Thunderbolt 4/18/2024

News/Features:page3

Airmenteeupforchampionship

News/Features:page3

Titan Fury 24-2

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page 11

Events, Chapel, more...

PhotobySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

Studentswatchthesolareclipse at TinkerK-8 School,April8atMacDill Air ForceBase.Thiswasthe firsttimeatotal solareclipse wasvisibleintheU.S.since1979.TheMacDillcommunity gatheredtocelebratetheeclipse witheducational videosandmoon-themedsnacks.

NEWS/FEATURES

DyessAirForceBaseestablishes WAR Center

by Tech.Sgt.DanaJ.Cable 7thBombWingPublicAffairs

DYESSAIRFORCEBASE, Texas—Dyess Air ForceBasehastakenasignificantstridetowardsenhancingmissionreadinesswiththerecentestablishmentoftheirown WarriorAirman ReadinessCenter.

Thisinitiativefollowsabenchmarkvisitto LittleRockAFB, Arkansas, wheremembers TeamDyessobservedthesuccessfulimplementationoftheir WARCenteranditsimpacton missionreadinessandbroughtthecurriculum hometoDyessAFB.

Thenewlyestablished WARCenterwillserve asacentralhubformission-focusedtraining andintegrationof warfightingskills.

Theprimaryobjectiveofthe5-day courseisto provideAirmenwitharealisticandimmersive environmenttohonetheirleadershipabilities, decision-makingprocesses, andmissionplanningexpertise, allcrucialcomponentsofmission readiness.

Airmendemonstratedtheirnewlyacquired skillsduringacapstoneeventonthelastdayof trainingthathighlightedtheirknowledgeand ground warfightingskills.

“Whilethecourseisdesignedtocementthose

SeeDYESS,Page8

PhotobyMasterSgt. VictoriaMcCreath

TeamDyess Airmenparticipate in acapstonetrainingeventatthe WarriorAirmenReadiness

CenteratDyessAirForceBase, Texas,March29.Thenewlyestablished WARCenterwillserve asacentralhubformission-focusedtrainingandintegrationofwarfightingskills.

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

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

MacDillontheweb

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

MacDill,FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at828-2215. : 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil. Deadline forarticle submissions isnoon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articlesreceived after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions areconsidered for publicationbased onnews value and timeliness.

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

NEWS/FEATURES

TwoPSFBmembersteeuptoqualifyinArmedForcesGolfChampionship

byAirman1stClassSpencerContreras SpaceLaunchDelta45

PATRICKSPACEFORCEBASE, Fla.—Twomembersof Patrick Space ForceBasewereselectedtorepresenttheDepartmentoftheAir Forceastheycompetedinthequalifyingroundforthe2024Armed ForcesGolf TournamentandChampionship. Thecompetition,whichtakes placefromMarch4-15,2024, is beingheldattheManateeCoveGolf CourselocatedonPSFB.

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt.TylerWhitmore, SpaceportIntegrationOffice flight chief, and U.S. Air ForceSeniorAirmanXavier Valencia,709CyberspaceSquadrondefensivecyberoperationstechnician,wereselectedto qualifyaspartoftheDAFgolfteam.

Afterthequalifyingroundshadfinished, theformalcompetitionstartedwithanopeningceremonyonMarch11,2024.TheDAFteamiscompetingagainstteamsofthetopgolfersfromthe U.S. Army, MarineCorps, NavyandCoastGuardastheydrive, chipandputttheir waythrough72 holesoverfourdays.

Sportingeventslikethisaimtoencouragephysicalfitnessandpromotemilitaryvaluessuchasteamwork, selflessnessandcomposureunderpressure.

“Golfisanindividualsport,butwe’realwaysrootingforourteammatestodowell,” saidWhitmore. “Evenifitmeanslosinganindividual

SeeGOLF,Page10

TitanFury24-2: 92ndARFdemonstratesstrategic deterrence readiness

byMasterSgt.JonathanLovelady 92ndAirRefuelingWing

Airmenassignedtothe92ndAirRefueling Wingconductedexercise TitanFury24-2 at FairchildAir ForceBase, Washington,March18-22.

Duringtheexercise, Airmendemonstratedhow FairchildAFBgeneratesandprovides, whendirected,speciallytrainedandequippedKC135Stratotankercrewstoconductcriticalairrefuelingof U.S. Strategic Command-assignedstrategicbomberandcommandandcontrolaircraft insupportoftheNationalDefenseStrategy.

“Ourstrategicdeterrencemissionhereat Fairchildrequireseveryone tobereadyandattheirbestinamoment’snotice,” saidCol.Chesley Dycus, 92ndARWcommander. “Ittakes theentire92ndAirRefueling Wingteam,aswellasouron-base missionpartnersandthe912thAir RefuelingSquadron,tosuccessfullyaccomplishour USSTRATCOM and AirMobilityCommand-assignedresponsibilities.

SeeTITANFURY, Page12

PhotobyAirman1stClassSpencerContreras TwoplayersputtduringtheArmedForcesGolfChampionshipatPatrick SpaceForceBase,Florida,March11.Fiveteams representingallthe U.S.militarybranchescompetedinthefour-dayeventconsistingof72 holesofgolf.

KC-135StratotankerstakeofffromtherunwayduringexerciseTitan Fury24-2atFairchildAirForceBase, Washington,March22.During theexercise,AirmendemonstratedhowFairchildAFBgeneratesand provides,whendirected,speciallytrainedandequippedKC-135Stratotankercrewstoconductcriticalair refuelingofU.S.StrategicCommand-assignedstrategicbomberandcommandandcontrolaircraft.

PhotobyAirman1stClassMeganDelaine

WEEKINPHOTOS

MembersofPatrickSpaceForceBase receiveinstructionduringaconvoyexerciseatCapeCanaveralSpaceForceStation,Florida,March15. The45thCivilEngineerSquadronExplosiveOrdnanceDisposalunitconductedtrainingforotherPatrickSpaceForceBasesquadronsinboth convoyoperationsandclearingrunwaysofunexplodedordnance.

AchildparticipatedintheMonthoftheMilitaryChildParadeatMacDill AirForceBaseApril12.Theparadewasheldtohonorandcelebrate militarychildrenduringMoMC.Currently,therearemore than1.6million childrenservingalongsideU.S.servicemembers,whomoveonaverage everytwotothreeyears.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

TinkerK-8SchoolstudentsperformduringtheMonthoftheMilitary ChildParadeatMacDillAirForceBaseApril12.Theparadewasheldto honorandcelebratemilitarychildrenduringMoMC.Currently,thereare morethan1.6millionchildrenservingalongsideU.S.servicemembers, whomoveonaverageeverytwotothreeyears.

PhotobyAirman1stClassSpencerContreras

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

TaskForce-99leads change indronedevelopment,employment

bySeniorAirmanKylar Vermeulen UnitedStatesAirForceCentral

UNDISCLOSEDLOCATION, SouthwestAsia—Shotsringout, a unitispinneddowninafirefight Themountainousterrainand enemyfire makeitdifficultforpersonneltoexitthehotzone. Multiplecasualtiesare in desperateneedofmedical attention.Brokenradio chatterfills theair throughoutthe chaos.

MRAPscan’tmakeitthroughthehillyterrainandhelicopterscannot landduetotheseverityoftheongoingfight. Howcanlifesavingaid bedeliveredtothesecasualties?

U.S. Air ForcesCentralsaidtheymayhave ananswer.

Task Force-99, alongsidetheAir Force’s BlueHorizon programandTitanDynamics, aCalifornia-basedcompany, assessedthe capabilitiesof the firstunmannedaerialsystem(UAS)developedusing a newsetofsoftware thatcanconceptualizeanairframeinminutes and 3D printthe designto employitinunder24hours. Thiswouldrevolutionizetheprocessatwhich dronescanbecreatedanddistributedto alliedforcestosupportmissions globally, accordingtothetaskforce.

“Thegoalofourproject was to be abletoquickly designafixedwing small UASwithinminutes, buildit withinhours, beabletoemployit in

U.S.AirForcephoto

AnAirman assignedtoU.S. Air ForcesCentral’s TaskForce-99asseses anewlydevelopedunmannedaerialsystematanundisclosedlocation withintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,March15.This isthefirsttimethat TaskForce-99hasflownaUASthatwasconceptuallygeneratedbycomputersoftwareandabletoflyinunder24hours. SeeDRONE,Page9

MacDillairtrafficcontroltower honoredasFacilityofthe Year

storyandphotosbySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian 6thAirRefuelingWing

Inadisplayofexemplaryperformanceandunwavering dedication,the6thOperationsSupportSquadron’sAir TrafficControl To weratMacDillAir Fo rceBas e wa s distinguishedastheAirTrafficControl Facilityofthe Year. Thisprestigious awardcelebratesthetower’ssuperiorair trafficcontrolcapabilities,overseeing23thousandaircraft sortiesandsecuringover$1.6billioninassets,demonstratingseamlessoperationswhileensuringtheutmost safety andefficiencyinmanagingtheskies.

Thejourneytothisachievement wasnosoloflight,it was theresultofeverypersonnelwithinthetowerworkinginunison. Theirwork,integraltotheoperationsofMacDillAFB andbeyond,ensuresthesafepassageofnumerousaircraft, fromadvancedfighterjetstovitalcargoplanes.

“This awardisareflectionofthehard workandteamwork ofeveryindividualinthetower,” said U.S. Air ForceSenior Airman JantzenScott,a6thOSSairtrafficcontroltrainer “It wasallofoureffortscombinedthroughouttheentireyear.”

Throughoutthepastyear, thesquadronhasfacednumerous challenges, includingmanagingseveral high-profileexercises. Theireffortshavebeeninstrumentalin the successful handlingofawiderangeofaircraft,fromfighterjetslikethe F-16toeveryheavyaircraftinthe Air Force’sarsenal,aswell asinternationaljets.

Thetower’soperationsareatestamenttotheenduring spiritanddedicationofitspersonnel,whohaveconsistently goneaboveandbeyond,especiallyduringtimes oflowmanning.

Perhapsoneofthemostcrucialelementsofthisteam’s missionistrainingthenextgenerationofcontrollers. Marked byarigorousandstress-testedenvironment,traininghighlights theimportanceofdevelopingeffectivecommunication skillsandteamwork.Thesefoundationalaspectsensurethat eachnewcontrollerisnotonlycompetent butexcelsunder pressure, contributingtothetower’s overarchinggoals.

“We’regoingtotrainourtraineestoworkinthattypeof high-stressenvironment,” said U.S. Air ForceMasterSgt. RobertMinor, a6thOSS chiefcontroller, tower. “Weaimto makethenextgenerationbetterthanthelast.”

Thisrecognitionservesnotonlyasacelebrationofthepast year’sachievementsbutalso asmotivationforthe6thOSS tocontinuetheirpursuitofexcellence. Astheylooktothe future, theircommitmenttosafety, efficiencyandteamwork remains unwavering, settingastandard forairtrafficcontrol facilitiesacrosstheAir Forceandbeyond.

(Aboveleft)U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJantzenScott,6thOSSairtrafficcontroltrainer,pointsatascreen duringan ATCsimulationatMacDillAirForceBaseApril.8.Scott’s responsibilityistoensureallairtrafficcontrolpersonnelarecapableoffulfillingany roleduringalanding.

(Above)U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJantzenScott,6thOperationSupportSquadronairtrafficcontroltrainer, participatesinan ATCsimulationatMacDillAirForceBaseApril.8.Scott’s responsibilityistoensureallairtrafficcontrolpersonnelarecapableoffulfillingany roleduringalanding.

(Left)U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJantzenScott,6thOperationSupportSquadronairtrafficcontroltrainer, participatesinan ATCsimulationatMacDillAirForceBaseApril.8.Scott’s responsibilityistoensureallairtrafficcontrolpersonnelarecapableoffulfillingany roleduringalanding.

hardandsoftskills, ultimatelywearedriving homeMissionCommandandleadershipskills,” saidMasterSgt. JohnMitchell, WARCenter NCOIC. “We wantAirmentobeconfident,make adecision, andfollow-throughwith that decision,whichcould be rightorwrong.”

Byofferingrealisticscenario-basedcontingencytrainingto TeamDyess personnel, the centerwillrelyonresidentsubjectmatterexpertstotrainandequipnextgeneration warfightersforfutureover-the-horizonconflicts.

Additionally, thecourseserves asa wayfor Airmentocomplete22pre-deploymentReady AirmenTraining requirements.

“ThiscoursefullypreparesAirmentobeMissionReady,” saidMasterSgt. VictoriaMcCreath, WARCentercadre “Theygothroughdifferent requirementsthatmeetMissionCommandand haveamorecomprehensiveunderstandingof warfighting.

AccordingtoMitchell,thelong-termgoalof thecourseistonotonlydevelopstudentsbut developcadreandinstructorsaswell.

“We wanttohostmoreadvancedcourses,” saidMitchell.“Wewillcontinuetolookforcadre andinstructorsandcontinuetogrowastrong networkofoperatorsasweshiftourfocusfrom counter-terroroperationstoGreat PowerCompetitors.”

AccordingtoMcCreath,the WARCenteris hopingtohostthecoursesixtimesayearandis opentoallmedicallyreadyAirmenfromanyAir ForceSpecialtyCodeassignedtoDyessAFB.

PhotobyMasterSgt. VictoriaMcCreath

Leadershipfromacross TeamDyesstourthe WarriorAirmenReadinessCenterduringacapstonetrainingeventatDyessAirForceBase, Texas,March29.Thenewlyestablished WARCenterwillserveasacentralhubformission-focusedtrainingandintegrationofwarfightingskills.

DRONE

thesameday, anddothatinthefieldrightatthepointof need,” saidCol.DustinThomas, a FellowwithBlueHorizonsandteammemberofProjectBlack Phoenix.

TheflightassessmenttookplaceMarch 15,2024,at an undisclosedlocationwithinthe U.S. CentralCommand areaofresponsibility, afteronlyamonthofplanningand preparation.

Earlyin Februaryof2024, planning began between TF99,BlueHorizonsandTitanDynamicsontheprojectthat thetaskforcesayswouldnormallytakeagroupofengineersuptoaweektocomplete andbe readyfor assembly andtesting Usingnewsoftwareengineered byTitanDynamics, TF-99andBlueHorizonswere able tocutthattime downtomereminutes.

Thanksto3Dprinting, TF-99highlightedthattheycan reduce thecostofproducing a UASofthis sizeupto95 percent. Theydothisbyusingasyntheticplasticthatis cost efficientandlighterthanmetaland carbonfiberelements.

Thoughonlyinitsalphaphaseofassessment,thesoftwareiscapableofvirtuallyconceptualizeanysmallairframebasedonmissionrequirementsinputbytheuser. Weight,height,width,distance, speed – allfactorsauseris lookingforcanbeprecisely and quicklymanufactured by 3Dprintersatthe clickof abutton.

“Wearecreatingasystemthat adapts aircraft to theeffectyou wanttoemploy,” saidLt. Col. PeterDyrud, a FellowwithBlueHorizonsandteammemberofProjectBlack Phoenix.“We wanttoprovideasystemthatputsinthe warfighters’handstheabilityto createandreallydosomethinguniqueand specific to theirmission.”

Thedayaftertheinitialflightassessment,TF-99tested asecond UASdevelopedusingthe same softwareand3D printersasthefirstversion.Thistime, adifferentairframe modeledfordifferentmissionrequirements wasassessed. TF-99 wasabletoflythe UAScontaininga mockfirst-aid carepackageover30milestoitssimulateddestination. Theteamdesigned,printedandflewthiscustomized drone inunder48hours.

Personnelinvolvedwiththeprojectexplainedthismethod ofquickmanufacturingcanbeusedinacombatscenarioto supportinjuredservicememberswhomaybehardtoreach.

“Its’payloadagnostic,” saidLt. Col. JordanAtkins, another FellowwithBlueHorizonsandteammemberofProjectBlackPhoenix.“Itcouldbeanythingthat alab, engineer, pilot,anythinganyonecomesup with—aslongasyou knowthesizeofthepayload and ifitneedsto beplugged intosomethingontheplane. Youputintheweightand thenitcanbe built.”

Withsmall UASairframesshapingthefutureofhow waronthegroundandinthe air maylooklike, nouseisoff thetable. The CEO ofTitanDynamics, Mohammad Adib, saidtheirgoalistoensuretheproductstheirsoftware developsareabletoaccountformultipleusesthatmaybe utilizedbythe warfighter.

AmemberoftheU.S.MarineCorpsgolfteamparticipatesintheArmedForcesGolfChampionshipatPatrick SpaceForceBase,Florida,March11.Fiveteams representingalltheU.S.militarybranchescompetedinthe four-dayeventconsistingof72holesofgolf.

awardtoateammatesothattheteamcanadvance, you havetomakethatsacrificeandkeepthebigpicturein mind.”

Inadditiontopre-tournamenttrainingandpractice, thesupportoftheirleadershipisalsohelpfultotheservicememberswhoareparticipating.

“Everyoneinmysquadron,includingmycommander, hasbeenverysupportiveandencouraging,” said Valencia. “Thathashelpedmetremendously anddefinitelymotivatesme.”

The championshipwillconcludewithan awardsceremonyonMarch14,2024.Basedontheirperformancein thefour-dayevent,membersmaybeselectedtorepresent the U.S. attheInternationalMilitarySportsCouncilGolf Championshipin JuneattheElephantHillsgolfcourse, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

“IhopeI’mabletoplaymoregolfandgetthe chanceto competeagain,” saidWhitmore. “It’sanhonortoberepresentingmybase, andI’dlovetodosoatotherlocationsas well.”

ThegolftournamentisaproductoftheArmed Forces Sportsprogram.Theprogram wasestablishedin1948as ameansforArmed Forcespersonneltohavetheopportunitytotrainandtakepartinhighlycompetitivenational, Olympicandinternationalsportscompetitions.

Ifyouwouldlikeadditionalinformationontheprogram orwouldliketoseewhatsportsare availabletocompete in,pleasevisithttps://armedforcessports.defense.gov/.

PhotobyAirman1stClassSpencerContreras

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

WeekendDiningforKids

The8IronGrillatBay Palms

GolfComplexisnowoffering“Mini Golfer”justfor kids12andunderfrom6:30–10:30a.m.Play a roundwiththekidsandtakethem overforadelicious, fluffypancake withtheir choiceoftoppings, baconorsausageandasmallfountaindrink,forjust$6.50 Ifyou can’tmakeittobreakfast, stopby Hangar6atMacDillLanesBowlingforaLittleStrikerKidsMeal (ages12andunder)from11¬– 8 p.m.,includesthree-piece chicken tenders, curlyfries, minifruitcup andasmallfountaindrinkforjust $6.50. Forcompletedetails, visit macdillfss.com/wp-content/uploads/ WkdKidsSpecials.pdf.

OutdoorAdventure Tours

Experiencethethrillofadventurewith6thFSSOutdoorAdventure Tours. Frommasteringthe basicsofkayakingtoembarkingon kayak tours, swimming alongside majesticmanatees, andexploring thedepthsthroughscubadiving, OutdoorRecreationtripsand classes offerexperiences for outdoor enthusiastsofalllevels. Diveinto natureandcreatememoriestolast alifetime. To viewupcomingevents visitmacdillfss.com/outdoor-adventure-tours/. Toursselloutquickly, sosignuptoday.

2024Air ForceArtContest

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

The Champ!

U.S.AirForceCol.Edward Szczepanik,6thAirRefuelingWingdeputycommander,left,andChief MasterSgt.RaunHowell,farright,6thARWcommandchief,poseforaphotowithLinkCollier,6th OperationsSquadronairfieldmanager,duringaChampionofthe Week recognitionatMacDillAir ForceBaseApril9.Collierwas recognizedforthesuccessfulcoordinationof60aircraftforthe 2024 TampaBayAirFest.

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)

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 1:30 p.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

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

TITANFURY

“Wesimply cannotprovideRapidGlobalMobilitywithoutthededicationandprofessionalismofourSecurity Forcesdefenders, maintainers, aircrews, WingSafetyandInspectorGeneralteams, andallofthe supportingelementswhoensurewearereadytorespondwhencalled upon,” headded.

MasterSgt.Alejandro Vazquez,oneoftwogenerationsuperintendentsforTitanFury24-2, explainedthatsynchronizingmultiplemaintenancefunctions wasvitalinpreparingaircraftfor takeoffinafast, deliberateandsafemannerduring theexercise.

“Teamwork wasdefinitelyabigpartofit,” herecalled “Everyone wasonthesamepage. Maintenance ison atightertimeframe, soplanning wasimportantpriortotheactualexecution. [Inthisscenario,] the [timing was]vital,andeveryoneexecutedthemission. We lookedgood becauseoftheirhardwork.”

Inadditiontothe92ndARW, Airmenassignedtothe912thAirRefuelingSquadrontraveledfromMarchAirReserveBase, California,to participateinTF24-2.The912thARSisageographicallyseparated unitofthe92ndARWwhointegratedwith Team Fairchildduring the exercisetostrengthencontinuityand interoperabilitybetweenairrefuelingunits.

Theexercisealsoprovidedopportunitiestoexperiencethe92nd ARW’sstrategicdeterrencemissionforthefirsttime. SeniorAirman Christian Veliquette, anaircraftmaintainerassigned tothe92ndAircraftMaintenanceSquadron,sharedthelessonslearnedduringhis firstTitanFuryexercise.

“I’mseeinghowteamworkplaysabigpartinputtingeverythingtogetherforthesystemsthatarerequiredtocompleteourjob,” hesaid. “Whenitcomestothisexercise, we wanttomakesurepersonnelare qualifiedandready. It’s[about]on-the-flyfiguring out what you’re doing, whenyou’redoingit,andhow you’resupposedtobedoingit.”

The92nd ARW’sKC-135fleetservesasthebackbone of AirMobilityCommand’s airrefuelingcapabilitiesaroundtheworldbecauseof

itsabilitytoextendglobalreachandproject U.S. air power Thewing continuestorefinetactics, techniquesandproceduresorientedonthe MobilityAir Force’sfullrangeofcapabilitiesneededfortoday’ssteady stateoperationsandtomorrow’shigh-endfight.

TheKC-135alsoplaysakeyroleinUSSTRATCOM’sstrategicdeterrencemission.InhisposturestatementtotheSenateArmedServices Committee, February29,2024, U.S. Air ForceGen.Anthony J. Cotton, commanderofUSSTRATCOM,explainedhowagile, resilient,andconnectedaerialrefuelingcapabilitiesensurecombatantcommanderscan continuetogeneratenear-instantaneouseffectsanytime, anywhere.

“Theglobal challengeswefaceaheadwill grow andevolve, emphasizingtheimportanceofarobusttankerfleetthatcanprovideglobal reach withoutrelyingonaspecificlocation,” Cottonsaid.“Enabledbyour tankerfleet,theUnitedStatesistheonly countrywiththeabilityand capacitytoprovidebomberstosupport U.S. operationsandAlliesand partnersaroundtheworld.”

ExerciseslikeTitanFuryenable92ndAirRefueling Wing’sAirmen, civiliansandmissionpartnerstosharpentheirskillsandfindinnovativesolutionstothe challengestheymayface. Theseexercisesplayed a keyroleintheStrategicCommandConsultationCommittee recognizingthewingasthe2023OmahaTrophy recipientintheGlobalOperationscategory.

TheOmahaTrophyispresentedtothetopmilitary unitssupporting USSTRATCOM’sstrategicdeterrencemissionfortheirexceptional performanceinthecategoriesofintercontinentalballisticmissiles, ballistic missilesubmarines, strategicbombers, and globaloperations. Itisthe highesthonorbestoweduponanuclearenterpriseunitbya civilian organization,andthe92ndARWhasearnedthe awardfivetimes.

LearnmoreabouttheOmahaTrophyandthisyear’s winners at: https://www.stratcom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3678900/us-strategic-command-announces-2023-omaha-trophy-recipients/