Thunderbolt 6/15/2023

News/Features:page2

2023LegacyBonus

News/Features:page3

Testingairfieldrepairconcept

Weekinphotos:page4

Imagesfromtheweek

Community:page15

Events,Chapel,more...

RyanMiller, awide receiverwiththe TampaBayBuccaneers,toursaKC-135StratotankeratMacDillAirForceBase June2.GroupsliketheBuccaneersvisitMacDilltogainabetterunderstandingoftheAirForcemissionandthedifferent rolesassociatedwithmilitaryaviation.

High-flyingBuccanneer

A legacy ofservice NEWS/FEATURES

byAirman1st ClassMichaelKillian 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Thelegacyofmilitaryservicerunsdeepin the Westbayfamily, with ahistoryspanning fourgenerationsofserviceacrossthe U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and now theAir Force.

SeniorAirmanTristan Westbay, acyber transportsystemsspecialistassignedtothe 6thCommunicationsSquadronatMacDillAir ForceBase, isthelatestinhisfamilylinetodon thenation’s cloth.

Tristan’sdecisiontojointhemilitary was influencedbyhisfamily’sserviceandadesire toearn hiseducationwithout relying on his parentsforfinancialsupport. ChoosingtheAir Forceallowedhimtocontinuehisfamily’straditionofmilitaryservicewhilecarvinghisown path.

“Everyoneofmyrelatives wasvery supportiveofmydecisiontojoin,” saidTristan.“IdecidedtojointheAir Forcebecauseit wasthe onlybranchthatnoneofmyfamilyhadjoined, soIsawa chancetoventureintounchartedterritory.”

Hisfather, Jeff Westbay, servedintheNavy duringthelate1980sandearly1990s, participatinginOperationDesertShieldandDesert

SeeLEGACY,Page14

U.S.AirForce

the6thCommunicationsSquadron,posesforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseMay31. Tristan comesfromalonglineof militaryservice,withhisoldestknownfamilymemberhavingservedin World WarI. He hopesto continuehis family’slegacy of service intothe21stCentury.

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PhotobyAirman1stClassMichaelKillian

SeniorAirman Tristan Westbay, acybertransportsystemsspecialistassignedto

AirForceannounces FY23Legacy Aviation BonusProgram

Secretaryofthe Air Force PublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Eligibleactive-duty aviators haveuntil Sept. 15toapplyfor thefiscalyear 2023 AviationBonusProgram; Air Force officialsannouncedthe Legacy Aviation Bonus Programwillopen June6.

TheLegacy AvBProgrambuildsupontheprevious years’offerstodecisivelyshapeandretainexperienced ratedofficerstomeetAir Forceretention, trainingandmission-readinessrequirementstomaintainlethalityofthe force. Specificcommunities of pilots, RPApilots, airbattle managers andcombatsystemsofficersareeligiblefor monetaryincentivesin exchangefor active dutyservicecommitments.

“Reliablepersonnelforecastsallow theAir Forcetocontinueexecutingthe warfightingmission,” saidMaj.Gen AlbertMiller, Air ForceTrainingandReadinessdirector “Ourexperienced aviatorsareuniquelyqualifiedtosucceed in acombatenvironmentandtheseincentivesare necessarytomaintainthattalentandcompetitiveness

SeeBONUS,Page10

AfleetofF-16FightingFalconsassignedtothe 55thFighterSquadron,ShawAirForce Base, S.C., siton theflightlineduring WeaponsSystemEvaluationProgram-East23.08 at TyndallAFB,Fla.,May17.Eligibleactive-dutyaviatorshaveuntilSept.15,2023to applyforthefiscalyear2023 AviationBonusProgram;AirForceofficials announced theLegacy Aviation BonusProgramwill openJune6.

AFCEC successfullytestsmulti-capable Airmenairfield repairconcept

byDebbieAragon AFIMSCPublicAffairs

JOINTBASESANANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas(AFNS)—The concept ofa crosssectionofAirmencarryingoutimportant wartime tasksseems likeagoodidea,butdoesitwork?

That’swhattheAir ForceCivilEngineerCenter’sreadinessteamset outtoproveMay22-24duringaRapidDamageRepairMulti-Capable AirmenexerciseatanAir ForceregionaltrainingsiteatDobbinsAir ForceBase, Georgia.

Theexercise, thefirstofitskindforAFCEC, successfullydemonstratedtheconceptsaidMasterSgt.Broc French,contingencytraining programmanager at thecenter.

“Inadeployedlocation, wemightnotbeabletorelysolelyoncivilengineerstoexecutetraditionallyCEwork,” hesaid.“ThisexerciseshowcasedthatAirmenfromvariousAir Forcespecialtiescanexecutethese typesofrepairsandsupportourCEs.”

SeeREPAIR,Page6

AirmenfromavarietyofAirForcespecialtiespractice installation runwaydamageduringarecent multi-capable Airmenexercise May 22-24,at DobbinsAir ReserveBase,Ga.Theexercise,thefirstofits kindfortheAirForceCivilEngineerCenter,successfullydemonstrated theconcept of MCA.

PhotobySeniorAirmanTiffanyDelOso

PhotobyBrianGoddin

WEEKINPHOTOS

Airmenassignedtothe45thAeromedicalEvacuation Squadronconductmedical responsetrainingatMacDillAirForceBaseJune5.The teamexecutedsimulatedmedicalscenariosandaB-52Stratofortress refuelingmissioninconjunctionwiththe50thAirRefueling Squadron.

U.S.AirForceCol.CharityBanks,6thMaintenance Groupcommander,hands theflagtoU.S.AirForce Maj.AaronDarty,6thAircraftMaintenanceSquadronincomingcommander, duringthechange of commandceremonyatMacDill AirForceBaseJune5. A changeofcommand ceremonyisthetraditionalway thatthemilitaryconducts the official“passingofthe torch”tothenew commander.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

U.S.AirForceCapt.CameronMiller,6thSecurityForcesSquadronoperationsofficer,

firesanM18pistolatMacDillAirForceBaseJune8.Miller practiceddrillswiththehandguntoprepare foraconcealedcarrycoursetest.

PhotobyAirman1stClassMichaelKillian

MAINEiacsAimHighduring ArcticChallenge

byMasterSgt.AndrewSinclair 101stAirRefuelingWing/PublicAffairs

ØRLANDAIRBASE,Norway—TheMaineAirNationalGuard’s 101stAirRefueling Wing, alsoknownastheMAINEiacs, and265thCombatCommunicationSquadronaimedforthe cloudsandheadedNortheasttotakepartintheArcticChallengeExercise2023, occurringMay29 through June9 acrossthe Nordicregion.

The exercise, amulti-nationallive-flytrainingevent,involvesmultiple aircraftofferingdozensofcapabilities. Thebigplayersbeingfourthand fifth-generationfighters, NATO Airborne WarningandControlSystem E-3s(AWACS),and of course, the KC-135 Stratotanker.

ArcticChallengeenhancesinteroperabilitybetweenthe U.S., Allies, and Partners, solidifyinganalreadystrongbondbetweenAlliesagainst potentialadversariesoperatingintheregion.TheHighNorthisakey strategiclocationandconductingexercisesliketheseprovesastronger, morepreparedcoalitionforce–readyforanything.

SeeARCTIC,Page11

ARWistakingpartinArcticChallengeExercise2023,aliveflyexercise thatservestoadvancearcticsecurityinitiativesand enhanceinteroperabilityin theincreasinglydynamic andcontested region.

AnF-35Lightningmaneuversintopositionto receive morefuelmid-air from aKC-135StratotankerovertheArcticCircle,June5.The101st

Inpreparationfortheexercise, fivecivilengineerAirmenfromthe 366thCivilEngineerSquadronatMountainHomeAFB, Idaho, attended afive-day coursein2022tolearnhowto perform wartimeRDRtasks.

To testtheMCAconcept,acombinationof25CEandnon-CEMountainHomeAFBAirmen, with nopriorRDRexperience, werethenselectedfromacrossthebasetotakepartintheexerciseatDobbinsAFB’s Air ForceReserveCommandExpeditionaryCombatSupportTraining Certification Center.

OnceattheGeorgiabase, thefiveengineerteammatesbecametheir instructorsfortwodaysof classroom,tabletopandhands-ontraining, followedbyapracticaltestwiththeteamofCE,finance, maintenance, munitions, medicalandoperationssupportAirmenhavingtocomplete sixconcretecrater repairsandspalloperationswithinfourhours.

Inessence, theyrepairedairfielddamagethatcouldlimittheability ofaircrafttotakeoffand landina real-world, wartimeenvironment.

“Traditionally, civilengineersdotherapiddamagerepairlikewedid here, butwiththisbetatest,webroughtindifferentsquadronsanddifferentgroupstoaugmentsomeofthetasksintherepairprocess…and theyexecuted,” saidChiefMasterSgt.ChadLepley, AFCECReadiness Directorateseniorenlistedleader.

SeniorAirmanKayla PanzarellaisamedicatMountainHomeAFB, butshe wasaCE“dirtboy”duringtheexercise.

“Beingacompleteoutsidertothisworldandroutine, Ithoughtit was very clearandpreciseforwhatIneeded,”Panzarellasaidofthetraining. “I wassupernervoustocomeinhereandstartcuttingconcreteaftertwodays, butmyinstructor wasamazing Hetaughtmeeverything and waspatient.That’sreallywhatyouneedinanenvironmentlike thiscomingfromdifferentjobstosomethingasscaryasthisis.

Ican’texplainthefeelingofdoingthis wartimetask,thismission. I rememberlooking outfrom inside the(concrete-cuttingheavyequipment)andhavingthefeelingof, ‘Wow, we’redoingthis…I’msoproudof myself, proudofthisteam.’It wasafeelingIcan’treally explain …just excellenceinwhatweweredoing. It wasagreatfeeling.”

French wasimpressedwiththeentireoperation.

“It’sbeenoutstanding …pretty awesometoseeAirmenwhohave neverbeeninacompacttrackloaderorevertouchedanyofthisequip-

Airmenfrom avarietyofAir Forcespecialtiespractice installationrunwaydamage repair during a recentmulti-capableAirmen exercise May 22-24,atDobbinsAirReserveBase,Ga.Theexercisesuccessfullydemonstrated the concept of MCA.

mentexecutingthemission,” hesaid. “Aftertwodays, they’vebeenable tofillcratersand,ifitwereareal-worldscenario, beabletogetaircraft offthe groundquickly Thisisa greatconceptthatworks, andwe’re lookingtoexpand it inthefuture.”

MasterSgt. PatrickMurphy, the366thCESheavyrepairsection chiefatMountainHomeAFBandinstructorleadduringtheexercise, saidthepositiveattitudesofeveryoneinvolvedwerekeytothesuccess oftheevent.

“This(exerciseandMCAconcept)isareallygoodstartfor changing thebattlefieldspace,” Murphysaid. “If youcouldtakedifferentcareer fieldslikesecurityforces, medicalandfinancelikewehadouthere, you couldputpeopletogethertoforman ‘A Squad.’ Withthat,youcould takecareofeverythingwithasmallforce, aslongasyouhadtheright attitudelikewehadwithfolksthisweek.”

PhotobyBrianGoddin

USAFCENTflexesairto-groundcapabilities inhistoricfirstforBTF

byMasterSgt.AmandaSampson NinthAirForce(AirForcesCentral)PublicAffairs

ALUDEIDAIRBASE, Qatar(AFNS)— NinthAir Fo rce(Air ForcesCentral)aircraft joined twoB-1BLancersoverthe U.S. Central Commandareaofresponsibility, alongwith fivepartnernationsandothercoalition forces, during a Bomber Task Forcemission, June8.

ThisparticularBTFmission washistoricin thatit wasthefirsttimeAFCENTflewmultipleweapons typesandpracticedemployment againstmultiplesimulatedtargetsduringsingle bombertaskforcemission.

TheB-1Bs, assignedtoDyessAir Fo rce Base , Te xas’9thBombSquadronandcurrentlyforwarddeployedtothe U.S. European Commandareaofresponsibility, tookofffrom RAF Fairford, UnitedKingdomtojoinvarious fightercoalitionforcesthroughouttheCENTCOMregion.

During the BTF, thebombersemployedlive GBU-38 Jo intDirectAttackMunitions, as wellasa liveAGM-158A JointAir-to-Surface StandoffMissile.

“Thesebombermissions represent the U.S.’s commitmenttoourpartnersandshowcase ourabilitytodeliveroverwhelmingpowerat a moment’snotice,” said U.S. Air ForceLt.Gen. AlexusGrynkewich,NinthAir Force(Air ForcesCentral)commander, and Combined Forces AirComponentCommanderfor U. S. Centra l Command.“Together, weareoperationalizingconceptsdesignedtomakeusmoreagile inourexecution,morestrategicinourdeterrenceand moreresilientin our capability.

“Today wasademonstrationofthatcapabilityand the strengthofourpartnerships.”

ExercisesliketheBTFenhance U. S. interoperabilitywithpartnernationstodeter regionalaggressionwhilepromotingpeace andstabilityinthe Middle East.

Staff Sgt.SeanMerrick,9th Expeditionary BombSquadronB-1BLancer crewchief,and Airman1stClass apprentice,preparetheB-1forlaunchatRAFFairford, United Kingdom,June7.Bomber TaskForce objectivesthroughstrategic predictabilityandoperational unpredictabilityand thesteady rotationof str erabilityandenhancesoperational readiness.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJosiahBrown

JackieBreeden, 9th EBSB-1BLanceregress rotationssupportU.S.NationalDefenseStrategy strategicbombersinto thetheaterenablesinterop-

readiness and provide lethalprecisionandglobalstrike optionstotheU.S. andcoalition partners.

AU.S.AirForceB-1 Lancer approachesto startaerial refuelingfromaKC-135Stratotankerassignedtothe 912thExpeditionaryAirRefuelingSquadronwhileconductingaBomber Task Force missionoverthe U.S.CentralCommandarea of responsibility,June8.The BTFmission wasdesignedtobuildagility andinteroperability betweentheU.S. andcoalitionpartnerswhiledemonstratingtherapiddeploymentofcombatpowertodeter regionalaggressionwhile promoting regionalstability inSouthwestAsia.

rman1stClass

PhotobySeniorAirmanJosiahBrown SeniorAirman JoeHance,9thExpeditionary BombSquadronweaponsload crewmember,drives the AGM-158intotheaftweaponsbayatRAF,UnitedKingdom,June6.Strategicbomber missions enhance

PhotobyStaffSgt.EmilyFarnsworth

BONUS

withour pacing challenge.”

Significant changes tothe FY23Legacy AvBProgram includeanincreaseinthe monetarycap from$35,000 peryearupto$50,000per year for eligible officers.

TheFY23 AvBProgram appliesto aviatorswith anUndergraduateFlying TrainingActiveDutyServiceCommitmentexpiring inFY23orearlier.Aviatorscurrentlyonan AvB contract willnotbeable torenegotiateforahigher amountinthis year.

SeparatefromtheLegacy AvBProgram, theFY23 National DefenseAuthorizationActdirectstheAir Forceto executeaRated Officer RetentionDemonstrationProgram,allowing active-dutymannedpilots with no morethanthree years, butnot less than one year, remainingtosign a contractforthemaximum monetaryamountoneto twofiscalyearspriortothe fiscalyeartheirUFTADSC commitment expires.

FY23will beatransition yearfortheAir Force. The maximumcontractamount of$50,000 peryearoffered undertheLegacyProgram this year willnotbeoffered nextyear Instead, themaximumcontractamountwill onlybeofferedunderthe demonstration program.

Complete eligibility requirementsandapplication instructionswillbe availableonthe AvBtile onthe myFSSwebsite Welcome Page(https://myfss.us.af. mil/USAFCommunity/s/) whentheapplicationwindow opens June 6.

AnF-16FightingFalconpilot withthe93rdFighterSquadron,HomesteadAirReserveBase,Fla., restsontheedgeof thecockpitduringCheckeredFlag23-2at TyndallAirForceBase,Fla., May17.Eligibleactive-dutyaviatorshaveuntil Sept.15,2023,toapply forthefiscalyear2023 AviationBonusProgram;AirForce officials announcedtheLegacy AviationBonus ProgramwillopenJune6.

AnF-15C Eagleassigned tothe194thFighterSquadron,FresnoAir National GuardBase,Calif.,flies over Tyndall Air Force Base,Fla.during CheckeredFlag23-2 at Tyndall AFB,Fla.,May17.Eligible active-dutyaviatorshave untilSept.15,2023toapply forthefiscalyear2023 AviationBonusProgram;Air Forceofficialsannounced theLegacy AviationBonus ProgramwillopenJune6.

PhotobySeniorAirmanTiffanyDelOso

PhotobySeniorAirmanTiffanyDelOso

ARCTIC

FromPage5

ThroughmonthsofcooperationwiththeRoyalNorwegianAir Force, theMAINEiacslandedandhitthegroundrunning,received inbriefs, andsettledintohostnation-coordinatedlivingquarters. Being40de-greescoolerthanitwasbackhome,Maine’s“PineTree” AirmenadjustedquicklytotheArcticconditionsandgotrighttowork unpackinggearandestablishingworkzonesforaircrew,maintenance, communications,andalltheothernecessarycareerfieldstomaintain thecriticalaerialrefuel-ingmission.

Thegeographically-separatedunitbasedin Portland,Maine, the265th CombatCommunicationSquadron, setupfieldcommunicationstoprovideinternetaccessandradiocapabilitiesbydoingwhattheydobest–adaptingandovercoming.

Theaircrewimmediatelybeganworkingwiththeintelligenceteamto startdrawingupflightplansandbattlerhythmswhilemaintenanceensuredthejet wasreadytogosomid-airrefuelingcouldhappenwithout ahitch.Thewholeprocess waslikeawell-oiledmachinefollowingyears ofprofessionalizedengagementsgloballythroughtheState Partnership Program, contingencysupport, andoperationaldeployments.

TheMAINEiacsimmediatelyinitiated operationalplanningwith teamsfromthe13nationsandNATO executingArctic Challenge2023. Afterafewdaysofpreparationandcoordination,theexercisekickedoff andtheAirmenwerereadytodowhattheydobest; demonstrating what it meanstobeaworld-classorganization.

U.S. Air ForceStaffSgt.ShelbySlaughter, a Boom Operatorforthe 101stAirRefueling WingandakeystaffmemberforArcticChallenge says, “Truthfully, it’s givenmeacompletelydifferentperspectivetobeing inoperations. Theamount of planningand coordination thatgoesinto somethingaslargeasthisexerciseisextraordinaryandIfeelveryfortunate to havebeenapartofit.”

Asajuniorboomoperator, thisisSlaughter’sfirsttimeinaleadplanningrole. HerdutiesworkingintheMissionPlanningCellplayedan integralroleincoordinatinginternationalrefuelingoperations. Shealso hadafew chancestobreak away andflytorefuelaircrafttakingpartin theexercise, gettinga chancetocollaboratewithcoalitionpartnersinthe High North.

internationalmediacorrespondentsonaKC-135mediaflighttodemonstratethe U.S.’s abilitytointegratewithglobalAlliesand Partnersand increasecoalitioncapabilitiesthroughouttheArctic.

BBCDefense correspondent, JonathanBeale, attendedthemedia flightsaying, “OneofthethingsIalwaysgetfromatankeristhecomplexityofit.” Hecontinued, “Itcanliterallyloadquiteafewjetsupwith fuelsotheycancarryouttheir missions. Shocking!”

“There’squiteabitmoretoitthanpeoplerealize,” Bealecontinued. “Theboomoperatoriswritingoutcalculationsonthewindowtryingto figureitalloutwhilethepilotsupfrontaremaintainingasetspeedwith theformationbehindthem, it’sreallyfascinating.”

The U.S. andcoalitionforcesdemonstratethejointforce’sabilitytoexecutestrategicallyandtactically. TheArcticisbecominganincreasingly importantfocusarea,andtheexerciseincorporatesnearlyeveryArctic nationwho reliesoncontinuedregional safetyandsecurity.

TheongoingconflictonNATO’s EasternFlankhighlightstheneedfor greaterdefensecooperationincriticalstrategicareas. Bealenotedthe Nordiccoalitiondemonstrated“trueairpower”in ways U.S. adversaries havenotbeenabletoexecute.

TheMaineNationalGuardcurrentlypartnerswithMontenegro throughtheNationalGuardBureau’sState PartnershipProgram, and manystateshavedevelopedrelationshipswithtwoormorenations. The MinnesotaNationalGuardrecentlypartneredwithNorway throughthe program.

TheMaineAirNationalGuardisposturedtooperateinthecoldand harshconditionsoftheArcticasmanyAirmenrecentlygraduatedfrom theExtremeCold WeatherSurvivalCourseandroutinelysupportAllied andcoalitionaerialrefuelingeffortsacrosstheHighNorth.The265th CBCScompletedsimilarcoldweathertrainingin January, increasing theirindividualreadinessfortheirgloballyseparatedunitinsouthern Maine.

U.S. Air ForceLt.Col.AndyAlfiero, the U.S. Air-to-AirRefuelingLiaisonOfficerandArcticChallengeDetachmentCommander, hasbeen coordinatingoperationsfortheexerciseforoverayearwith Finnish, Swedish, andNorwegianAllies and Partners.

TheMaineAirNationalGuardhosteddozensoflocal, regional, and

“Ourcredibilityiswhatsetsusapart,theMAINEiacshavealongtraditionofdoingtherightthingandgettingthejobdone,” Alfierosays. “You can’thaveconfidenceandcredibilitywithoutexperienceandwebuildon ourexperiencesbyleadingthe wayasthesolestateANGunitshere, illustratingourcommitmenttotheHigh Northandbuildingprofessional relationshipswithourneighborstotheNorth.”

Alfiero’sprideandcommitmenttothemissionisevidentinhispassion forwhathedoes Hesays, “I’mproud,impressed,excitedandhumbled. We usemetricsofperformanceandourmemberscrushedallourdesired learningobjectivesandexerciserequirements. Iamimpressedwiththe growthandlearningofmymembersthattookplace- watchingallof thembuildupontheircraftsandspecialtieswhiledevelopingnewtactics, techniquesandprocedurestobringhometoourcohortsallowingMaine toleadthe wayin theArctic.”

AsthesoleAirNationalGuardparticipantintheexercise, theMAINEiacssetahighstandardfor all U.S. forcesconductingoperations throughouttheregion,whichtranslatesintotheprofessionalismandexpertiseexpectedforallrotationalforcesthroughoutthe U.S. European Command’stheaterofoperations.

Alfierocontinuedtosay“We’vedemonstratedourcapabilitiesandbuilt credibilitywithourfellowArcticStates, openingthe doortootherevents thatwillcontinuetobuildonourreputationasthepremierArctic Tanker unitoftheNorth.”

ArcticChallengehostednearly150aircraftfrom13nationsandNATO acrossthethreeScandinaviancountries. TheMAINEiacbrand of excel-

lenceandcommitmentstrengthensbondsandforms newfriendships.

TheAirNationalGuardprovidescriticalrotationalforcesthroughout Europe. ArcticChallengeisoneofmanyengagementopportunitiesfor theglobal Total Force.

TheexerciseleadsintotheGerman-ledAirDefender2023,thelargest airdefenseexerciseinmainlandEuropesincetheendof World WarII. TheNationalGuardBureauwilldeployunitsfrom severalstatestosupportthemajoroperation, highlightingthe Total Force’sabilitytoprovide combat-readyforcesanytime, anywhere.

TechnicalSergeantKyleFarleyfrom the101stAirRefuelingWingdiligently remainslaserfocusedasheconducts mid-air refuelingwithhis receiverovertheArcticCircle, May29.

LEGACY

FromPage2

Storm.AsaformermemberoftheSpecial Warfarepipeline, JefflatertransitionedtohelicoptermaintenancebeforeleavingtheserviceasanE-4.

“Myservicehasbeenquiteawildride,” said Jeff. “It’shad itsupsanddowns, andalotofdarkmoments, butintheend I wasabletohaveamassiveimpactontheworldanddo someinsanelycoolstuffthatI’llneverforget.”

Tristan’sgrandfather, George Westbay, completedtwo toursin Vietnamasanengineerandvehiclemaintenance lancecorporalintheMarineCorps. Helater receivedfull disabilitybenefitsduetohealthcomplicationscausedbyexposuretoAgentOrangeduringthe war. Despitetheadversityhefaced,George’slegacyofserviceandhardworkcontinuedafterhismilitarycareerasablacksmithandmechanic.

In World WarII,Tristan’sgreat-grandfather, John WestbaySr., servedintheArmy, possiblyasaninfantryman.Detailsabouthisserviceareless clear, ashedidnot frequentlydiscusshistimeinthemilitary. Afterleaving theservice, heworkedasahandymanandtiler.

Thefamily’smilitaryhistoryalsoextendsbackto World WarIwith John’sgreat-great-grandfather, Joe, whoserved intheArmyduringtheconclusionoftheconflict.

Asthelatestgenerationinafamilywitharichhistoryof service, Tristanisproudtocarryonthelegacyofhardwork, discipline, andpatriotismexemplifiedbyhisforefather

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Fromleft,U.S. AirForceCol.AdamBingham,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander, MasterSgt. CynthiaCarpio,6th OperationsSupportSquadronhostaviation resource management superintendent,andChiefMasterSgt.ShaeGee,6th ARWcommandchief,poseforaphotoduring a Champofthe Week recognitionatMacDillAirForceBaseJune 6.Carpioensuredthe reduction ofARMSlist reportingdeficienciesby 25 percent.

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PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

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