Thunderbolt 05/26/2022

Photo/BennieJ.DavisIII

DAFleaderstestifybeforeSenateAppropriationsCommittee

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—DepartmentoftheAir Forceseniorleaderstestifiedbeforethe U.S. SenateCommitteeonAppropriationsSubcommitteeonDefenseregardingthe Fiscal Year2023AirandSpace ForcesbudgetattheDirksenSenateOfficeBuildingMay17.

The$194billionbudgetrequestpresentedbySecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendall,ChiefofSpaceOperationsGen. John W. “Jay” RaymondandAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.,aimstomodernizetheservicestocounterstrategiccompetitorsaroundtheglobe.

“Ourbudgetsubmissionprovidesabalancebetweenthecapabilitiesweneedtodayandinvestmentsinthetransformationrequiredto addressemergingthreats,” Kendallsaid.“Our Fiscal Year‘23budget representsasignificantearlystepinthetransformationoftheAirand Space Forcestothecapabilitiesneededtoprovideanenduringadvantage.”

Budgetingtomeetfutureneeds wasahighpriorityamongsttheservice chiefs, withthe U.S. Space Forcerequestingmorethan$24billion. ThelargestshareoftheUSSFbudgetisearmarkedforresearchand development,testandevaluation,andfundingfortheSpaceDevelopmentAgency, whichisincludedinthebudgetrequestforthefirsttime thisyear.

Raymonddiscussedthepivottoamoreresilientandmission-capable ‘missile warningandtracking’forcedesign.“Incontrasttolegacyapproaches, thisarchitecturewillbebuilttosurviveanddegradegracefullyunderattack,helpmanageescalation,andberapidlyreconstituted,” Raymondsaid.

Theservice chiefsalsohighlightedtheimportanceofcontinuingto

SecretaryoftheAirForceFrankKendall,AirForceChiefofStaffGen. CQBrown,Jr.,andChiefofSpaceOperationsGen.John W. “Jay” RaymondtestifybeforetheSenateAppropriationsSubcommitteeon DefensefortheDepartmentoftheAirForce’sfiscalyear2023budget request, Washington,D.C.,May17.

work closelywithCongress, thejointforce, alliesandpartners.

“Theonly wayourAir Forceandnationwillbesuccessfulisifwe collaborate,” Brownsaid.“Wearebeginningtoseethesuccessofour collaboration.However, continuingresolutionscaneasilyerodeoursuccess.”

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca Editor:NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentofDefense,

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PhotobyEricDietrich

927thARWhonorary commandersimmersed inthe TotalForcemission

byStaffSgt.AlexisSuarez

927thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

The927thAirRefueling Wing, aReservecomponentofthe U.S. Air Force, reliesgreatlyonthesupportgainedthroughpartnershipswith the TampaBaycommunity.

Thehonorarycommanderprogramatthe927thARW strivesto educatecommunityleadersonthewing’smissionandfosterstrongsupportiverelationshipsforourCitizenAirmen.

OnMay12,morethan15civicleadersfromthe TampaBaycommunityparticipatedinaKC-135Stratotankeraircraftrefuelingmission andreceivedatourofHomesteadAirReserveBase, Fla.

BeforedepartingfromMacDill, U.S. Air ForceCol.KurtMatthews, 927thARWcommander, welcomedthewing’shonorarycommanders andthankedthemforbeinganassettothewinganditsAirmen.

“OurhonorarycommanderprogramisoneofthebestI’veseenand

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PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexisSuarez AKC-135Stratotankeraircraftfromthe927thAirRefuelingWing,MacDillAirForceBase,Florida, refuelsaF-16CFightingFalconfromthe 482ndFighterWing,HomesteadAirReserveBase,Florida,duringan honorarycommanderflightMay12.Thehonorarycommanderswere abletolayalongsidetheKC-135boomoperatortoviewthe refueling mission.

Futureofnursing: Telehealth,moreinnovation,maybesome robots

byJanetA.Aker

MilitaryHealthSystemCommunications

FALLSCHURCH, Va. (AFNS)—TheongoingCOVID-19pandemic hasfast-trackedmany changestotheMilitaryHealthSystemandforced allproviders-especiallynurses-toinnovateatnear-quantumspeed withagilityandflexibility.

Nursesarethebackboneofdailyhealthcareoperations. Inthefuture, nurseswillcontinuetoplayavitalroleintheevolutionofmodernhealthcare.

“Nursingwilltakeonmoreleadershipandstrategicrolestotransform thehealthcaresystem,betteradvocatefornursingpersonnel,andintegrateacrosscaretoenhancethemulti-disciplinaryteam,” saidBrig. Gen. AnitaFligge, DefenseHealthAgency chiefnursingofficer.

AstheDHAobserves2022Nurses Week,FliggeandothertopDHA nursingofficerstalkedabout changesonthehorizonformilitarynursing andthedetailsofhowthecareerfieldwillevolveinthecomingyears.

Theysaidthepandemichasunderscoredtheconnectionbetween healthandreadiness.Virtualhealthcareoptionswillcontinuetoexpand, androboticsmayplayaprominentroleinstandardizedcareinthefuture whilecontinuededucationfornurseswillbeessentialtomaintaininga

PhotobyKemberlyGroue SecondLt.NinaHoskins,81stSurgicalOperationsSquadronoperating roomnurse,briefsCol.DebraLovette,81st TrainingWingcommander, andotherbaseleadershipon roboticssurgerycapabilitiesinsidethe roboticssurgeryclinicduringan81stMedicalGrouporientationtour intheKeeslerMedicalCenteronKeeslerAirForceBase,Miss.,June 16,2017.ThepurposeofthetourwastofamiliarizeLovettewiththe group’smission,operationsandpersonnel.

WEEKINPHOTOS

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings Membersassignedtothe6thContractingSquadron(CONS)poseforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseMay12.The6thCONSearnedtheAirMobilityCommandfunctionalawardforoutstandinglargecontractingsquadronduetotheirperformanceduringthepreviousquarter.The6thCONS is

Col.RobertUra,HillsboroughCountySheriff,preparestogive remarks duringanopeningcremonyforNationalPolice WeekMay16atMacDill AirForceBase.Everyyear,MacDillAirmencometogethertocelebrate NationalPolice Weekbyhonoringsecurityforcesmemberswhocurrentlyserve,haveservedandwhohavepaidtheultimatesacrificewhile inthelineofduty.NationalPolice WeekwasMay15-21.

PhotobyAirman1stClassMichaelKillian SeniorAirmanJonathonMoore,alaboratorytechnicianassignedto the6thMedicalSupportSquadron(MDSS),instructsU.S.AirForce Col.BenjaminJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,onconductingacovidtestasapartofavisitwiththe6thMedicalGroupat MacDillAirForceBaseMay19.The6thMDSSenablescombatcapabilityofthe6thAirRefuelingWing,U.S.CentralCommand,andU.S. SpecialOperations,aswellas36partnerunits.

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

RiskManagement-thekeytoasafeandenjoyablesummer

byLisaGonzales

AirForceSafetyCenter

KIRTLANDAIRFORCEBASE, N.M.—TheDepartmentoftheAir ForceremindsAirmenandGuardianstoapplysoundriskmanagement whenenjoyingoutdoorandrecreationalactivitieswithfamilyandfriends thissummer.ThesummerfocusperiodrunsfromMemorialDayweekend throughLaborDay.

AccordingtotheNationalHighway TrafficSafetyAdministrationsummertimetravel,whichincludesthesummerholidays(MemorialDay, IndependenceDayandLaborDay),accountsforthehighest averagemotor vehiclecrashesandfatalityratesperday;over9,000liveswerelostfrom MaytoAugustoflastyear.

Withmorepeopleontheroadways;accidentsareboundtohappenand notplanningaheadiswhereproblemscanarise.Theuseofriskmanagementwhenplanningaroadtripmeansgettingyourvehicleservicedto ensurethefluidsaretoppedoffaswellasmakingsurethetires, spare tireandtirejacksareallingoodworkingcondition.Haveanemergency roadsidekitstockedwithflares, reflectivegear, firstaiditems, extra water, blankets, andfoodincaseofpossiblestrandingforlongperiodsof

U.S.AirForcegraphic

TheDepartmentoftheAirForce remindsAirmenandGuardianstoapply soundriskmanagementwhenenjoyingoutdoorand recreationalactivitieswithfamilyandfriendsthissummer.Thesummerfocusperiodruns fromMemorialDayweekendthroughLaborDay.

time Pulloverwhenfeelingdrowsy, focusontheroadatalltimesandif takingmedications, makesuretheydonotcausedrowsiness.

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readymedicalforce.

WorkinginajointenvironmentwithintheintegratedDHAworkforce willimproveefficienciesfornurses, allowingthemtospendmoretimeon patientcarebyhavingstandardizedpolicies, proceduresandtoolsacross theservices, Fliggesaid.

Shepointedtothecollaborationalreadyunderway inthelocalhealthcaremarkets Forexample, shesaid,NavynursesinthePugetSound markethelpbackfillattheMadiganArmyMedicalCenterandvice-versa.ThesamecollaborationisongoingintheColoradomarket,shesaid. Air ForcenursesareassistingattheArmy’s FortCarsonEvansArmy CommunityHospital.

Thepandemic“hasopenedthedoorsfornursingtoseewhatcould changeastohowwecareforpatientsinthefuture, usingtechnologyin anew way, andusingdatatoassistinbedexpansionoruseofresources moreeffectively,” saidArmyCol. JeniferMeno, DHAdeputy chiefnurse officer.

Thepandemichas“requiredmoreprecisionandflexibility, including virtualhealthcare, remotepatientmonitoring, andtouchlessmedication refillstooptimizecaredelivery,” Fliggesaid.

Virtualhealth

Thefuturewillmeanmorevirtualhealthcareandtelehealthservices forcertainspecialtiessuchasdermatology, behavioralhealth,primary care, urgentcare, andobstetricswhilemaintainingthefocusonhighqualitypatientcareandincreasedaccesstocare, Fliggeexplained.

Theexpansionofvirtualcarewillhelpsavelivesonthebattlefieldand improvecareduringhumanitariancrisesandfuturepandemics.

Additionally, athome, virtualhealthwillcontinuetoprovideMHS beneficiarieswithmoreaccessandflexibilitytogetassistanceandappointments.

TheCOVID-19pandemichas taxednursing staffsbeyond anything inrecentmemoryastheycaredforbothCOVID-19patientsandmaintainedroutinehealthcareoperations.

Thepandemichas“promptedtheneedforustore-lookatstaffingmodelsandratiostooptimizeutilizationoftheworkforce, whileensuring safe, high-qualitycaredeliveryandpositiveoutcomes.” Fliggesaid.

Thepasttwo-plusyearsalsohaveseena“greater awarenessandneed toaddressburnoutandretention,” Fliggecontinued.

Betterhealth,betteroutcomes

Keepingnursesthemselveshealthyisakeypriorityfortheentire healthsystem,Menosaid.

“Themorehealthyyouaremakesyoumoreresilientinmultiple ways, frombeingphysicallyhealthy, havingmentalwell-being, andspiritual well-being,” shesaid.

Thesethreeareallpartof Total Force Fitness, theDepartmentofDefense’sframeworkforimprovingholistichealthandperformancealigned toone’smission,cultureandidentity.

Shepointedtotheincreasinguseofmobileapplicationsasone wayto monitorhealthacrossthemilitarycommunity.Theseappsare available tohelpdecreasestress, monitorexercisehabitsandsupporthealthydiets.

“Nursescanusethatdatatoassistineducatingandteachingpatients howtocareforthemselvesaswellasrecognizetriggersthatmaybea

PhotobyAirman1stClassBaileeA.Darbasie Maj.WilliamScott,99thSurgicalOperationsSquadrongeneralsurgeon,performssurgeryusingtheda VinciSurgerySystemattheMike O’CallaghanMilitaryMedicalCenter,NellisAirForceBase,Nev.,April 3,2019.Theconsoleprovidesthesurgeonwithamagnified,three-dimensionalviewofthesurgicalsiteasthetowersitsoverthepatientand performstheoperation.

risktotheircare,” Menosaid.

“Ifwemaintainahealthiermindset,itpreparesthebodytofightoff diseaseandillness Ifweuseittohelpourpatientstobehealthierand dopreventiveactivities, thatwould changepotentialoutcomesforthe future.”

MoreroboticsandAI

Nurseshavebeenintegrallyinvolvedinnewersurgicaltechniques suchasroboticsurgerysincethe2000s.

“Somethingsnever change,” Menoexplained.“Nursesintheoperatingroomwillcontinuetobetheeyesandearsforthepatient.Theywill continuetoensurethatthepatientisreceivingthebestcarewithhigh qualityandsafety.”

Nursesonroboticsurgicalteamsmustdemonstrate“averyhighlevel ofprofessionalknowledgeandbeexpertsinrobotictechnology.Thisis demonstratedbyplayingakeyroleindatacollection,analyzingtrends andoutcomes, andidentifyingsafetyissues,” Fliggesaid.

Thenursingteamwillneedtocontinuetomaintainsteriletechniques andensuretheintegrityofthesurgicalfield,Menosaid.Theteamwill needtocommunicatemoreintheoperatingroomastechnologiesevolve. Andnurseswilluseevidence-basedteamworktoolsfrom TeamStrategies and ToolstoEnhance Performanceand PatientSafety[TeamSTEPPS]to supportahighlyreliableorganization,Menoadded.

PhotobyAirman1stClassBaileeA.Darbasie Majs.MeganBing,RachelNemcicandWilliamScott,99thSurgicalOperationsSquadronsurgeons,standnexttotheda VinciSurgerySystemattheMikeO’CallaghanMilitaryMedicalCenter,NellisAirForceBase,Nev.,April3,2019.Scottsaidtheda Vinciis beneficialforsurgeonsatisfactionandtheoverall readinessofthe99thMedicalGroup.

TeamSTEPPSisanevidence-basedteamworksystemdesignedtoenhancepatient outcomesbyimprovingcommunicationandotherteamworkskillsamonghealthcare professionals.

Artificialintelligenceisalreadyatechnologynursesuseineverydaycareviamobile healthandalertsinjointtele-criticalcarenetworkunits.Theseareanimportantforce multiplier, leveragingvirtualhealthresourcestoextendcriticalcareexpertiseandtreatmentatadistance.

Andwithoutadoubt,therearemore changestocome.AIandmachinelearningwill assistnursesbyusingdatatohelpimprovetheefficienciesofsystemsandprocesses, but thosetechnologiesarestillintheirinfancy.

Morenursingexpertise

Thepandemichasalsomeantan“increasedcapabilityanduseofournursingworkforcebyensuringthatpersonnelareequippedwiththeeducationandtrainingtoperformatthehighestlevelandscopeofpracticeandlicense,” Fliggeexplained.

Menosaidsheseesmorenursesgettingcertificationstobethesubjectmatterexperts intheirfield.

TheincreasednumberofnursesobtainingtheirDoctorateofNursePracticewillalso grownowthattheAmericanAssociationofCollegesofNursinghasendorsedthemovementofadvancednursingpracticefromamaster’sdegreetothedoctoratelevel,Meno predicted.

“Thisdoctoratedevelopsnursestolookatprocessimprovementandholisticallyatimprovingsystemsandprocessesthatincludeotherdisciplinesinpatientcare.”

Menoexplainedthathybridnursingrolesdiscussionshavealreadytakenplace.

“Weseenursesnowthataredoinghybridnursingrolesduetotheirversatilityand agility. Nursesarenotonlyatthebedside, buttheyarealso clinicalnursespecialists, researchscientists, advancepracticeproviders, educatorsandhealthsystemleaders.”

HonoringTheCandyBomber

byJ.M.EddinsJr.

AirmanMagazine

Aspartofthe75thanniversaryofthecreationofthe U.S. Air Force,AirMobilityCommand honoredoneofthefledglingservice’sfirstheroes, Col.GailHalvorsen,withacelebration ofhislifeandlegacyinhishometownofProvo, Utah,May20-21. Halvorsen,whodiedon Feb. 16,2022at101yearsold, wasknownasthe“BerlinCandy Bomber”or“Uncle Wiggly Wings”andgainedfamefordroppingcandyfromhisC-54Skymaster toGerman childrengatheredneartherunway of TempelhofAir FieldduringtheBerlinAirlift from1948to1949.

Hispersonalactofkindnesssoonspreadthroughhissquadronandthenbecameanofficial partoftheBerlinAirliftknownasOperationLittle Vittles.

AcornerstonefortheCandyBomberCelebrationofLifeeventwillbethe“SpiritoftheCandy Bomber,” aC-17Globemasterbasedat JointBaseCharlestonthat wasnamedinhonorofCol. Halvorsen.

TheaircraftwillbeofficiallyunveiledduringapublicstaticdisplayonMay20andisscheduledtoflyovertheeventonMay21,alongsidetheonlyairworthyC-54inexistence, dropping candytothekidsinthecrowdbelow.

TheAir ForceBandandtheBandoftheGolden Westarescheduledtoperformduringthe two-dayprogram.

A30-minutelivebroadcastwillstreamontheAirMobilityCommand Facebookpageduring theMay21events.

Appearingvirtuallyattheeventwillbesomeofthesurviving“BerlinKids”.Thosethen-childrenweregivenhopeintheformofasmall chocolatebarfloatingdownbyanapkinparachute astheystruggledtosurviveinacityutterlydestroyedduring World WarTwoandblockadedby theSovietUnioninthefirstconfrontationoftheCold War.

TheBerlinAirliftandOperationLittle Vittleswerethefirstmissionsinthe U.S. Air Force’s75 yearsofdeliveringhopeacrosstheworld.

WiththeNazisurrenderin1945,theAlliesdividedthedefeatedGermany.The French,British andAmericanstookthewesternhalfofthenationspreadingtheidealsofdemocracy, whilethe CommunistRussiansoccupiedtheeasternhalfofGermany Berlinitself wasdividedintosectors betweentheallies, but wascompletelysurroundedbytheSoviet-controlledsectorofGermany.

Morethanthreeyearsafter World WarIIended,RussianforcesblockadedtheAllied-controlledareasofBerlinon June24,1948,shuttingoffaccesstofood,coalandmedicinetotwomillionGermancitizens.

BerlinbecamethefirstfrontlineofTheCold Warandthenine-monthold U.S. Air Force was chargedwithkeepingBerlinersalivewhilekeepingtheCold Warfromturninghot.

TheBerlinAirliftbegantwodayslater, with U.S. Air ForceC-47SkytrainsandC-54Skymastersdeliveringmilk,flourandmedicineto WestBerlin.Throughoutthedurationoftheblockade, U.S. andBritishaircraftdeliveredmorethan2.3milliontonsofsupplies.Attheheightofthe BerlinAirlift,aircraftwerelandingeverythreeminutes, supplyingupto13,000tonsoffood,coal andmedicineaday, accordingtotheAir ForceHistoricalSupportDivision.

Then-1stLt.GailHalvorsen,whoretiredfromtheAir Forceasacolonelin1974, wasoneof theAmericanpilotsflyingaround-the-clockmissionsfromRhein-MainAirBasein WestGermanyto TempelhofAir FieldinBerlin.Heflew126missionsdeliveringsuppliesandfoodfrom July1948to February1949.

“Welearnedvery clearlythatthenewenemy wasStalin.He wastakingoverwhereHitlerleft off.WeknewexactlywhatStalinhadinmind,” Halvorsensaid.

However, someAirmenhadmixedemotionsaboutaidingtheformerenemythathadbeen shootingatAmericanpilotsjustthreeyearsbefore Halvorsenadmittingthathehadissuesat firstwiththemission,butitquickly changedwhenhetalkedwithafellowcrewmember.

“Hetoldmethatitisahellofalotbettertofeedthem(rather)thankillthemandthathe

wasgladtobeback.Thatisservicebeforeself.Thatiswhatcausesyourenemytobecomeyour friend,” Halvorsensaid.

Ononeofhisfirstmissions theAmericanpilotlearnedinaconversationwithGermanyouth throughtheperimeterfenceat Templehof, that WestBerlinersmayhaveneededfood,butthey wereevenmorehungryforhopeandfreedom.

Betweenmissions, Halvorsen wasfilmingaircraftlandingswithhisReveremoviecamera whenheencounteredabout30German childrenbetweentheagesof8and14,hesaidinhisautobiography,“TheBerlinCandyBomber.”

HegreetedthemwithpracticallyalltheGermanheknew butsurprisingly, oneofthegroup spokeEnglish.Halvorsen wassoonansweringquestionsabouthowmanysacksof flourand loavesofbreadtheairplanescarriedandwhatothertypesofcargowerebeingairlifted.

Hetalkedwiththe childrenforanhourbeforeherealizednotonehadaskedhimforanything. Instead,theygavehimsomethinghedidn’texpect:thebestlessononfreedomhe’deverheard.

“Igotfivesteps away fromthem,andthenithitme,” saidHalvorsen.“I’dbeendead-stopped foranhour, andnotonekidhadputouttheirhand.Notone.”

Thecontrast wassostarkbecauseduring World WarII,anddatingallthe waybacktoGeorge Washington,ifyouwereinanAmericanuniform walkingdownthestreet,kidswould chaseyou andaskfor chocolateandgum.

“Thereasontheydidn’t wastheyweresogratefultoourflierstobefree.Theywouldn’tbea beggarformorethanfreedom,” saidHalvorsen.“Hitler’spastandStalin’sfuture wastheirnightmare.American-stylefreedom wastheirdream.Theyknewwhatfreedom wasabout.Theysaid, ‘Somedaywe’llhaveenoughtoeat,butifweloseourfreedom,we’llnevergetitback.’Thesewere kids, andtheywereteachingmeaboutfreedom.That’swhatjustblewme away…That wasthe trigger Ireachedintomypocket,butallIhadweretwosticksofgum.Rightthen,thesmallest decisionImade changedtherestofmylife.”

WhenhereachedintohispocketforthetwosticksofWrigley’sDoublemintgum,Halvorsen debatedthewisdomofgivingittothem. Perhapsthey’dfightoverit. Yet,hebrokeeachinhalf andpassedfourhalvesthroughthebarbedwire, thenbracedfortherushof childrentothefence. Itnevercame.

The childrenwhodidn’tgetanyofthegumonlyaskedforapieceofthewrappersotheycould smellthearoma.Theirreaction,alongwiththesurprisethepilotfeltwhentheydidn’tbegfor anything, ledtohisdecisiontodomoreforthem.

ThemantheGerman childrenwouldlatercall“Onkel Wackelflugel”orUncle Wiggly Wings, cameupwithanideathatwouldnotonly changethelivesofthose children,butwouldalsohelp the Westwintheideological warwiththeSovietsforGermany’sfuture.

Halvorsentoldthekidshewoulddropsomethingtothemonhisnextlandingat Templehofif theypromisedtoshare Hewouldsignalthemonapproachthatit washisplanebywigglingthe wings, somethinghe’ddoneforhisparentsafterhereceivedhispilot’slicensein1941.

BackatRhein-MainAirBase, just280miles away, hecombinedhiscandyrationswiththose ofhisco-pilotandengineer, madeparachutesoutofhandkerchiefsandstringandtiedthemto chocolateandgumforthefirst“OperationLittle Vittles”dropfromhisC-54Skymaster July18, 1948.

“Theonly wayIcouldgetbacktodeliverit wastodropitfromtheairplane, 100feetovertheir heads, ontheapproachbetweenthebarbedwirefenceandbombed-outbuildings,” Halvorsen said. “A redlightcameonthatsaidyoucan’tdropitwithoutpermission.ButIrationalizeditby sayingthatstarving2millionpeopleisn’taccordingtoHoyle, either, sowhat’safewcandybars?”

Theamountofcandysteadilyincreased,alongwiththenumberof waiting children,forthree weeksuntilaBerlinnewspaperpublishedaphotoofthenowfamous“CandyBomber.”

Soon,stacksoflettersbeganarrivingat Templehofbaseoperationsaddressedto“DerSchokoladenFlieger”(theChocolateFlyer),or“Onkel Wackelflugel.”

U.S.AirForcephoto Aspartofthe75thanniversaryofthecreationoftheU.S.AirForce,AirMobilityCommandhonoredoneofthe fledglingservice’sfirstheroes,Col.GailHalvorsen,withacelebrationofhislifeandlegacyinhishometownof Provo,Utah,May20-21.

U.S.AirForcephoto

Childrenin WestBerlinwatchU.S.AirForcetransportplaneslandat TemplehofAirportduringtheBerlinAirliftin 1948.Duringtheheightoftheoperation,anaircraftlandedeverythirtysecondsin WestBerlin.TheUSAFdelivered1,783,573tonsandtheRAF541,937,onatotalof278,228flightsfromJune,1948toMay,1949.

hasbeenrecognizedabovethewinglevel,” saidMatthews.“Manyof youknowsomuch aboutourwingalreadyandyoursupportishighlyappreciated.”

Thehonorarycommandersweretalkedthroughthe flightplanthatincludedtherefueling of threeF-16C Fighting Falconaircraftfromthe482nd Fighter Wing, landingatHomesteadARBandreceivingabasetour beforereturningtoMacDill.

“Itissuchaprivilegetobeabletoseetherefueling missionfromtheboompod,” saidNancyNewkirk,927th ARWhonorarycommander.“Hearingstoriesandseeing themissionmakesyouappreciateitthatmuchmore.”

Thehonorarycommander’stouratHomesteadARB honedinonthe Total Forceaspectofthemilitary.

The125th Fighter WingfromtheFloridaAirNationalGuardperformedasimulatedfighteraircraftalert “scramble”, U.S. SpecialOperationsCommandSouth gaveamissionbriefingandshowedtheirmemorialsite, andthe U.S. CoastGuard’sMaritimeSafetyandSecurity Teamendedthedaywithamissionbriefingandallowed thehonorarycommanderstostepinsidearesponseboat.

Thehonorarycommandersleftwithgreaterinsightof themissionofthe927thARW–“CombatreadyCitizen Airmenfuelingthefight.”

Sixteen Tampahonorarycommandersandcivicleadersfromthe927thAirRefueling Wing,MacDillAirForceBase,Florida,flewacrossthestatetotourHomesteadAirReserveBase,Florida,May12,2022.DuringtheflighttoHomesteadARB,thehonorary commanderswereabletoviewthreeF-16CFightingFalconfighteraircraftfromthe 482ndFighterWingbeing refueledbyaKC-135Stratotankeraircraftfromthe927th ARW.

u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexisSuarez)

DeCACorporateCommunications

FORTLEE, Va.—TheDefenseCommissaryAgency(DeCA)isimplementingshoppinglimitsonselectspecialtybabyformulaitemsas theagencyworkswithitsdistributorstoincreasesupplylevels.

SinceMay13,inconjunctionwithestablishedWIC(Women,Infants andChildren)programpurchasinglimitsatstatelevel,commissaries haveplacedproductlimitationsonall classifiedspecialtybabyformula,similartothelimitscustomersareseeingincommercialretailersandmilitaryexchanges. Purchaselimitscanvarybylocationbased onlocalstateWICpurchasinglimits Overseasstoresarealsotiedto purchasinglimitsthroughtheWIC-Overseasprogram.

“We’reimplementingpurchaselimitsbecauseofincreaseddemand andtoensurethateveryonehasequalaccesstoessentialitems, andto prevent‘panicbuying’whereproductis available,” saidDeCADirectorandCEOBillMoore,“The availabilityofbabyformulaforallour storesisfluidrightnowandevolvingdaily.Weareworkingwithour distributorstoincreaseoursupplylevelsofthesecriticalproducts.”

Thecommissaries’currentstocklevelsof availablebabyformula

TESTIFY

FromPage2

SpeakingontheAir Force’s rolein therecentlyupdatedNationalDefenseStrategy, Brownalso stressedtheimportancethe servicewillplay.

“TheoperationalimperativesintheNationalDefenseStrategyareinalignmentwithwhatournation demandsofourAir Force,” Brownsaid.“TheAir Force wearebuildingiscriticalto integrateddeterrence, campaigningandenduringadvantages.”

TheDepartmentofthe Air ForceFY2023budget requestisapproximately $194billion,a$20.2billion or11.7%increasefromthe FY2022request.The U.S. Air Forcebudgetof$169.5 billionisa$13.2billionincreaseoverthe’22request, andthe U.S. Space Force budgetof$24.5billionisa $7.1billionincrease.

areasfollows:50percentforCONUSand70percentforOCONUS commissaries(notcountingtherecalledproductswehadtopullfrom ourshelves).“Ifthe availabilityofbabyformulabecomesanissuefor overseascommissariestheagencywillairliftproduct,ifnecessary, and assumingtheproductsare available,” Mooresaid.

ForcommissariesinEuropetherearealsoalternativeoptionsfor supplythroughlocallyproducedproducts, called“OSA” (offshoreacquireditems).OSAitemsaresometimespurchasedbyoverseascommissariestosupplement U.S. stockassortmentswhenneeded.

Forcommissariesinthe Pacific, theOSAoptionisn’t availablebecausetherearecurrentlynoapprovedlocalsourcesforbabyformula, makingthesestoresdependentonDeCA’sdistributors.

“Acrossourcommissaries, weareinthesamepositionascommercialretailers,” Mooresaid.“Ourdistributorsarereceivinglimitedallocationsofthequantities(essentially, lessthantheywouldliketo order),whichlimitssupplytoourstores.

“Bottomline, we wantourcustomerstoknowwearedoingeverythingwecantogettheproductstheyneedontotheirstoreshelves–especiallytoouroverseasandremotecommissaries.”

AirForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.testifiesbefore theSenateAppropriations Subcommittee on DefensefortheDepartmentoftheAirForce’sfiscalyear 2023budget request, Washington,D.C.,May17,2022.

PhotobyEricDietrich

PhotobyEricDietrich

ChiefofSpaceOperationsGen.John W. “Jay”Raymond testifiesbeforetheSenateAppropriationsSubcommittee onDefensefortheDepartmentoftheAirForce’sfiscal year2023budget request, Washington,D.C.,May17.

TheDepartmentoftheAir Forcelost15servicememberstopreventablemishapsduring lastyear’ssummerfocus.Theleadingcauses ofthosefatalitiesweremotorvehicleaccidents and water-relatedactivities.Accordingtothe SummerSafetyandHealthAdvocacyMemorandumsentoutbyActingSecretaryoftheAir Force John P. Roth,“simple actions –such as wearingaseatbeltormotorcyclehelmet,puttingonaproperlifepreserver, orfocusingon theroadandnotyourcellphone–saveslives.”

Summerallowsustimetoshareintheenjoymentof warmerweatheractivities. It’simportanttokeepinmindtherisksofinjuryprior toparticipating. Camping,traveling, orboating areallactivitiessuretodrawpeopleoutside withtheseason change.Thedangersofthese fun-filledactivitiescanoftenbeoverlookedand

resultinanemergencyroomvisitorworse.

“MemorialDayweekendistheunofficialstart tosummerandmanyfamilieswillbeheading outdoorstoenjoythe warmerweatherandtakingroadtripstovisitfamilyandfriends, said MichaelBallard, chiefofOccupationalSafetyfor theDAF.“Iencourageeachofyoutomakearisk assessmentbeforeyoutravelorwhenparticipatinginsummeractivitiestohelppreventormitigateinjuriesordeaths.ThelossofoneAirman, Guardian,orfamilymemberisonetoomany!”

TheDAFhasestablishedAir ForceInstruction90-802,RiskManagementguidancetoassistinidentifyingandmitigatingsafetyand healthhazardstomakeinformeddecisions. Riskisinherentinallactivities, bothonandoff duty ByperformingariskassessmentAirmen andGuardianscansystematicallyevaluatepos-

siblecourses ofaction, identifyrisksandbenefits, anddeterminethebestcourseofactionfor anygivensituation.

Inthelastsixyears, motorvehiclesmade upthemajorityofmishapsresultingininjury with885,followedbyteamsportswith596. Last summeralone, servicememberssuffered 470mishapsthattookthemoutofworkforat leastoneday. Whenaservicememberisunable toworkthisputsastrainonothermembersin theirworkareasandisdetrimentaltogetting themissionaccomplished.

Keepingriskmanagementapartofsummer planningcanhelpmitigatetherisksassociated withallofthosefun-filledactivities.

Foradditionalinformation,visitsthewebsite athttps://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Occupational-Safety-Division/Summer-Safety/

Oneday, afterhereturnedfromBerlin,Halvorsen wassummonedby Col. JamesR.Haun,theC-54squadroncommander. Haunhadreceiveda callfromBrig. Gen. WilliamH.Tunner, deputycommanderofoperations duringtheairlift,who wantedtoknowwho wasdroppingparachutes overBerlin.

Halvorsenknewhe wasintroublewhenHaunshowedhimthenewspaperwiththepictureoflittleparachutesflyingoutofhisC-54.

“Yougotmeinalittletroublethere, Halvorsen,” Hauntoldhim.

“I’dhadalongrelationshipwithhim,buthe wasputoutbecausehe was sandbagged,” Halvorsensaid.“SowhenItalktokids, especiallyhighschool kids, Isay, ‘whenyougetajob, don’tsandbagyourboss.’ Hesaidtokeep [droppingcandy],butkeephiminformed.Itjustwentcrazyafterthat.”

Fellowpilotsdonatedtheircandyrations. Eventually, theyranout ofparachutes, sotheymademorefrom clothandoldshirt-sleevesuntil noncommissionedofficers’andofficers’wivesatRhein-MainABbegan makingthem.

Later, theAmericanConfectionersAssociationdonated18tonsofcandy, mostlysentthroughaChicopee, MassachusettsschoolwherestudentsattachedittoparachutesbeforesendingtoBerlinthroughthenWestoverAir ForceBase.

BytheendoftheBerlinAirliftinSeptember1949,Americanpilots haddropped250,000parachutesand23tonsofcandy.

“Willie WilliamstookoverafterIleftBerlin,” Halvorsensaid. “Andhe endedupdroppingevenmorecandythanIdid.”

SincetheBerlinAirliftended,HalvorsenhasmetcountlessGermans whoseliveswere changedbecauseof“OperationLittle Vittles.”

Oneofthem,a7-year-oldgirlnamedMercedes, wroteinaletterin 1948thatsheloved“DerSchokoladenFlieger,” but wasconcernedforher chickens, whothoughttheairliftplaneswere chickenhawks. Mercedes askedhimtodropcandynearthewhite chickensbecauseshedidn’tcare ifhescaredthem.

Halvorsentried,butnevercouldfindMercedes’white chickens, sohe wroteheraletterandsenthercandythroughtheBerlinmail.

Thetwowouldfinallymeetface-to-face24yearslaterwhenHalvorsen returnedtoBerlinas Templehofcommanderintheearly1970s. Mercedes’husband, Peter Wild,convincedthe Templehofcommandertocome

tohishomefordinner. Mercedesshowedhimtheletterhe’dwrittenher in1948,alongwiththe chickensshe’dwrittenaboutinherownletter.

It wasafriendshipimmortalizedinMargotTheisRaven’s children’s book,“MercedesandtheChocolatePilot.”

HalvorsenreturnedtoBerlinnearly40timessincetheairlift.In1974, hereceivedoneofGermany’shighestmedals, theGrossesBundesverdienstkreuz,andcarriedtheGermanteam’snationalplacardintoRiceEcclesStadiumduringtheopeningmarchforthe2002 WinterOlympics inSaltLakeCity.

Halvorsenparticipatedinare-enactmentof“OperationLittle Vittles” duringthe40thand50thanniversariesoftheBerlinAirliftandalso droppedcandyfromaC-130HerculesduringOperationProvidePromise inBosnia-Herzegovina.

Halvorsenkeptabusyscheduleasheandhiswife, Lorraine, split theirtimebetweentheirhomesinArizonaandUtah.Severaltimesa yearhewouldflytheC-54“Spiritof Freedom,” with FAAcertificationto flysecond-in-command.Healsovisitedmanyschools, bothstatesideand overseas, andvisitedIraqtoreviewAirMobilityCommandtransportoperationsandvisittroopsdeployedinSouthwestAsia.

Seventy-fiveyearssincetheBerlinAirlift,thecolonelremaineduniversallybelovedasthe“CandyBomber,” butheenjoyedonethingabout hisperpetualnotorietythemost.

“ThethingIenjoythemostaboutbeingthe‘CandyBomber’isseeing the children’sreactionevennowtotheideaofa chocolatebarcomingout ofthesky,” hesaid.“ThemostfunIhaveisdoingairdropsbecauseeven hereinthestates, there’ssomethingmagicalaboutaparachuteflying outoftheskywithacandybaronit.”

HalvorsenbelievedthepraisehereceivedforbringinghopetoagenerationofGermansthroughhiscandybombingdeflectsmuchofthecredit tothatfirstgroupof childrenatthebarbedwirefenceat Templehof.

Theirgratitudeandthankfulnessforthepilots’effortstokeepthem freeduringtheBerlinAirliftinspiredhimtoreachintohispocketfor thosetwosticksofgum.

That“smallestdecision,” asHalvorsencalledit,ledto23tonsofcandy droppedfromtheskytothe childrenof WestBerlinand changedcountlesslives, nottomentionthelifeoftheCandyBomber, himself.

EVENTS

KidsbowlfreeMay1–Sept.5 Registeryour childtodayfora springandsummerbowlingpass. Passincludestwofreegamesof bowlingaday. *Shoerentalregularprice.Visithttps://macdillfss. com/macdill-lanes-bowling/for moreinfo.

Fitness– Juneteenth Freedom DayRun June16

Timeis6:30a.m.–9a.m. Join usatthefitnesscenterforour centerforour Juneteenth FreedomDayRun.Thisrunwillincorporatecolorfulpaintbeing thrownat runners, walkers, or joggers.Participantsareencouragedtowearlightcolor clothing.

Lookingfortheperfectsummerjob?

The6thFSSisseekingqualifiedcandidates16andolderfor hospitality, foodandbeverage, child&youth,andrecreation fields.Allpositionsstartat$15 anhourorabove. Readytojoin ourFSSfamily? Visithttps://macdillfss.com/naf-human-resources/ toseecurrentjobopeningsand applytoday. Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

SOFshow!

U.S.SpecialOperationsForcesmembersflyover TampaBayinaU.S.ArmyMH-6helicopterduring aSOFcapabilitiesdemonstrationMay18in Tampa.SOF WeekisthepremiergatheringfortheSOF communityandindustry,bringingtogethermorethan11,000attendees,including representatives frommorethan100countriestocollaborateonnewinitiativesandcapabilitiesneededforSOFprofessionalstocompeteandwininthefuture.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,calltheCommand Postat828-4362/4361.

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

Catholic(in-person) -Saturday -5:30p.m. (confession4:30p.m.) Sunday- 9:30a.m.(confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices Wednesday 11 a.m.. virtual)- Sunday 11 a.m.

Jewish MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoindistro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

IslamicService - Friday1p.m.(spacereserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Pleasecontactthe Chapelat(813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW. HCADMIN@us.af.mil

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT