Thunderbolt 04/07/2022

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Vol.50,No.14 Thursday,April7,2022 News/Features:page3 Refutlingmilestone Weekinphotos:page4 Imagesfromtheweek News/Features:page3 AMC’swinningstrategy Community:page15 Events,Chapel,more...
DODscreencapture
SecretaryofDefenseLloydJ.AustinIIIpassestheguidonofU.S.CentralCommandtoArmyGen.MichaelEricKurilla, April1atMacDillAirForceBase.whoatonetimeservedasthecommand’schiefofstaff. Gen.Kurillatakes commandofU.S. CentralCommand -page8

AirForcebudgetproposalfocusesontransformation,modernization

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va.(AFNS)—The$194billioncombinedbudgetproposal unveiledMarch 28forthe Air ForceandSpace Forcecarriesa significantboostinspendingthatseniorleaderssayisessentialtomodernizingtheservicestobetterconfrontChinaandanarrayofnational securitythreatsworldwide.

Whiletransformationandmodernizationareneededinrealtime, SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendallalsoemphasizedthe2023fiscalyearproposalisdesignedtobuildmomentumforadditionaltransformationinfuturebudgets.

“TheDepartmentoftheAir Force’sfiscalyear2023budgetrequest providesasoundbalancebetweenmeetingcombatantcommanders’immediateneedstodaywhileinvestinginthemodernizedcapabilitiesthe AirandSpace Forcesrequiretodeterand,ifnecessary, defeataggressionbyChinaorRussiainthefuture,” Kendallsaid.

“Thisisnottheendofaprocess;rather, thisisacceleratinganecessaryandon-goingtransformation. We willneedCongress’continuing supportforthisbudgetandforthehard choicestocomeasweaddress ourpacing challenge,” hesaid.

Indollarterms, theproposedAirandSpace Forcesbudgetthatthe WhiteHousesubmittedtoCongressforthenextfiscalyear, whichbeginsOctober1,is$20.3billionlargerthanthebudgetsubmittedforthe DepartmentoftheAir Forcelastyear. Undertheproposal,theAir Force wouldreceive$169.5billionandtheSpace Force$24.5billion.Ifapprovedaswritten,whichisunlikelysinceCongresswillspendmonths analyzinganddebatingthebudgetrequest,theincreasereflectsan8% growth,notincludinginflation.

The$194billioncombinedbudgetproposalunveiledMarch28,2022,for theAirForceandSpaceForcecarriesasignificantboostinspending thatseniorleaderssayisessentialtomodernizingtheservicestobetter confrontChinaandanarrayofnationalsecuritythreatsworldwide.

Theproposedbudgetboostsfundingby$1.1billioninresearch,development,testandevaluationtomodernizethenation’saging, groundbasednucleardeterrent($3.6billioncomparedto$2.5billioninthe 2022proposal).Itadds$320millioninadditionalfundingforcontinued developmentandnuclearcertificationoftheB-21Raiderlong-range bomber($3.25billionfrom$2.87billion).Italsoincreasesthebudget

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

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MacDillThunderbolt

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NEWS/FEATURES TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling WingcommanderandtheMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

AMCcommander releases‘strategytowin’

byAirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Gen.MikeMinihan,commanderof AirMobilityCommand,announcedMarch29his“strategytowin”tomore than260totalforceMobilityAir ForcesleadersduringtheSpringPhoenix RallyatMacDillAir ForceBaseMarch29-31.

Inconjunctionwithreleasinghisstrategyandpriorities, Minihanengagedleadershipindiscussingforceresiliencyandhowtoworktogether toensuretheMAFispreparedtodeliverrapidglobalmobilityinapeercompetitorfight.

“Warriorcultureisrequiredtomakethisstrategypossible…unleashingandempoweringincredibleAirmenandfamiliesbiasedtowardaction, unencumberedbybureaucracy, andintentionallydisruptivetothestatus quo,” Minihansaid.“Wewilltoleratenothingless.”

Minihanoutlinedhisfourfundamentalvectorswithinthestrategyas DevelopReadyAirmenand Families,Advance WarfightingCapabilities, ProjectandConnectthe Joint Force, andEnsureStrategicAdvantage.

“Ineedyoubothered,likeme, toworkharder, movefaster, andpassionatelyenableouroperationalwingstomakeourmissionsandpeoplemore successful,” Minihansaid.

Additionally, Minihandescribedthreespecific waysAMCwillmoveforwardwithwhathereferredtoas“afoundationofunrepentantlethality.”

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AMC/CCapprovesF-35AandF-22

byAirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Gen. MikeMinihan,commanderofAirMobility Command,approvedafifthInterimCapabilityRelease(ICR)missionsetfortheKC-46A Pegasuson Feb. 23,allowingtheKC-46Ato refueltheF-35AandF-22Raptorduring U.S. TransportationCommand-taskedmissions. ThedecisionalsoreleasedtheKC-46AtosupportBravoandCharliealertmissions.

“OurdatashowsthattheKC-46Acannow supportnearly85percentofUSTRANSCOM airrefuelingtaskings, sowe’renotgoingto holdbackonofferingthisadditionalcapacitytothe Joint Force,” saidBrig. Gen.Ryan Samuelson,AMCdeputydirectorofStrategy, Plans, RequirementsandProgramsandKC-46 CrossFunctional Teamlead.TheKC-46AICR planallowsthe Pegasustoconductoperational

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin Servicememberslistento remarksduringPhoenixRally,March29 atMacDillAirForceBase.SpringPhoenixRallybroughttogether260 TotalForceMobilityAirForceleaderstodiscuss resiliencyofforce, AirMobilityCommand’snewstrategyandprioritiesandhowtowork togethertoensurethataMobilityAirForceispreparedtodeliver RapidGlobalMobilityinapeercompetitorfight.

receiversasfifthICRmilestone

refuelfromaKC-46overtheNevada Testand

TestEvent20.03.LFTE20.03isapremier jointoperationaltesteventhostedbythe53rdWingthatvalidatestacticsinacombat relevant environment.

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Photoby1stLtSavanahBray
F-35sfromthe422nd TestandEvaluationSquadron
TrainingRangeonNovember17,2020forLargeForce
NEWS/FEATURES

WEEKINPHOTOS

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.Army1stSgt.AaronFigeloftheU.S.SpecialOperationsCommandPara-Commandos,displaysOldGloryashedescendsontotheairfield duringthe TampaBayAirFestatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch27.ThePara-Commandosvolunteerfortheparachutedemonstrationteamand performathighvisibilityeventsacrossthenationtoinformthepublicaboutUSSOCOM.

U.S.AirForceMaj.JoshuaGunderson,F-22RaptorDemonstration Team commander,meetswithRobertMcClintock,a103year-old World WarII fighterpilot,atMacDillAirForceBaseMarch26.McClintocksangthe NationalAnthemtostart TampaBayAirfest2022.

U.S.MarineMaj.FrankZastoupil,apilotfortheBlueAngels,laughs withachildduringthe TampaBayAirFestatMacDillAirForceBase March,25.Theeventhostedchildrenandfamiliesaffiliatedwith Wheelchairs4Kids,anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoimprovingthelivesofchildrenwithphysicaldisabilities,foranexclusive experiencewatchingexhilaratingaerialperformancesandmeeting skilledpilots.

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MilitarySavesMonth

FORTLEE, Va.—Theideaofsavingmoney soundsappealingbuttheroadtogettherecan be overwhelming.April’sMilitarySaves Month campaign walksyouthroughsettingagoaland makingasavingsplantoimproveyourfinancial lifeandbuildwealth.

Commissariesworldwidejointheeffortby spreadingtheMilitarySavesMonthmessage andprovidingafinancialbenefittoourmilitary patrons.

“Providingasignificantsavingsbenefitforour patrons, thecommissarycanhelpyoumakethe mostofeverydollarofyourplannedfoodbudget,” saidMarineSgt.Maj.MichaelR.Saucedo. “Notonlythat,wecanhelpyouaffordhealthier eating, becausefreshandnutritiousalternatives arebothplentifulandeconomicalmakingthe commissaryyourpartnerbothfinanciallyand nutritionally.”

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AprilisDOD’smonthto recognizemilitarychildren

Fornearly40years,April1hasmarkedthe DefenseDepartment’skickofffortheMonthof theMilitaryChild,andthismonthpromisesto bepackedwitheventsforparentsand children ofallages, saidaprogramanalystinDOD’s Children, Youthand Families, OfficeofMilitary FamilyReadiness Policy, MilitaryCommunityand Family Policy.

DiannaM.GanotesaidDODissupporting

thismonthwiththethemeofmentalhealth andtheoverallwell-beingofallmilitary children.

TheMonthoftheMilitaryChildisatime tofocusonandcelebratethecontributionsof military childrenandtheuniqueneedsoftheir lives, shenoted.

Theobjectiveforthismonth’srecognitionis to“highlighttheuniquelifeand challengesof military children.Ourgoalistoimprovetheir qualityoflifeandhelpmitigatethedemands theyexperiencefromallthetransitions, such

asfrequent moves, parentalseparationsfor militarytrainingandworryingabouttheir parentswhenthey’redeployed”Ganotesaid.

WhileDODsetsasideApriltorecognize military children,supportforthemispresent year-round,shenoted.Attheinstallationlevel,familieswillfindsuchsupportresourcesas childdevelopmentcenters, youthcenters, Militaryand FamilySupportCentersandmilitary andfamilylifecounselors.

Frontandcenterinthesupportrealmfor

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NavyPettyOfficer1stClassMichaelB.Zingaro
Familymemberswaveasthefast-attacksubmarineUSSMissouridepartsfromJointBasePearlHarbor-Hickam,Hawaii,June3,2021,toparticipateinExerciseAgileDagger2021.AthirdoftheNavy’sPacificsubmarineforcegotunderwayfortheexercise,whichwasdesignedtoassess warfighting readinessandbuildcapacityforthejointforce.
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FormerCentcomchiefofstaff assumes roleofcommander

In Tampa,April1,MarineCorpsGen. Kenneth FrankMcKenzieJr. passedcommand of U.S. CentralCommandovertoArmyGen.MichaelErikKurilla,whoatonetime servedasthecommand’s chiefofstaff.

FromEgypttoKazakhstan,theCentcomareaofresponsibilitycoverssome21nations inbothAsiaandAfrica,spansmorethanfourmillionsquaremiles, andishometomore than560millionpeople. SecretaryofDefenseLloyd J. AustinIIIsaidrunningCentcom anditsmissionisoneofthemostdemandingjobsintheDefenseDepartment.

“Thisregioniswhereweprotect waterwayssothatglobalcommercecanflow. Itiswhere wefightterroristswhothreatenourcitizens, anditiswhereweworkwithourpartnersto confrontinstabilityfromIrananditsproxies,” Austinsaid.“Centcomiscentraltooursecurity itiscentraltoourreadinessanditiscentraltoourmission.”

PartnershipsinCentcom,Austinsaid,arecritical.It’ssomethinghesaidCentcomisfocusedon—acredittoMcKenzie whoservedasthecommanderofCentcomforthreeyears now—anda challengetoKurillawhonowassumesresponsibility.

“PartnershipsareespeciallyimportantbecauseofChinaandRussia’sambitioninthe region,”Austinsaid.“ButIamconfidentthatCentcomwillensurethattheUnitedStates remainsthepartnerof choice.Thatmeansdoublingdownonsecuritycooperation.Itmeans allowingourpartnersevendeeperintoourtrainingandourexercises, anditmeanscontinuingtobeacredibleanddependablefriend.Whenitcomestodeepeningpartnerships andforgingnewones...Centcomisgettingitdone.”

Chairmanofthe JointChiefsofStaffGen.MarkA.MilleysaidtheCentcomareaofresponsibilityisapartoftheworldnearlyeverypersonnowinuniformhasvisitedintheir career—the U.S. wasat warthereinAfghanistanandIraqfor20years.

“Centcomistrulycriticaltothesecurityofournation,andreallytothestabilityandsecurityoftheentireworld,” Milleysaid.“It’squiteliterallythecrossroadsbetweenEurope, Asia,andAfrica.Theworld’senergysuppliescomethroughtheCentcomAOR.”

ExceptionalleadershipisneededinCentcom,Milleysaid.Andthepassingofcommand fromMcKenzietoKurillarepresentsacontinuationofthatleadership.

“Ihavepersonallyanincredibleamountoftrust,confidence, andpersonalrespectfor FrankMcKenzie. HehasguidedCentcom,andbyextensionthenation,throughsomeof ourmosttoughtimes, andhealwaysdiditwithhonor, integrity, tact,competence, humility, operationalskill,andonoccasion,abitofhumor,” Milleysaid.

FornewleadershipinCentcom,MilleysaidKurilla wascustom-madeforthejob.

“Ifthereever wassome waytofeedintoamachinetherequirementsfortheperfect leaderofCentcom—the charactertraits, theattributes, theexperiences, theknowledge, andthepersonalitythatwouldbeideal—thatmachinewouldspitoutErikKurilla,” Milleysaid.“Erik’sgotvastexperienceincombat[and]onstaffs.He’savisionary,he’sa thinker, andhe’sadoer Heunderstandsboththephysicalandhumanterrain,andisable toidentifyrootcausesofproblemsanddevelopsystems. He’snotatallalinearthinker. He’sactuallyaverygiftedproblemsolver.”

McKenzie theoutgoingCentcomcommander willretire. Hesaidhe’sproudnowtohave hisnamelistedamongthosewhohaveledCentcomforthelast40years—includingthe likesofArmyGen.NormanSchwarzkopfJr.,MarineCorpsGen.JimMattis,ArmyGen. JohnAbizaid,ArmyGen.MartinDempsey,ArmyGen.LloydAustin,andArmyGen. Joseph Votel.

U.S.SoldierssupportingCombinedJoint TaskForce-OperationInherentResolvemaketheirwaytoanoilproductionfacilityto meetwithitsmanagementteamintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,Oct.27,2020.

U.S.MarineCorpsMasterSgt.MichaelLesterickcarriesanAfghanevacuee’sluggage astheyboardaplaneatAlUdeidAirBase,Qatar,Sept.1.

ARoyalJordanianNavyFrogmanjumpsfrom anHH-60GPaveHawkhelicopterintothe GulfofAqabaduringexerciseAgileRescue March28,2022inAqaba,Jordan.Thesearch and rescueexercisedevelopedand refined rescueagileemploymentprocesses,testingtheabilityofmultinational rescueforces toworkinunisonwithUSAFRescueforces tobeddown,sustain,andexecutemaritime searchand rescue.

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STRATEGY

AMCwillhoneitstactics, techniquesandprocedurestomakebestuseof itscurrentforce.

AMCwillextractmaximumvalueoutofexistingcapabilitiesandrapidlyfieldthemtofurther strengthenitsforce.

AMCwilldevelopthe decisivemobilityforce ofthefuture unboundby traditionalstructures, approachesandtechnologies todominateanyenemy.

Thestrategyidentifiedavictoriousendstate asoneinwhichmobility forcescancommunicate, navigateandmaneuverat thetemporequiredtowin insidetheIndo-Pacificareaofoperationsandanywhereelse.

Minihanemphasized thatAMCAirmenmust project,maneuver, connect,andsustainthe Joint Forcewithanunrelenting drivetoacceleratewinningresultsnowandin thefuture.

“Letmebecrystal clear: Victorywillbedelivered ontheshouldersofMobilityAirmen,andvictory startsnow,” Minihansaid. “Iamhonoredtoservebesideyou.Bringyourcourage Let’sgo!”

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PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin
U.S.AirForceGen.MikeMinihan,commanderofAirMobilityCommand,listensinduring
remarksatthePhoe-
nixRallyconferenceatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch29.SpringPhoenixRallybroughttogether260 TotalForce MobilityAirForceleaderstodiscuss resiliencyofforce,AirMobilityCommand’snewstrategyandprioritiesand howtoworktogethertoensurethataMobilityAirForceispreparedtodeliverRapidGlobalMobilityinapeer competitorfight.

forhypersonicweaponsby$138million($577millionfrom$438million).

TheproposedbudgetalsocallsontheSpace Forcetospendanadditional$1billionon“resilientmissile warning/missiletrackingtoaddresshypersonicandmaneuverableRVs(re-entryvehicles).”

Inaportionoftherequestknownas‘procurementfunds,’ thefiscal 2023proposalprovidesfundingtopurchase33F-35ALightningIIfighters, 15KC-46A Pegasustankers, 24F-15EXEagleIIfighters, among otherhardwareprocurements ItprovidesfundingtotheSpace Force forthreeNationalSecuritySpacelaunches, threeadditionallaunches bytheSpaceDevelopmentAgencyandtwolaunchesthatwillputinto orbitcrucialGPSIIIsatellitestoenhancetheresiliencyofthepositioning, navigationandtimingconstellationaccessedbybillionsofusers daily.

Morebroadly, therequestcallsforspending$7.9billion(anincrease of$300million)toboostflyinghoursto1.1million,alevelofficialssaid isthe“maximumexecutablelevel.” Itincreasesspendingfor“weaponssystemsustainment”to$16.6billionfrom$15.4billionandcarries fundingtoincreasepayforciviliansandactivedutypersonnelby4.6 percent.Italsohas$77millionfortheAir Forcetoaddress climate changerequirements.Thebudgetalsoproposesfundingfor501,800 Total ForceAirmenand8,600Guardians.

Yetwhiletheproposalwill changebeforeitisfinalized,itservesas animportant–andgranular–expressionoftheservices’mostpressingpriorities. ItrepresentstheconsensusbyDepartmentofficials, the WhiteHouseandsenior Pentagonleadersonwhatisrequiredtoachieve thegoalsnecessarytoprotectthenationanditsinterests.

Therearemanygoalsandpriorities, which Kendallandothersenior leaderscapturewiththeword,“transformation.”

“WehaveprioritizedinvestmentsacrosstheDepartmentoftheAir Force, whichwillacceleratethetransformationofourAirandSpace Forces,” UndersecretaryoftheAir ForceGinaOrtiz Jonessaid.“TheAir ForceandSpace Forcehaveoutsizedrolesintoday’smilitaryoperations

andthe challengesweanticipateinthefuture. OurAirmenandGuardiansmustbeequippedtowin.”

Thefiscal2023budgetrequest,shesaid,“balancesmaintainingcapabilitiestoaddressnear-termthreats, whileacceleratingvitalmodernizationeffortsnecessaryforsuccessinahigh-endfight.”

ThebudgetprovidesasignificantspikeinspendingfortheSpace Forceasitentersitsthirdyearinexistence.Amongthemorenotable Space Forceline-itemsarethetransferoftheSpaceDevelopmentAgencyandbudgetintotheSpace Force, $987milliontospacetechnology developmentandprototypingmissile warning/tracking, and$1billion forgroundandspacesegmentsoftheNext-GenerationOverhead PersistentInfraredmissile warningsystem.

As KendalloutlinedtheDepartment’sbudgetrequestfor2023,he alsohintedtowardtheDepartment’smindsetlookingaheadto2024 whilediscussingthebalancebetweencurrent-dayreadinessandthe needtomodernizeforthethreatsposedbyChinawhilekeepinganeye towardRussia.

“We’reshiftingthatbalancemoretowardsthefuture.Thetransformationisnotcompletewiththisbudget;it’smovingusforward,butit’s notcomplete,” hesaid.“Lookingahead,Ithinkthereare,again,goingto bealotofdecisionsmadeaswegetinto[fiscalyear]24andaswelearn moreaboutwhatourrequirementsare, andweassessourprioritiesfor modernization.So, Ianticipatesomehard choicesahead.”

Factoringintohowthose“hard choices”aremade, Jonessaid,isthe needtoensurethatthe U.S. andtheAirandSpace Forcesareproperly equippedandpositionedtomeetthegrowing challengefromChinaas wellasothersecurityconcerns.

“SecretaryAustinandDeputySecretaryHickshavebeen clearthat ourpacing challengeisChina,whileRussiaremainsanacutethreat,” shesaid.“Ourbudgetrequestbalancesmaintainingcapabilitiestoaddressnear-termthreatsandacceleratesmodernizationeffortsnecessaryforsuccessinahigh-endfight.”

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BUDGET FromPage2 Besuretovisittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWingwebsiteatwww.macdill.af.mil

MilitarySaves, aparticipantintheDepartmentofDefense’s FinancialReadinessNetwork,seekstomotivate, supportandencouragethemilitarycommunitytosavemoney, reducedebt,andbuildwealth.

StartonyourjourneytofinancialimprovementbytakingthepledgeonMilitarySave. organd choosingyoursavingsgoaltohelpformulateyoursimplesavingsplan.ThenMilitarySaveswillhelpkeepyouontrackbysendingshortreminders, resourcesandtipson savingandlivingwellwhilespendingless. Small changescangoalong waytosetyouup forfinancialsuccess.

Notsurprisingly, muchofthemonthlybudgetisspentongroceries.Yourcommissary benefitcanhelpyousticktoyourfoodbudgetandkeepmoremoneyinyourpocket,while alsodeliveringhealthyandfreshfoodintheprocess OnDeCA’s“We’reStronger Together” webpage, you’llseethefollowing waystomaximizetheuseofyourcommissarybenefit,in storeandonline:

YourEverydaySavings!(YES!): Yourcommissaryreducespricesdailyonhundredsof themostfrequentlypurchasedpopularbrands. LookfortheorangeYES!shelflabelsin yourcommissaryaisles.

CommissaryRewardsCard:Downloaddigitalcouponsrighttoyourcardandsaveat theregister. Ifyoudon’thaveacard,askacashierforone, thenvisittheDeCAwebsiteto registeryourcard.

PrintCoupons:Beforeyourcommissarytrip, visittheSavingsCenteronDeCA’swebsite tofindresourceswithlotsofprintablecoupons. Ifyou’reatthestore, checkoutthewide varietyofcouponsdisplayedthroughoutthecommissary.

Commissaries.comsalesflyer:Beforevisitingthestore, viewthesalesflyeronthewebsitewhilemakingyourshoppinglisttoensuremaximumsavings.Youcanalsosignupto havetheflyersenttoyouremail.

CommissaryStoreBrands: Yourcommissaryoffershigh-quality, low-costprivatelabel choicesonfoodandnon-fooditems, healthy, organicproducts, andbabyand childcaresolutionstoprovideevengreatersavings LookforDeCA’s Freedom’sChoicefoodorHome Basenon-foodproductsalongwithotherprivatelabelitemssuchas TopCarehealthand beauty, FullCircleMarketnaturalandorganicfood,Crav’ndairyandfrozensnackfood options,Wide Awakeready-to-drinkcoffeeproducts,Tippy Toesbabyitems, PureHarmony petfoodandFlock’s Finestwildbirdfood.

Mealplanning:Notonlywillmealplanninghelpyousavemoneyontakeout,itwillhelp youuseallthefoodyoupurchaseatthecommissary, reducing wasteandimpulsepurchases.Totaketheworkoutofmealplanning, DeCAhascreatedtwodietitian-approveddinner menuplansincludingweeklyshoppinglists, eachforanentiremonthoffamilymeals.

Thesemonthlymenuplansare availableoncommissaries.comattheselinks:MealPlan #1andMealPlan#2.Chooseyourpreferredplanandsimplyprintofftheshoppinglist fortheweek,addbreakfastandlunchitemsandyourshoppinglistisready.Youwillhave everythingyouneedfortheweek.Ifyouwouldliketocreateyourownmenuplantailoring ittoyourfamily’spreferences, useoureasy-to-followplanningaids, theDietitian-Approved MenuPlannerandthe WeeklyMealPlan Worksheet.

Makesuretoincludequickandeasyoptionsforthosenightswhenyoudon’tfeellike cooking DeCAhaspreparedalistofno-fussentrées chosenfromthemanydietitian-approved“ThinkingOutsidetheBox”recipesfeaturedoncommissaries.com.

Thelistfeatureslinkstoquick-prep“ThinkingOutsidetheBox”recipesusingaslowcooker, microwaveorpressurecooker, aswellasmake-aheadfreezermeals, oneskilletmeals, and entreesusingpreparedhigh-proteinfoodslikerotisserie chickenandcannedtuna.

“It’simportantforservicemembersandtheirfamiliestoknowthatit’snevertoolate tostartsavingforthefuture,” saidAngelaCaban,directorofMilitarySaves.“Smallsteps inbuildingasavingshabitcanmakeabigdifferenceovertimeandthesecrettosavingis simple.

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CHILDREN

militaryparentsandtheir childrenisMilitaryOneSource.mil–DOD’s24/7gateway totrustedinformation, resourcesandconfidentialhelp, includingtopicsthat parentsmightneedfor child-raisingissues.Thewebsite alsohasresourcesandeventslistedthatarededicatedto theMonthoftheMilitaryChild.Thephonenumberfor MilitaryOneSourceis800-342-9647.

Offtheinstallations, thereiscommunity-partnersupportformilitary childrenthroughtheirschoolsandorganizationssuchas4-HandtheBoysandGirlsClubsof America,shesaid.

Ganotehighlightedhowmilitary childrenhaveatough roadtotravelasanintegralpartofDOD’sreadinessby movingapproximatelysixtoninetimesintheirlives. When their parents aredeployed, their children’smilestonessuchasbirthdays, theholidaysandgraduations aresometimesmissed.Butthese childrenarenotalone, shesaid,becausewithouttheir children’ssupport,militaryparentswouldn’teasilyhandletheimportantmissionofservingtheircountry.

“I’dlikeustorememberwhatmilitary children’slives arelikeandhowuniquetheir challenges. It’squiteincrediblewhenwethinkaboutthe transitions theygo throughthatmost childrendon’t,andourmilitary childrenaresoresilientthroughitall.” shesaid.

AndthecolorpurpleisimportanttotheDODcommunity, because itreflectsallbranchesofthemilitary. “Acrossthenation, and aroundtheworldeveryApril, states, governments,schoolsandfamiliesalldotheir partbywearingpurpleorshiningapurplelightontheir homes, schools, statecapitalsandlocallandmarks,” Ganotesaid.

“Iwouldinviteeveryonetotakeamomenttosupport military childrenduringApril,” shesaid.

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PhotobyNationalGuardMasterSgt.Becky Vanshur AnIdahoArmyNationalGuardsmanembracesafamilymemberFeb.23beforedeployingtosupportOperationEnduringFreedom.
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OfKurilla,McKenziesaidhe’sconfidentthetraditionofexcellentleadershipinCentcomwillcontinue—andthathe’sleavingthecommandin goodhands.

“Ican’tthinkofanybodybetterqualifiedtoleadCentcom’snext chapter thanErikKurilla,” McKenziesaid.“He’snostrangertotheCentcomAOR. He’snostrangertotheheadquarters.”

Kurillaservedpreviouslyasthe chiefofstaffofCentcomfromAugust 2018toSeptember2019,McKenziesaid.

“It’sonlyfittingnowthathe’sreturnedto Tampatocommandthejoint force’spremiercombatantcommand,” McKenziesaid.“Youareinverygood hands Erik,I’mproudtopasstheguidontoyou.”

AfterassumingcommandofCentcom,Kurilladiscussedsomeofthe challengesheknows awaithiminoneofthemostdynamicregionsofthe world.

“TheregionsthatcompriseCentcom:theLevant,theMiddleEast,South andCentralAsia,arehometosomeofthemostimportantandextraordinaryscientific, artisticandsocialcontributionstohumanhistory,” Kurilla said.“Yet,theyarehometoviolence, instabilityandconflict.Thereareareasofgreatsuffering, abuseandhumanmisery.”

AmericanleadershipinCentcom,hesaid,canpreventregionalthreats therefromthreateningboth U.S. interestsandthe U.S. homeland.

“Wethereforemustremainfiercely, activelyengagedinthe21countries ofCentralCommand,” hesaid.“Wemustensureafavorablebalanceof powerintheregion.”

Centcom,hesaid,mustparticipateinensuringthatglobaltradecan

AU.S.AirForceB-52HStratofortressfliesalongsideRoyalAirForceof OmanEurofighter TyphoonsaboveOman,March29,2022.Thebomber’sflightoriginatedatRoyalAirForceFairford,England.

continueintheregion,andmustalsoensurethatthreatstheredon’tdevelopthecapabilitytoharmthe U.S. homeland.

“OuradversariesarelookingforanysignthatAmerica’scommitmentto thecollectivesecurityoftheregionis wavering,” hesaid.“Ouradversaries arepoisedtocapitalizeonanyopportunitiesthatemerge—wemustnot grantthemany.”

6thARWChapelHoly WeekSchedule

u Monday, April11:12:10DailyMass

u Tuesday, April12:*NoDailyMass

u Wed,April13:12:10DailyMassand Penance Servicefrom17:30-19:00

u Thursday, April14:19:00MassoftheLastSupperfollowedbyEucharisticAdorationuntil2130 (**No1210DailyMass)

u Friday, April15:14:15StationsoftheCross followedby1500Good FridayService

u Saturday, April16:2000Easter VigilCelebration (**No1730Mass)

u Sunday, April17:0930EasterSundayMass& EasterEggHuntafterMass

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CENTCOM FromPage8
PhotobyStaffSgt.JerrehtHarris

EVENTS

Youthbasketballregistration

SignupbyApril8attheyouth center Opentoages5-15with currentimmunizationrecords. Call828-7438toregisteryour child.

EasterEggstravaganza,Apr.9

10a.m.–12 p.m.Bringtheentirefamilytothefitnesscenter southfieldforadayofEaster fun.Enjoygames, prizes, artsand crafts, foodtrucks, egghuntsand ofcourse…theEasterBunny. Egg hunttimes:EFMP:10:15a.m., ages1-4: 10:30a.m.,ages5-8: 10:45a.m.,ages9-12:11a.m.and ages13andup:11:15a.m.

Markyourcalendars

Justin Willman“MagicforHumans”show,Apr 20,6-7:30 p.m. Joinusforafreemagicshowat thebasetheatre Doorsopenat6 p.m.,showat6:30 p.m.Funforall ages.

We arehiring

6thFSSishiringinthefollowingareasstartingat$15/hr:

Recreation,

Foodservice

Hospitality

Childandyouth. Forjobinfo, visitmacdillfss. com/open-jobs/ Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss. com

“Let’sGo!”

U.S.AirForceGen.MichaelMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander,center,poseswith Tampa areastudentswithCol.BenjaminJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,duringan Aviation InspiredMentorshipeventatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch27.Minhanbriefedthestudentsaboutthe AirMobilityCommandmissiontoinspirethemtobecomethenextgenerationofMobilityAirmen.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

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

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

Catholic(in-person) -Saturday -5:30p.m. (confession4:30p.m.) Sunday- 9:30a.m.(confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices Wednesday 11 a.m.. virtual)- Sunday 11 a.m.

Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoindistro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Muslim MuslimPrayer:Friday1300(space reserved)

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

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, April 7, 2022 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 15 COMMUNITY
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U.S.AirForcephoto

taskingsthatwouldotherwisebefilledbytheKC-135Stratotankerand KC-10Extender, increasingtheforce’sairrefuelingcapacityandfurtherseasoningtotalforce Pegasusaircrewswithoperationalmissions.

On July9,2021,thefirstICRdecisionapprovedtheKC-46A Pegasus torefuelaircraftusingitsCenterlineDrogueSystem.ThesecondICR decision,whichapprovedtheKC-46AtorefueltheB-52,C-17andother KC-46aircraftusingitsboom, wasmadeAug. 5,2021.ApprovedonOct. 15,2021,thethirddecisionallowedtheKC-46Atorefuelallvariants oftheF-15andF-16.ThefourthICR wasapprovedDec. 6,2021and allowedtheboommissionsetfortheAC-130J, HC/MC-130J, C-5Mand E-3Greceivers.

ThereisnotimelineassociatedwiththeoverallICRplan,whichinsteadfocusesonestablishingincrementalconfidencemeasuresthat

allowtheAMCcommanderandotherseniorleaderstoqualitatively andquantitativelyassessachievementsatICRmilestones. Crewswill continuetoflytraining, exerciseanddemonstrationmissionsuntilall operationalconfidencemeasuresaremet.

Despiteexistingrestrictionsanddeficiencies, theKC-46Acontinuestodemonstrateitsgrowingoperationalcapabilities.The Pegasus offloadedover47.2millionpoundsoffuelandcompletedmorethan 31,800boomand2,100droguecontactssince January2019.

AsofMarch21,2022,theAir Forcehas57KC-46Asinitsinventory. TheKC-46AcurrentlyoperatesoutofMcConnellAir ForceBase, Kansas;Seymour JohnsonAir ForceBase, N.C.;PeaseAirNationalGuard Base, NewHampshire; JointBaseMcGuireDixLakehurst, N.J.; and AltusAir ForceBase, Oklahoma.

Besuretovisittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWing

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MILESTONE FromPage3
websiteatwww.macdill.af.mil

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