Thunderbolt 06/09/2022

PhotobyAirman1stClassHiramMartinez

USTRANSCOMdeliverscriticalaidtoUkraine,troopstoEurope

U.S. TransportationCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—U.S. TransportationCommand (USTRANSCOM)hasdeliveredmorethan52millionpoundsofsecurity assistanceequipmenttoUkrainethatisenablingcriticalsuccessonthe battlefieldagainsttheRussianforcethatinvadedthere Feb. 24.This aidincludesmissiles, artillery, tanks, helicopters, andbodyarmor.

“Thespeedandreliabilityatwhichwearedeliveringthissignificant assistancedemonstratesAmerica’sstalwartsupportfortheUkrainian government,” saidGen. Jacqueline D. VanOvost,commanderofUSTRANSCOM.“Noothernationhasthestrategiccomparativeadvantage inlogisticsweareleveragingonbehalfofUkraine.”

Inadditiontosecurityassistance, USTRANSCOMhasairliftedmore than16,000troopsfromthe U.S. toEuropetoassurealliesanddeter RussianaggressionagainstNATO, bringingthetotalnumberof U.S. servicemembersinEuropetoapproximately100,000.

USTRANSCOMconductsgloballyintegratedmobilityoperations, leadsthebroader JointDeploymentandDistributionEnterprise, and providesenablingcapabilitiesinordertoprojectandsustainthe Joint Forceinsupportofnationalobjectives.

“Strongrelationshipswithourdiplomaticallyalignedalliesandpartnersareparamount,astheyfacilitateouraccess, basing, andoverflight options, creatingarobustdistributionnetworkthataffordsusapositionaladvantage,” said VanOvost.

EvenwhileUSTRANSCOMmovedtroopsandsecurityassistance toEurope,itcontinuedtosupportoperationsandexercisesaroundthe globe. In U.S. Southern Command,USTRANSCOMconductedmovementsinsupportofCounter Terrorism,Counter-ViolentExtremistOr-

ganizationsandCounterNarcoticsmissions.

Trooprotationsinandoutofthe U.S. CentralCommandtheaterremaineda priority, andmultiplereadinessexercises in the U.S. IndoPacificCommand(USINDOPACOM)areaofresponsibilityrequiredair andsurfaceliftaswellasairrefueling.

Globalsupportalsoincludedmissionsconductedinthehomeland. USTRANSCOMsupportedmedicalteamdeploymentstoassist U.S. NorthernCommandandHealthandHumanServicesbattleCOVID-19. Andalthoughthehistoricairliftofnon-combatantsfromAfghanistan tookplacemorethansixmonthsago, USTRANSCOMcontinuedtosupportOperationAllies Welcome.

Finally, USTRANSCOMsupportedexercisesAfricanLionin U.S. AfricaCommandandOperation PathwaysinUSINDOPACOM.Bothexercisesarethelargestintheirrespectivetheatersandinvolvemultiple nations. Exercisesarecriticaltomaintainingaccessandinteroperabilityamongpartnernations.

USTRANSCOMreliesonthreecomponentcommandstoensurethe nationcan‘defendforward’andachievenationalsecurityobjectives:the U.S. Air Force’sAirMobilityCommand(AMC)andthe U.S. Army’sMilitarySurfaceDeploymentandDistributionCommand(SDDC)atScott Air ForceBase, Illinois, andthe U.S. Navy’sMilitarySealiftCommand (MSC)inNorfolk, Virginia.

U.S. Air ForceCol.BaryFlackcommandsthe436thMaintenance GroupatDoverAir ForceBase, Delaware, wheremuchofthesecurity assistancecargohasbeenmarshalledandshippedtoUkraine. Hesaid theDoverteamissynchronizingeffortswithUSTRANSCOM,AMC, SDDC, andthe JointMunitionsCommandatRockIslandArsenal,IlSeeUSTRANSCOM,Page9

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

MacDillontheweb

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

MacDillThunderbolt

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

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

Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6thAirRefueling WingorthePublishingCompanyoftheproductsorserviceadvertised.

Forretailadvertising,call(813)226-3318.

Everythingadvertisedinthispublicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,orpatronagewithoutregardto race,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age,maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationoranyothernon-merit factorofthepurchaser, user,orpatron.

NewsitemsfortheMacDillThunderboltcanbesubmitted tothe6thAirRefueling WingPublicAffairsoffice,8208HangarLoopDr.,suite14,MacDillAFB,FL33621.CalltheThunderboltat828-2215.Email:6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadlineforarticlesubmissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy,clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“AssociatedPressStylebookandLibelManual”andAirForceInstruction35-101.

KC-46APegasusapprovedto refuel97%ofjointforce

AirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.(AFNS)—Gen.MikeMinihan,commanderofAirMobilityCommand,approvedaseventhInterimCapabilityReleasemissionsetfortheKC-46A PegasusMay31,increasingthe aircraft’soperationalcapabilitytosupport97percentofthedailyjoint forceairrefuelingdemands.

LessthanoneyearaftertheKC-46A wasapprovedforitsfirstICR, Minihanapproveddailytask-ableoperationaluseoftheKC-46AtorefueltheB-1BLancer, C-135variants, E-8 JointSurveillance TargetAttack RadarSystem,EC-130HCompassCall,F-35B/CLightningII,KC-10 ExtenderandP-8 Poseidonaircraftduring U.S. Trans-p ortation Command-taskedmissions.

“Credible andreliableKC-46Atankercapability is now available to ourjointandinternationalpartners. Let’sgo,” Minihansaid.“InMay 2021,theKC-46A wasnot clearedtooperationallysupportanyUSTRANSCOMmissions.Withateamofincredibleprofessionalsacrossthe enterpriseanalyzingthedataandmakingrisk-informeddecisions, we’ve deliberatelyandaggressivelyacceleratedthe Pegasus’operationaluse.

ICR:Ayearinreview

ThefirstICRapprovingtheCenterlineDrogueSystemmissionset wasreleased July9,2021.Inthelast12months, theKC-46Ademon-

SeeKC-46,Page8

receivers

Photoby1stLtSavanahBray F-35LightningIIsfromthe422nd TestandEvaluationSquadron refuel fromaKC-46APegasusovertheNevada Testand TrainingRange,Nov. 17,2020,forLargeForce TestEvent20.03.LFTE20.03isapremierjoint operationaltesteventhostedbythe53rdWingthatvalidatestacticsina combat relevantenvironment.

byCapt.MoniqueRoux NinthAirForce(AirForcesCentral)

AMMAN,Jordan(AFNS)—The U.S. andRoyal JordanianAir Forcesarepartneringtocelebratewomenin aviation.

Thispartnership, launchedinSeptember2021betweenthe U.S. Air ForceandRJAF, focusesonempoweringwomenin aviationasa wayto cultivateandstrengthenrelationships.

“Webringtogether U.S. and Jordanianfemalepilotstotalkabout sharedgoalsintheir chosenprofession,”saidLt.Col.AldenGilroy, U.S. EmbassyAmmanairattachéand chiefofattachéoperations.“These engagementshavebeenverymeaningfulandgreatlyenhancethevital relationshipbetweenourtwoairforces, mostespeciallyasitrelatesto thisveryimportantpartnernationprogram.”

FortheRJAF, thesearethefirstwomen aviatorswhoaregrowing intotheirrolesasleaders.

“Thisprogramisafantasticopportunitytohighlightthe U.S. and RJAFcommitmenttosupportingfemale aviators,” saidLt.Col. Jenni-

PhotobyMasterSgt.KellyGoonan Lt. AyaAl-Sourani,RoyalJordanianAirForceUnifiedHelicopterCommandSquadron8UH-60BlackHawkpilot,talkswithU.S.AirForce visitorsduringavisitatKingAbdullahIIAirBase,Jordan,March30. TheRJAFUHChostedacombatsearchand rescueexercisedemonstrationfollowedbystaticaircrafttoursandagrouplunch.The engagementispartofanongoingpartnershipbetweenthetwocountriesfocusedonempoweringwomeninaviationasawaytocultivate andstrengthen relationships.

PhotobyAirman1stClassMichaelKillian AgroupofAirmenassignedtothe99thAirRefuelingSquadron(ARS)poseforaphotoatSumpterSmithAirNationalGuardBase,Alabama,May 30.The99thARSisageographicallyseparatedunitofthe6thAirRefuelingWing,whichmeansthatitfunctionsasasmallwingwith60percentof theAirmenworkinginmaintenance,20percentinoperations,and20percentinmissionsupportareas.

U.S.AirForceAirman1st ClassJasminJomon,6th MedicalGroupmental healthtechnician,applies tactical fieldcaretechniquesonamanikinduring a TacticalCombatCasualty Care(TCCC)assessment atMacDillAirForceBase May26.Afterwounded membersonthebattlefield aretransportedtoshelter, Airmen aretaught touse TFCwhichincludesmanagingmassivehemorrhages,airways, respirations, circulationandhypothermiaprevention.

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.AirForceCapt.NeilOrmerod,aninstructorpilotassignedtothe 91stAirRefuelingSquadron,speakstoagroupofAirForceJunior ROTCcadetsfromOsceola,SumnerandJeffersonHighSchoolat MacDillAirForceBaseJune1.Thestudentswereinvitedtoflyand tourthebaseaspartoftheAirForceRecruitingService’s Aviation InspiredMentorshipprogram.

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

DAFGamingdeliversgamingexpo,esportschampionshipatFORCECON2022

byArmandoPerez

AirForceInstallationandMissionSupportCenterPublicAffairs

JOINTBASESANANTONIO-LACKLAND,Texas(AFNS)—The Air ForceServicesCenterandtheDepartmentoftheAir ForceGaming achievedtwomajorfirstsinSanAntonioovertheMemorialDayweekend–thefirstDepartmentofDefenseArmed ForcesEsportsChampionshipandtheinauguralAir ForceGamingMinorLeagueChampionships.

Theesportscompletion wasapartoftheFORCECON2022:Innovation– Technology–Gamingconvention,aneventtospurcollaboration betweenthemilitary, industryandacademia,withagoaloftackling someofthemilitary’stoughest challengesintheareasofforcedevelopment,andinstallationandmissionsupport.

HousedundertheAFSVC,AFGsupportstheDepartmentoftheAir Force’sresiliencyandretentioneffortsthroughthecreationofaglobal esportseffortbringingAirmenandGuardianstogetherthroughcommunityexperiencesandcompetitiveleagues.

Since2019,theDAFGamingLeaguehassteadilyaddedparticipants overtwocompetitiveseasons. Morethan25,000 Total Forcegamersparticipate, includingactive-dutyAirmenandGuardians, NationalGuard andReserve, aswellasDefenseDepartmentcivilians.

“Aftertwoseasonsandthethirdseasonunderway, thesuccessofAir ForceGamingwillkeepgrowing, bringingAir ForceandSpace Force Gamingtoourothermilitarycommunitieswhileempoweringourcommunitytopractice, competeandbuildcamaraderie, leadershipandconnectedness,” saidCol.Christopher Parrish,AFSVCcommander.

Facingoffagainstthe U.S. ArmyEsportsteaminthefinal,Air Force Gamingtookthetitleaftergoingundefeatedthroughoutthetournament. AFGamingbeattheMarineCorpsand U.S. ArmyEsportsteamstowin theveryfirstesportscompetitionrecognizedbythe U.S. government.

“This(Armed Forces)winmeansmoreforesportsasawholethanit doesforme, obviouslyitmeansalottome, butforesports, thisisthefirst

PhotobyArmandoPerez U.S.ArmyEsportsteam,AirForceGamingteamandMarineCorps Gamingteamsparticipateinthetrophypresentationattheinaugural ArmedForcesChampionship,hostedbyDAFGamingattheinaugural FORCECON2022eventatthenew TechPortCenterandArenainSan Antonio, TexasonMay28-29.AirForceGamingteambeattheU.S.Army Esportsteamforthetrophyandwentundefeatedthroughoutthetournament.MarineCorpsGamingplacedthird.

federallyrecognizedevent,” saidSeniorAirmanColeSchlegel,DAFGamingteam.“So, wearetheroots, thisisdefinitelygoingdowninthehistory books.Thisis awesometobeapartof.”

AFSVCofficialsrecentlyexpandedtheprogrambyaddingtheminor league, similartointramuralsportsminorleague.Thesecondleagueallowsgamersofallages, includingretireesandyoungfamilymembers.

24thSpecialOperationsWing deploymentcellholdsExercise BronzeRam22

storyandphotosbyAirman1stClassHiramMartinez

6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

U.S. Air ForceAirmenfromthe24thSpecialOperations Wing deploymentcellbeganconductingExerciseBronzeRam22atan undisclosedlocationintheSouthwesternUnitedStatesMay27.

SincetransitioningfromtheUnitedStatesSpecialOperations CommandtotheAir ForceSpecialOperationsCommand,the24th SOWD-Cell’sprimarymissionistoprovideunmatchedsupportin installingbarebasesanywhereintheworldinatimelymannerand iscurrentlytheonlyD-CellunitintheentireAir Force.

“Wehaveaveryuniquemission,” said U.S. Air ForceMasterSgt. Tommie Taylor, the24thSOWD-Cellsuperintendent.“Inorderto ensurethatwecanaccomplishourmission,wehavetomaintain ourreadiness.”

BronzeRam22allowstheD-CellAirmentovalidatetheirabilitytoprovideshort-noticecivilengineering, forceprotection,and logisticssupporttowardawidevarietyofspecialoperationmissions acrosstheglobe.

“We wanttopracticehowweplay,” said U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt.IsmaelHayes, thenoncomissionedofficerin chargeofairtransportationforthe24thSOWD-Cell.“Ourmissionmayrequireusto setuponthesideofamountainwheretheterrainisuneven,we couldfaceinclementweatherandmayevenbeinahostileenvironment.”

Duetothe challengestheunitcouldface, theymustrelyonthe skillsetsofAirmenfromdifferentcareerfieldsincludingsecurity forces, logistics forcesupport,structuralandelectricalspecialists, aswellasheatingventilationandairconditioningspecialists.

“Wearefullyembracingthemulti-capableAirmenconcept,” Hayessaid.“I’malogisticsAirmenbytrade, howeverthatdoesnot meanIcannothelpassistotherAirmeninsettingupatent,provide fieldfeedingservices,orinstallequipmentinordertoaccomplish themissionmorerapidly.”

Ultimately, theexpertiseofeachindividualAirmenwithinD-Cell playsapartinanoverallmissionthatenablesAFSOCcommanders theabilitytoconductmissionsanywhereintheworld.

Injustamatterof48hours, theD-Cellsuccessfullysetup19TM75tents alongsideonejointairtransportablecontainerizedkitchen system,onejointoperationscenter, installingbothHVACsystems andelectricitythrougheachone.

“Wetakealotofprideinwhatwedo,” Taylorsaid.“Seeingthe finalproductandgratitudefromourcustomersmakesthisjobextremelyrewarding.”

TayloraddedthathehopestocontinueseeingAirmenfromother careerfieldsvolunteertojoinD-Cellinordertosustainanduse theirknowledgetobecomepartofalargermission.

U.S.AirForceAirmenwiththe24thSpecialOperationsWing(SOW)deploymentcelllaytarpdownastheysetupaTM75tentduringExerciseBronzeRam22atanundisclosedlocationintheSouthwesternUnitedStatesMay28.During BronzeRam22,theAirmencontinuouslyunloadedandgatheredequipment,raisedTM-75tents,installedheatingventilationandairconditioningsystems,andprovidedpowerforallfacilities.

U.S.AirForceAirmenwiththe24thSpecialOperationsWing(SOW)deploymentcell,discussoperationsatanundisclosedlocationintheSouthwesternUnitedStatesMay27,duringExerciseBronzeRam22.The24thSOWD-CellconductedExerciseBronzeRam22inordertovalidatetheirabilitytoprovideshort-noticecivilengineering,forceprotection, andlogisticssupporttowardawidevarietyofspecialoperationmissionsacrosstheglobe.

U.S.AirForce TechnicalSgt.DaleBriggs,astructuralspecialistwiththe24thSpecialOperationsWing(SOW)deploymentcell,setsupaTM-75tentatanundisclosedlocationintheSouthwesternUnitedStatesduringExerciseBronze Ram22May27,.DuringExerciseBronzeRam22,thedeploymentcellvalidatedtheirabilitytoprovideshort-notice civilengineering,forceprotection,andlogisticssupporttowardawidevarietyofspecialoperationmissionsacross theglobe.

stratedgrowingoperationalcapacityataswiftpace, despiterestrictions anddeficiencies.

ThesecondICRmilestone wasapprovedAugust5,2021,markingthe firstICRdecisionfortheairrefuelingboommissionset.Thisallowed USTRANSCOMtotasktheKC-46AtosupporttheC-17GlobemasterIII, B-52HStratofortressandotherKC-46Areceivers.

“IntheinitialICRplan,thefirstboommissionsetrelease wasestimatedforMay2022,” saidBrig Gen.RyanSamuelson,KC-46ACross Functional Teamlead.“Instead,dataanddedicatedoperationalsquadronsfocusedonsafelyexecutingthemissiondrovethedecisionforward ninemonths, enablingtheaircraftandcrewstoacceptoperationalmissionsthatwouldotherwisebefilledbybusyKC-135sandKC-10s. Simply put,thewingssaid‘wehavesystemdeficiencies, butwegotthis’and theydelivered.”

OnOctober13,2021,MinihanapprovedthethirdICR.Thisdecision allowedtheKC-46AtorefuelallvariantsoftheF-15EagleandF-16 Fighting FalconduringUSTRANSCOM-taskedmissions.Atthattime, theKC-46Acouldsupport62percentofallreceiveraircraftthatrequestedairrefuelingsupportfromUSTRANSCOM.

Boostingthatcapabilitytoalmost70%,thefourthICRsignedonDecember6,2021,approvedtheKC-46AtorefueltheAC-130JGhostrider, HC-130JCombatKingII,MC-130JCommandoII,C-5MSuperGalaxy andE-3GSentry, astaskedbyUSTRANSCOM.

Earlyin2022,operationalandtestdatademonstratedtheaircraft was capableofsupportingnearly85%ofUSTRANSCOMairrefuelingtaskings. Inresponse, MinihanapprovedthefifthICR Feb. 22,2022,allowing refuelingwiththeF-35ALightningIIandF-22Raptor.Thedecisionalso releasedtheKC-46Atosupportavarietyofalertmissions.ThesixthICR allowedtheaircrafttobeutilizedinabothpassengermovementand aeromedicalevacuationmissions.

Nextsteps:AcceleratedlessonsfromEmploymentConceptExercises, certificationofinternationalreceivers

InadditiontoICRapprovals, anothermajormilestonefortheKC46AprogramoccurredApril18,whena PegasusrefueledSpanishEF-18 Hornets, knowninSpainasC-15s, duringthe Pegasus’firstEmployment ConceptExercise, ECE22-03,atMoronAirBase, Spain.

“ThismissionmarkedthefirstoperationalrefuelingofaninternationalreceiverfortheKC-46A,pavingthe wayforstrongerinteroperabilitywithalliesandpartners,” saidLt.Col. JoshuaRenfro, KC-46ACross Functional Teamdeputylead.“FollowingadecisiontoapproveCanadian andSpanishF-18sinearly2022,thisICRaddsfivemorenationstothe listofapprovedinternationalreceivers, including Finland,Italy,Australia,Malaysia,andSwitzerland.”

EmploymentConceptExercises, asubsetoftheKC-46AICRplan,allowAMCtoemploytheKC-46Aindifferentscenarios. SomeofthosescenariosincludeRedFlag, GreenFlag, overseasoperations, andcombatant commandexercisesforfurtheroperationalemploymentandevaluation andseasoningoftheKC-46Aenterprise.

Notably, ECE22-03alsodemonstratedthereliabilityoftheplatform. InEurope, theaircraftoperatedata98%maintenancereliabilityratefor amonthandahalf.

“TheKC-46A,itsaircrews, maintenanceandsupportpersonnelperformedmagnificentlyoverthosesevenweeksinSpain,” Minihansaid.

PhotobyStaffSgt.NathanEckert AKC-46APegasusfromMcConnellAirForceBase,Kan.,beginsan overpassbeforelandingatMorónAirBase,Spain,April18.Duetoits locationand resources,theNATObaseprovidedanidealtestbedto provideinsightintobestemployingtheaircraftinfutureoperations. TheaircraftisoneoffourparticipatinginthefirstKC-46Employment ConceptExercise,partofAirMobilityCommand’sstrategyallowingthe KC-46Atosupport real-worldmissionsandassessitscapabilitieson thepathtofull-operationalstatus.

“TheypushedhardtoruntheaircraftthroughitspacesduringtheECE, includingsupportingabombertaskforce, refueling U.S. fightersover EasternEurope, andcompletingthefirst-everoperationalrefuelingofan internationalaircraft.AMCcontinuestodrivetowardincreasedrefuelingcapabilitywhileworkingtoovercomeprogrammatic challenges.”

AlongwithICRdecisionstoincreaseKC-46Aoperationalcapability, thewingscontinuetoexploretheKC-46A’s capabilityandoperationalcapacity, asMcConnellAFB’s22ndAirRefueling WingdemonstratedMay 5-6whentheycompleteda24.2-hourflightontheKC-46A,breakingthe recordforAMC’slongestdurationflightinhistory.

Duringitsfulldayairborne, theMcConnellAFBKC-46Aperformed drycontactswithanotherMcConnellKC-46A,refueledfourMarineF35Bs, and wasrefueledbyanotherMcConnellAFB-basedKC-46A.The flightalsocollectedcrucialdataonthehuman,machine, andmission capabilitiesofaerialrefueling;thedatawillbeusedtodeterminethe feasibility, limitations, potentialrisks,anduniquebenefitstheKC-46A bringstothetableforlong-durationflights.

Withmorethan40,000airrefuelingcontactswithamultitudeofjoint forceandinternationalpartnersandalliesreceiverssincethe U.S. Air Forceaccepteddeliveryofthefirstaircraftin January2019,theKC-46A isconnectingandprojectingthe Joint Forcetomeetworldwideglobal missiondemands.

linois.

FlackaddedthattheairmenatDoverhavegreatprideintheirwork. “Theyhaveapurpose.Theyhaveasteely-eyedlookbecausetheyknow whattheydomatters.Theyknowthereissomebodyontheotherend thatneedsthismaterial,andtheywillmoveasfastastheyneedto safelygetthismaterialtothefolks.”

VanOvostreflectedontheworkofUSTRANSCOM’scomponentssupportingalliesandpartnersinEurope.“Together, SDDCandMSChave deliveredarmoredvehiclesincludingBradleys,Abramsand Paladins, ammunition,fuelandothervitalsupplieswheretheywereneeded.”

“AMCmilitaryandcommercialaircarriershavedeployedsignificantvolumesoftroopsandcontinuetodelivercriticallethalaidfor

Ukraine’sdefense,” said VanOvost.Nearly40percentofthemorethan 480airliftmissionshavebeenflownbyUSTRANSCOM’scommercial partners.“We areinextricablylinkedtoourcommercialpartners.”

“Thisishowthe U.S. projectspower–forttoport,porttofoxhole, airfieldtoairfield,” said VanOvost.

USTRANSCOMexistsasa warfightingcombatantcommandtoprojectandsustainmilitarypoweratatimeandplaceofthenation’s choosing.Poweredbydedicatedmenandwomen,TRANSCOMunderwrites thelethalityofthe Joint Force, advancesAmericaninterestsaround theglobe, andprovidesournation’sleaderswithstrategicflexibilityto selectfrommultipleoptions, whilecreatingmultipledilemmasforour adversaries.

ferPruitt,26thExpeditionaryRescueSquadroncommanderandHC130JCombatKingIIpilot.“TheRJAFwomenaretrailblazers, andthey arepavingthe wayforfuturefemale aviators. It wasanhonortomeet them.”

Sincetheirfirstmeetinginthefallof2021,thesepioneersinfemale aviationhavemetonseveraloccasionsallowingthewomentoengagein teambuildinganddemonstratetheircapabilitiesintheworldof aviation.

“Thefemale Jordaniansarewonderfulhosts,” saidCapt.McKenna Hall,26thERQSHC-130Jmissionpilot.“Theirprofessionalism,drive, andfocusedattitudesarewholeheartedlyappreciatedandadmired.The RJAFfostersawonderfulenvironmentforlearningfromeachother’s militaries.”

TheRJAFhostedaneventinMarchhighlightingtheircombatsearch andrescuecapabilities.Theengagementincludedamissionbrief, CSAR exercisedemonstration,staticaircraftimmersiontourandgrouplunch. Theday-longeventprovidedanopportunityforwomenfrombothmilitariestobuildcamaraderie, sharecareerstoriesandencourageone another.

“TheCSARdemonstrationtrulyshowcasedtheRJAFlevelofsophisticationin aviation,” Pruittsaid.“Itisobvioushowmuchthepilotslove toflyand wanttoexcelintheirprofession.”

PruittandhersquadronreturnedthehonorbyhostingtheRJAF femalepilotsseveralweekslaterforauniqueopportunitytoflyalowlevelHC-130Jmissionoveroutlyingareasintheregion.

“Thisexperience wasthefirsttimeIhaveeverseenthatpartofour countryfromanaircraft,” saidLt.Sana’aAlnsour, RJAFUnifiedHelicopterCommandSquadron8UH-60BlackHawkpilot.

Inspiringandempoweringwomenin aviationisasharedgoalforthe

PhotobyMasterSgt.KellyGoonan Lt.LujainAbu-Rumman,RoyalJordanianAirForceSuperPumapilot, takesaphotofromawindowofaU.S.AirForceHC-130JCombatKing IIaircraftduringalow-levelmissionoveroutlyingareasof WadiRum, Jordan,May16.Theengagementispartofanongoingpartnershipbetweenthetwocountriesfocusedonempoweringwomeninaviationas awaytocultivateandstrengthen relationships.

U.S. and JordanianAir Forcesandthisprogramoffersuniqueopportunitiestoencourageexcellenceintheirfemale aviators.

“Workingwiththe U.S. femalepilotsisgoodforus,” Alnsoursaid. “Wecanuseexperienceslikethistoinspireanewgenerationoffemale RJAF.”

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

EVENTS

YouthCenterGlowRun June10

Therunisfrom8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.Bringtheentirefamilytothe Bay PalmsGolfComplexparking lotforthis fun run on MacDill. The YouthCenterwillbehanding outglowitemstolightthe way.

FreedomDayColorRun June16

Runisfrom6:30a.m.–9a.m. Cometothefitnesscenterforthe Juneteenth FreedomDayColor Run. Participantsareencouraged towearlight-colored clothing.

LibrarySummerReading

TheDODishostingaSummerReadingProgramthrough Aug.1attheMacDillLibrary. Registeronlineathttps://macdill.beanstackorg/.Prizeswillbe awardedtothetopreadersindifferentagecategories. Programs subjectto change.

Perfectsummerjobs

The6th ForceSupportSquadronisseekingqualifiedcandidates16andolderforpositions inhospitality, foodandbeverage, child&youth,andrecreation.All positionsstartat$15anhouror above.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

‘That’sme’

U.S.AirForceMasterSgt.KennethArcibal,aboomoperatorassignedtothe50thAirRefueling Squadron,pointstohisnameonaKC-135StratotankeratMacDillAirForceBaseJune1.Theaircraft was retiredandflowntoSheppardAFB, Texas,tobeusedasatrainingtoolforfuturemaintainers.

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/

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

“OneadagethatI’vealwaysdislikedis‘it’snotaboutwhowinsorloses, it’sabouthowyouplaythegame,’ saidMaj.Gen. Tom Wilcox,Air Force InstallationandMissionSupportCentercommander.“WithAir Force Gaming, it’s100%true.We’reallaboutbringingourarmedforcestogether, buildingcommunitiesandenjoyingfriendly, spiritedcompetition alongthe way.”

InauguralArmed ForcesChampionshipwinners:

n Air ForceStaffSgt.Shane Posey, BuckleyAir ForceBase, Colorado

n StaffSgt.TreyChristensen, KentuckyAirNationalGuard

n SeniorAirmanColeSchlegel, JointBaseSanAntonio-Lackland

n Airman1stClassAllysonStephenson,JBCharleston,SouthCarolina

TheinauguralMinorLeagueChampionshipswinners:

RocketLeaguechampionship

n TheHartford YardGoatswithSeniorAirmanHayden Kelsey, JBLangley-Eustis, Virginia

n SeniorAirmanIsaiahMonroe, JointBaseElmendorf-Richardson,Alaska

n Space ForceSpecialist3EthanDefrance, BuckleyAFB, Colorado Fortnitechampionship:

n TeamRollOutwithSeniorAirmanEthanHarkey, BuckleyAFB

n Airman1stClassTimothyCraig, MinotAFB, NorthDakota

“Thereisn’tabettervehicletomakeesportshistorythanthroughthe officialArmed ForcesSportsprogrammingandashostofthefirstever federallyrecognizedesportssportingevent,” saidCapt.Oliver Parsons, AFSVCdeputy chiefofDAF FitnessandSports.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT