KoreaAir Force (ROKAF)and U.S. TransportationCommand(USTRANSCOM)exercised alongstandingMutualAirliftSupportAgreement(MASA)insupportof KoreaRotation Force’24, February28-March 2.

To exercisetheMASA, theROKAFcontracted KoreanAir, acommercialairline, toflytwoairliftmissionsfromOsanAirBase, South Koreato ColoradoSprings, Colo.,andfromRobertGreyArmyAirfield, Texas, back toOsanAirBase. TheKALBoeing777aircraftrepositionedatotalof540 personneland190,000lbs. ofequipment.

“TheMutualAirliftSupportAgreement(MASA)isanimportantagreementbetweentheRepublicof KoreaandtheUnitedStatestosupporturgentairliftneedsintheeventofacrisisor waronthe Korean Peninsula,” saidMaj. JunyoungLee, MASAProgramManager, ROKAF “TheMASA exerciseissignificantbecauseitisaprocesstodevelopmoreefficient and clearerapplicationprocedurestoensurethatsupportcanbeprovidedquicklyintheeventofanurgentcrisis. Thisexercise wasespecially meaningfulbecauseit wasthefirsttimesince2018duetoCOVID-19.”

SeeUSTRANSCOM,Page9

USTRANSCOMphoto Maj.JunyoungLee,MutualAirliftSupportAgreement(MASA)program manager, RepublicofKoreaAirForce(ROKAF),observessoldiersand cargobeingloadedontoaKoreanAirBoeing777aspartofKoreaForce Rotation’24atRobertGrayArmyAirfield, Texas,March1.

Flosi takesplaceas20thCMSofAir Force

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

JOINTBASEANDREWS, Md.(AFNS)—ChiefMaster Sgt.DavidA.Flosi was formallyinstalledMarch8asthe 20thChiefMasterSergeantoftheAir Force.

Inremarksaftertheformal“ChangeofResponsibility” ceremonyinwhichheassumedthejob from retiringChief MasterSgt.oftheAir Force JoAnne S. Bass, Flosiemphasizedboththeopportunitybeforehimandwhatitmeansto the Total Forceatatimeofdramatic changeand challenge acrosstheservice.

“AsIassumethisrole, I’m awareofthe challenges ahead,” Flosisaid.“Weliveinarapidlyevolvingworld, wherenew threatsemergewithalarmingfrequency, andthedemands onourAir Forcecontinuetogrow.

“Whiledemanding,I am confidentinour abilitytoriseto theoccasion. Iamconfidentbecauseoverthecourse ofmy career, timeandtimeagain,Ihavewitnessedthededication andprofessionalismofourAirmen,” hesaid.

Flosi’sinstallationasthehighest-rankingenlistednoncommissionedofficerintheAir Forcecompletesatotaloverhaulofseniormilitary leadersforthe service.Gen.David Allvin wasinstalledasAir Force chiefof staff onNov 2and Gen.JimSlifeofficiallybecameAir Forcevice chiefofstaff onDec. 29.

Allthreeseniorleaders, alongwithDepartmentofthe Air ForceSecretary Frank Kendall,willbeinstrumentalin successfullyestablishingfar-reachingplansto“reoptimize” theAir ForcetobetterconfrontChina andothermodern-day adversaries

AllvinstressedthateffortinwelcomingFlosi duringthe dignifiedceremony, whichalso includedcommentsfrom Gen. CQBrown,Jr., chairmanofthe JointChiefsofStaff and, priortothat,Air Force chiefof staff.

“Dynamic, fast-paced environmentsrequireagile, determinedleadership–that’s exactlywhatChiefFlosi brings tothefight,” Allvinsaid.“We’vegotworktodo, and I know ChiefFlosiisreadytomoveout onreoptimizationtoenhanceourreadinessandmoldouroneAir Force.”

Inhisremarks,KendallofferedaglowingtributetoBass andprovided clearguidance forwhatheexpectsfrom Flosi. Bass, hesaid,“hasservedover30yearsintheAir Force, andweareaninfinitelybetterorganizationbecauseofyour service. She’sbeen a standoutleaderateverylevel.

“ChiefFlosi,you’regoingtohavetofill someprettybig shoes. Ilookforwardtoworkingtogether andtoeverything you havetooffer.I wanttowelcomeyou toanincredible team.… We willneedyourexperienceandyourperspective tomakesuretheneedsofourAirmen andtheirfamilies are

alwaysattheforefrontof allofourefforts,” Kendallsaid.

Brownechoed Kendallinhispraiseandadmiration for Bass.

“Jo, I’msogladIhiredyou. You’vebeen aninspirationfor me. We wereabletobreakbarrierstogether,” Brownsaid, referringtotheir sharedhistoriesinwhichBrown wasthe firstAfricanAmericantobenamed Chiefof Staffof any branchofthemilitaryandBass’sselectionasthefirstwomantoserveas a Serviceseniorenlistedadvisorinthehistory oftheUnited States military.

“You’vebeenaninspirationtome. You’vebeenaninspirationtoourAir Force;you’vebeenaninspirationtoournation,” Brownsaid.

FlosistepsintothejobbeingvacatedbytheretiringBass, whoseniorleaderssaid setthestandardby whichallsubsequentChiefswill bejudged.

“ChiefBass’spassionforAirmenandtheirfamilieshas definedhertimeas our 19thChiefMasterSergeantofthe Air Force,” Allvinsaid.“Hertirelessworkontheirbehalf haspropelledourforceforward.Evenafterover30yearsof dedicatedservice, Ihavenodoubtsthatshewillcontinueto beanadvocate forAirmenandairpowermovingforward.”

Inherremarksatthedignifiedceremony, Basshighlightedmemoriesandachievementsfrom acrossher31-yearcareer. Shethanked a listofpeoplewhohelpedheratevery point,includingherhusbandRahn,herparents, andalarge groupofAir Forcecolleagueswhoservedasmentorsand rolemodels.

ShedirectedspecialpraisetoBrown, whoselectedher tobe chiefmastersergeantoftheAir ForcewhenBrown servedas chiefofstaff.

“GeneralBrown, chairman, thankyoufor hiringmeasyour wingmanand chief Thebestwordsyousharedwithmewere ‘proceeduntilapprehended.’AndIdidjustthat,” shesaid.

“Imayhavegottenapprehended onceor twice, maybe threetimes. Inanycase,youletme be me andget after thethingsthatmattertoourAirmenandtheirfamilies. It’s beenanhonorforRahnandIto servealongsideyouand Sharene,” shesaid.

Flosi’s newjobissimilartohispreviouspostbuton a larger, morehigh-profile stage. Hearrivedatthe Pentagon fromAir ForceMaterielCommandatWright-PattersonAir ForceBase, Ohio, whereheservedasthecommand chief mastersergeant.Thatrole wassimilarinmanyrespectsto therolehenowassuming. AtAFMC, heistheseniorenlistedleaderandtheprimaryadvisortothecommanderonall mattersregardingthereadiness, training, professional development,and effectiveutilizationofthecommand’s89,000 totalforceAirmen.

The19thChief MasterSgt.oftheAirFo

ChiefMasterSergeantoftheAirForceDavidFlosiaddressestheaudiencedurin oftheAirForcechangeof ChiefMasterSgt.oftheAirForceJoAnneBassasthe20t

eantoftheAirForceDavidFlosiaddressestheaudienceduring thechiefmastersergeant responsibility ceremony atJointBaseAndrews, Md. March8.Flosisucceeded ChiefMasterSgt.oftheAirForceJoAnneBassasthe20th chiefmastersergeantoftheAirForce.

MasterSgt.oftheAirForce,JoAnneBass, retiresfromtheAirForceafter30yearsofservice atJointBaseAndrews,Md.,March8.

RetiredChiefMasterSergeantoftheAirForceJoAnneBassaddressestheaudienceduringthechiefmastersergeantoftheAir Forcechangeof responsibilityceremonyatJointBaseAndrews, Md. March8.ChiefMasterSergeantDavidFlosisucceededBass asthe20thCMSAF.

PhotobyAndyMorataya

PhotobyChad Trujillo

PhotobyAndyMorataya

“Whatthecustomerpaysisthestandard priceoftheitem,” saidDavid James, Defense LogisticsAgencyTroopSupportCustomerCell chief TheDLATroopSupportcustomeristhe ArmyAir ForceExchangeService, orAAFES, whichoperatestheMilitaryClothingSales Store, orMCSS, onbehalfoftheDepartmentof theAir Force.

“MCSSlocationspurchaseuniformsfrom DLATS[commonlyusedasanabbreviationfor DLATroopSupport]atcostandsellatcost,” saidShawnMartinson,AAFESmilitary clothingbuyer. “Ifaservicememberrequires clothingorfootwearthatisunavailableinthesizes providedinstoreandtheycannotbeaccommodatedbyalteringan availableitem, themilitary clothingassociatepreparesaspecial-measurementrequisitionthroughDLATS.”

WhentheAir ForcetransitionedtoOCPs, Lt. Col.KatieHenschel,aprogrammanagerwith the U.S. TransportationCommand,noticedshe brokeoutinhivesduringdutydays.

“Ihadred,bumpy, itchyskin all along my armsandlegswheneverI wasinuniform; however, overtheweekend,myskinwouldreturnto normal,” Henschel said. “Mymedicalprovider suspectedanallergicreactiontothepermethrin-treatedOCPs. Theiradvice wasto seeif

non-permethrin-treatedOCPswereanoption.”

Thespecial-orderprocessbeginsandendsat theMCSS.

First,aservicemembertriesonseveralstandardsizestodetermineifacommonsizegarmentcanbeused.Ifnot, thestoreassociateindicatesthebestfittingstandardsize, describes howthegarmentfitsimproperly, andtakesthe servicemember’sbodymeasurements.

Formsforspecial-orderuniformsarecompletedandsubmittedtoeitherDLA TroopSupport ortheAir ForceClothingand Textile Liaison Office, orAFCTO. TheAFCTO, part ofAgileCombatSupport’sHumanSystemsDivision,assists thoseunfamiliarwiththespecial-orderprocess byguidingthemandreviewingtheirrequests forcompletionpriortosubmissiontoDLA Troop Support.Uponreceiptofthespecial-orderrequest,DLATroop Supportputstheorderoncontractwiththeirvendor. Finally, theDLATroop Supportvendordevelopstherequesteditemand shipsittoMCSSfor customer pickup.

Thespecial-orderprocessforfootwearis similarbutmayrequireavisittoahealthcare providerifamedicalconditionisconfirmedor suspected.Ahealthcareprofessionalwilltake footmeasurementsandtracingsandfilloutrequiredforms. Thepaperworkisthengivento

MCSSforrequisition.

“Mostspecialorderscanbefilledin60days, butdependingontheitemtheremaybeexceptions,” Jamessaid.

U.S.AirForcegraphic

TheROKAF-USTRANSCOMMASA wasinitially signedin2004andfirstexercisedMarch12,2007,when aKALBoeing777flew125 U.S. troopsfromKadenaAir Base, Japan,toOsan Korea,duringareception,staging, onwardmovementsandintegrationexercise.

“TheagreementallowsUSTRANSCOMandtheRepublicof KoreaAir Force, asthegovernmentdesignees, torequest U.S. military, ROKmilitary, andcivilianairlift mobilizedorundercontracttosupporttherapidreinforcementofROKand U.S. defenseforcesintheeventofmilitaryhostilitiesintheRepublicof Korea,” saidUSTRANSCOM’sAcquisitionCross-Service AgreementManager, PaulDismer.

TheMASAhasbeenrevisedandexercisedindifferent waysthroughoutthepast20years, butthestrongrelationshipbetweenthe U.S. andtheROKmilitarieshasremainedconsistent.

ThatrelationshipremainsthelinchpinofpeaceandsecurityinNortheastAsiaandthe Korean Peninsula.

“ExercisingMASAforthisforcerotationisanexcellent demonstrationoftheiron-cladrelationshipsbetweenthe ROKand U.S. militariesandourindustrypartners,” said U.S. Air ForceCol.RichMcClintic, USTRANSCOMLiaison, U.S. Forces Korea.“Theserelationshipsenableusto beanywheregloballywithinhours, postureustosustain aneffortforaslongasnecessary, andbuildcombatreadiness.”

AboutUSTRANSCOM

U.S. TransportationCommandisa warfightingcombatantcommandthatprojectsandsustainsmilitarypowerat atimeandplaceofthenation’s choosing.Poweredbydedicatedmenandwomen,USTRANSCOMunderwritesthe lethalityofthejointforce, advancesAmericaninterests aroundtheglobe, andprovidesournation’s leaderswith strategicflexibilitytoselectfrommultipleoptions, while creatingmultipledilemmasforouradversaries.

ActorColeHauservisitsUS SpecialOperationsCommand

byMichaelBottoms

U.S.SpecialOperationsCommandPublicAffairs

TheactorColeHauserandPresidentandChiefOperatingOfficerof theSpecialOperations Warrior Foundation,retiredArmyMaj.Gen. Clay Hutmachervisitedtheheadquartersof U.S. SpecialOperationsCommandonMacDillAir ForceBase, FloridaMarch1,2024.

Hauser’smostrecent“Yellowstone” characterRipWheelerontheDuttonRanchisthequintessentialcowboy: Toughandloyaltoafault. Much likeacommandsergeantmajorhekeepstheorganizationsquared away andgoing.

“Ilovethe characterRipbecauseheissoloyal,” saidHauser.

Hauser wasraisedbyhisgrandfatherwho wasa World WarIIveteran.

“Mygrandfather taughtmeprofoundrespectforthemilitary andservice. Hewenton warbondssellingtour after World WarII,” Hausersaid. “Unfortunately, he diedwhenI was 12,buthehada lifelongimpacton me.”

Hauser’sconnectiontoUSSOCOMisheservesasaboardmemberof theSpecialOperations Warrior Foundation, whichprovideseducational scholarshipsforthesurviving childrenoffallenSpecialOperationspersonnelaswellasMedalofHonorrecipients.

The charity, basedin Tampa,Florida, wasfoundedintheaftermath ofthefailedattempttorescue52Americanhostagesin Tehran,Iran,

known as Operation Eagle Claw, ended in tragedy April 24, 1980, with the loss of eight American service members.

Hauser’s work for the foundation is coupled with visiting patients at Walter Reed hospital for the past 20 years. Additionally, he went on a USO Tour in Afghanistan and was shepherded by special operations troops and came to appreciate them.

“I just wanted to lend a hand where possible,” Hauser said. “I found out servicemembers needed friendship, mentoring… and told them they could still be successful.”

BUDGET

FromPage3

Acknowledgingthepracticalitiesofeconomicfactors, thebudgetproposalaccommodatesinflationandrisingfuelcosts, andforqualityoflifeandretentionofpersonnel: •$42.9billiontoimprovequalityoflifeforAirmenand Guardiansincludinga4.5percentpayraise •$1.1billionforbonusandretentionprogramsfor 118,000criticallyskilledpositions

ThisbudgetproposalrepresentstheDepartment’sprioritiesformaintainingthenation’ssecurityandinterests ForadditionalinformationontheDAFFY2025budget, aswellaspreviousDAFbudgets, visittheHeadquarters Air Forcefinancialmanagementpage

PhotobyGunnerySgt.DemetriusMunnerlyn

Actor Cole Hauser receives a demonstration on specialized equipment during his visit to the headquarters of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base March 8.

EVENTS

AnnualEasterEggstravaganza

The YouthCenterishostingan EasterEggstravanganzaMarch23 from10a.m.– noonatthe Fitness CenterSouth Field.Comeandenjoyfacepainting, DJ, foodtrucks, egghunts, games, prizes and of coursetheEasterBunny. Egghunt timesasfollows:

EFMP10:15a.m.

Ages1-410:30a.m.

Ages5-810:45a.m.

Ages9-1211:00a.m.

Ages13+11:15a.m.

Adults11:30a.m.

To viewtheeventflyer, visit macdillfss.com/wp-content/uploads/ Eggstravaganza8.5X11flier.pdf.

2024Air ForceArtContest

Doyouhaveartisticskills?Registerandenteryour2Dand3D artworkforthe2024Air Force ArtContestfromMarch1–April 30.Thecontestisopentoeligible adultsand childrenages6-17. For moreinformationabout eligibility, submissions, prizes, judging andcategories, visitforcesupport. awardsplatform.com.

DownloadtheAirFest2024app

Getreadytosoaratthe Tampa BayAirFest,featuringthe U.S. ForceThunderbirds. Downloadthe AirFest2024apptodaytoaccess theschedule, performers, sponsors, staticdisplays, gatemap, foodand beverageoptions, hangar2exhibitors, and FAQs. Don’tmissouton thisthrilling eventMarch 28-30 –downloadnow(availableonthe AppStoreandGooglePlay)and planyourunforgettableexperience.

All-women team!

Airmenassignedtothe6thMaintenanceSquadronaircraftfuelsystems repairsectionposefor a groupphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch8.Unitsacrosstheinstallationareassemblingallwomanteamsin recognitionof Women’sHistoryMonthwhichaimstohighlighttheachievementsof femaleservicemembersacrossthejointforce.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m.to 3p.m. After hours chaplain, callthe Command Post at 828-4362/4361.

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

Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessionsby appointment)

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Chapel at 828-3621or email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil for inquiries regarding Protestant religious education.

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule &tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30p.m.(space reserved)

OtherFaith Groups - Pleasecontact the Chapelat (813)828-3621orviaemail at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster

“Youarethesecurityoftheaircraftinaustereenvironments,” Estores said.“Whetherwelandinanareathatisbuiltuporanairfieldthatis justadirtstrip, we’retheonesprovidingsecurityfortheaircraft.”

Thetrainingprogramstronglyemphasizes physicalfitness, mental toughnessandstrategicthinking. Ravencandidatesmustscorea90%on threestandardphysicalfitnesstestsbeforebeingselectedforaslot.

Ravensarealsorequiredtoengageinhand-to-handcombatscenarios thatincludesparringwitheachother. Theyaretrainedinvariousmartialarts, includingjudo, which primarilyfocusesonusingholdsandleveragetounbalanceanopponent,bringingthemtotheground.

Earlyintraining, Estoressufferedasetback. WhilesparringwithotherAirmen,shesteppedbacktooquicklyandpartiallyinjuredatendonin herfoot.Theinjury wasonethatwouldtypicallyresultinremovalfrom thecourse.

“IthoughtIhadbrokenmyfootinweekone,” Estoressaid.“I wasunabletocomfortablydoexerciseswithouthavingasharppaininmyleg. AlthoughIwouldstaywiththegroupduringformationruns, thepain neverstopped,butIknewIcouldpushthroughtotheend.”

Estoresfoundhermotivationthroughtheencouragementofherfamily, whosupportedherjoiningtheAir Forcein2016.GrowingupinOrlando, Florida, Estoresattributesherresiliencetohermother, whoguidedher tohavestrengthandgriteveninthehardestlifescenarios Shesaysshe stilllearnslifelessonsfromhermothertoday. Herfatheralsoservedasa bigmotivatorforhertoenlist, buthepassed away beforeshejoined.

“IthinkmydadwouldbeproudofmeforwhatI’veaccomplished.He alwaysexpectedmetobetheonetogooutandmakesomethingofmyself. Ithinkhe’dbehappyknowingthepersonI’vebecometoday.” -Staff Sgt.AmandaEstores, 22ndSecurity ForcesSquadron Patrolman

Estoresnotonlyhasthesupportofherbiologicalfamily, butalsothe familyshehasmadeinhersquadron.Defendersdevelopacamaraderie throughtheirrigoroustrainingregimens, workingtogethernomatterthe circumstances. Thedemandingnatureoftheirdutiesfurtherstrengthens this close-knitbond.

“Inmostjobsyougohomeattheendoftheday, andyoudon’tthink aboutthepeopleyouworkwith, butIdo,” Estoressaid. “Asdefenders, we

tores,22ndSecurityForcesSquadronpatrolman,upon returningas her base’sfirstfemaleRavenFeb.2, at McConnellAirForceBase,Kan.

gothroughallthesame challengestogether, wegodownrangewitheach other. We areafamily.”

Whileonactiveduty, EstoresalsoearnedaBachelorofSciencedegree in JusticeStudiesfromGrandCanyonUniversityandplansongetting hermaster’sdegree. Withapassionforlawenforcement, sheplanson continuingthiscareerpathontheoutside, usingtheskillssheobtained fromtheAir Force.

EstorespromotesjoiningtheAir Forcetoanyonewhoisconsidering it.Shetellsprospectiverecruitsnottoletanydoubts, fearsoranxieties aboutjoiningthemilitaryholdthemback.EstoresmakinghistoryatMcConnellAFBopensthedoorforothers, hersquadroncommandersaid.

“HavingfemaledefenderslikeStaffSgt.Estoressetsanexamplefor allouryoungwomentoemulate,” Baxtersaid.“Hermentorshipandleadershipacrossourunitiskeytoourmissionsuccesseveryday. IwishI hadmoredefendersjustlikeher.”

PhotobyAirman1stClassWilliamLunn ARavenpatchshowstheaccomplishmentofStaffSgt.AmandaEs-