Thunderbolt 5/04/2023

Operation Violent Stormproves readiness - page8

News/Features:page2

WarriorHeartculture

News/Features:page3

MobilityGuardian

Weekinphotos:page4

Imagesfromtheweek

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

Eighteen U.S.AirForceKC-135Stratotankersassignedtothe 6th and927th Air RefuelingWings,andtwo U.S.Army

Community:page15

Events,Chapel,more...

UH-60 BlackHawksassignedtothe5thBattalion, 159thRegiment,participateinOperation ViolentStormatMacDill AirForceBase April26. ViolentStorm proved that MacDill AFBhasthecapabilitytoprojectoverwhelmingairpowerin ashorttimeframe.

NEWS/FEATURES

Buildingour WarriorHeartculture

byLindseyWilkinson AMC Public Affairs

On Jan.28,2022,Gen.MikeMinihan,commanderforAirMobility Command,postedatweetwithfoursimplewords: WarriorHeart.No Stigma.,alongwithascreenshotofamentalhealthappointmentonhis calendar. Fromthatmoment on, WarriorHeartbecamethemantrafora culturefocusedonfinetuningthemind, body, andcrafttofortifythewill towin.

That wasthefocusduringtheopeningdaysofSpringPhoenixRally heldatMacDillAir ForceBaseApril17-21.Morethan250 Total Force Mobilityleadersandspousesspenttwodays discussingideasandongoingeffortsthat bringthemindintobalance withbodyandcraft.

“WarriorHeartisnot aprogram, but rather, about our climateandour culture,” saidMinihan.“SowhenIsaymind, body, craft,Imeanelevating themindtothesamelevelas body and craft.”

MinihancontinuedwithhisthreeobjectivestohelpingAirmenput theirmentalhealthonequalfootingwithphysicalfitnessandhoning theircraft: eliminatestigma,lowerbarriersandincreaseaccess and options.

Col.DerekSalmi, 60th AirMobility Wingcommander, ledthediscussionthatlookedat warriorculturefromavarietyofdifferentlensesincludingsports, literatureandspiritualityaswellashighlightinginternal effortsatallechelonstoget afterthecommander’sobjectives.

SalmihighlightedCapt. (ret)CharliePlumb, a Vietnam Warprisoner of warwhospent2,337daysintheHanoiHiltonafterbeingshotdownon his75thmission.AccordingtoPlumb, post-conflictsurveysshowedsigns ofpost-traumaticstressinaboutathirdof Vietnamveterans, whilePTS amongformerPOWs wasonlybetweenfourandeightpercent,dramati-

TotalForceMobilityAirForceleadersposeforagroupphotoduring PhoenixRallyatMacDillAirForceBaseApril19.SpringPhoenixRally broughttogethermorethan250 TotalForceMobilityAirForceleaders andspousestodiscuss WarriorHeart,MobilityGuardian’23,AirMobilityCommand’sstrategyandpriorities,andhowtoworktogetherto ensuretheMobilityAirForceis readytodeliverRapidGlobalMobility acrossthe JointForce.

cally lowerdespiteeverything theyendured.

“CaptainPlumb attributedthattoonething,” saidSalmi. “The leadershipthat wasintheHanoi Hiltonandthefactthattheysettheconditions, setthefocusandembodiedwhat WarriorHeartis. Leadership matters.”

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAir Refueling WingcommanderandtheMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDillThunderbolt

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PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

byLindseyWilkinson AMC Public Affairs

AirMobilityCommandhostedAir Force ViceChiefofStaffGen. David Allvinandseniorleadersfromsevenmajorcommands, atPhoenix Warfighterhere, Apr. 21. Total Forcewingcommanders, strategistsandplannersfromacrosstheMobility Air Forcespresentedtheirplannedscheme ofmaneuverforMobility Guardian’23, scheduledtoexecuteintheIndoPacifictheaterthissummer.

Morethan250attendeesembracedairmobility’sroleasthelinchpin fortheprojectionandsustainmentofthe U.S. militaryspecificallyfocusedon MAFreadiness, integrationandagility.

“Wemustgetthisright.Everyone’s successdependsonus,” saidAMC commander Gen Mike Minihan. “This is a [wing] commander-centric discussion;they’retheonestaskeyydtowin.”

Wingcommandersfromacrossthetotalforcethenpresentedtheir plansandpreparationactivitiesduringtherehearsalofconcept. For closetoayear, MAFleadershipatallechelonsreviewedtheirtactics, techniquesandproceduresthroughanoutside-the-boxapproachandan increased toleranceforrisk in ordertoaccelerate changetowin.

Maxgenerationexercises,

endurancemissions, experimentation,

SeeGUARDIAN,Page10

TotalForceLeadersattend abriefing duringPhoenixRallyatMacDillAir ForceBaseApril20.SpringPhoenix Rallybroughttogethermorethan 250 TotalForceMobility AirForceleadersand spouses toensurethe MobilityAirForce is ready todeliverRapidGlobalMobilityacrossthe JointForce.

Kendallexplainswhysuccessinspace requires‘transformationalchange’

byCharlesPope Secretaryofthe Air ForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—Emphasizingthatspacecapabilitiesare “importantto our strategy of integrateddeterrence”andthereason U.S. Space Forcemustdrive“transformational” change, SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank KendallofferedabluntassessmentApril19ofthe challengestodayinspacebutalsooptimismthattheUnitedStateswould maintainitsdominanceinthat domain.

Inakeynoteaddresstothe2023SpaceSymposiuminColorado Springs, Colorado, henotedthecriticalrolespaceplaystodayinevery aspectofnationalsecurityandthatmaintainingafunctional,assured presenceisessential,especiallygivenChina’sactivityinspace.

UnliketherecentpastwhentheUnitedStateshadvirtuallyfree reigninspace, todaythedomainiscrowdedanddangerous, hometo thousandsofsatellitesoperatedbydozensofnations, widespreadspace debris, andmostimportantly, severalaggressiveandcapablespacefaringnationswho consider spacea warfightingdomain.

Foremostamongthem, Kendallsaid,isChina.

“AmongChina’s militarypriorities, spaceranksveryhigh,” Kendall

SecretaryoftheAirForceFrankKendalldelivershiskeynotespeech duringtheSpaceFoundation’sSpaceSymposiuminColoradoSprings, Colo.,April19. SeeSPACE,Page14

CourtesyPhoto

PhotobyAndyMorataya

WEEKINPHOTOS

Crewchiefswiththe6thMaintenanceGroupposeforaphotoaftercompletingOperation ViolentStormat MacDillAir ForceBaseApril26.Theexerciseconsistedofan“elephantwalk,”with18KC-135Stratotankeraircraftmobilizingthroughtheeffortsofmorethan700personnelfromacross theinstallation, allinundersixhours.

PhotobyStaffSgt.ShannonBowman

U.S.AirForceKC-135Sratotankersassignedtothe6thand927thAir RefuelingWings,executeOperation ViolentStormatMacDillAirForce BaseApril26. ViolentStorm provedthatMacDillAFBhasthe capability toprojectoverwhelmingair power in ashorttimeframe.

KC-135 Stratotankeraircraftassigned tothe6thand 927th AirRefuelingWingstaxiinformationontheflightlineApril26atMacDillAirForce Base. ViolentStormprovedthe6thARWhasthecapabilitytoproject overwhelmingair powerin a shorttimeframe.

PhtobyLutherMitchellJr.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

by Secretary oftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—TheAir Forceis changingtheprocess ofhow First TermAirmencanretraintoprovideadditionalopportunitiesforAirmentostayinuniforminstead of separating.

Effective June1, allFTA canretrainintoany Air ForceSpecialty Codetheyqualifyforthatisunder90percentmannedpriortoseparation,even if theircurrentAFSCisbelow90%manned.

QualifiedAirmenmustbewithintheirretainingwindowandmeet medical,Air ForceEnlistedClassificationDirectorystandards, Armed Services Vocational AptitudeBatteryscoreandphysicalfitnessstan-

dardstobeapproved.

“Glad to seeusmakethis changeasit relatestoretrainingopportunitiesfortheforce,” saidChiefMaster Sgt. oftheAir ForceJoAnne S. Bass. “ProvidingtheseopportunitiesforourAirmenhelpsuskeeptalentonthebench.

“Whilethisparticular changeimpacts First TermAirmen, expectto seemoreinitiatives like thisasweevolveourpoliciesandtalentmanagementtofocusontheforceofthefutureandbuildingtheAir Force ournationneeds.”

Additionally, theFTARetainingSelectionBoardisalsonolonger requiredduringtheretrainingapplication process. Thisremovesthe racking-and-stackingretrainingapplicationprocessbasedonthe numberof quotasneededforamorestreamlined‘firstin,firstout’process Phase1FTA retrainingquotas willbe opentoallFTAsenteringtheir retrainingwindowduring Fiscal Year 2024.

The Exceptionto Policywillbereassessed June1, 2024, unless it is rescindedearlier.

EffectiveJune1,First TermAirmen can retrainintoAFSCs under90 % manning in lieuof separation

AFMaterialCommandestablishes ‘ConnecttoCare’construct

byMarisaAlia-Novobilski AirForceMaterielCommand

WRIGHT-PATTERSONAIRFORCEBASE,Ohio(AFNS)—Air ForceMateriel CommandhasadaptedtheirhelpingagencyresponsepolicytoalignwiththeDepartmentoftheAir Force“ConnecttoCare”construct,providingguidanceforaddressing sexualharassment, sexualassaultanddomestic abusesupportrequestsacrossthe enterprise.

Theconceptofoperationsincludespolicy, training, datacollectionrequirementsand more, ensuringthatAFMChelpingagenciesprovidetherightsupportandcaretoindividualswhoseekhelp duringtimesofneed.

“ThisCTCconceptofoperationsprovidesAFMCinstallationswithguidelinesfor buildingandmaintaininga‘NoWrongDoor’responseplanasrequiredbytheSecretary of Defense’sIndependent Review Commission,” said Pamela Kallio, AFMCResponseprogrammanager. “TheCONOPSformalizestheproceduresourhelpingagenciesmustusewhenprovidingaperson-centeredapproachthatimprovesaccessto supportservicesandprograms.”

In February2021,theSecretaryofDefenseestablisheda90-dayIndependentReviewCommissiontoassessthemilitary’streatmentofsexualassaultandsexualharassment. TheresultoftheIRC was82recommendationsthatspannedfourkeylines ofeffort:accountability, prevention, climateandculture, andvictimcareandsupport. TheAFMCplanaddressestherequirementsundervictim careandsupport.

“Sexualharassment,hazing, bullying, domesticabuse, intimatepartnerandnonintimatepartnersexualassaultareallformsofinterpersonalviolence, andresponse totheseissuesisoftenhandledbymultipleagencies, thoughattimestheymaybeprovidingservicestothesameindividuals,” Kalliosaid.“Ourplanaimstoremovebarriers tocareandhelpsensureafullycoordinatedsupportresponse. We wanttomakesure that our people getconnectedwiththesupporttheyneed.”

AspartofthedevelopmentoftheCTCCONOPS, AFMCinstallationswererequired toestablishproceduralplansforensuringconnectionsofcare. Theplans werereviewedbyAFMC headquartersteams andincludeddetailed proceduresformoving individualsfromoneagencytoanotherwhenseekingcare. Theyalsoidentifiedhow in-person“warmhandoffs”wouldoccurfromagencytoagencyandguidelinesforprotectingindividualrightsandreportingoptions.

“InstallationCTCproceduresensurethatanypersonseekingservicesfromanorganizationwillbeassistedtothefullestextent,withthegoalofneverbeingdeniedor inappropriatelydelayedingettingthecareorsupportneeded,” Kalliosaid.

TheAFMCCONOPSdetailsinitialandannualtrainingrequirementsunderCTC andrequiresinstallationleadershiptoappointanInstallationResponseCoordinator tooverseeimplementationoftheprogramatthelocallevel. To helpmeetDepartment oftheAir Forcemetrictrackingrequirements, theAFMCCONOPSalsoidentifies a CTCDataCollection Toolformonitoringhelpingagencysupportofanindividual.

“We wanttomakesurethateveryonewhoreachesoutforhelphasasuccessfuloutcomewhenreachingouttooneofourhelpingagencies,” saidKallio. “Wewill review thedataandassesstrendsquarterlytoidentifywhereweareexcellingandareasthat

ReserveCommandWillBe WellRepresented at WarriorGames

byBoJoyner HeadquartersAir Force Reserve Command

ROBINSAIRFORCEBASE, Ga.—Air ForceReserveCommandwill bewellrepresentedatthe WarriorGamesChallenge, June1-15atNaval AirStationNorthIslandinSanDiego. Establishedin2010,the Warrior Gamesisamulti-sporteventforwounded,injuredorillservicepersonnel andveteransthatservestoenhancetherecoveryandrehabilitationofwounded warriorsbyprovidingasenseofcamaraderieas well as new setsofgoalstoworktoward.

Onecurrently-servingReservistandfivemedicallyretiredReserve CitizenAirmen wereselectedfortheAir ForceteamatthetrialsatNellisAir ForceBase, Nevada,in February, wheremorethan90 warrior athletescompetedforspotsintrack,field, wheelchairrugby, wheelchair basketball, sittingvolleyball,rowing, powerlifting, swimming, archery andshooting.

StaffSgt.DemarcusGarrett, 914thAirRefueling Wing, Niagara Falls AirReserveStation,New York, and retiredMasterSgt.RhodaBargas, retiredStaffSgt.NairiCornejo, retired Tech. Sgt. JettBlackwell, retired StaffSgt. Janelle Lykon and retired Tech. Sgt. Justin WolfearetheReservistsselected.BothBlackwelland LykoncompetedatpreviousDepartmentofDefense Warrior Gamesrepresenting TeamAir Force.

“It wasacompletehonor,” said Lykoninaninterviewforthe2018 WarriorGames. “It wasapositivetimeinmyrecoverywhereIamstillableto showpeoplewhatIammade of, that Istillhavefightleft inme.”

ImageofStaffSgt.DeMarcusGarrettcelebratingaftercompletinghis bench press.

ReserveCommand WillBe WellRepresentedat WarriorGamesChallenge

StaffSgt. DeMarcusGarrett,shownherecelebratingaftercompleting hisbenchpressduringaprevious WarriorGamespowerliftingcompetition, isoneofsixAir ForceReservistsselectedtocompeteontheAir Force teamatthe WarriorGamesChallengein June. (U.S. Air Forcephotoby

Retired AirForceReserve Staff Sgt.NairiCornejoparticipatesinattrack eventduringthe2023AirForce Trials atNellis AirForceBase,Nevada, Feb. 28,2023.She is oneofsixReservists whowillbecompetingforthe Air Forceteam atthe Warrior Games Challenge in June.

Staff Sgt.Sahara L. Fales)

Inaddition, MasterSgt. LyndieStark,944th Fighter Wing, LukeAir ForceBase, Arizona, wasselectedtoserveasa Team Air Forcementor. She wasanactiveparticipantontheAir Forceteamlastyear.

“Competingatthe WarriorGamesChallengecanbestressful,mentally andphysically,” saidDerrickLepper, adaptivesportsprogrammanager fortheAir Force Wounded Warriorprogram.“Forthatreason,weare bringingalongthreementorsthisyearwhowillprovide TeamAir Force withsupportandguidance, helpkeepthespiritsalive and justbethere asalisteningear, providehugsandbethebest wingmentheycanbe.”

SeeGAMES,Page11

PhotobyWilliamR.Lewis

MacDill Air ForceBaseconductsOperation ViolentStorm

byAirman1stClassZacharyFoster 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

The6thAirRefueling Wing,incollaborationwiththe927thARWandthe5thBattalion, 159th AviationRegiment,conductedOperation ViolentStorm,April26,2023.

Theoperationconsistedofanelephant walkwith18KC-135Stratotankeraircraftmobilizingthroughtheeffortsofmorethan700personnelfromacrosstheinstallation,allinunder sixhours.

Thisisthefirsttimethe6thARWhasconductedalarge-scaleelephant walksincethewing transferredfromamobilitywingtoarefuelingwingin2016.

“WhatOperation ViolentStormshowcasesisourabilityto, inrapidsuccession, provideairpowerforAmerica,” said U.S. Air ForceCol.AdamBingham,6thARWcommander. “Weareable toputboomsintheairthatfuelAmerica’sstrategicfightersandbomberswhowillultimately bedeliveringhopeandprojecting violence at atimethatAmericareally needsit.”

Operation ViolentStorm wasdesignedtoforceoperations, maintenanceandsupportpersonnelfromactiveduty, reserveandsisterserviceunitstoworktogethertolaunchasmanyair-

craftinaslittletimeaspossible.

Despitetheaircraftbeingmorethan60yearsold,Airmenwereabletoperformaroundthe clockmaintenancetoensuretheaircraftretainedoperationalcapabilityfortheoperation.

“Ittakesseveralweekstoprepareforaneventofthisscale Keller, amaintenanceofficerwiththe6thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron.“The6thMaintenanceGrouphasreallybeenfocusingontrainingourAirmenforthelastseveralweekstomake surethisexercise was conductedsafelyandsmoothly.” ViolentStormisthelatestshowofforceasapartofaseriesof“elephant Air Force, mimickingtheactionsofotherinstallationslikeMcConnellAFB Charleston,SouthCarolinaandSheppardAFB, Texas. ExerciseslikeOperation ViolentStormserveasaremindertotheglobalcommunitythatthe 6thARWandtheirmissionpartnersareableandwillingtodeliverhopeandprojectlethalit anywhere inthe worldatanytime.

“Ittakesanentireteamtopullsomethinglikethisoff,”

ingeventoftheirprofessionalismandreadiness.

away fromtodayisthatwe’rereadyandwe’relethal.”

saidBingham

Ithinkthemessageeveryoneneedstotake

EighteenU.S.AirForceKC-135Stratotankersassignedtothe6th and927th AirRefuelingWings,andtwo U.S.ArmyUH-60Black Hawks assignedtothe5thBattalion,159thRegiment, participatein Operation Violent Storm at MacDill AirForce BaseApril26. ViolentStorm showcasedthat MacDillAirmencanproviderapid global mobility

olentStorm

Despitetheaircraftbeingmorethan60yearsold,Airmenwereabletoperformaroundthe ockmaintenancetoensuretheaircraftretainedoperationalcapabilityfortheoperation.

“Ittakesseveralweekstoprepareforaneventofthisscale,” said U.S. Air Force1stLt.Billy amaintenanceofficerwiththe6thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron.“The6thMaintenanceGrouphasreallybeenfocusingontrainingourAirmenforthelastseveralweekstomake

olentStormisthelatestshowofforceasapartofaseriesof“elephant walks” acrossthe mimickingtheactionsofotherinstallationslikeMcConnellAFB, Kansas,JointBase

olentStormserveasaremindertotheglobalcommunitythatthe 6thARWandtheirmissionpartnersareableandwillingtodeliverhopeandprojectlethality

saidBingham. “ThisistheculminatIthinkthemessageeveryoneneedstotake

(Above)Acrewchiefwiththe6thMaintenanceGroupmarshalsaKC-135StratotankerduringOperation Vi olentStormat MacDillAirForceBaseApril26.Theexercise consistedofan“elephantwalk,”with18KC135 Stratotankeraircraftmobilizingthrough theeffortsofmorethan700personnelfrom acrosstheinstallation,allinunder sixhours.

(Left)U.S.AirForceKC-135Stratotankeraircraftassignedtothe6thand927thAirRefuelingWingstaxiandtakeofffromMacDillAir ForceBaseduringOperation ViolentStorm April26,atMacDillAirForceBase,Florida. ViolentStormprovedthatMacDillAFBhas thecapabilitytoprojectoverwhelmingair powerinashorttimeframe.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

PhotobyLutherMitchellJr. assignedtothe5thBattalion,159thRegiment, mobility at a moment’snotice.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Bowman

GUARDIAN

ReadyAirmanTrainingprograms, integration,interoperability, WarriorHeartcultureandpartnering withindustryarejustsomeofthethingsthatarekeytoputtingthe MAFintoitsthree-point stance.

“FromwherewewereayearagoisbeyondA+,butwe’re notdone,” saidMinihan. “We needtocontinuetopress withurgencyandaction.Aggressivelyseeksituational awareness, aggressivelyseekintegrationandaggressively seekmission.”

MobilityGuardian‘23, AMC’s premierebi-annualmobilityexercise, isfullyintegratedintoavarietyofexercisesintheUSINDOPACOM’stheater, supporting eight jointexercisesandbuildinginteroperabilitywithseven nations.

Thelargestiterationinhistory, it’llinclude67mobilityaircraftand3,000Airmen. TheMAFwillbetestedin everymissionset–airlift,aerialrefueling, aeromedical evacuation, globalairmobilitysupportandcommandand control.

Itis cleartomethattheleadershipisengagedandthe Airmenarereadytoexecute, saidAllvin “Thiswilltake Phd-levelleadershiptoreallytestourselves.”

Thebestthingthatwillcome out ofthisisthelessons learned,hecontinued.

“Wemustmaintaincustodyofourreadinessandget bettereveryday,” addedMinihan.“Wewilladddepth,increaseintegrationandcontinuetotacklethehardproblems.”

Earlierintheweek,AMChosteditsSpringPhoenix Rally. Thisyear’s iterationfocusedon WarriorHeart, enablingAirmentostrengthentheirminds, bodiesand craftsinordertofortifythewillto win.

CONSTRUCT

FromPage6

U.S.AirForceC-17GlobemasterIIIsassignedtothe437thAirliftWingflyabove Charleston,SouthCarolina,Jan.5.ThismissiongenerationexercisekicksoffMobility Guardian23and involved the launchof24C-17sforthe largest-evershow-of-force formationflightoverCharlestonHarbor. After theflyover,theformationdispersedto sharpenagilecombatemploymentconcepts that leveragerapid mobilityto maximize lethality.

needimprovement.Thetoolwillhelpkeepusaccountableandensure weprovideeveryonewiththehelp they need.”

Ultimately, theAFMCCTCCONOPSaimstomakesureallrequests forcarearemetandthe right support is providedtoapersoninneed.

“ConnecttoCareisanapproachthatensuresanindividualseeking assistancewillneverencountera‘wrongdoor’whenseekingcareand

support,” Kalliosaid.“Regardlessofthehelpingagencyapproached,the individualwillbeassistedinreachingthecorrectsupportorganization thatcanprovidetheappropriatehelpbasedonthesituation.Noone willeverhear‘Ican’thelpyou’whenseekingsupport.”

ForadditionalinformationontheAFMCConnecttoCarepolicy, contacthere.

GAMES

FromPage7

Warriorathletestrain allyear, workingouton theirownandattending virtual classeswith Air Force Wounded Warrior coaches, inpreparationfor theAir Forcetrialswith theultimategoal ofmakingthe WarriorGames team.

“Wearesoproudofall ofour Wounded Warriors who took part intheAir ForcetrialsandwearesuperexcitedtoseeourReserveCitizenAirmencompeteatthe WarriorGames Challenge,” said Dwayne Burns, AFRC’s Wounded WarriorandSurvivorCare programmanager. “These dedicatedmenandwomen haveworkedsohardtobe thebestattheirrespective sportsandthathardwork haspaidoffwiththeirselectiontorepresenttheAir Forceincompetitionwith theothersistercomponent teamsin June.”

GotNews?

StaffSgt.DeMarcusGarrett,shownherecelebratingaftercompletinghisbenchpressduringaprevious Warrior Gamespowerlifting competition,is oneofsixAirForceReservistsselectedtocompeteontheAirForceteam atthe WarriorGames ChallengeinJune.

IfyouhaveanannouncementorstoryideafortheThunderbolt,justletusknowat6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil

CoachScottDavenport, headcoachoftheBellarminemen’sbasketball team,discussedhisapproachtobuildingawinningculture, whichinclude pressureonand offthecourt.

“Wehaveasayinginourprogramthatpreparationisgoingtoleadto confidence,” saidDavenport.“Butattheendoftheday, whentheyleave that huddle, who do they have? Each other. They don’t have us, they have eachother.”

Youneedaplanacademically, athleticallyandsociallytobuildawinningculture, hecontinued.Itisaboutbeingapartofsomethingbigger than youand wanting itforothers.

Healsourgedeveryonetoneverdelaygratitude. “Ittakes1.8seconds tosay‘thankyou,” saidDavenport.

FollowingDavenport’sspeech,severalwingcommandershighlighted initiativesattheirbasesincludingOperationalSupport TeamsatLittle RockAFBthat’sfocusedonembeddedsupportandcarewithinatrisk squadrons;theWhiteRopeprogramatDoverAFB, which is acontinuationofasupportprogramtypicallyseenatbasicmilitarytrainingand technicalschools; VanceAFB’sComprehensiveReadinessforAircrew FlyingTraining(CRAFT) facility, ahuman performancelabthatincludes cognitiveandnutritionspecialistsamongotherthings;andTravisAFB’s MindGymandComprehensiveAirmen Fitness MadnessChallenge, whichfundsqualityoflifeupgradesinthedorms, workfacilitiesandfitnessareas.

It wasasmallsamplingofongoinginitiatives acrosstheMobilityAir Force, buttheroundtableallowedforcross-talkandinformationsharing inordertofuel mind,bodyandcrafttogether.

AMC’sCommandChaplainMikeNewtonfocusedonthe Will,whichhe definedasthe choicetoact,havinga clearpurposebehindtheaction,and thebeliefs, principles andvaluesguiding you.

Essentially, itisaboutthe ability toleadandcontrolone’slife, said Newton. “And thosecomponentsneedtobeactive wheneveranAirman needstoaccessthem.Sometimesbymakingittooeasyorsoft, we take away theoptionsthey needto execute.”

He emphasizedtheneedfor putting Airmeninto“aproductivestruggle and agrowthzone” bystartingwitha challengingstandard orobjective, a senseofmotivation, sourcesofsupport, andaccountabilitythat, over time, yieldsa belief thatsuccess istheresult of effort more than raw talent.

“Weareintheprofessionofarms, themaintenanceofviolence,” said Newton. “AndIthinkoneofthebiggest challengeswe’regoingtohaveas leadersiscreatingthecultureandtheethosofthecallingandthenecessityofthat…AirmenaretheMagic.”

Lt. Col(ret.) JeffUlmer, aformerKC-10pilotandinstructoratthe U.S. Air ForceAcademy, builtonNewton’s remarksby usingpoetryfrom past conflictstobringintosharpfocustherealityof warincludingdespair, suffering, betrayal,moralambiguityandhorribledeath.

“However, whentheleadersI’veservedwithareabletogiveyouthe truth, to show youwhatitisandtheystillaskyou todoit, thenit’s probablyworthfightingfor,” saidUlmer. “Andifyou’restill willing todoit, then you’reprobablytherightpersonforthejob.”

Capt. JaneMarlow, Phoenix Torchfellow, closedthediscussionbypresentinghercross-functionalteam’s leadershipapproachtobuilding WarriorAirmen.

“Ourleaders, systemsand policies arenotpreparedtoeffectivelyleverageourmostcriticalcombatasset– ourAirmen,” Marlowposited.

ThroughadetailedreviewofAir ForceInstructions, Marlow’scrossfunctionalteamidentifiedpoliciesthatdon’tmatchcurrentresearchand modernstandardsforcarethatisharmingAirmen’scareerswhenthey dowhatthey’ve beenurged–askforhelp.

Herapproachincludesthreelinesofeffort: PathwaystoCare, Regulatoryand PolicyUpdatesandBuildingandStrengtheningCommand Teams.

PathwaystoCarefocusesoneducationinformingAirmenandsupervisorsaboutfirst-tiercareoptions, such asMilitaryOneSource,Military and FamilyLifeCounseling, peercounselingandgrouptherapythat’ll takeburdenoffstrainedmentalhealth clinics.

Regulatoryand Policyupdatesfocusesonoutdatedpoliciesandantiquated waitingperiodsthatdonotmatch currentmedicalguidance. In somecases, thesepoliciesare preventingAirmenfromreturningtoduty despitemedicalprofessionalscertifyingthem mentallyfit.

“These waitingperiodsareveryuniquetomentalhealthandarenot basedinrobustscienceordata,they’rebasedinthe wayswe’vealways doneit,” saidMarlow. “Thisisanexampleofamyriadofregulationsand policiesthatare woefullyout of date, thatarelimitingourabilitytofield WarriorAirmenandforcingourcommandteams, mentalhealthprovidersandflightsurgeonstoexpendincredibleamountsofenergyfightinga systemand a policyratherthanfighting ouradversary.”

BuildingandStrengtheningCommand Teamsrecognizestheimportanceofbeingled by thebest. Thisrequirescommanderstoknow who theyareand howtheylead,andprovidingleaderswithregularaccessto mentalhealthcareduringanextremelystressfulperiod,alsoallowing themexperientialknowledgeofwhattheirAirmenmaygothroughand settingthe example.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

U.S.AirForceGen.MikeMinihan,commanderofAirMobilityCommand,answersquestionsduringthePhoenixRallyconferenceat MacDillAirForceBaseApril17.

WARRIOR

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AMChascontractedexpertsinmindfulness, self-care andresiliencywhowillfocusonwing-andsquadron-level support.Theseexpertswillsoonworkwithwingcommand teamstodeveloppresentations, workshopsandexercises that’llhelpAirmen“leadandwin at life.”

Minihan closed thediscussionby emphasizingwhat mattersmostwhenitcomestoculture change andsupportfor Airmen.

“Attheendoftheday, nomatter whatprogramweroll out,nomatterhoweloquenttherejoinis, howmuchmoneywespend,it’llnever,ever,eversubstituteforsuper

“Attheendoftheday,nomatterwhatprogramwe rollout,nomatterhoweloquenttherejoinis,howmuch mon-eywespend,it’llnever,ever,eversubstitutefor super-visionandcommandwhenit comestowhatour Airmenneed.”

said, emphasizingathemehehasbeenvoicingfrequentlysincebecomingSecretary. “Chinaviewsspaceasamilitaryoperationaldomainand isdevelopingand fieldingforcesintendedtodominateinthatdomain.”

“Second, Chinadoesnotseemtobeconstrainedbyconcernsabout debrisgenerationorstrategicstability. Thisistheenvironmentinwhich theSpace Forcemustdeterand prevail,” hesaid.

CounteringthesedevelopmentsiswhytheSpace Force wascreated, andwhy it mustbenimbleandfocused, Kendallsuggested.

China’sadvances“areparticularlyworrisomeinlightoftheChinese Communist Party’slackoftransparencyregardingmilitaryspacedoctrine, itsfailuretoadheretooradvanceglobalnorms, itsreluctance toallowopencommunicationbetweenmilitaryleaders, andthecorrespondingriskofmiscalculation,” hesaid.

Kendallspentmostofthebalanceofhisremarksoutliningindetail thebudgetaryandprogrammaticresponsemanagedbytheSpace Force toconfrontthenewrealityinspaceandensurecapabilitiessuchas GPS, communicationsandmissile warningremainfailsafeandreliable inamorehostileandcontesteddomain.

“TheUnitedStatesanditsalliesandpartnershavesomesignificant militaryadvantages. Oneofthoseisexperience,” hesaid,adding:“Ibelievethatdeterrencecansucceed.Ourstrategyofintegrateddeterrence isbuiltonthatpremiseandonthestrengthsofourpartnershipswith like-mindednationsthatshareourvalues.”

TheSpace Force’sbudgetrequestforfiscalyear2024,whichbegins Oct.1,is15%morethanthebudgetithasthisyear. (Thecurrentbudgetis30%greaterthantheyearbefore.)

Butbenefitsfromthatincreasearediminished, Kendallsaid,ifCongress fails topassthebudgeton time.

“Mydeepestfeartodayisn’tChina;itisthelossoftheonlyunrecoverableasset–time–andwhatthatcouldimply,” hesaid.“I’mafraid thatwefaceanunpredictablepoliticalsituationinthe U.S. inwhich a yearlongcontinuingresolutionisarealpossibility. Idon’tknowanyone onCapitolHillwho wantstoseeayearlongCR,butIalsodon’tknow anyoneonCapitolHillwhohasdefinedalikelyrouteto avoid[ing]one.”

ACRhasbecomeacommondevicethatpreventsthe government fromshuttingdown whilelawmakersworkout differenceson anew spendingplan.A CRsimplyextendsmost,ifnotall,therulesforhow moneyisspentfromtheprevious-andexpiring–budgetyeartothe next withinsufficientallowancefor howconditionsorcircumstances change. Kendallandotherseniorleadersworry, however, becauseaCR wouldprohibitnewprograms fromstartingwhilecontinuingto fund programsthatarepasttheir primeorthosedeliveringcapabilitythatis nolongerrelevant.

Inresponse, Kendallpointedtoalegislative proposalendorsedby theDepartmentofDefenseandtheWhiteHousethat,ifapprovedby Congress, wouldgive Kendallandtheotherservicesecretariesnew –thelimited–powertodivertalreadyappropriatedfundstonewtechnologies. Thatability isnowprohibitedunderrulesgoverningthe way moneycan bespentwhenthegovernmentis fundedbyatemporary, stop-gapmechanismknownas a “continuingresolution.”

Restrictinghowmoney is spentcostsvaluabletime, Kendallsaid, andkeepspromisingtechnologiesfrombeingdevelopedanddeployedat thefastestratepossible.

ThatisaproblemgivenChina’s focusonspace. SinceChinadeclared spacea“warfightingdomain”in2015, Kendallsaid,“itson-orbitpresence hasgrownbywellover300%withmorethan700satellites nowin orbit.”

It“hasdevelopedandtestedanti-satelliteweapons”and“developed ground-basedlaserweaponsandjammerstodisrupt,degrade, anddamagesatellitesensors, communication,andnavigationsystems,” hesaid.

“WeareallunitedinourgoalofprovidingAirandSpaceforcesthat candeterand,ifneeded,prevailagainstanyopponent,anytime, anywhere, includingwhenweprojectpowerwithourpartnerswhereverit isneeded,onoraroundtheplanet,” Kendallsaid.

“Weareseeingsuccessintheseefforts. TheSpace Forceisinthe midstofatransformation.”

Allofthe focus andactivity, Kendallsaid, reflects thecentral role spaceplaystodayinnationalsecurityandcriticalfunctionsofeveryday lifethatincludesbanking, commerce, andcommunication.

Family FridayatSeaScapes

Comecelebrate Cinco deMayo FridayatSeaScapesfrom3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Therewillbe foodand drinkspecialswithgreatviews. For moreinfo. Visit,macdillfss.com/wpcontent/uploads/CincodeMayo.pdf.

National GolfDay

TheBay Palms GolfComplexwill be hosting aTriple6 Tournament onMay6ontheSouth Course This atwo-player, mix-upevent.Thisis anon-handicappedeventpaying athirdofthefield; topfourplaces plus blinddrawings. Advanced greenfees$25, activeduty/retirees $50, civilians$60;priceincludes greenfees, cart, rangeballsand lunch.Limitedto100participants; stopbytheProShoptosignupby noonMay5.

MacDillCarnival

Bringthewholefamilyoutfora dayofcarnivalfun.Everyonewelcomedwithbaseaccess. Familyfun forallagesfrom10 a.m.-8 p.m. bothdaysatthegrassylotacross from 6th AirRefueling WingHeadquarters. Therewillbe18freerides bothdays, midway games(free gameson Fridayfrom10a.m.-2 p.m.only), carnivalfoodvendors, andaDJ/karaoke. Enjoy liveentertainmentinthebeergardenand more! Visitmacdillfss.com/carnival/ formoreinformation.

BaseTheatermovies

YourMacDill Base Librarywill beofferingfreemoviesattheBase TheaterinMay. Foracomplete movie schedulevisitmacdillfss.com.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss com

TheChamp!

U.S.AirForce SeniorAirman DavonteLove,6thCommunicationsSquadroncableand antenna systemsspecialist, receivestheChampof the Weekawardfrom6thAirRefuelingWingleadershipalongsidehiswifeatMacDillAirForceBaseApril25. LovespearheadedtheCSPflight merger combiningtwowork centersincluding57 personneland$80,000worthof equipment.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday - 9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain,calltheCommandPostat828-4362/4361.

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

CatholicMass -Sunday- 9:30a.m. (confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantvirtualservices -Sunday -11a.m. (www.facebook.com/6amwhc)

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

IslamicService - Friday1:30p.m. (space reserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Pleasecontact theChapelat (813) 828-3621orviaemailat6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpage at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/or MacDill’s Chapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

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