Thunderbolt 5/30/2024

News/Features:page3

B-21 Raider testng continues

News/Features:page3

Airman memorialized

Week in photos:page4

Images from the week

Community: page11

Events, Chapel, more...

Tyler Sinni,aLargopoliceofficer,left,andU.S.AirForce MasterSgt.SeanPhelan,a6thSecurityForcesflightchief, attempttoopenaSensitiveCompartmentedInformationFacilitydooratabreachingsymposiumatMacDillAirForce BaseMay16.The6thSFSpartneredwithAFWERXandabreachingequipmentcompanytodevelopahydraulic breachingbackpackdesignedtoopenSCIFdoorswhichwerepreviouslyconsideredimpenetrable.Thefive-yearlongprojectwas unveiledtoseverallawenforcementagenciesrangingfromtheFederal BureauofInvestigationto localpolicedepartments.

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

NEWS/FEATURES

To theC-130,withlove

byGen.MikeMinihan AirMobilityCommand

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Don’t befaintofheartorinsecure inreadingthis. Ifyouareeither, pleaseturnbacknow. Thisisalovelettertomytribe. TheHerkTribe. Itcomesatnoexpensetoothertribes. I trulylove, admire, andrespectthemall. BREAK

THANK YOU, HERKNATION…INGRATEFULAPPRECIATION FORMYFINIFLIGHT…INGRATEFULAPPRECIATIONFOR34 YEARSOFHERKDRIVE’N PARADISE!

TheHerkdefinesme…asanAmerican…asanAirman…asa Warrior. It definesmyServiceandmy Family.

Iusedtomakemykidshugandsmellmeafterflying…inmywhitecrustedsweat-stainedbag. Crueland intenselifelessonsof blue-collar work…blissfullythrowing chains, runningstraps, riggingseats, pushingpallets, andrunninglocks. Thensavagely attackingmissionlow and slowandhot…together.

Idon’tcarehowyouabbreviateHercules…Hercor Herk…as longas youdoitwithrespect.

Respectforthegreatestaircrafteverbuilt. Respectforgreatest crewsevertoFly, Fix,andSupport.

Sheisalady…beautifulandstrong.

I’veexpendedblood,sweatandtearsinexecutinghersacredmissions. I’veseenthebestofAmericaandAmericans.

I’vewitnessedandparticipatedinthemostheartbreakingscenes thatnatureandhumanitycanoffer Andalso, thebest.

I’vehadintimateinvolvementwith realsacrifice…I’mbothscarred andbetter…betterAmerican, betterAirman,betterHusband,better

U.S.AirForcephoto

General MikeMinihanpilotsa C-130JSuperHerculesduringhisFini Flight,at LittleRockAirForceBase,Arkansas,May20.

Father…andstillfarfromperfect.

ThankyouHawgs, YachtClub, GreenHornets, BlackCats, Outlaws, BlackKnights, andCheaters…youareallphenomenal.7-Ship229Riv-

SeeC-130,Page12

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

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

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NEWS/FEATURES

B-21Raidercontinues flighttest, production

Courtesystory 412thTestWing

Followingitsformalunveiling, Dec. 2, 2022, theB-21Raiderbeganflighttestinghere whereitcontinuestomakeprogresstoward becomingthebackboneofthe U.S. Air Force bomberfleet.

On May8,2024, during testimonyatthe SenateArmedServicescommittee, Andrew Hunter, AssistantSecretaryoftheAir Force forAcquisition, TechnologyandLogistics, highlightedB-21flighttestingisontrack tomeet timelinesanddelivertothe warfighter.

“Weareintheflighttestprogram,theflight testprogramisproceedingwell,” saidHunter inresponsetoaquestionabouttheB-21program.“Itisdoingwhatflighttestprogramsare designedtodo, whichishelpingus learnabout theunique characteristicsofthisplatform, but inavery, veryeffective way.”

Hunterexplainedthisisthefirstaircraft thatismoredigitalthannot,whichcontributestotheprogrammeetingrequirements.

TheB-21isalong-range, highlysurvivable,

by Tech.Sgt.RyanConroy 1stSpecialOperationsWing

HURLBURTFIELD, FLORIDA–Inapoignantdisplayofunityandreverence, hundredsofAirmen,friends, teammatesandfamilymemberspackedthe FreedomHangertopay theirrespectstoSeniorAirmanRoger Fortson duringamemorialservicehere, May20, 2024.

Severalteammates sharedmessages and memoriesastheessenceof Fortson’s lifeunfoldedbeforethosewhogathered.Storiesof dedication,selflessness, serviceandenthusiasmunderscoredhisimpactonthecollective gunshipand TeamHurlburtcommunity.

“SeniorAirman Fortsonraisedhisright handandsworetodefendthiscountry,” said Col. PatrickDierig, commanderofthe1stSpecialOperations Wing “Heansweredthecall

AB-21Raiderconductsflighttesting,whichincludesgroundtesting,taxiing,andflyingoperations,atEdwardsAirForceBase,California.TheB-21willinteroperatewithouralliesandpartnerstodeliveronourenduringcommitmenttoprovideflexiblestrikeoptionsforcoalitionoperationsthatdefend usagainstcommonthreats.

withhonor, professionalismandconfidence. He wasagreatAirCommandoandagreat aviator, buthe wasalsoagreatperson.

“Ifyou wanttobeagreatAirman,beagreat personfirstandSeniorAirman Fortsondid justthat,” hecontinued.

Fortson waskilledattheageof23inashootingincidentinvolvinganOkaloosaCounty Sheriff’s Departmentdeputyon May3, 2024, athisoff-baseapartment.Thecircumstances surroundingtheincidentarecurrentlyunder investigation by theFloridaDepartmentof LawEnforcement.

Sixteenmembersof Fortson’sfamilywerein attendance, includinghismother Chantemekki FortsonandfatherRoger WilburnSr.

“Icanonlyhopethatamidst thispainyou canfindcomfortinthecontributionsthatyour

Family,friendsandmembersofthe1stSpecialOperationsWingcelebratethelifeofU.S. AirForceSeniorAirmanRogerFortsonduring amemorialserviceatHurlburtField,Florida, May20.Fortsonservedasaspecialmissions aviatorwiththe4thSOSand73rdSOSatHurlburtField.OnMay3,2024,Fortsonwaskilled inadeputy-involvedshooting.Theincidentis underinvestigation.

Courtesyphoto

HurlburtFieldhonorsSeniorAirmanRogerFortsonduringmemorialservice

WEEKINPHOTOS

U.S.AirForceAirman1stClass YarilysGonzalez,6thOperationSupportSquadronairfieldmanagementapprentice,playscornholeduringOperationHomecomingatMacDillAirForceBaseMay20.OperationHomecomingisabiannualeventdesignedto recognizetheachievementsof returningAirmenfromvariousdeploymentsacrosstheworld.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin ServicemembersassignedtoU.S.SpecialOperationsCommandand U.S.SpecialOperationsCommandCentralpullaKC-135Stratotanker atMacDillAirForceBaseMay21.TheKC-135Stratotankerweighsapproximately99,000poundsaloneandisabletotakeoffatgrossweights ofupto322,500pounds.

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian U.S.AirForceMasterSgt.RobertClack,6thCommunicationSquadron firstsergeant,hangsasignduringthe4thannualMemorialDayRemembrance TributeatMacDillAirForce Base, Florida,May22,2024. VolunteersfromMacDillAFBandthesurroundingcommunitycametogethertoplacesignsaroundMacDilltohonorfallenservicemembers.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

NEWS/FEATURES

Adaptabilityinaction:55th‘Shooters’support NORADwithmissionsupportinnovations

bySeniorAirmanStevenCardo 20thFighterWing

SHAWAIRFORCEBASE, S.C.—In2023, taskedwithsupportingNorthAmericanAerospaceDefenseCommand’s(NORAD)Operation NobleEagle, the20th Fighter Wing’s 55th Fighterand FighterGenerationSquadron“Shooters” overcameaformidable challenge:relocatingfrom NellisAFB, NevadatoHillAFB, Utahwithless than24-hours’noticetoensureuninterrupted supportoperations. Themission taskinghighlightedthesquadron’sresilienceand logisticalcapabilities, settingthestageforamission markedbyadaptability, dedication, and commitmenttohomeland security.

Earlyinthetaskingtheteam wasfaced withHurricaneHilary, which was settoimpact weatherandinfrastructureacrossSouthern

California. In responsetotheapproachinghurricaneandtheriskitposedtothe F-16sduring theirtimedeployed toNellis, aircraftandpersonnelwererequiredtoquicklyrelocatetoHill toensurecontinuedsupport.Despitetheabrupt move, theteamsuccessfully overcamelogistical challengesandmaintainedaircraftgeneration andreadinesswhileefficientlyreconfiguring aircraftforbothtrainingandmissionpurposes, bolsteringhomelanddefense.

“This wasa perfectexampleofwhatagroup of high-performingindividualsiscapableofaccomplishing, logisticallyandoperationally, whenthe chipsaredownandweneedtotakeaction,” said U.S. Air ForceCapt. TaylorHiester, then55thFS projectofficer. “It wasahugemusclemovement togo from Shaw toNellistosupportmissionoperations. Then,wewererequiredto pickupour

See NORAD, Page7

U.S.AirForceF-16CFightingFalconfighter jetsassignedtothe55thFighterSquadron, ShawAirForceBase,sitonthe156th Wing airfieldduringOperationNobleEagleatMuñizAirNationalGuard Base, Carolina,Puerto RicoDec.27,2023.InsupportoftheContinentalU.S.NORADRegion, Air ForcesNorthern deployedaircrafttoMuñizANGBtoexecute OperationNobleEagle,wherethePuertoRico AirNationalGuardprovidedlogisticalsupport, commandandcontrol,airfieldoperationssupport,andhangarspace.

PhotobyAirman1stClassGisselle Toro Caraballo

FromPage3

songaveandhowheisremembered inthemilitaryandflyingcommunity,” saidLt. Col. KaelinThistlewood,commanderofthe4thSpecial OperationsSquadron, speakingdirectlyto thefamily. “Hislegacyofbravery, hisfellowshipandfriendshipandhisservicewillforever be cherishedandmaybringsomemeasureof peaceknowingtheimpactthathehadonallof usheretoday.”

Duringtheservice, Thistlewoodposthumously awarded FortsontheAirandSpace CommendationMedalformeritoriousservice whileassignedasaspecialmissions aviator withthe4thSOSandpresentedthemedalto Fortson’smotherandfather

“Rogercanbesummarizedbythewordexceptional,” saidCapt. MalcomLee, anAC-130J GhostriderGunshipevaluator pilotwiththe 4thSOS. “Everythingabouthim wasexceptional.He wasanexceptionalathlete, especiallygiftedinbaseball.He wasanexceptional studentrankinginthetopofhispeersonhis [ArmedServices VocationalAptitudeBattery] andaircrewtest, andhe wasan exceptional specialmissions aviator, achievingthehighest evaluationonhisfirstAC-130 checkride “Rogerisexceptional…becauseeven inthis tragiceventthatdividedanationhehasmanagedtobondtogetherourcommunity, ourAir Force, andpeopleallaroundthe globethrough love,” continuedLee.

Followingtheservice, Fortson’svisitingfamilymemberstouredanAC-130Jto get asense ofwhathisjobentailed. AccordingtoSenior

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanCollinCourtney,aspecialmissionsaviatorwiththe73rdSpecial OperationsSquadron,sharesmemoriesofSeniorAirmanRogerFortsonduringamemorial serviceatHurlburtField,Florida,May20,2024.During theservice,U.S.AirForceLt.Col.Kaelin Thistlewood,4thSOScommander,posthumouslyawardedtheAirandSpaceForceCommendationMedaltoFortson,aspecialmissionsaviatorwiththe4thSOSand73rdSOS.

AirmanCollinCourtney, afellowSMAwith the4thSOS, it wasajobhe wasmadetodo.

Courtneyrecalledhowquickly Fortsonabsorbedknowledgeduringtraining, notingthat he was alwaysafastlearner. During a proficiency check-rideflight, Fortson’sconfidence wasevidentwhenhegrabbedafireextinguish-

erfromtheaircraft wall andhandedit to an evaluator.

“Theevaluatorthengavehimbackavery confusedlook,” saidCourtney. “Rogerwithout missingabeatsaid, ‘You’regoingtoneedthis becauseI’mgoingtobeonfireansweringthese questionstoday.”’

PhotobySeniorAirmanNatalieFiorilli

operationandmovetoHillwithlessthan[24-hours’]notice asweanticipatedsomesevereweather So, wehadtomove aircraft,personnelandequipmenttoHillwithalmostno notice, meaningAirmenneededtofindlodging andfigure out transportationforparts andequipment. Within two hoursoflandingatHill,wewere able toestablish an[operationscenter]completewithsatellitecommunicationsto receivetherestofthefleetandcontinuetosupportthemissionweweretherefor.”

Deployingequipmentandpersonnel fromone installationtoanothercanposelogistical challenges, prompting the20thFWtoestablishadedicatedmission supportteam (MST)responsibleforfacilitatingthemovement and ensuringthelogisticalreadinessofdeployingunitsduringthe tasking. TheMSTcomprisedpersonnelfromvarioussupportunitsandprovidedF-16-specificemergencyresponse, airfieldmanagement,logistics, command andcontrol, and moretoensuremissionsuccess. The55th’staskingtosupportNORADmarkedthe20thFW’s firstemploymentofan MSTforsuchamission, wheretheteam wasableto showcaseitsabilitytooperateeffectivelyandachievemission successdespiteashort-noticerelocationtoHillinresponse toweather.

“Ourrole wastosuccessfullydeployandredeploythe team,whilealsoencompassingotherLRS(logistics readinesssquadron)functionssuchasfuelandsupplysupport...,” said1stLt. Vanessa Perez, 20thMissionSupport Groupexecutiveofficer, andMSTleadfortheforwarddeploymenttoNellis “From my perspective, it wascrucialto themissiontohavethekindoflogisticssupportthatmy teamandIcouldprovide. We dideverythingfromcoordinatingairlift,todrivingtoArizonatopickupamission capablepartforajet.”

TheMST wastailoredtofulfilltheneedsofthe 55thand thedifferentlocationstheyweretaskedtoduringtheir mission,working closelywithoperations and maintenance projectofficerstoplan,preparefor and executethedeploymentandredeploymentofpersonnel andassetsat differenthostinstallations.

Laterinthetasking, whenthe55thintegratedwiththe PuertoRicoAirNational Guard(PRANG)whileoperating outofMuñizAirNationalGuardBase, PuertoRico, the MSTrequiredamorerobustpresencetosupplementthe host installation’spersonnelandsupportcapabilities.

“TheMSTplayedavitalroleinsupportingbothoperationsandmaintenanceinexecutingthemissionduringthe taskingwiththePRANG,” saidCapt.ShannaThomas, 20th CivilEngineerSquadronoperationsflightdeputyandMST leadfortheforwarddeploymenttoPuertoRico. “Wesplit ourcapabilitieswithintheMSTupintodifferentshiftsto ensurefullcoverageofmissionsustainment,protection,and airfieldreadinessduring[themission].PRANGputsomeof

theirpersonnelonactiveordersforthedurationofthetaskingtohelpaugmentourteam,providingadditionalsupport sowedidn’thavetodeployasmanypersonnelfromShaw. We trainedtheaugmentedPRANGAirmenonF-16-specific supportsincetheydon’thavefightersattheirbase.”

Maintenancepersonnelsupportedboththepilottraining and constantready-stateofthe squadron by developing methods to swiftly reconfigureaircraftbetweenoperational andtrainingstatus. Thisoftenrequiredmaintainerstooperateduringirregularhourstobestsupport aircraft betweenmissionandtrainingsorties.

Thefightersquadronhadtobe flexibleenoughtoreconfiguretheiraircrafttoalternatebetweensupportingtrainingaswellasthetasking’s missionrequirements, said Senior Master Sgt. EricHilliard,55thFSsortiesupportflight chief.

The55thFS, FGSandsupportpersonneldemonstrated dedicationandadaptabilitywhilenavigatingthedemandingrequirementsofpilottrainingalongsideongoingmissioncommitments Theirdedicationtothemissioninthe faceofuncertainschedulesand challengingconditions highlightedtheimportanceoftheirroleinmaintainingthe readinessandoperationaleffectivenessofthe20thFW. As

SeeNORAD,Page10

6thSFSmakesabreakthrough inbreachingtechnology

storyandphotosbySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

6thAirRefuelingWing

The6thSecurity ForcesSquadronissettorevolutionizetheirbreaching capabilitieswiththeintroductionofnewbatteryhydraulicbreaching kits,designedtopenetrateSensitiveCompartmentedInformation Facilitydoorspreviouslyconsideredimpenetrable. Thisinnovation,resulting fromacollaborationwithAFWERXandabreachingequipmentcompany, marksasignificantadvancementinsecurityandemergencyresponseoperations.

In2021,the6thSFSembarkedontwosmallbusinessinnovationresearch projects.Theirobjective wastoenhancethebatteryhydraulicbreachingkit, makingitquieter,lighter,morepowerful,andmoreefficient.Theresult,a revampedkit,allowspoliceofficersnationwidetoutilizeitwithminimal training.

By2023,theprojectteamshiftedtheirfocustoamore challengingproblem:breachinghardenedfacilitiesandSCIFdoors.Conventionaltoolslike batteringramscouldhardlyputdentsintothesesteelbehemothsduring high-riskincidents,suchasactiveshootersituations.

Theteamconductedreal-worldtests, breachingactualSCIFdoors at a costof$25,000perdoor.Aftersuccessfullybreachingthreedoors, theydevelopedthefirst-everSCIFbreachingtool,hingepuller,andSCIFtrainingdoor. TheSCIFtrainingdoorallowsmilitary,lawenforcement,andfirstrespondersworldwidetoconductreal-time, repetitivetrainingatafractionofthe cost,reducingexpensestolessthanonedollarperuse.

“Thisgivesourbreacherstheabilityto getthroughhundredsofdoors withlittletonoeffort,”said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. WilliamAu,the6thSFS emergencyservicesteamnon-commissionedofficerin chargeofconfinement andpoliceservices.“Whatthehydraulickitoffersistheabilitytogetinto hardenedfacilitieswheremechanicaltoolscan’t.”

Thedevelopmentofthesetoolsculminatedin abreachingsymposium, where20SWAT teamsfromfederal,local,andstateagenciesparticipated andvalidatedthenewequipment.Thiseventshowcasedthecapabilitiesand effectivenessofthebreachingkits,highlightingtheirpotentialtoenhance securityoperationsacrossvariousagencies.

“Mygoalistogetthisbreachingkitintoevery SFSsquadronandpolice departmentnationwide,” said JasonAtkinson,the6thSFSemergencyservicesteam chiefofflightoperations.“Ifthesetoolshelpsaveonepoliceofficer’s life, thentheeffortweputintodevelopingthemwillhaveallbeenworthit.”

Sincetheproject’s completion,50policedepartmentshavealreadystarted tofollowMacDill’sexample.Thebattery-poweredhydraulicpowerunit,SCIF doorbreachtool,andhingepullertoolhaveallundergonerigoroustesting, provingtheireffectivenessandreliabilityinhigh-stakesscenarios.

Withtheseadvancements,the6thSecurity ForcesSquadronisnotonly enhancingtheirowncapabilitiesbutalsosettinganewstandardforsecurityoperationsacrossthenation.Theintroductionoftheseinnovativetools underscoresthecommitmenttoensuringthesafetyandeffectivenessoffirst respondersinthemostcriticalsituations.

presentative,left,andDanielHernandez,aPlantCitypoliceofficer,attempttoopenaSensitiveCompartmentedInformationFacilitydooratabreachingsymposiumatMacDillAirForceBaseMay16,.The 6thSecurity breachingequipmentcompanytodevelopahydraulicbreachingbackpack designedtoopenSCIFdoorswhichwerepreviouslyconsideredimpenetrable.The five-year-longprojectwasunveiledtoseverallawenforcementagenciesrangingfromtheFederalBureauofInvestigationtolocalpolicedepartments.

(Top)Membersofthe6thSecurityForcessquadron,and representativesoffederalandstate policedepartments,discussnewsecuritytoolsatabreachingsymposiumatMacDillAir ForceBase,May16.The6thSFSpartneredwithAFWERXandabreachingequipmentcompanytodevelopahydraulicbreachingbackpackdesignedtoopenSensitiveCompartmented InformationFacilitydoorswhichwerepreviouslyconsideredimpenetrable.Thefive-year-long projectwasunveiledtoseverallawenforcementagenciesrangingfromtheFederalBureau ofInvestigationtolocalpolicedepartments.

(Above)NewbreachingtoolsareputondisplayatthebreachingsymposiumatMacDillAir ForceBaseMay16.The6thSFSpartneredwithAFWERXandabreachingequipmentcompanytodevelopahydraulicbreachingbackpackdesignedtoopenSensitiveCompartmented InformationFacilitydoorswhichwerepreviouslyconsideredimpenetrable.Thefive-year-long projectwasunveiledtoseverallawenforcementagenciesrangingfromtheFederalBureau ofInvestigationtolocalpolicedepartments.

penetratingstrikestealthbomberthatwillincrementally replacetheB-1and B-2bombers andwill play amajor rolesupportingnationalsecurityobjectivesandassuring U.S. alliesandpartnersacross theglobe.

TheB-21weaponsystemismanufacturedunderthe Air Force’scontractwithNorthrop Grumman. Itis designedwithanopen systemsarchitecture, enabling rapidinsertionofmaturetechnologies, andallowingthe aircrafttoremaineffectiveasthreatsevolveovertime.

Theaircraftisexpectedtoenterservice inthemid-2020s withaproductiongoalofaminimumof100aircraft.

TheAir ForceRapidCapabilitiesOfficemanagestheacquisitionprogram, focusingonmakingtest aircraft asproductionrepresentativeaspossible. Testaircraftarebuilt on thesamemanufacturinglineandusethe samemanning andtoolingthatwillbeusedintheeventualproduction.

TheAFRCO’sstrategyincludesbuildingtestaircraft asproduction-representativeaspossible. Ratherthan a traditionalflightprototypeapproach,B-21testaircraft arebuiltincludingmissionsystems using thesamemanufacturingprocessesandtoolingforproductionaircraft. Thisapproachindevelopmentlaidthegroundwork for productiontostartmorequickly.

WhentheB-21enterstheservice, Ellsworth Air Force Base, SouthDakota,willbethefirstB-21mainoperatingbaseandlocationofthe FormalTrainingUnit. WhitemanAFB, Missouri,andDyess AFB, Texas, arethe preferredlocationsfortheremainingbasesandwillreceiveaircraftastheybecome available.

NORAD

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theycontinuedtouphold theirstandardsof professionalismandproficiency, theShooterssupportedhomelandand internationaldefenserequirementswhilepreparingtechniciansandpilotsforthefuturethreatenvironment.Duringthetasking, thewingalsohonedits abilityto employ MSTsinsupportofoperationalrequirements.

“Overall, theresiliencyofourfolkstowork 12-hour shifts duringtheweekandweekends, duringhoursofdarkness anddaylight wasinspiring,” Hilliardsaid.“Theykept a positiveattitudetheentiretime andit wasbecause oftheir effortsthatwewereabletoensureour 55thpilotsstayed combatready.”

TheContinental U.S. NorthAmericanAerospaceDefenseCommandRegionhasreliedonthe20th Fighter Wingforitsexceptionalairspace surveillance and control capabilities. Asapartof acollaborativeeffortthatincludes the U.S. Air Force, RoyalCanadianAir Force, AirNational Guard, U.S. CoastGuard,andCivilAir Patrol,the‘Shooters’appliedadaptabilityandlogisticalinnovationtofulfill thetasking.

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

SummerExpoPhotoContest

Showoffyoursummervibesand winbig!EnterOutdoorRecreation’s (ODR)SummerExpophotocontestby sharingyourMemorialDay weekend adventures. Submitaphotooffamilyorfriends, tag@MacDillFSSand@ MacDillAirForceOutdoorRecAndMarinawith#showusyourstarttosummer on Facebook,andyoucouldwinafree cabanaattheODRSummerExpoon June1—a$300value!Don’tmissout! Visitmacdillfss.com/summerexpo/for moreinformation.

Freebowlingforkids

MacDillLaneshaspartneredwith Kids Bowl Free, aprogramdesignatedtogivebacktothecommunityand provideasafe, secure, andfun way forkidstospendtimethisspringand summer. Registeryour child(ren)to receive twofree gamesofbowling at theMacDillLanesMay25–Aug. 11. Formoreinfoandregistration, visit kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_ id=6553.

SummerODRExpo

Diveintoadayofsun-soakedexcitementattheSummerODRExpoon June1,atMacDillMarinaandbeach from10a.m.–3 p.m.Enjoyfreepaddle boarding, kayaking, tubingrides, and indulgeinaBBQbuffetwithsweet treats(availableforpurchase).Groove toliveDJbeats, joinahotdogeating competition,limbo, anduncovertreasuresinafossildig. Withprizesand gamesforeveryone, it’sboundtobe a dayofunforgettablefun. Formoredetails, macdillfss.com/summerexpo/.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Remembering!

Hundredsoffriends,familyandteammates gatherforSeniorAirmanRogerFortson’sfuneralserviceatHurlburtField,Florida,May20,2024.SeniorAirmanFortsonwas23yearsoldwhenhewas shotandkilledinanOkaloosaCountySheriff’sDepartmentdeputy-involvedshootingonMay3,at hisoff-baseapartment.Hewasaspecialmissionsaviatorwiththe73rdand4thSpecialOperations Squadrons.Thecircumstancesarecurrentlyunderinvestigationbythe FloridaDepartmentofLaw Enforcement.

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)

Protestantservices - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Chapel at 828-3621or email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil for inquiries regarding Protestant religious education.

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule &tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

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

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

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

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexStephens

er Tourandthehonortoendwhereit all started…embraced bythe Teamsitallstartedwith…Itrulysavedthebestforlast.

Formy Final Final Fini…hopefully decades away…Idesireadivine mixofmission,aircraftandpeoplethattravels timeinhonorofallthe Teamsthathavesurroundedme:

Myattirewillbeblackboots, white T-Shirt,andavintage flight suit withaScreamingEaglepatch onmyrightshoulder.

I wanttofly70-1274…an AWADSbird…andI wantBillyOuberas myCrewChief. I wantitadornedwitha Texastailflash.

I wantMark Fritzschetosignoffonmyflightordersand CRM. I wantDougKruelentotellme, “don’t suck,” asIboardthecrewbus.

I wantmyCotobeBigNoOviedo…andmyNavtobeMarcoMartinez. Signmeupfor Kevin JohnsonasmyEng andpleasedopamper mewith TommyGand KevinLetzasmyLoadies

Let’sdroppersonnelplease…the173rd.Combatloaded.Makeit night.Information…aslead.Countme in asMissionCommandertoo. Let’ssweatandreekoftheHerkbeast.

I wantthe checkliststobecrisp…the warningson-time. I wantthe TPattheIPandasoothing AWADSrun-in cadence.

Let’sdo itoldschool…noNVGs…600’A…visual. MarktheDZwith blockletterA.Let’sbein-linewith4Ldrift.

I wanttofeelandhearthepitter patterofairbornebootsshufflingto thedoors. I wanttoanticipatethenfeeltheCGshiftingaftastheydepart. I wanttofeelontheyoketheeversosubtleandcomforting“pops”

ofstaticlinesdoingtheirjob.

Combatescapewithnoalibis Letmesee chutesilhouettesinline appropriatelyasIpeerwithstrainattheDZdeparting.

Let’sbebusyandbrusqueinrecovery. Overheadplease. Attheperch, let’spullthethrottlestoidlejustshyofNTSandnottouchthemtill… FlightIdleat3,BrakesandReverseat2,exitattheend.

Let’staxitoparkmajestically withtheinboardsshutdownandthe outboardsinlowspeed. Poptheforwardhatch…openramp&door Let’spurposefullymaketheoutboardssingthatspiritualbitinggroan allthe wayin..

I wanttobe greeted by Tater, Binjo, and El Shirto…andsomany more.

Let’sdebriefwithgusto, respectandseveralfrostybeverages. Let’saggressivelyadjournthedebrieftotheEGUNBravoBar…as a crew. Whereweshallfrolicandhowlinshockingintensityandlongevityinrejoiceofourgratefulnessofthemomentathand.

GratefulfortheHerk. FortheCrew.

GratefulfortheFly, Fix,Support Team.

GratefulforourMindset…ourMission…ourHeritage. GratefulforGreenHornets, Roo’s, Blue TailFlies, andBlackKnights. Satisfied.Content.Grateful.

Thankyou,HerkNation…allsquadrons…allgenerations. Cheeringyouandyourassuredsuccesses…always.

Clear#3…LFG!

JUNE‘24

6th ForceSupportSquadron

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Military&

Rental SKEET

• BOGO Bike Rental Mon-Thu

• Bouncy

*

OneLarge Fluffy Pancakewith Choice of Topping &WhippedTopping (Blueberries,Banana, ChocolateChips or Sprinkles), Side of Meat (Baconor Sausage), andSmall FountainDrink •$6.50 HANGAR6

LittleStriker •$6.50 (Lunch/Dinner11-8pm)

3Piece ChickenTenders,CurleyFries, Mini FruitCup,and SmallFountainDrink