Thunderbolt 5/23/2024

News/Features:page3

SOFWeek

News/Features:page3

Electromagnetic dominance

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page15

Events, Chapel, more

DeputyChiefRuthCate of the Tampa PoliceDepartment, provides remarksduring theopening ceremony of National Police WeekatMacDillAir Force Base May13. Every year, MacDillAirmen cometogether tocelebrateNationalPolice Weekbyhonoring securityforcesmembers whocurrentlyserve,haveservedandwhohavepaid theultimate sacrificewhileinthelineofduty. National Police Week isheld annuallytohonor militaryandcivilian policeofficers whohave lost theirlives inthe lineofduty.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook

NEWS/FEATURES

Unityinservice:commemoratingPolice WeekatMacDillAFB

bySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin 6thAirRefuelingWing

Established59yearsagobyPresident John F. Kennedy,Police Weekhasstoodasanational tributetohonorlawenforcementofficerswho havemadetheultimatesacrificeinserviceto others’safetyandprotection.

Commemoratingthissignificantobservance, the6thSecurity ForcesSquadronhostedaseriesofeventsatMacDillAir ForceBase, Florida,May13-17,2024.

“TheseAirmenplayacriticalroleinprotectinganddefendingthebaseandsupporting missionsaroundtheglobeeveryday.” saidCol. AdamBingham,6thAirRefueling WingCommander. “Thisweekisanopportunitytorecognizetheirsacrificesandcommitmenttoservice, andsaythankyouforallyoudo!”

Theeventsorganizedbythe6thSFSthroughouttheweekaimedtonotonlycommemorate thefallenbutalsofostercamaraderieandteamworkamongservicemembers.

“Police Weekisanopportunitytohonorand rememberthoseDefenderswhopaidtheultimatesacrificefortheircountry, aswellaspresentcivilianandmilitarylawenforcementofficers,” said Tech. Sgt. PeterMarquez,6thSFS noncommissionedofficerin chargeofmobility.

See POLICE, Page14

U.S.AirForceMaj.CameronMiller, 6thSecurityForcesSquadroncommander,runspastamemorialsignhonoringafallendefenderduringaruckmarchaspartofNationalPolice Weekat MacDillAirForceBaseMay13.Fifteenmemorialsignswereplacedalongthepathtocommemoratedefenderswhopaidtheultimatesacrifice.Everyyear,MacDillAirmencometogetherto celebrateNationalPolice Weekbyhonoringsecurityforcesmemberswhocurrentlyserve,have servedandwhohavepaidtheultimatesacrificewhileinthelineofduty.

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

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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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.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook

NEWS/FEATURES

SpecialOperationsForces Weekcomes togethertobuildpartnerships

byMichaelBottoms U.S.SpecialOperationsCommand

Delegatesfrommorethan79nationsto includetheKingof JordanAbdullahIIbinAlHusseinalongwithcurrentandretiredsenior militaryleadersattendedtheSpecialOperations Forces Week,May6-10,2024, in Tampa, Florida.

Thecommand’sphilosophy is peopleare SOF’scompetitiveandcomparativeadvantage. SOFattractsthemosttalentedmenandwomenwhoaredriventosolvethemostcomplex problems, inpoliticallysensitiveandcontested environments. SOFwinsbycampaigningfor integrateddeterrence, strengtheningourpartnerships, conductingexquisitecrisisresponse, counteringviolentextremism,andleading withcreative, tailorable, and asymmetricoptions. Last,withafocusonongoingtransformation,SOFisacceleratingitswide-ranging modernizationeffortsandleveragingitsessentialacquisitionauthoritiesthatenable it to capitalizeonourNation’sinnovationecosystem.

AnMH-6“littlebird”helicopterfliesover TampaBayduringacapabilitiesdemonstrationMay 8.SpecialOperationsForces WeekisthepremiergatheringfortheSOFcommunityandindustry,bringingtogethermorethan21,000attendees,including representativesfrommorethan 79countriestocollaborateonnewinitiativesandcapabilitiesneededforSOFprofessionalsto competeandwininthefuture.

byCapt.BenjaminAronson 350thSpectrumWarfareWing

TheCrowsofthe350thSpectrum Warfare WingwelcomedtheAirCombat CommandleadershipteamandtheirspousestoEglinAir Force Base, recently, wheretheysaw firsthand the wing’sroleinprovidingjointandcoalitionpartnerswithelectromagnetic warfare (EW)capabilitiesneeded to dominatethe spectrum.

Thewing, activatedin2021,hasitsoriginsin the53rd WingatEglin;thesamewingGen. Ken Wilsbach,commanderofAirCombat Command, previouslycommanded. Thenowinactive53rd Electronic WarfareGroup, wentontobecome eightsquadronsacrossthe350thSWWthat Wilsbachhadtheopportunitytoengagewith duringhisvisit.

“Goingthroughthe350thtodayandseeing howmuchhas changed wasimpressive,” said

Wilsbach.“Theadvancements, changesand speedatwhichthewingoperatesenhancesthe focusontheprimary challenge–China.”

WilsbachandChiefMaster Sgt. David Wolfe, ACC’scommand chief, werebriefed onthewing’s currentprocesstorapidlyreprogramcritical missiondataunder wartimecontingenciesand howitis reshapingits approachto combatadversariesinthespectrum.

“Electromagneticspectrumoperationsare a significantpartofhowweoperate,” said Wilsbach.“Theoperationsthatarehappening today inthe Pacificwillinformthedataandwhatwill happenhereatthe350th. Thatdatawillinturn beusedbythosesameoperatorsforanadvantageagainstChina.”

Partofthatreshapingincludestheplanned activationofthe 950thSpectrum WarfareGroup atRobinsAFB, Georgia. The950thSWGis pro-

U.S.AirForceGen.KenWilsbach,commander ofAirCombatCommandandhiswife,Cindy Wilsbach,andChiefMasterSgt.David Wolfe, commandchiefofACC,andhiswife,Dr.Doniel Wolfe,listentoanintroductionbriefaboutthe 350thSpectrum WarfareWingduringawing touratEglinAirForceBase,Florida,April10.

PhotobyU.S.NavyPettyOfficer3rdClassStephanPatzer

ACCcommander:dominanceinelectromagneticspectrumisnotoptional

WEEKINPHOTOS

U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.ChrisJohnson,acombatarmsinstructorassignedtothe6thSecurityForcesSquadroncompetesduringtheDefenders ChallengeforNationalPolice WeekMay14atMacDillAirForceBase.Everyyear,MacDillAirmencometogethertocelebrateNationalPolice Week byhonoringmilitaryandcivilianlawenforcementwhopaidtheultimatesacrificewhileinthelineofduty.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

Airmenassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWing,MacDillAirForceBase competeinan“ExcellenceinCompetition”shootingcompetition,hostedbythe6thSecurityForcesSquadron,May16.Theshootingcompetitionwasoneofmanyeventshostedbythe6SFSthroughoutNational Police Week.

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanCalebPerry,6thLogisticsReadiness Squadronmobilitytrainingmanager,fastensadevicetoaunitflagbeforethePortDawgMemorialRunatMacDillAirForceBaseMay14.The annualmemorialrunhonorsfallen aerialtransportationspecialists.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

NEWS/FEATURES

Swedish,USAFEODforcesstrengthen NATOtiesincombinedexerciseat Tyndall

byAirman1stClassZeeshanNaeem 325thFighterWing

TYNDALLAIRFORCEBASE,Fla.— ThecommencementofSwedenjoiningNATO March7,2024,openedthedoortonewtraining opportunitiesbetween U.S. andSwedisharmed forces. TheSwedisharmyExplosiveOrdnance DisposalandDeminingCentrefirstcompany, sixthteam,joinedthe325thCivil Engineer SquadronEODunitforacombinedexercise atTyndall’sSilverFlagtrainingsite, April29May3,2024.

Theexerciseaimedtotestandimprovethe readinessandinteroperabilitybetweenthe twocountriesbyestablishingcamaraderieand providingaplatformtoexchangetechniques, tacticsandprocedures.

Throughoutthefive-day exercise, thetwo

teamsperformedawiderangeofoperations, includinghostagescenariosandcomplex threatsimulations.

“Theseexercisesareimportantasnewallies,” said U.S. Air ForceStaffSgt.Clayton Manning, 325thCESEODjourneyman.“Building chemistryandexperiencesarecrucialto ourrelationshipswithpartnernations. AtTyndall,wehavethelargestSilverFlagtraining siteintheDepartmentofDefenseandit’svaluabletohaveaccesstoalltheassetsweneedto trainina[simulatedandrealistic]downrange environment.”

Cooperationamongalliednationscannot onlyvalidateandtestsolutionsbuthelpsfacilitaterapidemploymentoffuturecapabilities. Thisoperation wasanother waytointegrate andinteroperatewithpartners, streamlining

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PhotobyAirman1stClassZeeshanNaeem U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.KellyDishman,325th CivilEngineerSquadronexplosiveordnance disposalcraftsman,preparestoscanasimulatedexplosivedeviceduringacombined trainingexerciseat TyndallAirForceBase, Florida,May2.

Gen.Bryan Fenton,commander, U.S. Special OperationsCommandandCommandSgt. Maj. ShaneShorter, commandseniorenlistedleader openedtheinternationalweek.

“Thisweekisarareopportunity. To bringtogetherabrilliantcrowdofinnovators inindustry, academia,andnationalsecurity, whoare allreadytosolvetoughproblemsalongsidethe 1%ofthe1%--thoseofourinternational SpecialOperationscommunity,” said Fenton.“Your SOCOM Teamisdeliveringasymmetricand asynchronousadvantageandopportunitiesfor ournationacrosstheglobe, alongsideour alliesandourpartners, providing dilemmas and challengesforouradversaries.”

Withregardtotheimportanceofpartnerships, Shorteradded,“Seabedtospace, cyberto fiber, yourSOCOM Team–fueledbythepower ofpartnerships–isallaboutPEOPLE. The internationalSOFnetworkgivesusaunique lensintowhatishappeningintheworldand thathelpsustransformfasterand getahead inthiscomplexworld.”

Throughouttheweek, internationalSOF commandersdiscussed waystoimproveinteroperability, increaselethality, andoptimize howSOFsourcesglobalrequirements and varioustrainingvenues. SOF Weekisa wayfor theglobalSOFcommunitytomeet, learnfrom eachotherandadvanceacoordinatedeffortto meetglobalsecurity challenges.

MelissaA. Johnson,theacquisitionexecutiveforUSSOCOM, whoisresponsiblefor over 1,000-pluspersonnelprovidingrapidandfocusedacquisition,technology, andlogistics supporttoSOFalsoopenedtheconference.

“SOF AT&Lisacceleratingandincreasing collaborationwiththeprivatecapitalinvestmentecosystemtoshareSOF’sareasofinterestandtoidentifyviablepathfinders,” said Johnson.“Therelationshipwesharewithour industrypartnersisvitaltodefeatarelentless enemyaswecontinuetorevolutionizeanddeliver warwinningcapabilitiestothefield. We owethistotheSOF warriors, ourcountry, and ourpartnernations.”

SOF WeekprovidedtheopportunityforUSSOCOMpersonneltonetworkwithdefense industryprofessionalsandgovernmentattendees AttendeesviewedthelatestinSOF equipmentandcapabilitiesfrommorethan 700exhibitorswithapproximately21,000peo-

U.S.ArmyGeneralBryanFenton,left,commanderofU.S.SpecialOperationsCommand,MacDill AirForceBase,andU.S.ArmyCommandSgt.Maj.ShaneShorter,seniorenlistedleaderwith U.S.SOCOM,provideakeynotespeechduringthe openingofSpecialOperations Week2024, TampaMay7.

pleinattendance.

ConferenceattendeesfromtheglobalSOF Communitywereprovidedauniqueopportunitytostrengthenenduringrelationships, share currenttechnologies, enhancecooperation,and identifycommonalitiesand challenges. These eventssupportedUSSOCOM’songoingefforts toformalizeandstrengthenexistinginternationalnetworkpartnershipsandengage with keystakeholderpublics.

Forthefirsttime, USSOCOMhostedaspecialeventformorethan 200high schoolstudentsenrolledinlocal JuniorROTCprograms. Duringthedaythestudentswereabletoview thecapabilitiesdemonstrationrehearsal,meet Medalof Honorrecipient MSG(ret.)Earl Plumlee, tourtheSOF Weekexhibithalland talktocollegeROTCmentorsandrecruiters.

Thecapstoneeventoftheweek wasacapabilitiesdemonstrationonMay8thatdemonstratedtheinternationalspecialoperations spiritofcooperationandabilities. Asidefrom U.S. SpecialOperations Forces, commandos

from10 countries conductedascenario-based demonstrationintheareasurroundingthe TampaConventionCentertodemonstratethe capabilitiesofmultinationalSOFcooperation. Thedemonstrationfeaturedsix-manteams onMH-6“littlebird”helicopters, anMH-60 BlackhawkhelicopterdroppingSEALsinto TampaBay, adroneswarm,poweredparagliders, specialoperatorsparachutingintothe watersof TampaBay, andanAC-130andaF-35 flyoverproviding closeairsupport.

SOF Weekisthepremiereconferenceforthe specialoperationscommunitytointeractwith industryandcollaborateonthe challenges, initiatives and way-aheadindeliveringthemost cutting-edgecapabilitiestoSOFoperators. Theweekprovideseducationalsessions, demonstrations, interactionwithexhibitorsand manynetworkingopportunities Theconferenceisthesinglemostimportantopportunity fordeveloping, nurturing, andexercisingthe growing networkacrossindustry, government, academia,andinternationalpartners.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.MarleahMiller

NEWS/FEATURES

AFRLchiefscientistswelcomeHBCUpartnerstoadvancetacticalautonomy

byCatherineBSprague AirForceResearchLaboratory

EGLINAIRFORCEBASE,Fla.— Chief scientistsfromtechnicaldirectorates across theAir ForceResearchLaboratory, orAFRL, hostedtheDepartmentoftheAir Force’s firsteverHistoricallyBlackCollegesandUniversities, orHBCU, -ledUniversityAffiliatedResearchCenter, or UARC, atEglinAir Force BaseonApril2,2024. Theevent initiatedcollaborativeeffortsandprojectsfocusedondeliveringtacticalautonomy tothe warfighter Selectfacultyandstudents fromthe UARC attendedtheevent,representingDelaware StateUniversity, HamptonUniversity, Howard University, JacksonStateUniversity, Norfolk StateUniversity, TougalooCollegeandBowie StateUniversity The UARCalso includesrep-

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ChiefscientistsfromtechnicaldirectoratesacrosstheAirForceResearchLaboratorymetwith theDepartment oftheAirForce’sfirst-everHistoricallyBlackCollegesandUniversities-ledUniversityAffiliatedResearchCenter,orUARC,toinitiatecollaborativeefforts relatingtotactical autonomyattheDoolittleInstituteinNiceville,Fla.,April2.

PhotobyChrisQuinlin

Future ofai r re fueling:USAi r Fo rc e testsautono

storyandphotosbySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin 6thAirRefuelingWing

Witha visiontoredefineairrefueling, Air Mobility Commandispartneringwithaninnovative aviationtechnologystartuptotestcutting-edgeautonomoussystemsthatcouldrevolutionizemilitary aviation.

Exploringhowautonomoussystemscanenhanceaircrew efficiencyandreduceworkload,researcherstookflightonthe KC-135Stratotanker May14-15,2024,at MacDillAir Force Base, Florida,under a Cooperative Research and DevelopmentAgreement(CRADA).

“Ourjobisnottoreplacepilots,buttomaketheirjobsafer,” saidaspokespersonfromthetechnologycompany, “Our wholegoalistodeveloptechnologythatcanbeoperatedas safeorsaferthancurrentaircraftsystems.”

Beyondflyingwithmembersofthe6thAirRefueling Wing, team members conducted in-depthinterviewswithaircrew

memberstogaininsightintotheirexperiencesandareasfor potentialautomationalongwithconductingaudio andvideo recordingsoftheirprocessesthroughouttherestoftheweek. Thecrewalsoparticipatedinsimulatorsessionstoobserve andevaluatecurrentoperations,andassessthefeasibilityof reducingcrewnumbersthroughautomation.

“We’retryingtoidentifythepinch pointswhereourtechnologycanhelp—whatrequiresalotoftime,attention,and presentshazards,”saidthespokesperson.

Pilotsparticipatinginthisinitiativehavesharedtheirenthusiasmandexpectationsforthepotentialimprovements.

“Theefforts ofthiscooperation would begame changing intime-crunchedandhigh-stressedenvironmentswhenpilots’attentionmustbeonflyingtheaircraftfirst,”said Maj. KristyCiampa,50thAirRefuelingSquadronpilot.“Ifwecan augmenttheflying,wecanincreaseourcrew’soverallcapability, situational awareness, and bandwidthtoaccomplish moretime-critical,tactical,yetsecondarytasks.”

TheCRADAwillbeongoinguntilth takes placein2025.“It’sanongoingefforttounderstandhumanfactorsanddrivecontinuousimprovement,”thespokespersonadded.

Untilthen,Airmenwillcontinueworkingwiththeagency torefinetheseinnovativesystemstosupporttheAir operationalneeds.

“Ilookforward toseeingth flyingcapabilities and ho aperture, and capabilitie morewithour missioninth systemthathelps ourcrewsmaintainsafetyfirs mountaswelooktodo mo

Thispartnership represents te grating advancedauto tion , aimingtoenhanceefficiencyan extending the lifeofolde tonomysystems.

U.S.Air Force Capt. Elizabeth Mueser(left)and Maj.Kristie Ciampa(right),pilotswiththe 50th Air Refueling Squadron, perform pre-flightcheckson a off at MacDillAir Force Base May 15.The 6th Air Refueling Wingiscollaborating withaninnovativeaviationtechnologystartup totestautonomoussystem military aviation.

ussystems

KC-135Stratotankerprior totakeussystems thatcould revolutionize

TheCRADAwillbeongoinguntilthefirstdemonstration placein2025.“It’sanongoingefforttounderstandhumanfactorsanddrivecontinuousimprovement,”thespokes-

Untilthen,Airmenwillcontinueworkingwiththeagency torefinetheseinnovativesystemstosupporttheAir Force’s

toseeingthe progressofaugmentingbasic w itwillincreaseour overall safety, s,” saidCiampa. “Theability todo missioninthe KC-135isexciting – having a ourcrewsmaintainsafetyfirst willbeparamorewithour aircrewsand aircraft.” represents a significant steptowardinnomoussystems in mi litary av iaaimingtoenhanceefficiencyan d safety, al l while lifeofolder aircraftthroughretrofitted au-

(Above) Anaviationtestengineer performs researchon a KC-135Stratotanker at MacDillAir Force Base May 16.The 6th Air Refueling Wing is partneringwith anaviationtechnology startup totest and explore the potentialofautonomous flightsystems to enhance aircrew efficiencyand reduceworkloads at MacDill Air Force Base.

(Left) U.S. Air ForceMaj. Kristie Ciampa, a pilot withthe50th Air Refueling Squadron,interactswithanaviation test engineerwhileperformingpre-flight checkson a KC-135Strato-tankerprior totake-offatMacDill Air Force Base May15.The6th Air Refueling Wing partneringwithanaviation technology startuptotestand explorethepotential ofautonomousflightsystems to enhance aircrew efficiencyand reduce workloadsatMacDill Air Force Base.

processesacrosseachcountry’s procedures.

“If[either]ofus[operates]differentlywehavetheabilityto experimentwiththem, in acontrolledenvironment,andimplementitinourtrainingbackhome sowecanincreaseourcapabilities, withthesignificantshiftin usbecomingapartnernation,” saidSwedisharmyCpl. FilipDavidsson,anEODanddemining firstcompany, sixthteammember.

Thefirstdayoftheexercisefocusedondemolitionproficiency andtheeffects of dynamic charges againstimprovisedexplosivedevices. Subsequenttrainingdays challengedbothteamstoutilize avarietyoftechniquestorender safetyanddisposeofexplosive hazardsinasimulatedMiddle Easternareaofoperation,incorporatingreal-worldexperiences to enhancedetectionandremovalof IEDs

“Ihopewecankeepworking with[Sweden]often,” Manning said.“Thisexercise, plannedover multiplemonths, aimed to provideafoundationforstrengtheningthepartnershipbetweenjoint nations, andIwouldsayit was a completesuccess.”

U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.DylanBeck,325thCivilEngineer Squadronexplosiveordnancedisposalcraftsman, scans forsimulatedburiedexplosivesduringacombined trainingexerciseat TyndallAirForceBase, Florida,April30.

PhotosbyAirman1stClassZeeshanNaeem

resentativesfromTuskegeeandFloridaMemorial Universities, whowereunabletoattendtheevent.

Duringthekickoff, collegerepresentativespresented theirinstitutions’academicfocusesandcorecompetenciesandexplainedhowtheyalignwiththeUSAF’stacticalautonomymission.

“The UARCreceivestacticalautonomyresearchrequirementsfromtheAFRLdirectorates,” said Tim Williams, UARCmanagerandstaffoperationsanalyst. “ResponsetotheresearchwillprovideAFRLrecommendationsandsolutionstoTrust in MissionAutonomy, CollaborationBetweenPlatformsandHuman-Machine teaming challenges. The UARCanticipatesthisresearch willaidAFRLindeterminingwhat is known,whatisnot knownandwhatcanbedevelopedfurther in pursuitof advancingthefieldingoftacticalautonomytothe warfighter.”

SonyaSmith, executivedirectoroftheResearchInstitutefor TacticalAutonomy UARC, saidthecollaborativeeffortsoftheseinstitutionsalsobenefit studentsand universities

“Byworking closelywithAFRLandother government agencies, weactivelycontributetoenhancing thecapabilitiesofthe warfighter, whilealsoproviding unparalleled opportunitiesforourstudentsandfacultytomake meaningfulcontributionstonationalsecurity,” Smith said.

FollowingthekickoffattheDoolittleInstitutein Niceville, Florida,the UARCgroupattendedAFRLResearchandDevelopmentpostersessions andpresentationshostedbythe96th Test Wing, aswellastoured variouslabsandhangarsonEglinAir ForceBase.

Additionally, thegroupmadeatriptotheUniversity ofFloridaResearchandEngineeringEducation Facility andtouredEglinAFB’s Air ForceArmamentMuseum.

Thevisit wasasuccessintermsofcollaborationand development,andenjoyableforboth UARCmembers andthe chiefscientistsinattendance, Williamssaid.

“Dr. Colemancouldnot haveselectedabettervenue thantheChiefScientistGroupandEglin Air ForceBase forthe TacticalAutonomy UARC’sfirstoperationalvisit toa U.S. Air ForceInstallation,” Williams said. “Dr. [David]Lambert,ChiefScientistatAFRL’s MunitionsDirectorateatEglin, wasverywelcomingandensuredtheir firstvisit wasmemorable. Forallofthestudentsand mostoftheprofessors, thisvisit was theirfirsttimeon a militaryinstallation.”

Lambert, forhispart, calledthe opportunitytohost theResearchInstitutefor TacticalAutonomy UARC“an honor”and“exhilarating.”

SeeAFRL,Page16

2024 MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY

jectedtoexpandthewing’s abilitytoassess every aircraftin the Combat Air Forceinventory, ensuringreadinessthrough assessmentofEMS-basedcombat capabilities.

Thewingconveyedtheresourcing challengesassociated withreinvestinginspectrum-basedcapabilities, including theabilitytogainexperiencedAirmenwhoarefamiliar withEW—a challengeonboththeofficer, enlisted and civiliansidesoftheforce.

“Weneedtohaveanecosystemforexpertsinelectronic warfareandspectrum warfare,” said Wilsbach.“Thefocus oncreatingthatpipelinewilldevelopourAirmen andpreparethemtoexecutethemissionoftheSpectrum Warfare Wing.”

Wolfeagreedwith Wilsbachand wingleadership, stating, “There’salotofworktobedonefromAirCombat Command toensurewe aredoingeverything possibletoresource a newwing.”

Duringthevisit, Wolfehostedanall-callwiththe350th and53rd Wingenlistedmemberstouchingonthereadiness oftheforcetomeetthepacing challengeof Chinaandother adversariesintheIndo-Pacificregion.

“We’retheonlyenlistedforceontheplanetthatcan do whatwould beneededinthe Pacific,” said Wolfe “Theprofessionalismandtheexcellenceofourenlistedcorpsis a distinctadvantageandisfullofwinners whodo ajob every dayandmakethingshappen.”

TheACCcommandteamlearnedhowthe wingisweaponizingdataandhowitisessentialfordisrupting, degradinganddestroyingenemycommand,controlandcommunicationsystems. Thisisbeingdonethrougheffortsconducted atunitssuch asthe513thElectronic WarfareSquadron, which supportstheentireDepartmentof DefenseF-35fleet.

ThewingalsoshowcaseditsroleinprioritizingEMSOintegrationintoexercisessuch as RedFlag, BambooEagle andmore, supporting Wilsbach’s exercisepriorities andproviding warfightersandplanners acrossthejointforcerealisticEWtrainingenvironmentsandeducation.

“EMSOneedstobeintegratedintoourtraining,” said Wilsbach. “Aswegoforwardwiththeselargeforceexercises...the[350th]Spectrum Warfare Wing andits mission willbeintegral.Electronic warfareisnot aspecialthing;it is just whatwedo.”

TheAirforce’sabilitytogenerate, sustainanddeliver decisivemulti-domaineffectstoachieve aircomponentcommanderobjectivesdependsonthe 350th SWW, a message that wasondisplayduringthevisit.

“It’sbeenfantasticbeingatEglin and interacting with theAirmen,” said Wilsbach. “They’readdressingthemost pressingneedsourservicehasandgettingresults. Dominanceintheelectromagneticspectrumisrequired;it’sno longeroptional.Ifyoudon’tpayattentioninthatarea, you’regoingtogetbeat.”

Theweekbeganwithamemorialruck, where servicememberscarriedthememoriesoffallen comradesastheymarchedacrossthebase.

Sgt. JustinBrunson,6thSFSmarinepatrol crewleadsaid,“Policeweekisabouthonoring thelegacyoftheSecurity Forces andcivilian lawenforcementcommunity. It’saboutrememberingthefallenDefendersandcelebrating theiraccomplishmentsinlife.”

OnTuesday, participantscompetedinthe DefendersChallenge, which wasatestofskill, agility, andteamwork.

“TheDefendersChallengeshowsyoutheimportanceofrelyingonthe person toyourleft andrightandknowingthatitcan’tbedone alone,” said Tech. Sgt.GordonLunderman,6th Security ForcesSquadronflightsergeant,after completingthecourse. “Itallowsyoutoproveto yourselfwhatyouarecapableofandhowimportantbeingpartofateamis.”

However, thingsgotloudon Wednesday when theprecisionandexpertiseofDefenderswere onfulldisplayduringtheExcellenceinCompetitionshootingevent.

“Theseeventsbringafuncompetitiveatmosphereto Police Week,” saidMarquez.“Italso givesustheopportunitytoworkonourteam buildingskills, motivateandhelpeachother pushourlimitsaswegetthroughthe challenge.”

Fridaywrappeduptheweekwithagolf tournamentand closingceremonytohonorthe week’seventsandcommemoratethesacrifices offallenDefenders.

“Policeweekreallybringsthewholecommunitytogether,” saidBrunson.“Theseevents showhowmuchweallsupporteachotherand

U.S.AirForceMaj.CameronMiller, 6thSecurityForcesSquadroncommander,runspastamemorialsignhonoringafallendefenderduringaruckmarchaspartofNationalPolice Weekat MacDillAirForceBaseMay13.Fifteenmemorialsignswereplacedalongthepathtocommemorate defenders whopaid theultimate sacrifice. Every year, MacDill Airmen come together to celebrateNationalPolice Weekbyhonoringsecurityforcesmemberswhocurrentlyserve,have servedandwho havepaidtheultimate sacrificewhileinthelineofduty.

thesenseofpridethatwehaveascops.”

Though Police Weekhascometoanendat MacDillAFB, thelegacyofthosewhohavegiv-

entheirallliveson,inspiringfuturegenerationstoupholdthevaluesofservice, sacrifice, andunity.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook

EVENTS

ODRSummerExpoPhotoContest Showoffyoursummervibes andwinbig EnterOutdoorRecreation’sSummerExpoPhotoContestbysharingyourMemorial Day weekend adventures Submitaphotooffamilyorfriends, tag@MacDillFSSand@MacDillAirForceOutdoorRecAndMarina with#showusyourstarttosummer on Facebook, andyoucouldwin a freecabanaattheODRSummer Expoon June1—a$300value! Don’tmissout. Visitmacdillfss. com/summerexpo/for moreinformation.

UpcomingFSSholidayhours

Forafulllistof6th ForceSupportSquadronprogramfacilities, diningoptions, andrecreational facility closuresforMemorialDay weekend,visitmacdillfss.com/wpcontent/uploads/2024_MEMORIALDAYHRS.

SummerODRExpo

Diveintoadayofsun-soaked excitementattheSummerODR Expoon June1st,atMacDillMarinaandbeachfrom10a.m.–3 p.m. Enjoyfreepaddleboarding, kayaking, tubingrides, andindulgein aBBQbuffetwithsweettreats (availableforpurchase).Grooveto liveDJbeats, joinahotdogeatingcompetition,limbo, anduncovertreasuresinafossildig With prizesandgamesforeveryone, it’s boundtobeadayofunforgettable fun. For more details, macdillfss. com/summerexpo/.

The Champ!

U.S.AirForceCol.AdamBingham,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander(left), recognizesStaffSgt. NicholasRauch,6thSecurityForcesSquadronunmannedaircraftsystemprogrammanager(right), asChampofthe WeekatMacDillAirForceBaseMay14.Rauchcoordinatedvitalprogramstodetect dronethreatsin restrictedair spaceaboveMacDill’s 7.2-milecoastline.

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 1:30p.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

PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton

“Theresearchareas, staffandstudentsofthenineuniversitiesin thisconsortiumareincrediblywell-alignedandprovidetheAir Force withnovelapproachestohighpriority S&T challenge areasinautonomy, intelligenceandcollaborativesystems,” Lambertsaid.“ThetechnicalinteractionswithAFRLprovidedmutually beneficialinsightsto areasofhighvalueresearchwithseveraltangibleoutcomesthat will bringlonger-termcollaborations. This wasdefinitelyawin-winengagement,andwelookforwardtofutureR&Defforts.”

AFRLChief TechnologyOfficerDr. TimothyBunningsaidheexpects similarsuccessfulengagementswilloccur inthefuture.

“Inthefuture, we[will]strivetocontinue toeducateparticipantson bothsides, shareopportunitiesforthe UARCstudentstocontinuetheir educationandtoconductmuch morefocusedscientificexchangeson subsetsoftheongoingwork,continually sharingacrossthe S&Tecosystem,” Bunningsaid.

CollaborativeeffortsbetweenAFRLand UARCareongoingasboth groupsworktowardestablishingamorediverseworkforceandfurtheringtacticalautonomyresearchanddevelopment.

TheAir ForceResearchLaboratory, orAFRL, is theprimaryscientific researchanddevelopmentcenterfortheDepartmentoftheAir Force AFRLplaysanintegralroleinleadingthediscovery, developmentand integrationofaffordable warfightingtechnologies forourair, space and cyberspaceforce Withaworkforceofmorethan12,500acrossninetech-

nologyareasand40otheroperationsacrossthe globe, AFRLprovides a diverseportfolioofscienceandtechnologyrangingfromfundamentalto advancedresearchandtechnologydevelopment. Formoreinformation, visitwww.afresearchlab.com.

ForadditionalinformationabouttheHBU UARC, seethelinksbelow: HowardUniversityselectedtolead15thUniversityAffiliatedResearchCenter

https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3303970/howard-university-selected-to-lead-15th-university-affiliated-research-center/

1stDAFUniversityAffiliatedResearch Centerhastacticalautonomy researchfocus, looksforHBCUlead

https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3150775/1st-dafuniversity-affiliated-research-center-has-tactical-autonomy-research-fo/ Air Force, DODPlantoCreate FirstHistoricallyBlackCollegesand Universities-ledAffiliatedResearch Center

https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3077152/airforce-dod-plan-to-create-first-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/

USAir ForceselectsHowardUniversityforscienceresearch partnership

https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3275428/us-airforce-selects-howard-university-for-science-research-partnership/