Thunderbolt 5/16/2024

News/Features:page3

HazardSpear

News/Features:page3

6millionlbsofaidtoHonduras

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page13 Events, Chapel, more...

U.S.AirForceChiefof Chaplains,Maj.Gen.RandallKitchens(left),andAirman 1stClass Khin Williams-Some, 6th AirRefueling Wing religiousaffairsairman(right),cutintoacakein celebration of the ChaplainCorps’ 75thAnniversaryatMacDillAirForceBaseMay6.AirmentakepartintheAirForcetradition of havingthemostseniorandjunior guestscuttheceremonialcake.

PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton

NEWS/FEATURES

MeettheAFCENTCommander:Lt.Gen.DerekFrance

Courtesystory UnitedStatesAirForcesCentral

Lt.Gen.Derek Francetookcommandof NinthAir Force(Air ForcesCentral)asthe Combined ForcesAirComponentCommander under U.S. CentralCommand, April 18,2024. Withthreedecadesofmilitaryknowledgeand experience, Franceshared someinsights into hisleadershipphilosophyandhisvisionforthe futureoftheAir ForcesCentral’soperations andpartnershipsthroughouttheMiddleEast andacrossCentralandSouthAsia.

WhereItAllBegan

FrancebeganhisAir Forcecareerin1992aftergraduatingfromthe U.S. Air ForceAcademy andapilottrainingslotat Texas’sLaughlinAir ForceBase. Hewentontoholdseveralcommandpositionsatthesquadron,group, wing, andNumberedAir Forcelevels.

Growingupwithafatherwhoservedinthe Air Force, Franceimaginedhimselffollowingin hisfamily’s footstepsfrom ayoung age. While seeinghisfatherdedicatehiscareertomilitary serviceinspiredhimtojoin, partofhismotivationtocontinueserving wasthecamaraderie hefeltwithhisteamduringhistimeasanF15CEaglepilotatthe U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

U.S.AirForceLt.Gen.DerekFrance,center,AirForceCentralCommandcommander,speaks withAirmenatanundisclosedlocationintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,April 27AFCENTis responsibleforairoperations,eitherunilaterallyorinconcertwithcoalitionpartners,anddevelopingcontingencyplansinsupportofnationalobjectivesforCENTCOM’s20-nationareaof responsibilityinSouthwestAsia.

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,

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

U.S.AirForcePhoto

NEWS/FEATURES

by2ndLt.CyanBrown 7thBombWingPublicAffairs

ANDERSENAIRFORCEBASE,Guam— FollowingthecompletionofthefirstMaximum EnduranceOperationwithexternalfueltanks, the317thAirlift Wingcontinuestoshowcase tacticalairliftcapabilitiesforoperatingacross vastdistancesandintoremoteislandsduring itstwo-weekexercise, HazardSpear.

“TheIndo-Pacifictheateroffersstrategic andoperational challengesunlikeanyother,” saidCol. JustinDiehl,317Operations Group commander. “HazardSpearvalidatesourabilitytoexecuteallofourcurrentandnewmissionsetsinandaroundthe FirstandSecond IslandChains.”

HazardSpear wasdesignedtorehearse rapid Joint ForceIntegrationintheCommonwealthoftheNorthernMarianasIslandsand thePhilippines InconjunctionwiththeMarinesinbothExerciseLuHoIVandExercise Balikatan2024,HazardSpearvalidatesthe 317thOperationsGroup’s topmissionpriorities.

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317th AW executesHazardSpear,supportsBalikatan24 U.S.humanitarianaidforHondurastops6millionlbswithDentonProgram

byU.S.AirForceStaffSgt.ShelbyPruitt-Johnson

JointTaskForce-BravoPublicAffairs

SOTO CANOAIR BASE,Honduras—AKC46A Pegasusfromthe931stAirRefueling Wing, McConnellAir ForceBase, Kansas, delivers12 palletsofcargofortheDentonProgramatSoto CanoAirBase, Honduras, May8,2024. TheDentonProgramisaDepartmentofDefensehumanitarianassistancetransportation programthatmoveshumanitariancargo, donatedby United States-basednon-governmentalorganizationstocountriesinneed. Fordeliveries, theprogramutilizesDOD land,airandseaassetsthathavespace availableandarealreadytravelingtothe chosen location.Thiseffortalsoprovidesopportunities foradditionalaircrewandlogisticstraining.

U.S.MarinesfromMarineAircraftGroup24andMarineWingSupportSquadron174discuss how tooffloadcargowithU.S.AirForce TechSgt.JoshuaBredwell,40thAirliftSquadronloadmaster, duringExerciseBalikatan24atBascoAirfield,Philippines,April28.Duringtheexercise,three C-130JsweredispatchedtodifferentlocationsfromAndersenAirForceBase,GuamtosupportExerciseBalikatan24inthePhilippines,markingthewing’sfirstparticipationintheeventin years.

WiththehelpofAirmenfromthe612thAir BaseSquadron, Joint Task Force-Bravo, almost 26,000poundsoffreight wasoffloadedand storedforpickupbylocalnonprofits.

“Knowingthatweplayanactivepartinbetteringpeople’slivesisextremelyrewarding,” said U.S. Air ForceCapt. TristonDillard,612th ABSlogisticsflightcommander “MyteamandI areverythankfulfortheopportunitytobehere andtohelpinany waywecan.”

Thisshipmentincludededucationalmaterial, medicalequipment,hygienesupplies, householditems, clothing, fabrics, footwearandsewingsupplies.

Thenextday, threeHondurannonprofitsassembledthedonationsintotrucksattheSoto CanoAirBase Passenger TerminalCargo Yard fordistributiontoregionsofnecessity.

PhotobyMartinChahin AKC-46APegasusfromthe931stAirRefuelingWing,McConnellAirForceBase,Kansas, isparkingontheflightlineatSotoCanoAir Base,Honduras,May8.TheKC-46APegasus isdelivering12palletsofcargoaspartofthe DentonProgram.

U.S.AirForcephoto

WEEKINPHOTOS

DefenseInnovationUnitDirector,DougBeck,participatesinapaneldiscussion‘TechnologyasanInternationalSOFForceMultiplier’focusedon bringingtogetherventure,technology,acquisitionandthewarfighterduringSpecialOperationsForces Week2024in TampaMay.Theexpertpanel includedSpecialOperationsForcesAcquisition, Technology,andLogistics(SOF AT&L)AcquisitionExecutive,MelissaJohnson;AndurilIndustries ChiefStrategyOfficer,ChristianBrose;Co-Founder&ChiefExecutiveOfficerat VitaKey,Inc.,CatherineReynolds;andARKInvestmentManagementFounder,CEO&CIO, Catherine Wood.

PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton

U.S.Air Force Maj.ElimelachEstrin,6thAir Refueling Wingchaplain, lightsacandleduringaHolocaust remembranceceremonyatMacDill AirForceBaseMay6.Estrindiscussedtheimportanceof remembering theHolocaustandits relevancetoday.

U.S.AirForcephoto

AU.S.AirForcemilitaryworkingdoghandlerassignedtothe379thExpeditionarySecurityForcesSquadronholdshisMWDduringatraining exerciseatanundisclosedlocationwithintheU.S.CentralCommand areaof responsibility,April29.ThetrainingfocusedonhoningMWD explosiveordnancedetectioncapabilitiesin an unfamiliarenvironment.

PhotobyDevonBistarkey

Astoryof resilience

Pilotconquerscancer

by Tech.Sgt. Tarelle Walker 15thWing

HONOLULU, Hawaii—Overtheyears, the focusonhowAirmenpracticeresiliencehas grownsothatservicemembersandtheirfamiliesareabletoproperlycopewith challenges astheyarise. Anofficerstationedatthe15th WingSafetyOfficeat JointBase PearlHarborHickam,Hawaii,recentlyrecalledhispersonal storyofresilienceafterfacingextremeillness.

InSeptemberof2021,Lt.Col.Reinier Villanueva,15th Wing chiefofsafety, noticedasmall lumpnearhisthroat.Althoughit wasn’taffectinghisdailylife, hewenttogetit checkedout. Initiallythedoctorstoldhimthatit wasn’t a problem, butrecommendedthathekeepaneye onit.Acoupleyearslaterin2023,allofthat

changed.

Heunderwentabiopsyanddoctorsfound evidenceofcancercellsinhisthyroid.Hethen hadtodecidehowtoprocesswhathehadjust learnedandinformhislovedones.

“Isurprisedmyselfbecausethenews was heavy, butI wasabletoaccepttheinformation andthenmoveontoasking, whatarewegoing todoaboutit,” Villanuevashared.“Ithinkthat 30minuteconversationwiththedoctor was easierthantellingmywifeandfamilyaboutthe diagnosis It’shardforfamilymemberstohear becauseyoudon’treallyknowwhatthefuture isgoingtolooklike.”

Afterpushingthroughthedifficultyofnotifyinghisfamilyandleadership, there wasnothing lefttodoexceptmoveforwardwithtreatment.

SeeCANCER,Page7

Lt.Col.Reinier Villanueva,15thWingchiefof safety,standsforaphoto on Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam,HawaiiMay7.In2023, Villanuevawasdiagnosedwiththyroidcancer,butafter recoveringand returningtoworkhesharedhis storyof resiliencetohelpwhenfacingadversity.

NEWS/FEATURES

‘One Team,OneFight’:SECAFvisitsKeeslerAFB

bySeniorAirmanElizabethDavis 81stTrainingWing

SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank KendallvisitedSecondAir Force, the81stTraining Wing andthe403rd Wingat Keesler, May3.

Duringhisvisit, KendallconnectedwithAirmenandGuardianstodiscusshowtheyplaya criticalroleintheAir Force’smissionofreoptimizingforGreat PowerCompetition.

“Iamencouragedandimpressedbytheleadership, thestudentsandReserveAirmenat Keesler,” said Kendall.“Theimpactofthisinstallationreachesfarbeyondthebase fence line. KeeslerandSecondAir Forcehavealeadingroleinthetraininganddevelopmentofour professionalenlistedcorpsandtheirdetailed technicalexpertise. ItisalsohometoourHurricaneHunters, whobravelyseekthedataneededtoprovidereliableforecastsfordangerous stormstoaglobalcommunity.”

AirmenandGuardiansacrossthebaseshow-

casedtheir challengesandimprovementswithinday-to-dayoperations. Kendallvisitedmultiplesquadronsandagenciestoseehow Keesler trains, developsandinspires warfighters.

While visitingSecond Air Forceheadquarters, Kendallspokewithleadershipaboutthe AirmanDevelopmentContinuum, whichdevelopsAirmenandGuardiansfromzeroweek inbasicmilitarytrainingthroughtechnical trainingtoprovidethemwithabetterunderstandingoftheirroleinatimeofGreat Power Competition.HealsolearnedhowtheAir Force CareerDevelopmentAcademyistransforming technicaltrainingwith6thGeneration classroomsandhumanperformanceinitiatives.

Asaunitofaction,the81stTRWshowcased theircommitmenttocreatingaworld-class trainingenvironment. Byworkingdirectlywith SecondAir Force, the81stTrainingGrouphas transformedthelearningenvironmentwith

SeeSECAF,Page12

SecretaryoftheAirForceFrankKendalllistens toabrieffromU.S.AirForce1stLt.Mikayla Strickland,333rd TrainingSquadroninstructor, inthe333rdTRS’sescape roomat KeeslerAir ForceBase,Mississippi,May3.

PhotobySeniorAirmanElizabethDavis

“Themostconservativereaction wastogetthethyroidremoved, soaboutaweek afterthatwewenttosurgery”, Villanuevasaid. “AtTripler[ArmyMedicalCenter],the doctorsthereweregreat.TheyhelpedmethroughitandgavemeeverythingIneeded, includingtheinformationandthebestcourseofaction.”

Whentheremovalsurgery wascompleted,doctorswereabletoseethatithadreached stagetwoandithadspreadtohislymphnodes. Fromthere, heunderwentradiation procedures.

Duringthetimehereceivedthecancerdiagnosis, Villanuevaandhiswifewerealreadybusyraisingathreeyearoldsonandwereexpectinganother childsoon.Despite theirexistingobligations, Villanuevasaidhiswifeprovidedunwaveringsupport.

“Idefinitelythankmywifeforgettingmethroughthatportionofourlives, forgivingmetheopportunitytogetitrightdespitethetimeittookandfortakingtheloadoff whenmyenergy waslow, eventhoughshe wassixmonthspregnant,” said Villanueva.

Healsodiscussedhowhismilitarytrainingplayedapartinhelpinghimtonavigate sucha challengingsituation.

“IthinkasanAir Force aviatorandasamilitaryofficer, whenthingsgowrong, you’re trainedtostaycalmandcollectedifyou’redealingwithanemergency,” said Villanueva. “Youneedtobeabletotakeininformationveryquicklyandtaketheappropriateaction toremedyit,becausenoamountofpanicordistressisgoingtohelp.”

Althoughthesituationlookedbleakatthestart, Villanuevareflectedonhowquickly herecoveredandhighlightedthesupporthereceivedfromhisteam.

“Duringthattimeofconvalescentleaveforthesurgery, recoveryandthentheradiationrecoveryafterthat,I’mreallythankfulfortheAirmenatwingsafety, becauseeven thoughI wasn’tthere, Ihadcompletefaiththattheycouldgetthejobdone, anddoit wellwhileIgotbacktowhereIneededtobe.”

HewentontostresstheimportanceteamsupportplaysinboostingresiliencethroughouttheentireAir Force.

“AsayoungerAirman,youlookatourseniorleaders, andyoualwaysthinkofthem asSupermenandwomen, right?Unflappable, infallible, invincible, butasI’vegotten olderandbeguntowork closertoseniorleaders, Irealizedthatthey’regoingthrough thesamestrugglesthateveryotherairmangoesthrough,” Villanuevasaid.“Lookhow theAir Forcefamilyandcommunityworks. It’stheknowledgethatnomatterwhereyou are, everyoneelsewillmakesurethemissiongetsdonewhileyou’regettingtowhere youneedtobe, sothatyoucangetbacktothemission.Seeingandfeelingthatfirsthand wasjustreallypowerful.”

Villanuevaandhiswifewelcomedtheirsecondbabyboythisyearin January. Hehas nowfullyregainedhishealthandisbackatworkandonflyingstatus. Aftermakingit throughthisdifficultcircumstance, hegainednewinsightsandwisdomtosharewith otherAirmen.

“TheadviceIgivetoAirmenwhentheyaregoingthroughthingsthataretoughisto alwaysrememberyou’renotalone,” said Villanueva.“Iknowthisfromexperience, you areneveralone. Youhaveyourfriends, family, community, yourAir Forcecommunity. I wantAirmentobevulnerableandfeelcomfortablesharingtheirstrugglesbecausefellowAirmen,supervisors, firstsergeantsandcommandersallupthe chainofcommand arethereforyou.”

HONDURAS

FromPage3

Additionalcargo wasadded,makingitatotalof35,000 poundsofdonationsvaluedatapproximately$40,000 was packedforlocaltransport.

“Wearehappytobeabletohelpprovidethoseinour countrywithsuppliesthatwillbenefittheirhealth,homes anddailynecessities,” said JorgeSuazowithCentroCristianoRenovaciónChurch.

Transportingthis humanitarianaidis contractually managedbythe U.S. TransportationCommand.TheDentonProgramisauthorizedbylawandjointlymanaged by the U.S. Agencyfor InternationalDevelopment, the DepartmentofState, theDefenseSecurity Cooperation AgencyandtheDOD.

Asofthisyear, the612thABShasreceived148tonsof cargoforDenton-relateddeliveries.

Thisraisesthetotalsince1999toover6millionpounds demonstratingJTF-Bravo’sunwaveringcommitmentto beingagoodfriendandneighbortoourpartnernations andtheircitizens.

Editor’snote: Thementionofthesenonprofitsdoesnot constituteendorsementoraffiliationbyJTF-Bravoorthe U.S. military.

1AF member rescues mother, threechildren after SUV tumbles

by Michael Dougherty CONR-1AF(AFNORTHandAFSPACE)

TYNDALLAIR FORCE BASE, Fla.-- When Capt. Bryon Adams, Jr.leftfor workoneThursday morning, thelastthing onhis mind wastobepreparedtocrawl intoanupside-down SUVfullofbrokenglasstorescuea mother,ababy,andtwo toddlershangingupside-downbytheirstrapsandseatbelts.

That,however, failedtoslowhisresponseintheimmediateaftermathofaspectacularautoaccidentatopthe DuPont Bridgesome 50feetoverSt. Andrew’s Bayon April25,2024. AdamsisaSioux City,Iowa nativeand25-yearveteranof the Air Force. Hisfirst17years werespentasa maintainer onF-16’sand KC-135’s. He nowservesastheoperationsdivision chieffortheIntelligencedivision(A2)forthe Continental U.S. NORADRegion– First Air Force(Air Forces Northernand Air ForcesSpace).

Last monthhe wasonhis wayto work,crestingthe DuPont BridgeandapproachingTyndall’sgates where trafficin therightlanehadslowedtoacrawl. He noticedalargeSUV inhisrear-view mirror makeasuddenlurchtotherightto mergeintothe mile-longqueue. Thedriverevidentlydidnot seeadump truckinthevehicle’sblindspot,hesaid,andthe twocollidedalmostimmediately.

Thedump truckhittheSUV, whichthencrashedhead-on intothebridge’s guardrail. Nowsidewaysinthestreetandin thepathofthedump truck,it wasstruck forathirdtime –thistime squarely.“Thedump truckpusheditsidewaysdown thebridge. Next,itrolled–fourtimesIbelieve–andI’llneverforgetthesoundoftheimpactandshatteringglass. I directedanother motoristtocall911,”said Adams. Afteraloud, brutal,andseeminglycatastrophictumbledown thebridge, theSUVcame toarestonitsroof,spinningslowly.

Adams wastednotime inresponding Whenhereached thevehicle, heconductedasplit-secondassessmentandrespon dedim me diatel y. “Theback wi ndow wa s bustedout. There wasbrokenglassalloverthe(headliner).Icrawledin, overtheglass, andsawtwokids. First,there wasalittleboy, aroundsix-years-oldinthebackrow, hangingupsidedown, suspendedbyhiscarseat’s belts.” Adamsaccountedthatthe boy wasuninjured,exceptforcutsonhishands wherehehad touchedthebrokenglassontheceiling whileattemptingto bracehimself. As hepulledhimoutofthevehicleandtook himtothecurbandtosafety,theboysaid,“Ithought wewere goingtogointhe water.”Theboy’sfears werenotunfounded --asthepolicereportindicated“structuraldamagetotherailingofthebridge.” TheguardrailheldandpreventedtheSUV anditsoccupantsfromexperiencingafive-storydropintothe waterbelow.

Re -enterin g theoverturnedSU V, hespotte da girlof “aroundfourorfive,” andaninfant,bothhangingfromtheir carseats. By thistime, otherbystandershadarrivedto as-

Capt. Bryon Adams Jr, chief, A2 operationsdivision, CONR-1AF (AFNORTHand AFSPAC intoanoverturnedSUV to rescue a motherand her threechildren following a rollover accidentnear

sist,andoneofthem managedtoopenthepassengerdoor,he said.“WhenIgotthegirlfreeofherseatsherantowardsthe frontseats, insideofthevehiclenearher mom. Iaskedherif it wouldbeokifIcouldhavehergooutside withherbrother soIcouldhelpherbabybrotherandher mom. Ithenhanded hertoanother motoristthroughtheopendoor.” Next, Adams removedtheinfant,bringingallthreesiblingssafelytogether.

Finally, Adamsapproachedthe mother, who washanging upsidedown inthedriver’s seat,speaking withanemergency operatorthroughthe SUV’s on-boardresponsesystem He coachedandsupportedherasshebracedherselfontheceiling whilehereleasedherseatbeltandloweredherdown and outofthevehicle.

Withthefamilysafelyextractedandreunitedontheroadside,helookedinthevehiclefor“anystuffedanimalsortoys” hecouldgivetothekids,foundone, andgaveittooneofthe children,hesaid.

Miraculously, noone wasseriously injured, Adamssaid.

“Theairbags, seatbelts an tively.” Adamscreditsthevehi minimizingthe impact,wh responder, anddenying th skillsethe mayhave.“It’sjustso havedoneinthatsituation.Ijusthappenedtobetherefor them,atthatplace, atthatti Adams’ modesty notwithstandin commandhavedrawn inspiratio andexpressedprideinhisbr Adams remainsa shining sion,remindingusalloftheeveryd risetotheoccasionin mome Nordhaus,commander,1st careofthe mission,takingcareofourselvesa is equallyimportant– wh ingactionslikethis,orinjustlookingoutandbeingreadyto lendahand whenit’s needed

onbridge

U.S. AirForcephoto ACE), crawled throughbrokenglass accidentnear Tyndall AFB, Fla.

and car seats all functionedeffecamscreditsthevehicleanditssafetysystemsfor ,whiledownplaying his partasfirst the roleofany superiortrainingor yhave.“It’sjustsomethingthatanyofus would havedoneinthatsituation.Ijusthappenedtobetherefor atthattime.” notwithstanding, many members ofhis inspiration fromhisselflessactions andexpressedprideinhisbraveactionsthat morning. “Capt. g exampleofcourage andcompasndingusalloftheeveryday heroesamongus who momentsofcrisis,”saidLt. Gen.Steven nder,1st Air Force. “As we continuetotake ssion,takingcareofourselvesandoneanother whetherthroughpotentiallylife-savingactionslikethis,orinjustlookingoutandbeingreadyto needed most.”

Rodeo Clubprovidesleadershiplessonsin a different arena

byStephen Roughton U.S.AirForceAcademy

U. S. Ai r Fo rc e Ac adem y, Co lo— U. S. Ai r Fo rce Academy Rodeo Club membersenjoyarespitefromthe rigorsofcadetlifeastheyspendqualitytimewiththeir horses. Cadetequestriansalsodeveloptheirleadership andteamworkskillstheyexpecttofindusefulintheir careersasfutureofficers.Therodeo clubarenaprovides anothersetting wherethe Academydevelopsleadersof character.

Some cadetscome tothe club withyearsofhorseback ridingexperience;othershaveneversatonahorse. The moreexperienced members guide the beginnersuntil theyfeel morecomfortableinthesaddle. Twicea week, the club meets atthe 10th ForceSupportSquadron’s equestriancenterto cleanandgroomthehorses. Durin g thisti me, club member s discuss challenges with theirhorsesandlearnfromeach other, usingconcepts theydevelopedinthe classroomandintheirtraining.

“Youcanlearnalotaboutleadership whenyou work withanimalslikehorsesthatcan’tspeaktoyou,”said clubassistantcaptain Cadet2nd Class Colette McClanahan.“Horsescansenseifyouknow whatyou’redoing. Thatrelatesalottobeinga militaryleader. Your Airmen mustunderstandthatyoubelieveinthem.”

McCl anahan , alon g wi th cl ubcaptai n Ca de t 1s t Class Robert Balland Cadet3rd ClassLauryn Mitchell each came tothe Academy withvaryinglevelsofexperience withhorses. Buteach cadethasseentheirskills, inleadingfellowcadetsas wellastheirhorses,drasticallyimproveintheiryearsinthe club.

McClanahan,a Biology major, beganhorsebackridingat12 whilegrowingupinLas Vegas. Aftershecame tothe Academyin2021,she movedintorodeoactivities such asroping Duringher sophomoreyear, she purchasedherhorse, Bear.

“Cominghere wasanescapefromThe Hillandthe rigorsof mi litar y trainingan d school ,” McCl anahan said. “I wasreallyinvestedintrainingandgettingto know my horse.”

The rodeo club was atthe bottom ofthe list ofsix clubs Ballsignedupforinitiallyduringthe Blue Rush clubfairearly inhis freshmanyearin2020. He admitshe wasdrawntothecubbecausefreshmen members wear civilian clothes at the barn. Before joining, Ballhadonlyriddenonhorsebacktrailrides. Now, four yearslater, heservesasthe club’s captain.

“Therodeoclubgives us a space tojustrelax and havesome fun withthehorses,” Ballsaid.“The Academyhasgiven me alotofopportunitiesIneverthought

Cadet 1st Class Robert Ballrides his horse Ferg inthe U.S. Air Force Academy Rodeo Clubarena April 29. Members develop leadershipand teamworkskills.

I’dbeabletodo.Igottorideinacoupleofparadesand ropeabunch ofcattle, whichisalwaysagoodtime.I also metsome awesomefriendsthatIhopetohavefor therestof my life.”

Ba llboughthi s quarte r- hors e, Fe rg, froma2019 Academygraduate. Earlyon,hehadtroublegettinghis horsetorespond. Aftergettingsome expertadvicefrom thehorse’soriginalowner, the twoeventuallybonded.

“Fromthere, everything wasfine,” Ballsaid.“It’sso nicetohop on a horse and beable totrust him and knowthathetrustsyou,too.”

The MilitaryandStrategicStudies majorleavesfor pilottrainingat Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, aftergraduation. Ferg willberetiredandliveat Ball’s mother’s home in Cincinnati.

Mitchell’sgrandfatherintroducedhertohorsesata youngage. He placed Mitchellonherfirsthorse when she wasjust2athisSouth Carolinaranch. But when her grandfather died11years later, Mitchellstopped riding. Earlyinherfreshmanyear, Mitchelljoinedthe rodeo club,determinedtorekindlethatloveofhorses hergrandfatherhelpedinstillinher.

Mitchell, a Civil Engineering major, rides the club horse, Rebel.

“Beingon a horse allows you totakeabreath, be calman d actuallybreath e an d takeeverythingin ,” Mitchellsaid.“Istoppedridingforalongtime after my grandfatherdied. Beingatthebarn with my horseis likehavingapartofhim with me.”

Photoby Trevor Cokley

U.S.AirForcePhoto

U.S.AirForceLt.Gen.DerekFrance,left,NinthAirForce commander,de-boardsanHH-60WJollyGreenIIduring adistinguishedvisitortouratanundisclosedlocationon April26.AsthenewNinthAirForcecommander,thiswas France’sfirstvisittodeployedlocationsthatfallunder the U.S.CentralCommand areaof responsibility.

Whileaweaponsschoolinstructor, hefacedafamilyhardshipthattestedhisresilience, butultimatelyshowcasedthevalueofhiswingmen.“Myfellow instructors, despitetheirowndemandingschedules, cametogethertosupportmeduringoneofmy most challengingtimes,” Francesaid.“Thatstuckoutinmymind, andthesolidarity wastransformativeforme. That’swhatwedoinanAir Forcefamily, wetake careof eachother.”

Francehaspreviouslyservedinnumerousroles, includingtime asaweaponsofficer, weaponsschoolinstructor, andevenanassignmentasanInstructorPilot in theRoyal SaudiAir Force’s WeaponsSchool.TheseexperiencesandhiscommitmenttotheAir Force’scorevaluesshapedmuchoftheleadershipstyleAirmenacrossAFCENTcan expectfromtheircommander.

LeadershipFundamentals

Franceasserts thathisownleadershipphilosophyisgroundedin five keyareas Duringhisfirstdiscussionswithwingleadersunderhiscommand, Francereinforced thesefundamentalsofleadership:Pride, Teamwork,Corevalues, Accountability, and Resiliency.

Operateasa TeamfromDayOne

Oneaspectofserviceheemphasized: Operatingasateamfromdayone. France recalledhisfirstdayincommandsaying, “WehadAirmenflyingcombatsorties alongsideourcoalitionpartners”tohighlighttheimportanceoftheintegrated coalition. “Maintainingmulti-capableandreadyteamsiscriticaltoaccomplishingthemission,” Francementioned.“Ourteamsandourrelationshipswithourinternational partners arevitaltosuccess.”

Additionally, Francespokeaboutthepriorityofmissionreadiness, andthatreadinesscanbedeterredoradvancedin thefaceoffrequentlyrevolving teams in thisdeployedenvironment.Hedoesn’tnecessarilyviewfrequentrotationsasahindrance, but ratherasanopportunitytoincreasemissionreadiness “A diverse team isa powerful team,” hesaid.“Weareseeingvariousfieldsofexpertisecomingintothetheaterthat allowAirmentomaintaincompatibilityandinteroperabilitytoget afterourshared objectiveswithourregionalandinternationalpartners.”

Don’tSacrificetheImportantThings

“It’simportantforAirmennottosacrificetheimportantthingsatthe altarofthe urgent,” France specifiedwhen describingthe needtostay focusedonthemission whileunderscoringtheneedforpersonalresilience and balance.

“Wehavetobeintentionalaboutourdaily habits,” he said.“Being deployedisanopportunitytofindbalanceinthefourpillars of ComprehensiveAirman Fitness, whether spiritual,social,mental,orphysical;thatpersonalbalanceisnecessary tothesuccess oftheteam.”

FrancehopeshistenureatAFCENTsupportstheteamswhowillcontinuecontributinganddeliveringdominantcoalitioncombatpowertosupporttheregion’s collectivevisionforsecurityandstability.

“I’vebeenblown away bythelevelofdedicationintheAirmenatAFCENT, France noted.“Theyhavebeenoperatingbeyondmyexpectations, andI’mextremelyproudto beapartofthisteam.”

“Weidentifiedacriticalneedfromthe Jointforcetorapidlyforward deployfuelandlogisticstolocationsthatcannotsupport large strategic airliftormaritimedelivery,” saidMaj.AlexLeach, Mission Commander and40thASassistantdirectorofoperations. “Theabilitytoquickly mobilizeandoperatetoausterespokelocations fromtheSecondIsland chainfurtherwestisagamechangeronhowwethinkabouttacticalC130Jairlift.Theabilitytocarryextrafuelwithexternaltanksallows us tobecompletelyself-reliantandmovebetweentheisland chainsseamlessly.”

Duringtheexercise, threeC-130JsweredispatchedtodifferentlocationsfromAndersenAir ForceBase, GuamtosupportExerciseBalikatan24inthePhilippines, markingthewing’s firstparticipationin the eventinyears. Balikatanisanannualmilitaryexercise between the UnitedStatesandthePhilippines, typicallyinvolvingover20,000military personnel.Theexerciseisintendedtostrengtheninteroperability andcooperationbetweenthetwocountries throughjointtraining, exercises, andhumanitarianassistance

FromApril26through28,twoDyess C-130JsdemonstratedtheabilitytorapidlydeployaMarineunit intoaremoteislandlocationand immediatelyoffloadedthousandsofgallonsoffuel.Notonlydid this assistthe Joint Forceincommencing operations, buteliminatedtherequirementforshipstobringfuelintoaport. OneC-130Jdepartedfrom GuamflyingdirectlytoLal-LoAirfield inNorthern Luzon,thenmoved theunitandfueltoBascoAirfieldonBatanIsland,Philippines, setting arecordforthelargestaircrafttoever landattheairfield.

The otheraircraftstagedoutofKadenaAirBase, Japan,transportingfueldirectlyintothesmallisland.AtBasco, theMarinessetupSpecializedFuelingOperationsat ForwardAreaRefueling Points(FARPs), whichserveaskeyrefuelingsiteslocatednearthefrontlinesorinforwardoperatingareas. Thesestrategicareasenableaircraftandvehicles toquicklyrefuelandcontinuetheirmissionswithouttheneedtotravel backtoamainbase.

See317th,Page14

U.S.AirForcephoto

AU.S.AirForceC-130JHerculesassignedtothe40thAirliftSquadron waitsontheflightlinetotakeoffduringExerciseBalikatan24atBasco Airfield,Philippines,28April.Duringtheexercise,threeC-130Jswere dispatchedtodifferentlocationsfromAndersenAirForceBase,Guam tosupportExerciseBalikatan24inthePhilippines,markingthewing’s firstparticipationintheeventinyears.BK 24 isanannualexercise betweentheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesandtheU.S.militarydesignedtostrengthenbilateralinteroperability,capabilities,trust,and cooperationbuiltoverdecadesofsharedexperiences.

U.S.AirForceCapt.JonathanBellio,39thInformation OperationsSquadronDet2flightcommander,and Tech. Sgt.JonathanFoster,39IOSDet2instructor,prepareto welcomeSecretaryoftheAirForceFrankKendalltothe 338th TrainingSquadronAirExpeditionaryForceyard at KeeslerAirForceBase,Mississippi,May3.

increasednetworkcapabilities, interactivesoftware and simulatorsindormstoallowstudentstoaccesslearning materialanytime, anywhere.

To fullyimmerseinto Keesler’smodernizedandadaptable classrooms, Kendalltoured severaltrainingsquadronsandmetwithtechnicaltraininginstructorstounderstandhowtheyempowerAirmenasagentsof change. He sawthe333rdTrainingSquadroncyberescaperoom,the virtualrealityweathertrainingspaceatthe335thTRS, thenew334thTRSairtrafficcontrolstudyroomandthe 338thTRS’soutdoorexpeditionarycybertrainingsite.

AstheonlyAir ForceReserveCommandwinginthe state, the403rdWGemphasizedtheincreasedrolethey play inmissionreadiness, sharingwith Kendallthatsince 2018theyhaveseena600%increaseindemandforwinterseasonstormreconnaissance, anda20%increasein tropicalstormreconnaissance.

KendallfinishedhisvisitwithanaddresstoaformationofAirmenandGuardianswhohadcompletedtheir trainingfortheday. Thefinaldailyformationisa wayfor instructorstopassalongupdatesandinformationbefore thestartofaweekend. Kendallusedtheoccasiontopass alonghisthanksandgratitudetoAirmenandGuardians undergoingtrainingforthestartoftheirmilitarycareers “Thankyouforwearingtheuniform,fortheworkyou putineveryday, andforthesacrificesyouandyourfamilymakeandwillcontinuetomakeintheyearstocome,” said Kendall.“Weareproudtohaveyouonournation’s militaryteam.One Team.One Fight.”

PhotobySeniorAirmanElizabethDavis

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Flavorburst:Boomerscall-indeals Cravingfreshsalads,mouthwateringwings,ordelicious shareables?Looknofurtherthan Boomers!CallinyourorderseveryThursdayand Friday between 3–7 p.m.andtreatyourselftoa delectablefeast.Dial512-8441to placeyourorderandpickitupto go,hassle-free! Formoreinformationvisitmacdillfss.com/boomers/.

Outdooradventuretrips

Experiencethethrillofadventurewith6thFSSOutdoorAdventure Tours. Frommasteringthe basicsofkayakingtoembarking onexhilaratingkayaktours, swimmingalongsidemajesticmanatees, andexploringthedepthsthrough scubadiving Diveintonatureand creatememoriesforever. To view upcoming classesand unforgettabletrips, visitmacdillfss.com/outdoor-adventure-tours/tourssell outquickly. Signuptoday.

SummerODRExpo

Diveintoadayofsun-soaked excitementattheSummerODR Expoon June1st,atMacDillMarinaandbeachfrom10a.m.–3 p.m..Enjoyfreepaddleboarding, kayaking, tubingrides, andindulgeinaBBQbuffetwithsweet treats(availableforpurchase). GroovetoliveDJbeats, joinahot dogeatingcompetition, limbo, and uncovertreasuresinafossildig. Withprizesandgamesforeveryone, it’sboundtobeadayofunforgettablefun. Formoredetails, macdillfss.com/summerexpo/.

The Champ!

U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.KendrickCaviness,6thMaintenanceGroupmaintenanceanalyst,signsthe Champofthe WeekboardwithU.S.AirForceCol.EdwardSzczepanik,6thAirRefuelingWingdeputy commander,atMacDillAirForceBaseMay7.Cavinessanalyzesmaintenanceactions,providing criticalinsightstoleadersforstrategicdecision-making,allwhileeffectivelymanagingthe healthof MacDill’s26KC-135fleet.Hewasawardedforcontributingtotheidentityofthe6thMaintenanceOfficebyconceptualizing andcraftingitslogo,title,andsignaturechant.

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

Findmoreeventsat: macdillfss.com

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 1:30p.m.(space reserved)

OtherFaith Groups - Pleasecontact the Chapelat (813)828-3621orviaemail at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For more details and information, visitthe Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook

Throughout HazardSpear, the317th AW highlightedtheuseofdispersaloperations— spreadingoutpersonnelandresourcesto completemultiplemissionobjectivessimultaneously. Notably, theAirlift Wing’s MaintenanceGrouputilizedtheirRapidExpeditionary Toolkit(REX-Kit),amobilemaintenance kitequippedwithsatelliteconnections tobring immediateconnectivitytoteams. Graduates fromtheirLethalExpeditionaryAirmanDevelopment(LEAD)programtook chargeby testingdatalinksystems, successfullyreducingtheirmanpoweryetprovidingthesame levelofsupport.

“Thewholeidea, isthatwecanlaunch a fleettoconductdecentralizedops, testingour connectivityasaunit,” said Tech. Sgt.Isaac Smith, 317thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron crew chief “Beingabletohavereal-timeupdatesenrouteallowsustoperformmoreefficientlyinremotelocations.”

FollowingthecompletionofHazardSpear, the317th AW willhavedemonstratedawide rangeoftactical airliftsolutions, allowing

themtoachieveFullOperationalCapability acrossseveralnewmissionsets. Fromislandhoppingtoloading/offloadingHighMobility ArtilleryRocketSystems(HIMARS),thewing hassignificantlyflexeditsairmobility capacity.

“Wehavespentthelasttwoyearsacceleratingnewmissionsetstoincludedefueling operations, rapidlydeployingintoanexpansivetheaterwithexternalfueltanks, landingonblacked-outunmarkedsurfaces, employing TacticalOperationCenterCommand andControlcapabilities, andperfectingquick maintenancerepaircapabilities,” saidDiehl. Reflectingontheexercise’ssignificance, he elaborated, “Alloftheseeffortsare gearedtowardprovidingseniorcommandersevenmore solutionsinvasttheatersandsolvingcomplex problemsspreadacrossaustereislandlocations.”

Throughthesetypesofexercises, thewing notonlyshowcasesthecapabilitiesofAirmen, butcontributestothebroaderstrategicobjectiveofmaintainingacompetitiveedgeinthe

U.S.AirForceCapt.EricAlbersandCapt. BlayneHayes,both40thAirliftSquadron,beginlandingaC-130JHerculesduringExercise Balikatan24nearLal-LoAirfield,Philippines, April28.

eraofGreat PowerCompetition.The317th AW pavesapathforfutureagilecombatemploymentintheIndo-Pacifictheater, amplifying jointforcereadinessandsecuringoperational advantagewhileensuringtheAir Forceremainsattheforefrontofglobalpowerprojection.

U.S.AirForcephoto