Thunderbolt 5/09/2024

News/Features:page3

FiveandThrive

News/Features:page3

Electricaircraft tested

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page13

Events, Chapel, more...

TotalForceMobilityAir Forceleaderspose foragroupphotoduringPhoenix RallyatMacDillAirForceBaseApril29. SpringPhoenixRallybrought togethermore than300 TotalForceMobilityAirForce leadersand spousesto discuss WarriorHeart,AirMobilityCommand’sstrategyandpriorities,andhow to work togethertoensure theMobility Air Forceis readytodeliverRapidGlobalMobilityacross the JointForce.

NEWS/FEATURES InspiringfutureAirForceleaders:UniversityofMiamicadetssoartonewheights

bySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin 6thAirRefuelingWing

Thirty-fiveUniversityofMiamiReserveOfficerTraining Corpscadetsrecentlyteamedup withAirmenfromMacDillAir ForceBaseto experiencethemissionofthe 6th AirRefueling Wingandthevariousroles associatedwithmissionsuccess.

Thisuniqueexperiencetookplacethroughout themonthofApril -beginningwith an orientationflightforthecadetsoutofHomesteadAFB andendingwithanimmersivetourofMacDill AFB, leavingalastingimpacton boththecadets andAirmenalike.

U.S. Air Force1stLt.AlexanderAbanico, apilot withthe91stAirRefuelingSquadron, spearheadedthecadets’immersiveexperience at MacDill.Abanicosharedthathe wasdeterminedto providethecadetswithanunforgettable experience “Ifiguredthatthe6thARW AviationInspiredMentorshipteamshoulddoitsbest togive thecadetsofDetachment 155the mostimmersiveexperience,” heexplained.

“ThetimeI’vespentatMacDillhasshown mehowdynamicAirmenhaveto beinsupportingtheAir Forcemission,” saidCadet Jonathan Smith,UniversityofMiamiDetachment 155recruitingofficer. “It’simpressive, andI’mlooking

AgroupofAirForceReserveOfficer TrainingCorpscadetsfromtheUniversityofMiamiposefor aphotowithaircrewassignedtothe91stAirRefuelingSquadrons,April26,2024,atMacDillAir ForceBase,Florida.ThestudentswereinvitedtoflyandtourthebaseaspartoftheAirForce RecruitingService’s AviationInspiredMentorshipprogram.

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

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

the Departmentof the Air Force or the6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertisingin thispublication,includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the Departmentof Defense, the Departmentof the Air Force,6th Air Refueling Wingor the Publishing Companyof the products or serviceadvertised. For retail advertising, call (813)226-3318. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, orpatronagewithout regard to race,color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, age, marital status, physical handicap,politicalaffiliationor any other non-merit factorof the purchaser,user,orpatron.

Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase

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

Newsitems for the MacDillThunderbolt can be submitted tothe6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office,8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite14, 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.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

NEWS/FEATURES

FiveandThriveprogramempowersAirForcefamilies

bySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian 6thAirRefuelingWing

Onasunny Wednesdaymorningat MacDill Air ForceBase, the FiveandThriveprogram tookcenterstageduringPhoenixRally Week.

The FiveandThriveinitiative, createdby ShareneBrown,spouseofthe21stChairman ofthe JointChiefsofStaff, Gen.Charles Q. Brown,Jr. istailoredtoaddressfivecritical areasimpactingmilitaryfamilyreadinessand resilience: childcare, education, healthcare, housing, andspouseemployment.

Afterlaunchingin2021,theinitiativehas quicklybecomeabeaconofsupport, demonstratingtheAir Force’scommitment tonurturingboththeindividualandfamilialneedsof itsservicemembers.

DuringPhoenixRally, aweeklongevent whereAirMobilityCommandleaderscame togethertodiscussAMC’scapabilitiesand improvereadiness, Anne Parker, amemberof thethriveteam,detailedthetangible resources FiveandThriveoffers, such as the Thrive Guide. Thisguideisacomprehensivetoolkit

MilitaryspouseslistentoaspeechduringtheFiveandThrivediscussionatMacDillAirForce BaseMay1.TheFiveandThriveprogram,startedbyShareneBrown,spouseofthe21stChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffGen.CharlesQ.Brown,Jr.aimstoenhancequalityoflifefor militaryfamiliesinfivekeyareas:childcare,education,healthcare,housingandspouseemployment.

Commander,testpilotsevaluatenewelectric aircraft

bySamuelKing Jr. 96thTestWing

EGLINAIRFORCEBASE,Fla.—AfteraquicktaxiouttoDuke Field’srunway, Brig. Gen. JeffreyGeraghtyspunupthe21-foot,electric aircraft’s80-horsepowerengineandzoomedforward.ThePipistrel VelisElectroquietlyliftedoffheadingnorthasthesundippedinthewest aroundduskApril22.

The96th Test Wingcommander wasoneofapproximately20testpilot volunteerstotryouttheelectricaircraftwiththe35-footwingspanduring itsthree-weekfieldtriptoEglin.

Geraghtycomplimentedtheaircraft,thequietflight andhowlightweighttheElectroturnedouttobe. Insteadoftowingthe1000-pound aircraft,Geraghtypusheditouttotheflightlinehimselfbeforetheflight. Healsoaddedit wasmucheasiertogetinandoutofthananF-16toits listofbenefits.

GeraghtyalongwithotherEglintestpilotsflewthetwin-seatElectro withaninstructorforapproximately45minuteseachconsistingofpat-

SeeELECTRIC,Page12

Pipistrel VelisElectroaircraftforatestflightApril22atEglinAirForce Base,Florida.GeraghtyandotherEglintestpilotsflewthe80-horsepowerelectricaircraftoverathree-weekperiodtoprovidequalitative evaluationstoAFWERXtowardelectricaircraftusagefortheAirForce.

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

PhotobySamuelKingJr.

WEEKINPHOTOS

U.S.AirForceCol.EdwardSzczepanik,6thAirRefuelingWingdeputycommander,salutesthearrivalofU.S.AirForceGen.Kenneth Wilsbach, CommanderofAirCombatCommand,duringhisarrivalforthePhoenixRallyweekatMacDillAirForceBaseMay2.PhoenixRallybroughttogetherhundredsof TotalForceMobilityAirForceleadersandspousestodiscussAirMobilityCommand’sstrategyandpriorities,andhowtowork togethertoensuretheMobilityAirForceis readytodeliverRapidGlobalMobilityacrosstheJointForce.

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian Membersofthe6thAirRefuelingWingposeforaphotoduringthe2024 1stQuarterly AwardsCeremonyatMacDillAirForceBaseApril.26.The awardsceremonyisconductedeveryquartertohighlighttheachievementsoftheservicemembersandcivilianswhomakeMacDill’smissionpossible.

U.S.AirForceCol.Edward Szczepanik,6thAirRefuelingWingdeputy commander,posesforaphotowithKishimaGarcia,6thARWchiefdiversityandinclusionofficer, duringaChampionofthe Week recognition atMacDillAirForceBaseApril26.GarciaorganizedthePathwaysto SuccesseventatMacDillAFB,hostingover300attendees.

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

Courtesyphoto

NEWS/FEATURES

AirForceupdatesmentalhealthcare policies,lowersbarriers

AirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—On Jan28,2022,AirMobilityCommandcommander, Gen.MikeMinihantweeted, “WarriorHeart.NoStigma.” withascreenshotofhiscalendarrevealinganupcomingmental healthappointment,thusbeginningamovementwithinAMCtoeliminatestigma,lowerbarriersandincreaseaccessandoptionstosupport Airmenmind,body, andcraft.

ItalsoinspiredtheestablishmentofAMC’s WarriorMentalHealth workinggroup, whichfocusedtheireffortonestablishing pathwaysto care, strengtheningcommandteamsandreviewing, andwhere necessary, advocatingforupdatestomental healthpolicy basedon currentstandards.

Inamajorstepforwardinloweringbarriers, theAir Force’smental health waiverpolicyinboththeAir Force’sMedicalStandardsDirectory (MSD)andAerospaceMedicine WaiverGuidehasbeenupdatedtoallow forAirmentoreceive60daysoftreatmentformentalhealthconcerns

SeeMENTALHEALTH,Page6

WarriorMentalHealth WorkingGroupslidesarebriefedatAirMobility Command’sSpring2024PhoenixRallyatMacDillAirForceBaseApril29. TheAirForce’smentalhealthwaiverpolicyinboththeAirForce’sMedicalStandardsDirectory(MSD)andAerospaceMedicine WaiverGuidehas beenupdatedtoallowforAirmento receive60daysoftreatmentformentalhealthconcernsbeforea returntodutywaivertoflyis required.

beforeareturntoduty waivertoflyisrequired.This changebenefits AirmenacrosstheAir Forceseekingtreatmentforstress, post-traumatic stressandothermentalhealth-relatedmaladies.

Maj. JaneMarlow, aC-130Jpilotandthe WarriorMentalHealthworkinggrouplead wasmotivatedbypersonalexperience.

“Likesomanyofmypeers, IdelayedseekingcareuntilI wasinanonflyingassignmentbecauseIknewthat,asapilot,themomentIpicked upthephonetoschedulethatappointment,Iwouldbegroundedforan indefiniteperiod,” Marlowsaid.“ThetraumacareIwentthrough waslife changing. IknewthatI was, withoutadoubt,asaferpilot, abetterleader, andastrongerwingmanbecauseofthecareIreceived–yetI wasstill requiredtospendmonthsinanon-flyingstatusbecauseofmydiagnosis.”

ThankstoMarlow, hercohort,andmedicalexperts, thathasnow changed.

PriortotheupdatedMSD, specialdutyAirmenfacedsignificant amountoftimeinanon-flyingstatuswhileundergoingevaluation,treatment,andmandatorystabilizationperiodspriortobeingabletosubmita waiverforreturntoduty. Theselongperiodscouldhaveharmfulimpacts oncareers, includingdelayingupgrades, formaltraining, andeligibility fordevelopmentalprogramsandopportunities.

Now, formentalhealthdiagnoses, thereisnolongermandatorystabilizationtimelines. Inaddition, flightsurgeonscansubmita waiverforan Airmanseekingmentalhealthtreatmenttoreturntoflyingstatuswithouta waitingperiod.

The WarriorMentalHealthworkinggroupincludedover50aircrew members, 12 aviation psychologists, apilotphysician,flightsurgeons acrossthe Joint Force, andaspecializeddoctorfromNASA.Twoofthe keycontributorswereLt Col.Sandra“Salty”Salzman,C-130Jpilotand Lt.Col.CarrieLucas, AMCBehavioralHealthBranchChief. Theywere warneditcouldtake5-10yearstoachievethepolicy changestheysought, butthroughpassionateleadershipandbypresentingsoundevidence, theyinspired changewithinayear.

“Asapilot-physician,Ihavetheuniqueopportunitytoadvocatetothe policy-makingleadershipasasubjectmatterexpert.” saidSalzman,“In thiscapacity, Ipresentednewconsiderationsbasedonmentalhealth medicalresearchandoperationaltruths. Basedonthesenewconsiderations, [theworkinggroup]suggestedportionsofthementalhealthpolicy beamended,consideringourevolvingunderstandingofhumanresponses tostressanddevelopmentofresiliencethroughearlytreatment.”

“Fromamental healthperspective, this precedent-setting policy changeisexactlywhatweneedandisinlinewithGeneralMinihan’s chargetoreducestigmaandallowforAirmentoseekhelpwhenneeded,” saidLucas.

“Ifyou wanttolookatapilotwithPTSD, you’relookingatoneright now,” saidMinihantohiscommandteamsduringtheSpring2024PhoenixRally. “Thispolicyaffectsmeandifitaffectsme, itaffectssomeone inyourunit—theyhaveit,haven’tsoughthelpforitandsufferinginsilence. Itisincrediblypowerfulworkbythisteamtolowerthebarriersto mentalhealthcareforour WarriorAirmen.”

NEWS/FEATURES

AF

researchersdesign,build, flyautonomous aircraftin24hours

bySamuelKingJr. 96thTestWing

EGLINAIRFORCEBASE,Fla.—Inan openareaoftheEglinrangeknownasB-70,a groupofAir Forcefieldgradeofficersandblackshirtedinnovatorshuddledtogetherabove aneight-poundmodelaircraftastheyraced againsttheirdeadlinetobuildit.

Thegroupofofficersandinnovators, known asBlackPhoenix,createdagoalforthemselves todesign,create, build, andflyanunmanned aerialsystemwithin24hours. Aroundthe 22.5-hourmark,theteamsecuredthetailpiecesandlastly, thepropellers. Thefinalstepon ajourney, thatstartedmorethansixmonths prior, wastoputthe UASintheair.

Theofficersbegantheprojectaspartoftheir BlueHorizonsfellowship BlueHorizonsisan Air ForceCenterforStrategyand Technology missionthatispartthink-tank,partincubatorthatpromotesunconventionalthinkingand processestoAir Forceproblemswithstrategic impact.

TheBlackPhoenixcrewisoneoffiveteams wrappingupthoseprojectsafteryear-longfellowships.

Theirthree-personteamtookonthetaskof evaluatinghowtorapidlyadapt small UASs, theirtechnologyandpayloadsbasedonthe needandenvironment.

“Small UASsarebecominganew warfightingcapability,” saidCol.DustinThomas, a

Col.DustinThomas,BlueHorizonslaunchesa3D-printedunmannedaerialsystemduringaBlue HorizonsdemonstrationApril25atEglinAirForceBase,Florida.Thegoalofthedemonstration wastocreate,buildandflyaUASwithin24hours.TheteamspenttheweekatEglincreating UASsforvariousdesignsandmissionspecialties.

BlueHorizonsfellowandBlackPhoenixteam member. “However, theAir Forcecan’trapidly changetheseaircraftbasedonthethreatenvironmentorquicklyusenew technologiesto meettheneedsofaspecificmission.Ourproject aimstofind waysto changethat.”

To taketheirprojectfromthetheoreticalto practical,theteamturnedtoTitanDynamics, a smallaerospacecompanyfocusedonrapidand cost-effective UASdesignsanddevelopment.

“Wewentinsearchofayoung, smart, new

PhotobySamuelKingJr.

TotalForceMobilityAir Forceleaderslistentobriefers,duringPhoenixRallyatMacDillAirForceBaseApril 29. SpringPhoenixRallybrought togethermo ersandspousestodiscuss WarriorHeart, Air MobilityCommand’s strategyandpriorities,andhow toworktogethertoensuretheMobilityAirForce JointForce.

MobilityAirForcesgatherforweek-longPhoenixRally

byAirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

Gen.MikeMinihan,Air MobilityCommandcommander, and hiswife, AshleyMinihan,convenedtheirlast Total ForcePhoenixRallyhere,April29-May3,2024. FocusedonSustaining IrreversibleMomentumforGreat PowerCompetition,theeventfocusedonresilience,themobilityroadmap,settingthetheater,andAir ForcereoptimizationforGreat PowerCompetition. Withover300totalforceseniorleaders,wingcommanders, command chiefs,andspousesinattendance,theeventalsoprovidedagreatopportunityfor Total Forcecollaborationandintegration. “WeareproudtobehererepresentingyourReserve Forces. YouhavetwoNumberedAir Forces and22wingsworthofCitizenAirmenthathavebeenwithAMCforthelast76years,”saidMaj.Gen. DerinDurham,4thAir Forcecommander,inhisopeningcomments. “Andso,AMCistheReserve… AMCdoesitbest. We lookforwardtothefuture, welookforwardtoGreat PowerCompetitionand reoptimizingwiththeAir Force,andwe’rereadytogetafterit.”

Thefirstdayincludedkeynotespeakersfocusedonleadingintoday’soperationalenvironment,

updatingtheforceonAMC’s WarriorHeartfocus,fightingburnoutandqualityoflifeinitiatives.

“Hopeisthenumberoneindicatorofwell-being specialistandcombatveteran. “Areyouahopefulleader?Areyoucreatingspaceforthat?Areyou allowingittonaturallyflowwithinyourorganization? causethere’ssomuchthatisdrivingthemdownwithburn-out,withstressandanxiety…beaho fulleader.The sparkthattheyneed.”

Afterpresentingtheirroadmapandideasatlastyear’sSpringPhoenixRally,the Healthworkinggroupprovidedupdatesandsignificantsuccesses—includingrecent Forcepoliciesthatusedtoautomaticallyremoveoperatorsfromflyingstatusiftheysoughtmental healthsupport.

“Thisteamoverturnedpolicythat wasenactedpost-World saidMinihan.“Therearepeopleinthisroomthatcalledmeandsaidtheindividual ersupportsitandthedoctor’sscreamingthispersonisreadytogetbac

PhotobySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

togethermore than300 TotalForceMobilityAirForce leadis readytodeliverRapidGlobal Mobilityacross the

MobilityAirForcesgatherforweek-longPhoenixRally

rriorHeartfocus,fightingburnoutandqualityoflifeinitiatives.

“Hopeisthenumberoneindicatorofwell-being,” saidDr. JannellMacAulay, humanperformance reyouahopefulleader?Areyoucreatingspaceforthat?Areyou allowingittonaturallyflowwithinyourorganization? Followersneedhopenowmorethanever becausethere’ssomuchthatisdrivingthemdownwithburn-out,withstressandanxiety…beahope-

Afterpresentingtheirroadmapandideasatlastyear’sSpringPhoenixRally,the WarriorMental Healthworkinggroupprovidedupdatesandsignificantsuccesses—includingrecent changestoAir rcepoliciesthatusedtoautomaticallyremoveoperatorsfromflyingstatusiftheysoughtmental

senactedpost-World WarII.Thatcannotbeunderscoredenough,” saidMinihan.“Therearepeopleinthisroomthatcalledmeandsaidtheindividual’s ready, thecommandersupportsitandthedoctor’sscreamingthispersonisreadytogetback inthe gameandyetwewere

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(Top)AU.S.AirForceGen.MikeMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander,deliversclosing remarksduringthePhoenixRally conferenceatMacDillAirForceBaseApril 29.SpringPhoenix Rallybroughttogethermorethan250 TotalForceMobilityAirForceleadersandspousestodiscuss WarriorHeart,AirMobilityCommand’s strategyandpriorities,andhowtoworktogetherto ensuretheMobilityAirForceisreadytodeliverRapidGlobalMobilityacrosstheJointForce.

(Abpve)U.S.AirForceChiefMasterSgt.JamieNewman,AirMobilityCommandcommandchief, listensduringremarksduringthePhoenixRallyconferenceatMacDillAirForceBase April29.

PhotosbySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

designedtoempowermilitaryspouseswithessentialinformationandsupportacross theinitiative’sfivefocusareas.

“Weeachhavetoreachouttothepeoplewho areinourcircleandtryandconnect,” Parker explained,underscoringtheprogram’scommunity-centricapproach.

“We’vecreatedtheThriveGuideto help leadersshare availableresourceseasier,” said LauraBrowning, FiveandThrivedirectorof communicationsanddesign.“These guidesare keytohelpingmilitaryfamiliesthrive, hence thename.”

ThediscussionatMacDillAFB wasnotjust apresentation,butadynamicinteractionwith localmilitaryspouses, encouragingthemto sharetheirexperiencesandseeksolutions together.Parkernoted, “It’saboutreachingout withinourcirclesandconnectingonapersonal level. We can’tjustsignamemoand expectto meet everyone’s needs—weneedto work togetherasacommunity.”

Fromimprovingaccesstoquality childcare to facilitatingspouseemploymentopportunities, theinitiativehasmadesignificantstrides inenhancingtheoverallwellbeingoffamilies, therebydirectlycontributingtothereadiness andeffectivenessoftheforce.

As FiveandThrivecontinuestoexpand,the program’sgoalsremain clear:tostrengthen thebondswithinAir Forcefamilies, enhance missionreadinessthroughfamilyreadiness, andensurethateveryfamilymemberfeels valuedandsupported. Withleaders like Sharene BrownandAnn Parkersteeringtheconversation,thefuturelookspromisingforenhancing thequalityoflifeforAir Force familiesacross theglobe.

PHOENIX

FromPage8

fightingpolicyforsomanyyears. Thisistheteamthatgotitfixed!” Therest of the week transitioned focus tothe command’sefforts to createirreversiblemomentumontheinsightsandgainsfromlastyear’s MobilityGuardianexercise. Focusingonlessonslearnedinsteadoflessonsobserved,theCommanddevelopeda10-lineinitiativeinthe wake ofMG23focusedoncreatingirreversiblemomentuminresourcingMAF connectivity;buildinguponthe“gamechangers”suchasmaneuverbattle management,palletizedeffectsandmaximumenduranceoperations; and totheemploymentoftheAir Force ForceGenerationModeltomakeit workfortheMAF.

(Above)Militaryspouses readthe“Thrive Guide”duringtheFiveandThrivediscussionat MacDillAirForceBaseMay 1.TheFiveandThriveprogram,started byShareneBrown,spouseof the21st ChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffGen. CharlesQ.Brown,Jr.aimstoenhance qualityoflifeformilitaryfamilies.

(Left)AnneParker,amemberofthethrive team,speakstoacrowdduringtheFive andThrivediscussionatMacDillAirForce BaseMay1.Parkerdiscussedtheculture, customsandprotocolsofmilitarylife,includingavailable resourcessuchasthe FiveandThriveprogram.

WitheachPhoenixRallybuildinguponthelast,thisyear’seventdemonstratedsignificantadvancementinåreadiness, heightenedfocuson Great PowerCompetitionandpreparingthefutureforce.

“Lookatallthethingswetalkedaboutasjustpreppingthebattlefield,” saidChiefMasterSgt. JamieNewman,AMCcommand chief, to theaudience “WearepreparingourAirmenandtheirfamiliesforthe realityofthefuture. IlovewhatAMC’sabout.Ilovehowwe’reapproachingthesethings. We’retakingitseriouslyandyou, ascommanders, are responsibleforthatreadiness. Theoperationalenvironmentis changing, andweneedyou.”

PhotosbySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

start-upcompany, who waswillingtotakeonabigrisk.” SaidLt.Col. JordanAtkins, BlackPhoenixmember. “We couldn’tbemoreimpressedwiththeirabilitytoyield a miraclelikethisinonlytwomonths.”

TheteamusedTitan’ssoftwareautomateddesignsoftwaretocreateanaerodynamic UASbodybasedonweight, power, dimensions, andpayloadinlessthan10minutes. Thatdesigncodegetsfedinto3Dprinterstocreatethe lightweight UASbodyparts Onceallthepiecesareprinted,theteambuildsthenewly-created UASdesignedspecificallyforitsmissionparameters.

BlackPhoenixtookthismethodandfirsttesteditin SouthwestAsiainMarchwith Task Force-99withsome success. Then,theybroughtthattestdataand lessons learnedtoEglinfortheirfinalin-the-fieldtests. They soughtouttheAir ForceChiefDataandAIoffice’sAutonomyDataandAIExperimentationprovingground, which aimstoacceleratedevelopmentandexperimentationin programsliketheBlackPhoenixproject.

“Eglinistryingcreateaspacetotestsmall UASsand newtechnologicalcapabilitiesveryquickly,” saidThomas. “Historically, theAir Forceisrelativelyslowinadaptingandtestingthesetechnologies, andEglinistryingto changethatparadigm. We wantedtopartnerwiththem andbeapartofthatparadigmshift.

InsupportoftheADAXprovingground,the413th Flight TestSquadron’sAutonomyPrimeflightfliesautonomous UASsregularly, andnewaircraftandautonomy customerscometoEglintotesttheirtechnologies.

DuringBlackPhoenix’sweekatEglin,theteamtestedsixautonomousaircraftusingthequickcreate, build, flymethodforvariousmissionsincludinganeight-pound personnelrecovery UASthatwoulddeliversuppliestoa simulatedAirmanbehindenemylines.

Sometimestheaircraftflewsuccessfullyandother times, whenpushingtheboundaries, they crashed.The successesandfailureswereallpartofBlackPhoenix’s goaltogatherresearchonthefeasibilityoftherapidly created UASsidea.

Whattheydiddiscover wasregardlessofflightor crash,theinternalautonomyhardwareandthepayload withinwerevirtuallyunharmed. To buildback andtry againmeantonlyreprintingtheouter UASstructureata costofaround$20to$50.

“We’vetakenbigrisksthisweekinflyingsomanynew aircraftforthefirsttime, buttheriskisalsolowbecause theseentireaircraftarebuiltfromcommercialoff-theshelfitems, sothefinancialinvestmentissmall,” saidLt. Col.PeterDyrud,BlackPhoenixteammember.

Afterthetest,theBlackPhoenixteamwillputtogether theirfindingsandpresenttheirstudyevaluationtothe Air ForceSecretaryandAir ForceChiefofStaffinMay.

ELECTRIC

ternwork,areamaneuvering, andstalls. Afterward, theyprovidedspecificfeedbackandobservationsabout theflightcalledqualitative evaluationsthatdrewfrom theiruniquetestexperience.

Theinformationgathered fromtheQEs, which will happenthroughouttheyear, will clarifyandvalidateexpectationsaboutelectric aviationusage.

Theseflightswerepart ofanother413thFlight Test SquadronandAFWERX partnership. The96thTW unitprovidedthelocation andlogistics, whileAFWERX fundedtheoperation.

“Eglinoffersauniqueblend ofairspace, testpilots, charginginfrastructure, andprior electricaircraftexperience thatswayedaQEdeployment totheFloridapanhandle,” saidLt.Col. John Tekell,AFWERX’sAgilityPrime.

AFWERX,theAir Force’s innovationarm,hasfourdifferentaircrafttypesitplans todeployforQEanalysis atvariousAir Forcebases throughoutthisfiscalyearto gathermoreQEdataabout electricairplanes.

Brig.Gen.JeffreyGeraghty,96th TestWingcommander, andinstructor,JimMueller,Modern TechnologySolutions Inc.,preparetotaxiforanelectricaircrafttestflightApril22 at EglinAirForceBase, Florida.Geraghtyandother Eglintestpilotsflewthe80-horsepower 1000-poundPipistrel VelisElectrooverathree-weekperiodtoprovide qualitativeevaluationstoAFWERXtowardelectricaircraftusagefortheAirForce.

PhotobySamuelKingJr.

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

FamilyFunNight

JointhefunatSeaScapesonMay 10from5–8 p.m.foradelightfulfiesta-themed FamilyFunNight.It’s aperfectopportunityforfamiliesto bondandcreatelastingmemories withanexclusivekid’sbuffetfilled withminitacos, nachosansweet treats Formoreinformation,visit www.macdillfss.com/seascapes/

Virtualcookingclasses

Don’tmissthisfunopportunity tobrushuponyourcookingskills orlearnhowtoprepareanewdish alongside(viaZoom)season4winnerofMasterChief, LucaManfe. To registerandviewthezoomsessions availableMaythroughOct.,goto forcesupport.awardsplatform.com.

Flavorburst:Boomerscall-indeals

Cravingfresh salads, mouthwateringwings, ordeliciousshareables?LooknofurtherthanBoomers Callinyourordersevery Thursdayand Fridaybetween3–7 p.m.andtreatyourselftoadelectablefeast.Dial512-8441toplace yourorderandpickituptogo, hassle-free. Formoreinformationvisit macdillfss.com/boomers/.

Outdooradventuretrips

Experiencethethrillofadventure with6thFSSOutdoorAdventure Tours. Frommasteringthebasicsof kayakingtoembarkingonexhilaratingkayaktours, swimmingalongsidemajesticmanatees, andexploringthedepthsthroughscubadiving. Diveintonatureandcreatememoriesforever. To viewupcoming classesandunforgettabletrips, visitmacdillfss.com/outdoor-adventure-tours/ toursselloutquickly. Signuptoday.

The Champ!

U.S.AirForceCol.Edward Szczepanik,6thAirRefuelingWingdeputycommander,left,andSenior MasterSgt.JackBean,farright,6thOperationalMedicalReadinessSquadronseniorenlistedleader, poseforaphotowithAirman1stClassErcyRuizNavarro,OccupationalHealthProgrampublichealth technician,duringaChampionofthe Week recognitionatMacDillAirForceBaseApril30.Navarro was recognizedforservingasthenon-commissionedofficerinchargeofhersectionandoverseeing 1,700membersacrossthewing.

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

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

CADETS

forwardtobecomingapartofitonceIcommission.”

ForSmith,thejourney wasnotjustaboutwitnessingAir Forceoperationsbutalsoaboutgaininginsightsintopotentialcareerpaths. “Iamhopingtobecomeacybereffectsofficerorcomputer systemsengineer Thesetripsdefinitelymakeme confidentgoingintothesecareerfields.”

Smith’senthusiasm wasmatchedbyhis admirationforthecamaraderieamongAir Forcepersonnel.“Onethingthatstoodouttome amongst everyindividual wasthestrong team bondthat wentbeyondjustsmiles andhellos.”

Astheirtimecametoanend,cadets and Airmen eachsharedtheirnewfoundknowledge and inspiration. ForAbanicoandhisfellowAirmen, witnessingthecadets’enthusiasm andcuriosity servedasareminderoftheimportanceofmentorshipandcommunitywithintheAir Force.

Innurturingthetalentsandaspirationsoffutureleaders, initiativesliketheinteractionbetweenUniversityofMiamiROTCcadetsand the 91stARSatMacDillensurethatthelegacy of serviceanddedicationenduresforgenerations tocome.

AgroupofAirForceReserveOfficer TrainingCorpscadetsfromtheUniversityofMiamiposefor aphotopriortotakeoff,April10,2024,atHomesteadAirForceBase, Florida.Thestudentswere invitedtoflyaspartoftheAirForceRecruitingService’s Aviation InspiredMentorshipprogram.

Courtesyphoto