Thunderbolt 5/04/2023

Vol. 51, No. 18

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Operation Violent Storm proves readiness - page 8 News/Features: page 2 Warrior Heart culture

News/Features: page 3 Mobility Guardian

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Community: page 15 Events, Chapel, more...

Eighteen U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 6th and 927th Air Refueling Wings, and two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawks assigned to the 5th Battalion, 159th Regiment, participate in Operation Violent Storm at MacDill Air Force Base April 26. Violent Storm proved that MacDill AFB has the capability to project overwhelming air power in a short timeframe.

NEWS/FEATURES

Building our Warrior Heart culture

by Lindsey Wilkinson AMC Public Affairs On Jan. 28, 2022, Gen. Mike Minihan, commander for Air Mobility Command, posted a tweet with four simple words: Warrior Heart. No Stigma., along with a screen shot of a mental health appointment on his calendar. From that moment on, Warrior Heart became the mantra for a culture focused on fine tuning the mind, body, and craft to fortify the will to win.

That was the focus during the opening days of Spring Phoenix Rally held at MacDill Air Force Base April 17-21. More than 250 Total Force Mobility leaders and spouses spent two days discussing ideas and ongoing efforts that bring the mind into balance with body and craft.

“Warrior Heart is not a program, but rather, about our climate and our culture,” said Minihan. “So when I say mind, body, craft, I mean elevating the mind to the same level as body and craft.”

Minihan continued with his three objectives to helping Airmen put their mental health on equal footing with physical fitness and honing their craft: eliminate stigma, lower barriers and increase access and options.

Col. Derek Salmi, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, led the discussion that looked at warrior culture from a variety of different lenses including sports, literature and spirituality as well as highlighting internal efforts at all echelons to get after the commander’s objectives.

Salmi highlighted Capt. (ret) Charlie Plumb, a Vietnam War prisoner of war who spent 2,337 days in the Hanoi Hilton after being shot down on his 75th mission. According to Plumb, post-conflict surveys showed signs of post-traumatic stress in about a third of Vietnam veterans, while PTS among former POWs was only between four and eight percent, dramati-

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Total Force Mobility Air Force leaders pose for a group photo during Phoenix Rally at MacDill Air Force Base April 19. Spring Phoenix Rally brought together more than 250 Total Force Mobility Air Force leaders and spouses to discuss Warrior Heart, Mobility Guardian ’23, Air Mobility Command’s strategy and priorities, and how to work together to ensure the Mobility Air Force is ready to deliver Rapid Global Mobility across the Joint Force. cally lower despite everything they endured.

“Captain Plumb attributed that to one thing,” said Salmi. “The leadership that was in the Hanoi Hilton and the fact that they set the conditions, set the focus and embodied what Warrior Heart is. Leadership matters.”

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Refueling Wing commander and the MacDill community. Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Joe Deluca Editor: Nick Stubbs The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense,

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the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Refueling Wing or the Publishing Company of the products or service advertised.

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See WARRIOR, Page 12

MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

NEWS/FEATURES Total Force MAF leaders execute rehearsal of concept for Mobility Guardian ‘23

by Lindsey Wilkinson AMC Public Affairs Air Mobility Command hosted Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and senior leaders from seven major commands, at Phoenix Warfighter here, Apr. 21. Total Force wing commanders, strategists and planners from across the Mobility Air Forces presented their planned scheme of maneuver for Mobility Guardian ’23, scheduled to execute in the IndoPacific theater this summer.

More than 250 attendees embraced air mobility’s role as the linchpin for the projection and sustainment of the U.S. military specifically focused on MAF readiness, integration and agility.

“We must get this right. Everyone’s success depends on us,” said AMC commander Gen. Mike Minihan. “This is a [wing] commander-centric discussion; they’re the ones taskeyyd to win.”

Wing commanders from across the total force then presented their plans and preparation activities during the rehearsal of concept. For close to a year, MAF leadership at all echelons reviewed their tactics, techniques and procedures through an outside-the-box approach and an increased tolerance for risk in order to accelerate change to win.

Max generation exercises, endurance missions, experimentation, See GUARDIAN, Page 10

Courtesy Photo

Total Force Leaders attend a briefing during Phoenix Rally at MacDill Air Force Base April 20. Spring Phoenix Rally brought together more than 250 Total Force Mobility Air Force leaders and spouses to ensure the Mobility Air Force is ready to deliver Rapid Global Mobility across the Joint Force.

Kendall explains why success in space requires ‘transformational change’

by Charles Pope Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFNS)—Emphasizing that space capabilities are “important to our strategy of integrated deterrence” and the reason U.S. Space Force must drive “transformational” change, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall offered a blunt assessment April 19 of the challenges today in space but also optimism that the United States would maintain its dominance in that domain.

In a keynote address to the 2023 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he noted the critical role space plays today in every aspect of national security and that maintaining a functional, assured presence is essential, especially given China’s activity in space.

Unlike the recent past when the United States had virtually free reign in space, today the domain is crowded and dangerous, home to thousands of satellites operated by dozens of nations, widespread space debris, and most importantly, several aggressive and capable spacefaring nations who consider space a warfighting domain.

Photo by Andy Morataya Foremost among them, Kendall said, is China.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall delivers his keynote speech “Among China’s military priorities, space ranks very high,” Kendall during the Space Foundation’s Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, See SPACE, Page 14 Colo., April 19.

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

Crew chiefs with the 6th Maintenance Group pose for a photo after completing Operation Violent Storm at MacDill Air Force Base April 26. The exercise consisted of an “elephant walk,” with 18 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft mobilizing through the efforts of more than 700 personnel from across the installation, all in under six hours.

Phto by Luther Mitchell Jr.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Bowman

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Sratotankers assigned to the 6th and 927th Air Refueling Wings, execute Operation Violent Storm at MacDill Air Force Base April 26. Violent Storm proved that MacDill AFB has the capability to project overwhelming air power in a short timeframe.

KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th and 927th Air Refueling Wings taxi in formation on the flight line April 26 at MacDill Air Force Base. Violent Storm proved the 6th ARW has the capability to project overwhelming air power in a short timeframe.

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NEWS/FEATURES

Effective June 1, First Term Airmen can retrain into AFSCs under 90 % manning in lieu of separation

by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—The Air Force is changing the process of how First Term Airmen can retrain to provide additional opportunities for Airmen to stay in uniform instead of separating.

Effective June 1, all FTA can retrain into any Air Force Specialty Code they qualify for that is under 90 percent manned prior to separation, even if their current AFSC is below 90% manned.

Qualified Airmen must be within their retaining window and meet medical, Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory standards, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery score and physical fitness stan-

dards to be approved.

“Glad to see us make this change as it relates to retraining opportunities for the force,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air ForceJoAnne S. Bass. “Providing these opportunities for our Airmen helps us keep talent on the bench.

“While this particular change impacts First Term Airmen, expect to see more initiatives like this as we evolve our policies and talent management to focus on the force of the future and building the Air Force our nation needs.”

Additionally, the FTA Retaining Selection Board is also no longer required during the retraining application process. This removes the racking-and-stacking retraining application process based on the number of quotas needed for a more streamlined ‘first in, first out’ process.

Phase 1 FTA retraining quotas will be open to all FTAs entering their retraining window during Fiscal Year 2024.

The Exception to Policy will be reassessed June 1, 2024, unless it is rescinded earlier.

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

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NEWS

AF Material Command establishes ‘Connect to Care’ construct

by Marisa Alia-Novobilski Air Force Materiel Command

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS)—Air Force Materiel Command has adapted their helping agency response policy to align with the Department of the Air Force “Connect to Care” construct, providing guidance for addressing sexual harassment, sexual assault and domestic abuse support requests across the enterprise.

The concept of operations includes policy, training, data collection requirements and more, ensuring that AFMC helping agencies provide the right support and care to individuals who seek help during times of need.

“This CTC concept of operations provides AFMC installations with guidelines for building and maintaining a ‘No Wrong Door’ response plan as required by the Secretary of Defense’s Independent Review Commission,” said Pamela Kallio, AFMC Response program manager. “The CONOPS formalizes the procedures our helping agencies must use when providing a person-centered approach that improves access to support services and programs.”

In February 2021, the Secretary of Defense established a 90-day Independent Review Commission to assess the military’s treatment of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The result of the IRC was 82 recommendations that spanned four key lines of effort: accountability, prevention, climate and culture, and victim care and support.

The AFMC plan addresses the requirements under victim care and support.

“Sexual harassment, hazing, bullying, domestic abuse, intimate partner and nonintimate partner sexual assault are all forms of interpersonal violence, and response to these issues is often handled by multiple agencies, though at times they may be providing services to the same individuals,” Kallio said. “Our plan aims to remove barriers to care and helps ensure a fully coordinated support response. We want to make sure that our people get connected with the support they need.”

As part of the development of the CTC CONOPS, AFMC installations were required to establish procedural plans for ensuring connections of care. The plans were reviewed by AFMC headquarters teams and included detailed procedures for moving individuals from one agency to another when seeking care. They also identified how in-person “warm handoffs” would occur from agency to agency and guidelines for protecting individual rights and reporting options.

“Installation CTC procedures ensure that any person seeking services from an organization will be assisted to the fullest extent, with the goal of never being denied or inappropriately delayed in getting the care or support needed,” Kallio said.

The AFMC CONOPS details initial and annual training requirements under CTC and requires installation leadership to appoint an Installation Response Coordinator to oversee implementation of the program at the local level. To help meet Department of the Air Force metric tracking requirements, the AFMC CONOPS also identifies a CTC Data Collection Tool for monitoring helping agency support of an individual.

“We want to make sure that everyone who reaches out for help has a successful outcome when reaching out to one of our helping agencies,” said Kallio. “We will review the data and assess trends quarterly to identify where we are excelling and areas that See CONSTRUCT, Page 10

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NEWS/FEATURES Reserve Command Will Be Well Represented at Warrior Games

by Bo Joyner Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.—Air Force Reserve Command will be well represented at the Warrior Games Challenge, June 1-15 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Established in 2010, the Warrior Games is a multi-sport event for wounded, injured or ill service personnel and veterans that serves to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors by providing a sense of camaraderie as well as new sets of goals to work toward.

One currently-serving Reservist and five medically retired Reserve Citizen Airmen were selected for the Air Force team at the trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in February, where more than 90 warrior athletes competed for spots in track, field, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, rowing, powerlifting, swimming, archery and shooting.

Staff Sgt. Demarcus Garrett, 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York, and retired Master Sgt. Rhoda Bargas, retired Staff Sgt. Nairi Cornejo, retired Tech. Sgt. Jett Blackwell, retired Staff Sgt. Janelle Lykon and retired Tech. Sgt. Justin Wolfe are the Reservists selected. Both Blackwell and Lykon competed at previous Department of Defense Warrior Games representing Team Air Force.

“It was a complete honor,” said Lykon in an interview for the 2018 Warrior Games. “It was a positive time in my recovery where I am still able to show people what I am made of, that I still have fight left in me.”

Image of Staff Sgt. DeMarcus Garrett celebrating after completing his bench press.

Reserve Command Will Be Well Represented at Warrior Games Challenge Staff Sgt. DeMarcus Garrett, shown here celebrating after completing his bench press during a previous Warrior Games powerlifting competition, is one of six Air Force Reservists selected to compete on the Air Force team at the Warrior Games Challenge in June. (U.S. Air Force photo by

Photo by William R. Lewis

Retired Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Nairi Cornejo participates in at track event during the 2023 Air Force Trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Feb. 28, 2023. She is one of six Reservists who will be competing for the Air Force team at the Warrior Games Challenge in June.

Staff Sgt. Sahara L. Fales) In addition, Master Sgt. Lyndie Stark, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, was selected to serve as a Team Air Force mentor.

She was an active participant on the Air Force team last year.

“Competing at the Warrior Games Challenge can be stressful, mentally and physically,” said Derrick Lepper, adaptive sports program manager for the Air Force Wounded Warrior program. “For that reason, we are bringing along three mentors this year who will provide Team Air Force with support and guidance, help keep the spirits alive and just be there as a listening ear, provide hugs and be the best wingmen they can be.”

See GAMES, Page 11

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Eighteen U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 6th and 927th Air Refueling Wings, and two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawks assigned to t participate in Operation Violent Storm at MacDill Air Force Base April 26. Violent Storm showcased that MacDill Airmen can provide rapid global mobilit

MacDill Air Force Base conducts Operation Violent St

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

T

he 6th Air Refueling Wing, in collaboration with the 927th ARW and the 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, conducted Operation Violent Storm, April 26, 2023.

The operation consisted of an elephant walk with 18 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft mobilizing through the efforts of more than 700 personnel from across the installation, all in under six hours.

This is the first time the 6th ARW has conducted a large-scale elephant walk since the wing transferred from a mobility wing to a refueling wing in 2016.

“What Operation Violent Storm showcases is our ability to, in rapid succession, provide airpower for America,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Adam Bingham, 6th ARW commander. “We are able to put booms in the air that fuel America’s strategic fighters and bombers who will ultimately be delivering hope and projecting violence at a time that America really needs it.”

Operation Violent Storm was designed to force operations, maintenance and support personnel from active duty, reserve and sister service units to work together to launch as many air-

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craft in as little time as possible.

Despite the aircraft being more than 60 years old, Airme clock maintenance to ensure the aircraft retained operationa “It takes several weeks to prepare for an event of this sca Keller, a maintenance officer with the 6th Aircraft Mainte nance Group has really been focusing on training our Airmen sure this exercise was conducted safely and smoothly.”

Violent Storm is the latest show of force as a part of a se Air Force, mimicking the actions of other installations like M Charleston, South Carolina and Sheppard AFB, Texas.

Exercises like Operation Violent Storm serve as a remind 6th ARW and their mission partners are able and willing t anywhere in the world at any time.

“It takes an entire team to pull something like this off,” sa ing event of their professionalism and readiness. I think th away from today is that we’re ready and we’re lethal.”

Photo by Luther Mitchell Jr.

Photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

the 5th Battalion, 159th Regiment, ty at a moment’s notice.

(Above) A crew chief with the 6th Maintenance Group marshals a KC-135 Stratotanker during Operation Violent Storm at MacDill Air Force Base April 26. The exercise consisted of an “elephant walk,” with 18 KC135 Stratotanker aircraft mobilizing through the efforts of more than 700 personnel from across the installation, all in under six hours.

torm

en were able to perform around the al capability for the operation. ale,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Billy enance Squadron. “The 6th Mainteen for the last several weeks to make

(Left) U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th and 927th Air Refueling Wings taxi and take off from MacDill Air Force Base during Operation Violent Storm April 26, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Violent Storm proved that MacDill AFB has the capability to project overwhelming air power in a short timeframe.

eries of “elephant walks” across the McConnell AFB, Kansas, Joint Base

der to the global community that the to deliver hope and project lethality

aid Bingham. “This is the culminathe message everyone needs to take

Photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Bowman

GUARDIAN From Page 3

Ready Airman Training programs, integration, interoperability, Warrior Heart culture and partnering with industry are just some of the things that are key to putting the MAF into its three-point stance.

“From where we were a year ago is beyond A+, but we’re not done,” said Minihan. “We need to continue to press with urgency and action. Aggressively seek situational awareness, aggressively seek integration and aggressively seek mission.”

Mobility Guardian ‘23, AMC’s premiere bi-annual mobility exercise, is fully integrated into a variety of exercises in the USINDOPACOM’s theater, supporting eight joint exercises and building interoperability with seven nations.

The largest iteration in history, it’ll include 67 mobility aircraft and 3,000 Airmen. The MAF will be tested in every mission set – airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, global air mobility support and command and control.

It is clear to me that the leadership is engaged and the Airmen are ready to execute, said Allvin. “This will take Phd-level leadership to really test ourselves.”

The best thing that will come out of this is the lessons learned, he continued.

“We must maintain custody of our readiness and get better every day,” added Minihan. “We will add depth, increase integration and continue to tackle the hard problems.”

Earlier in the week, AMC hosted its Spring Phoenix Rally. This year’s iteration focused on Warrior Heart, enabling Airmen to strengthen their minds, bodies and crafts in order to fortify the will to win.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing fly above Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 5. This mission generation exercise kicks off Mobility Guardian 23 and involved the launch of 24 C-17s for the largest-ever show-of-force formation flight over Charleston Harbor. After the flyover, the formation dispersed to sharpen agile combat employment concepts that leverage rapid mobility to maximize lethality.

CONSTRUCT From Page 6

need improvement. The tool will help keep us accountable and ensure we provide everyone with the help they need.”

Ultimately, the AFMC CTC CONOPS aims to make sure all requests for care are met and the right support is provided to a person in need.

“Connect to Care is an approach that ensures an individual seeking assistance will never encounter a ‘wrong door’ when seeking care and

support,” Kallio said. “Regardless of the helping agency approached, the individual will be assisted in reaching the correct support organization that can provide the appropriate help based on the situation. No one will ever hear ‘I can’t help you’ when seeking support.”

For additional information on the AFMC Connect to Care policy, contact here.

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

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GAMES From Page 7

Warrior athletes train all year, working out on their own and attending virtual classes with Air Force Wounded Warrior coaches, in preparation for the Air Force trials with the ultimate goal of making the Warrior Games team.

“We are so proud of all of our Wounded Warriors who took part in the Air Force trials and we are super excited to see our Reserve Citizen Airmen compete at the Warrior Games Challenge,” said Dwayne Burns, AFRC’s Wounded Warrior and Survivor Care program manager. “These dedicated men and women have worked so hard to be the best at their respective sports and that hard work has paid off with their selection to represent the Air Force in competition with the other sister component teams in June.”

Photo by Staff Sgt. Sahara L. Fales

Staff Sgt. DeMarcus Garrett, shown here celebrating after completing his bench press during a previous Warrior Games powerlifting competition, is one of six Air Force Reservists selected to compete on the Air Force team at the Warrior Games Challenge in June.

Got News?

If you have an announcement or story idea for the Thunderbolt, just let us know at 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil

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WARRIOR From Page 2

Coach Scott Davenport, head coach of the Bellarmine men’s basketball team, discussed his approach to building a winning culture, which include pressure on and off the court.

“We have a saying in our program that preparation is going to lead to confidence,” said Davenport. “But at the end of the day, when they leave that huddle, who do they have? Each other. They don’t have us, they have each other.”

You need a plan academically, athletically and socially to build a winning culture, he continued. It is about being a part of something bigger than you and wanting it for others.

He also urged everyone to never delay gratitude. “It takes 1.8 seconds to say ‘thank you,” said Davenport.

Following Davenport’s speech, several wing commanders highlighted initiatives at their bases including Operational Support Teamsat Little Rock AFB that’s focused on embedded support and care within at risk squadrons; the White Rope program at Dover AFB, which is a continuation of a support program typically seen at basic military training and technical schools; Vance AFB’s Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training (CRAFT) facility, a human performance lab that includes cognitive and nutrition specialists among other things; and Travis AFB’s Mind Gym and Comprehensive Airmen Fitness Madness Challenge, which funds quality of life upgrades in the dorms, work facilities and fitness areas.

It was a small sampling of ongoing initiatives across the Mobility Air Force, but the roundtable allowed for cross-talk and information sharing in order to fuel mind, body and craft together.

AMC’s Command Chaplain Mike Newton focused on the Will, which he defined as the choice to act, having a clear purpose behind the action, and the beliefs, principles and values guiding you.

Essentially, it is about the ability to lead and control one’s life, said Newton. “And those components need to be active whenever an Airman needs to access them. Sometimes by making it too easy or soft, we take away the options they need to execute.”

He emphasized the need for putting Airmen into “a productive struggle and a growth zone” by starting with a challenging standard or objective, a sense of motivation, sources of support, and accountability that, over time, yields a belief that success is the result of effort more than raw talent.

“We are in the profession of arms, the maintenance of violence,” said Newton. “And I think one of the biggest challenges we’re going to have as leaders is creating the culture and the ethos of the calling and the necessity of that…Airmen are the Magic.”

Lt. Col (ret.) Jeff Ulmer, a former KC-10 pilot and instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, built on Newton’s remarks by using poetry from past conflicts to bring into sharp focus the reality of war including despair, suffering, betrayal, moral ambiguity and horrible death.

“However, when the leaders I’ve served with are able to give you the truth, to show you what it is and they still ask you to do it, then it’s probably worth fighting for,” said Ulmer. “And if you’re still willing to do it, then you’re probably the right person for the job.”

Capt. Jane Marlow, Phoenix Torch fellow, closed the discussion by presenting her cross-functional team’s leadership approach to building Warrior Airmen.

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Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, answers questions during the Phoenix Rally conference at MacDill Air Force Base April 17.

“Our leaders, systems and policies are not prepared to effectively leverage our most critical combat asset – our Airmen,” Marlow posited.

Through a detailed review of Air Force Instructions, Marlow’s crossfunctional team identified policies that don’t match current research and modern standards for care that is harming Airmen’s careers when they do what they’ve been urged – ask for help.

Her approach includes three lines of effort: Pathways to Care, Regulatory and Policy Updates and Building and Strengthening Command Teams.

Pathways to Care focuses on education informing Airmen and supervisors about first-tier care options, such as Military One Source,Military and Family Life Counseling, peer counseling and group therapy that’ll take burden off strained mental health clinics.

Regulatory and Policy updates focuses on outdated policies and antiquated waiting periods that do not match current medical guidance. In some cases, these policies are preventing Airmen from returning to duty despite medical professionals certifying them mentally fit.

“These waiting periods are very unique to mental health and are not based in robust science or data, they’re based in the ways we’ve always done it,” said Marlow. “This is an example of a myriad of regulations and policies that are woefully out of date, that are limiting our ability to field Warrior Airmen and forcing our command teams, mental health providers and flight surgeons to expend incredible amounts of energy fighting a system and a policy rather than fighting our adversary.”

Building and Strengthening Command Teams recognizes the importance of being led by the best. This requires commanders to know who they are and how they lead, and providing leaders with regular access to mental health care during an extremely stressful period, also allowing them experiential knowledge of what their Airmen may go through and setting the example.

See WARRIOR, Page 13

WARRIOR From Page 12

AMC has contracted experts in mindfulness, self-care and resiliency who will focus on wing- and squadron-level support. These experts will soon work with wing command teams to develop presentations, workshops and exercises that’ll help Airmen “lead and win at life.”

Minihan closed the discussion by emphasizing what matters most when it comes to culture change and support for Airmen.

“At the end of the day, no matter what program we roll out, no matter how eloquent the rejoin is, how much money we spend, it’ll never, ever, ever substitute for super “At the end of the day, no matter what program we roll out, no matter how eloquent the rejoin is, how much mon-ey we spend, it’ll never, ever, ever substitute for super-vision and command when it comes to what our Airmen need.”

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SPACE From Page 3

said, emphasizing a theme he has been voicing frequently since becoming Secretary. “China views space as a military operational domain and is developing and fielding forces intended to dominate in that domain.”

“Second, China does not seem to be constrained by concerns about debris generation or strategic stability. This is the environment in which the Space Force must deter and prevail,” he said.

Countering these developments is why the Space Force was created, and why it must be nimble and focused, Kendall suggested.

China’s advances “are particularly worrisome in light of the Chinese Communist Party’s lack of transparency regarding military space doctrine, its failure to adhere to or advance global norms, its reluctance to allow open communication between military leaders, and the corresponding risk of miscalculation,” he said.

Kendall spent most of the balance of his remarks outlining in detail the budgetary and programmatic response managed by the Space Force to confront the new reality in space and ensure capabilities such as GPS, communications and missile warning remain failsafe and reliable in a more hostile and contested domain.

“The United States and its allies and partners have some significant military advantages. One of those is experience,” he said, adding: “I believe that deterrence can succeed. Our strategy of integrated deterrence is built on that premise and on the strengths of our partnerships with like-minded nations that share our values.”

The Space Force’s budget request for fiscal year 2024, which begins Oct. 1, is 15% more than the budget it has this year. (The current budget is 30% greater than the year before.)

But benefits from that increase are diminished, Kendall said, if Congress fails to pass the budget on time.

“My deepest fear today isn’t China; it is the loss of the only unrecoverable asset – time – and what that could imply,” he said. “I’m afraid that we face an unpredictable political situation in the U.S. in which a yearlong continuing resolution is a real possibility. I don’t know anyone on Capitol Hill who wants to see a yearlong CR, but I also don’t know anyone on Capitol Hill who has defined a likely route to avoid[ing] one.”

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A CR has become a common device that prevents the government from shutting down while lawmakers work out differences on a new spending plan. A CR simply extends most, if not all, the rules for how money is spent from the previous - and expiring – budget year to the next with insufficient allowance for how conditions or circumstances change. Kendall and other senior leaders worry, however, because a CR would prohibit new programs from starting while continuing to fund programs that are past their prime or those delivering capability that is no longer relevant.

In response, Kendall pointed to a legislative proposal endorsed by the Department of Defense and the White House that, if approved by Congress, would give Kendall and the other service secretaries new – the limited – power to divert already appropriated funds to new technologies. That ability is now prohibited under rules governing the way money can be spent when the government is funded by a temporary, stop-gap mechanism known as a “continuing resolution.”

Restricting how money is spent costs valuable time, Kendall said, and keeps promising technologies from being developed and deployed at the fastest rate possible.

That is a problem given China’s focus on space. Since China declared space a “warfighting domain” in 2015, Kendall said, “its on-orbit presence has grown by well over 300% with more than 700 satellites now in orbit.”

It “has developed and tested anti-satellite weapons” and “developed ground-based laser weapons and jammers to disrupt, degrade, and damage satellite sensors, communication, and navigation systems,” he said.

“We are all united in our goal of providing Air and Space forces that can deter and, if needed, prevail against any opponent, anytime, anywhere, including when we project power with our partners wherever it is needed, on or around the planet,” Kendall said.

“We are seeing success in these efforts. The Space Force is in the midst of a transformation.”

All of the focus and activity, Kendall said, reflects the central role space plays today in national security and critical functions of everyday life that includes banking, commerce, and communication.

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Family Friday at SeaScapes Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo Friday at SeaScapes from 3 p.m.

– 10 p.m. There will be food and drink specials with great views. For more info. Visit, macdillfss.com/wpcontent/uploads/CincodeMayo.pdf.

National Golf Day The Bay Palms Golf Complex will be hosting a Triple 6 Tournament on May 6 on the South Course. This a two-player, mix-up event. This is a non-handicapped event paying a third of the field; top four places plus blind drawings. Advanced green fees $25, active duty/retirees $50, civilians $60; price includes green fees, cart, range balls and lunch. Limited to 100 participants; stop by the Pro Shop to sign up by noon May 5.

MacDill Carnival Bring the whole family out for a day of carnival fun. Everyone welcomed with base access. Family fun for all ages from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. both days at the grassy lot across from 6th Air Refueling Wing Headquarters. There will be 18 free rides both days, midway games (free games on Friday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. only), carnival food vendors, and a DJ/karaoke. Enjoy live entertainment in the beer garden and more! Visit macdillfss.com/carnival/ for more information.

Base Theater movies Your MacDill Base Library will be offering free movies at the Base Theater in May. For a complete movie schedule visit macdillfss.com.

Find more events at: macdillfss.com

The Champ!

Photo by Airman 1st Class Derrick Bole

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Davonte Love, 6th Communications Squadron cable and antenna systems specialist, receives the Champ of the Week award from 6th Air Refueling Wing leadership alongside his wife at MacDill Air Force Base April 25. Love spearheaded the CSP flight merger combining two work centers including 57 personnel and $80,000 worth of equipment.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After

hours chaplain, call the Command Post at 828-4362/4361.

Protestant virtual services - Sunday - 11 a.m. (www. facebook.com/6amwhc)

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule & to join Monday-Wednesday Mass - 12:10 p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

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

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

distro, please contact elimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Other Faith Groups - Please contact the Chapel at (813) 828-3621 or via email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel MACDILL THUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday, May 4, 2023 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 15

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WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday, May 4, 2023 ◆ MACDILL THUNDERBOLT