Thunderbolt 06/16/2022

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

DoDpaystributetoLGBTQ+servicemembers

byDavid Vergun DODNews

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—PrideMonthisa timetocometogethertohonorthecontributionsofLGBTQ+servicemembers, saidDeputyDefenseSecretaryKathleenH.Hicks, who spokeatthe11thLBGTQ+PrideCeremonyat the Pentagon June7.

AsPresident JoeBidenrecentlystated, PrideMonthisatimetoremindtheLGBTQ+ communitythattheyarevaluedanddeserve dignity, respectandsupport,shesaid.

TheDefenseDepartmentstrivestoleadon issuesrelatedtodiversity,equity,inclusionand accessibility, includingforLGBTQ+people, she said.

“TheDoDiscommittedtoensuringand promotinganatmosphereofdignityandrespectforallcivilianandmilitarypersonnel. We strivetomaketheDepartmentofDefense aworkplaceof choiceforallAmericanswillingandqualifiedtoserve. Indoingso, weset abedrockfoundationwhereallpersonnelare valuedandgivenanequalopportunitytosucceed,” shesaid.

LGBTQ+,Page12

StaffSgt.BryannaDahl,436thAirliftWingoccupationalsafetytechnician,saluteswitha rainbow-paintedhandinpreparationforPrideMonthatDoverAirForceBase,Del.,May26, 2021.EveryJune,theDefenseDepartment recognizesPrideMonth,celebratingthecontributionsofLGBTQ+servicememberswhohavebravelyservedandsacrificed.PrideMonthalso upholdsDoD’scommitmenttodiversityandinclusioninallmilitarybranches.

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MacDillThunderbolt

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PhotobyMauricioCampino

AirGuardsmenhonoredforvalorduringOperationAlliesRefuge

byStaffSgt.SarahM.McClanahan NationalGuardBureau

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (AFNS)—Flyingintoa“hornet’snest”ishowonecrew memberofReach824describedthesceneastheirC-17GlobemastermilitarytransportaircraftapproachedHamidKarzaiInternationalAirportin Kabul,Afghanistan,as Talibanforcestookthecapitalcitylastsummer.

ThecrewofsevenAirmenfromthe105thAirlift Wing, New YorkNationalGuard,didnotgraspthemagnitudeoftheirheroismatthetime: Theirsuccessfulcompletionofthisairliftmissionwouldearnthemthe DistinguishedFlyingCrossandAirMedal,eachdonnedwiththeVdevice forvalor, ortheMeritoriousServiceMedal.

“IamgratefulthereareAmericanswhostepforwardtoserveournation,tokisstheirfamiliesgoodbyetojointhefight,totelltheiremployers, ‘Iknowwhatwedoisimportant,butrightnowmynationneedsme, andI havetogo,’” saidArmyGen.DanielHokanson, chiefoftheNationalGuard Bureau,ataceremony June4recognizingthecrew’sheroism.

“Itisnothingshortofinspiringtobeinyourcompany.”

RecognizedwereCapt.MatthewMcChesney, Lt.Col.Andrew Townsend, Capt. JonathanGuagenti, Tech. Sgt. JosephCaponiIV, StaffSgt.EvanImbriglioandStaffSgt.CoreyBerke.

Theseventh member,Tech.Sgt.Byron Catu, flying crew chief aboard

Wishgranted!

by Tech.Sgt.BradleyTipton

927thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

The927thAirRefueling Wing wasintroducedtooneofthemostresilientmembersofitsfamilyduringafamilydaygatheringatMacDill Air ForceBaseApril30.

Tam Keenan,fromtheKids WishNetwork,introduced7-year-old LennonLittletothewingandpresentedhimwithamilitaryuniform.

U.S. Air ForceCol.KurtMatthews, 927thARWcommander, presentedLennonwithhiscommander’scoin,thankedhimforhisbraveryand madehimanhonorarycommanderforthefamilyday.

Life-threateninghealth challengesqualifiedLennontoreceiveawish throughtheKids WishNetwork.

Forhiswish,Lennon chosetomeetformer U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpandanupdatetothatwishcameintheformofasurprisegift boxpresentedtohimduringthefamilyday. Inside, Lennonfoundapersonalletter, coinandseveralautographedmemorabiliaitemsfromthe formerpresident.

“We’reincrediblyproudtohavetheLittlesinthe927thfamilyand it wasapersonalhonortomeetLennonatfamilyday,” saidMatthews.

AirNationalGuardphotobyStaffSgt. TerrenceClyburn New YorkNationalGuardAirmenwiththe105thAirliftWingwere recognizedwiththeDistinguishedFlyingCrossandAirMedalwithvalorat StewartAirNationalGuardBaseinNewburgh,N.Y.,June4.Gen.Daniel Hokanson,NationalGuardBureauchief,andAirForceLt.Gen.Michael Loh,AirNationalGuarddirector,praisedtheAirmenfortheirheroicactionsflyingaC-17GlobemasterIIIintoHamidKarzaiInternationalAirportinKabul,Afghanistan,as TalibanforcestookthecapitalcityinAugust2021.

Photoby TechSgt.BradTipton U.S.AirForceCol.KurtMatthews,927thAirRefuelingWingcommanderandLennonLittleshareasaluteonMacDillAFBApril30. Matthewspresentedthecommander’scointoLittleandnamedhim HonoraryCommanderforthedayinfrontofthe927thARWin recognitionforhisbraveryand resilienceinthefaceofhealthchallenges.

Airmenassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingandhonorarycommanderspauseforagroupphotobeforeboardingaKC-135Stratotankeraircraft atMacDillAirForceBaseJune3.MacDill’shonorarycommanderprogrampairslocalcivicleaderswithunitcommandersonbasetostrengthen relationshipsbetweenthemilitaryand Tampacommunity.

U.S.AirForceCapt. VaughnCampbell,apilotassignedtothe50thAir RefuelingSquadron,iswelcomedhomebyhiswife,LeaCampbell,at MacDillAirForceBaseJune6.TheAirmen returnedhometoMacDill followingasix-monthdeploymentwheretheyweretaskedtodeliver coalitionairpowerandsupporttosecureandstabilizetheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility.

PhotobyStaffSgt.ShannonBowman

PhotobyAirman1stClassMichaelKillian IanWhitney,anLGBTQ+liaisonfor TampaMayorJaneCastor,speaks duringaPrideMonthluncheonatMacDillAirForceBaseJune9.The luncheonwasheldtocelebratetheaccomplishmentsoftheLGBTQ+ communityintheirstruggleforequality.

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

Resistingthecomfortzone:8thEAMSmaintainersharesstoryof resilience

by1stLt.EmmaQuirk

521stAirMobilityOperationsWing

ALUDEIDAIRBASE,Qatar—Whatkeepsyougoing?Whydoyou alwaysseemsohappy?Wheredoyougetyourpositiveattitudefrom?How comeyounevercomplain?

ThesearequestionsthatStaffSgt.AntonioLomeliIIreceivesregularly. Heattributeshisvaluesandhard-chargingmentalitytohismom. From anearlyageshetaughthimtheimportanceofresponsibility, integrity, and hardwork.

Shealsotaughthimquitting wasneveranoption.

Lomeli wasbornintheUnitedStates, buthisfamilysoonmovedto Mexicoto awaithismother’spendingnaturalization.Lomeliandhisfour siblingsgrewupintheirmother’sbirthplaceof Juarez,Mexico.

“I wasraisedinoneofthemostdangerouscitiesintheworld,” Lomeli shared.“Myparents, alongwithmyfourothersiblings, livedinaconstant stateofsurvival. We learnedtotakecareofeachother.Astheoldestson, muchoftheresponsibility wasplacedonmyshoulders. Lifeforme was aboutstaying away fromthewrongpeopleandplaces.”

Lomelirecalledmurders, drugcartels, gangviolence, childtrafficking, andothercrimesthattookplaceas closeasafewhousesdownthestreet.

Asanarduousandhonestworker, Lomelicontributedtoandprotected

hisfamily.

“Mymothertaughtmethevalueofworkinghardwithoutcomplaining, asitdidnogoodanddidnot changeourcircumstances. Sheembodied whatitistobeahardworker,” hesaid.

Aftershegraduatedhighschool,hismotherimmediatelywenttowork andoftenworkedseveraljobs. Shemanagedanapartmentcomplex,owned abusinessmakingandsellingcylinderblocks, andranarestaurant.

“ShetaughtmeifI wantedanything, Ihadtoearnitbyworkinglittle jobstoobtainit,” hesaid.

“Ifthejob wasdoneincorrectly, shestoodand watchedovermetoensure Ididitcorrectly,” Lomeliadded.“Ittaughtmethevalueofhonestyandexcellenceinmyworkduties.”

Afteryearsofhardwork,andascrimeratesrosearoundthem,Lomeli’s parentssavedenoughmoneytosendhimandhissiblingstolivewithhis paternalgrandparents.

Lomeliexperiencedmanytransitionsatonce:fromelementaryschool tomiddleschool,fromMexicotothe U.S., andfromlivingwithhisparents tolivingapart.Allthewhile, hefelthimselfresponsibleforhisyounger siblings, whoalsonavigatedtheseparationfromtheirparentsandthe standardgrowingpains.

Duringthisdifficulttransition,Lomelifoundhimselfgettingintotrou-

AETClaunchesphaseIIof myTrainingsystemdesigned totrackon-the-jobtraining

U.S.AirForcegraphicbyDanHawkins

AirEducationand TrainingCommandcontinuesto reimaginehowtheydelivercorelearningservicesand advanceforcedevelopmentthroughthedesignof21st Centurylearningtoolswiththelaunchoftheservice’s myTrainingapplicationtoAirmen,May24. To replacethe TotalForce TrainingRecordtheAETCLearningServices DivisiondesignedandupdatedmyTraining,“poweredby myLearning,”astheenterprise-widesolutionthatprovidesthecapabilitytomanagethetraininglifecyclefor total-forcepersonneltoenhanceproductivity,efficiency, andmissioneffectivenesstoincludeupward reportingto otherservicesforjointmissionaccomplishment.

byDanHawkins

AirEducationandTrainingCommandPublicAffairs

JOINTBASESANANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS)—

AspartofAirEducationandTrainingCommand’seffortstoadvanceforcedevelopmentacrossthe Air Force,AETCofficialsannouncedthePhaseIIlaunch oftheservice’smyTrainingapplicationtoAirmen June7.

ThemyTrainingsystem,“poweredbymyLearning,” is replacingthe Total ForceTrainingRecordforAirmenand Guardiansandprovidesthecapabilitythrough21stcenturylearningtools to managethetraining lifecyclefor Total Forcepersonnel.myTraining wasdesignedbythe AETCLearningServicesDivisiontoenhanceproductivity, efficiency, andmissioneffectivenessandupwardreporting tootherservicestosharedataneededforjointmissionaccomplishment.

bleandfightsatschool.But,asalways, hepersevered.

Inhighschool,hetookadvantageofanearlygraduationprogramthat allowedhimtofast-trackhiscreditsbypackinghisschedulewithearly morningandlateafternoon classesinadditiontotheregularcurriculum.

Hedidn’thavehisownvehicle, sohewoulddependonfriendsforrides. Buttheserideswerenotprobono.

“Iwouldhelpmyfriendsfixtheircarsandtrucksinreturnforridesto whereIneededtogo,” hesaid.“Ifeelthatthisiswheremypassionforcars began.”

Hegraduatedfromhighschoolatsixteenyearsoldandwentstraightto college.

“AsIenteredhighereducation,Ifailedoutofmany classesandrealized thatschool wasnotforme,” Lomelisaid.“However, notgoingtoschool was outofthequestionformymother.”

Hismotheridentifiedhispassionandskillsinvehiclemaintenanceand noticedthathe wasahands-onlearner, ratherthanatextbooklearner. Withonlyone-hundreddollarsinherhands, sheenrolledhersoninavocationalschooltoreceiveanassociate’sdegreeinautomotivetechnology.

Lomeligraduatedatthetopofhis classwithhonorsand washiredata family-ownedbodyshop. Helatermovedontoalargercardealershipin theservicedepartment.

“Overtime, there wassomethingwithinmecallingmetosomething bigger,” hesaid.“ItoldmyselfthatIwouldprovethatI wascapableand deservedaplacetoworkinthedealership.”

Hesoughta challengeand wantedtoapplyhismaintenanceskillsto somethingabitlarger:airplanes. Hesharedhisinterestforaircraftmaintenancewithhisneighbor, asoldierinthe U.S. Army, whourgedLomelito considerjoiningthe U.S. Air Force.

At30years-old,LomelisetouttobecomeanAirman.“IstartedtoresearchjobdescriptionsintheAir ForceanddiscoveredIcouldmeetmy desiretogrow, workonairplanes,andservemycountryallatthesame time,” Lomelisaid.

“Onewouldassumeitwouldbeeasy, butmyagemadeitthatmuch moredifficult,” hesaid.“Ihadmultiplesetbacksduetopoorfinancialdecisionsandmyrecruiteratthattimesaidthatthe chancesofgettingac-

Courtesyphoto

U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.AntonioLomeliII,anaircraftmaintainerdeployedtothe8thExpeditionaryAirMobilitySquadron,posesforaphoto atAlUdeidAirBase,Qatar,May20.

Inspiringthe nextgeneration, onebirthdayat atime

storyandphotosbyAirman1st ClassLaurenCobin

6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Theroomfilledwithsmilesas 10servicemembersassignedto

MacDillAir ForceBasejoined childrenattheNewLife Villageto celebratetheirbirthdaysin Tampa May29.

SupportedbytheCelebrateBirthdaysorganization,theMacDillservice membersjoinedthefun,celebrating withpartygames, apiñataandcake.

“Seeingtheirjoyisthebestthing,” sharedAirman1stClassSydney Gunn,acrew chiefassignedtothe 6thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron.

“I wasinfostercaremyself, knowing somesituations childrenmaybefacingreallydrovemetovolunteerhere.”

NewLife Village, aresidentialcommunitydedicatedtoserving children impactedbyfostercareortrauma, hostsmonthlybirthdaypartiestoensurethatall childrenhavetheopportunitytocelebratetheirbirthday.

Childrenfromthevillageshared theirgratitudefortheseevents,and howtheyenjoymeetingthe volunteerswhospenttimewiththem.

Oneattendantwhorecentlygraduatedhighschool,expressedinterest intheAir Force, and wasgratefulto speakwiththevolunteersfromMacDillwhohelpedthemunderstand someofthedifferentcareerpaths.

“IamjustsothankfulfortheAir Forceprovidingmewiththeopportunitytomeetnewpeopleandgiveback tomycommunity,” Gunnsaid.“Being abletoseetheirsmilesmadeallthe difference.”

Acandleislitonapieceofcake tocelebratethebirthdaysofchildreninfostercareattheNewLife Villagecampuslocatedin Tampa May29.Thismonth,10service members,assignedtoMacDillAir ForceBase,joinedthefun,celebratingwithpartygames,apiñata andcake.

ChildrengatherwithservicemembersassignedtoMacDillAirForceBasetocelebratethebirthdaysofchildreninfostercareattheNewLife Villagecampuslocatedin TampaMay29.NewLifevillage,a residentialcommunitydedicatedtoservingchildrenimpactedbyfostercareortrauma, hostsmonthlybirthdaypartiestoensurethatallchildrenhavetheopportunitytocelebratetheirbirthday

RESILIENCE

ceptedwereslimtonone.”

Despitehardshipsintherecruitingprocessandbeing told“no,” Lomelicontinuedtopursueanenlistmentinthe military.

“Idecidedtonotgiveup,” Lomelisaid.“Iwenttoadifferentcityandmetanotherrecruiterwhohelpedmetofinally getacceptedintotheUSAFasamaintainer.”

Withinthelastfiveyearsinservice, Lomelihasvowed totakeeveryopportunitytogrow, change, andbethebest Airmenhecanbe. He wasonceplacedastheDue-in For Maintenance(DIFM)monitor.Thisjob wasinanoffice, sittingatadeskand checkinginparts.

Hiscomfortzoneandpassion wasontheflightline, not behindadesk.However, heacceptedthenew challengeas anopportunitytomakeameaningfulimpactandcontributiontotheAir Force.Withlessthanthreeyearsworking theflightline, he wasofferedtheopportunitytobecomea flyingcrew chief(FCC).

Lomelihasprovedtimeandtimeagainthathedidnot shy away froma challenge, buthiscourageisbalancedby hisself-awarenesstoknowwhenheisn’tquitereadyto takesomethingon.Inthiscase, itmeantdecliningtheopportunitybecausehedidnotfeelready.

“Ifeltunderpreparedanddecidedtocontinuetowork theflightlinetogainmoreexperienceforfutureopportu-

nities,” hesaid, “Althoughit wasnotmymomenttobean FCCatthatgiventime, Iusedthesetbacktotryharder.”

Whenhedidfeelreadytotakeonthe challengeofFCC, hesufferedatornligamentinhiswrist.Thesurgeryandrecoverytookhimofftheflightlineforsixmonthsandfurther delayedhissecond chanceasanFCC. He wasplacedintoan officejob, onceagain,thistimeasatrainingmonitor.

“Eventhoughsurgeryandrecoverywereunexpected,” hesaid,“Isawanotheropportunitytolearnsomethingnew andcontributetothebestofmyabilities.”

HecreditsAirmanLeadershipSchool(ALS)andhis promotiontostaffsergeantasanotherperiodofimmense growthand change.

“AsIwentthrough[ALS],” hesaid.“IdiscoveredmypositionintheAir Force changedfrombeinganAirmanneedinghelp, tobeingaleaderdrivingagroupofAirmento excellence.”

Shortlyafterbecominganewstaffsergeant,Lomelideployedfromthe437thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron, JointBaseCharleston,SouthCarolina,tothe8thExpeditionaryAirMobilitySquadronlocatedonAlUdeidAir Base, Qatar. Ageographically separatedunitunderthe 521stAirMobilityOperations Wing.

Thedeploymentonceagainplacedhimoutsideofhis comfortzone, workingasashiftlead.

“Iquicklyhadtolearnhowbothtomanagethemaintenanceofaircraftontheflightlineandtomanageseveral Airmenandnon-commissionedofficers,” hesaid“Iwent frombeingonlyresponsibleformyselfandmyduties, tobeingresponsibleforanentireshiftofAirmenwholookedto meastheirleaderforguidanceandsupport.”

Whileworkingtheflightline, Lomelisetouttocomplete anAirframeand Powerplant(A&P)license.Whilehedid notpassonhisfirstattempt,he wasdeterminedtomaster thematerialandobtainthelicense.

“Icouldhaveeasilytakenthemomenttofeelsorryfor myselfandgiveup,” hesaid.“Instead,Idecidedtowork hardertoobtainmylicense.Theysaythatanythingworth havingtakeshardwork.Otherwise, everyonewouldhave theonethingyouaretryingtoachievewithoutsacrificeor hardwork.”

Hismentalityanddrivetoexcelinhiscareerledhimto passthefinalexamandearnthelicense.

Lomeli wasfacedwithmultiplesetbacksduringhisjourneyfrom childhoodtoanaircraftmaintainerinthe8th EAMS–“MightyOcho.” Facingeachobstacle, Lomeliovercame, clearedthehurdle, andsprintedtothenext.

“Ihavenotbeenperfect.Ihavestruggledandworked extremelyhardforeverythingIhaveachievedthusfar, and itstartswithaninternaldesiretoachievesetgoals,” said Lomeli. “Alloftheseuniqueopportunitieshavemoldedme intowhoIamtoday.

“Theold wayoftrackinglearningisobsoleteandneedstobemodernizedtoacceleratethe changeweneedtokeeppacewithdemandandthe fast-pacedvirtuallearningworldweliveintoday,” saidCol.RandyOakland,AETCOperationsandCommunicationsdirector.“ThemyTraining platformisanotherexampleofhowAETCisdevelopingempoweredAirmenwiththeattributesrequiredtocompete, deteraggression,andwin inthehigh-endfight.”

Additionally, theAir Forcewillseesignificantsavingsbyeliminating redundantinfrastructure, andAirmenandGuardianswillspendless timeondifferentapplications, Oaklandsaid.

AsthereplacementtoTFTR,themoremodernmyTrainingisnow integratedintomyLearning’sapplicationswithmigrateddatafromthe legacyTrainingBusinessAreaandAir ForceTrainingRecord.

“Trackingalifetimeoftrainingandcareerprogression,myTraining providesaone-stopshoptorecordalllearning, whetheritoccursina specializedtrainingoreducationprogram,onthejoboroff-duty, oreven trainingwithanothermilitaryservice,” saidFloydMcKinney,AETC LearningServicesOperationsdivision chief.“Over800,000 Total Force Airmen&Guardiansneededanon-the-jobtrainingmanagementand trackingsystem;myTrainingnowdeliversit.”

AccordingtoMcKinney, thefullyinteroperableandsecureplatform hasahostofoperationalbenefitsforcommandersandsupervisorsatall levels.

“TheoperationalbenefitsofmyTrainingincludetheabilitytodeliver, trackandreportonmissionreadinesstraininginonelocation,andmaximizepreparationduringforcegenerationcycles,” McKinneysaid.“The systemgivesoptionsforMAJCOM-uniqueenvironments, andreduces overalllimespentbyAirmenandGuardiansondifferentplatformsby usingsharedservices.”

Theupdatedapplicationenablessupervisorstoassign,monitor, documentandrecordTrainingandEducationactivitiesforindividualstoaccomplishatspecifiedtimesthroughouttheircareer, whilealsoallowing specifiedroles,suchastrainingmanagers, deploymentmonitorsorcommanders, toobtainandprovidestatusreportsattheindividualandorganizationallevels, McKinneysaid.

myTrainingisexpectedtoreachfinaloperatingcapabilityinthefallof 2022.

Userswhoareexperiencingtechnicaldifficultieswiththesiteorhave feedbackforthedevelopmentteamcanemailaetc.scoh.asdhelpdesk@ us.af.mil.

Recruiting, developingandretainingahighlyskilledmilitaryand civilianworkforceofdiversetalentisessentialto U.S. warfightingsuccess, shesaid.

“Thedepartmentshouldnotandcannotbeaplacethatdiscourages outstandingLGBTQ+individualsfromacareerinDoDbecauseofactualorperceivedbarrierstoentryorhostileworkplaceconditions,” she said.

InSeptember2011,the“don’task,don’ttell”policy wasrepealed, allowingLGBTQ+servicemembersandcivilianstoacknowledgetheir sexualorientationandserveopenly. InSeptember, theDoDcommemoratedthe10-yearanniversaryofthatrepeal,shesaid.

“Wewillcontinuetoadvancepoliciesandprogramstodevelopand nurturealeadershippipelineofdiversetalentandcreatepathwaysfor everyoneatDoDtorealizetheirpotential. We knowthatorganizational climatesaffectourworkforces’experiences. Moretothepoint,itaffects our warriorreadiness.Therefore, wearedirectinginitiativestoimprove leaders’skilldevelopmentandfostermoreeffective, inclusiveteamenvironments,” Hickssaid.

Thedepartmentisdevelopingadiversity, equity, inclusionandaccessibilitystrategicplantoguideanddirectactivitiestofurtherthose initiativeswithinthedepartment,shesaid.

ThatplanisinthefinalstagesofapprovalandwillidentifyDoD’s prioritiesandobjectivesforthecomingyear, Hickssaid.

Progresswillnotbedrivenbypoliciesandprogramsalone;itwill alsoresultfromtheindividualactionseachpersontakeseveryday, she said.

“Thediversity oftheUnitedStates isunquestionablyoneofour greateststrengths Manyheretodayhavefoughthardbattlestoovercomebigotryandbetreatedwithdignityandrespectthatisduetoev-

PhotobyStaffSgt.Melody W. Howley Airmenassignedtothe52ndFighterWingparticipateinaPrideMonth colorrunatSpangdahlemAirBase,Germany,June30,2021.Every June,PrideMonthiscelebratedacrosstheDepartmentofDefenseby recognizingtheextraordinary achievementsoflesbian, gay, bisexual, andtransgenderservicemembersandcivilianemployees.

eryhumanbeing,” Hickssaid.

PrideMonthisatimetocelebrateprogress, andit’salsoatimefor thedepartment,thenationandtheworldtoacknowledgethe challengesthatremainandtoreaffirmourcommitmenttoequalityforLGBTQ+ people, shesaid.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

“Theirfamilyhasdemonstratedthekindofresiliencyanddedicationthat inspiresusall.”

Lennonisthesonof U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt.Rachel Little,45thAeromedical EvacuationSquadronnoncommissionedofficerin chargeofgroundtraining and JohnLittle, aformer 6thSecurity ForcesSquadronDefender.

While John andRachel Littlearebothaccustomed tolifeintheAir Forcewith challengessuchaslong hoursonshiftanddeployments, nothinghastested themasmuchaswhen theirson’shealthfellinto jeopardybeforehisfirst birthday.

ShortlyafterLennon wasborn,hebeganhaving episodeswherehewould stopbreathing, passing outforsecondsatatime.

Lennon’smother, Rachel,whoismedically trainedthroughtheAir Force, wasextremelyworriedandinsistedthatcardiologistsmonitorherson.

Agreeing, thedoctors placedaheartmonitoron Lennon.It wasn’tlongafterthat,approximately threeweekslater, before Lennonhadanothermedicalepisode.Thisone, however, wasmuchworsethan before.

“Toillustratemypoint, Iusuallyaskpeopleto takeouttheirphoneand runtheirstopwatch,” said JohnLittle.“17.4seconds -that’showlongmyson waslimpinmyarms, turningblue.”

Alengthoftimethat normallypasseswithout notice, fortheLennon’s family, it wasaneternity.

TheLittlesdidn’teven waitforanambulance, optingtodrivestraightto thehospital,wheretheir son’scardiologists awaited.

Theyhadalreadyseen fromthemonitorthatLennonexperiencedasystole, meaninghisheartceased electricalactivity, denyingbloodflowtohisbody. Diagnosinghimwithlong QTsyndrome, thedoctors begandiscussingsurgery forLennon.

“Daysbeforehisfirst birthday, Lennonreceived apacemaker,” said John Little.“Thenurseswere incredible, evenpitching intogethimabirthday cakeandcelebratewhile he wasinthecardiacintensivecareunit.”

Sincethelife-savingintervention,Lennonhas grownintoastrong-willed, smartandsuccessful child. Hisfamilyhasastrong senseofserviceandLennonalwaysstepsupto

takecareofhisfamily.

“Hedoessomuch aroundthehometohelp thefamilywhilehismotherisdeployed,” said John Little.“We’resoblessed andI’mproudto watch himgroweveryday.”

HearingofLennon’s health challenges,theKids WishNetwork,a charitableorganizationthatseeks to change children’s lives, qualifiedhimtoreceivea lifetimewishduetotheseverityofhishealthcondition.

“Weleftitcompletelyup toLennon,explainingto himthatheshouldbevery careful,” said JohnLittle. “Thinkofsomewhereyou really wanttogo, someone you wanttomeet,orsome-

thingyoureally wanttodo becausethisisaverybig deal.”

Lennon’s choice wasto meetformerPresident Trump. TheKids Wish Networkstayedincontact withtheLittlefamilyand invitedthemtoberecognizedatthe927thARW’s familydayevent.

Havingmetandmarried RachelatMacDillAFB, JohnLittlefeltparticularlyhonoredtorevisitthe basewithhissons, though hiswifecouldn’tbethere duetoadeploymentwith the45thAES.

“Onthe waytothefamilyday, westoppedinfront ofthe6thSecurity Forces Squadron,” said JohnLittle.“ADefenderwho was

walkingoutstoppedand tookaphotoofmysons andmeinfrontofthe LieutenantHeltonmemorial.Itmeantalotbecause he wasmyflightcommanderbeforebeingkilled inactioninIraq.”

Sharinghisson’sstory ofovercominghardship and watchingLennon’s surpriseasheopenedhis giftinfrontofthe927th ARWreminded JohnLittle ofthejoythatcomesinlife thatcomesfromservice.

“Weareextremely blessedbecauseofthepeopleinourlife,” said John Little.“Receivingsomuch truly makesyouunderstandhowimportantit istoserveothersandto give.”

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

theaircraft, waspreviouslyrecognizedwiththeMSM.

“TheDistinguishedFlyingCrossandtheAirMedalwith Valorhave been awardedtoothergreatAmericanssuchasHapArnold,JimmyDoolittle, andBenjamin O. DavisJr.,” saidAir ForceLt.Gen.MichaelLoh, directoroftheAirNationalGuard.“Today, theAir ForceaddstothisdistinguishedlistofAmericanAirmenheroesthecrewofReach824.”

Reach824’sextraordinaryachievementandcommitmenttotheirmission,whichputthematgreatpersonalrisk, wasrecognizedduringaceremonyatStewartAirNationalGuardBase.

“Formorethan20years,AirNationalGuardAirmenhavebeenflying airliftmissionsintothe MiddleEastandspecificallyinto Afghanistan,” Lohsaid.“Guardaircraftweresomeofthefirstintheater, supportinga multitudeofoperations, andsomeofthelastoutoftheater Fittingly, it was ourC-17sthatwerethelastaircrafttoleaveBagramandKabulairbases duringthewithdrawal.”

Reach824divertedfromanormaloperationsmissioninSouthAmerica tothisAirMobilityCommandmissiontoairliftaSpecialOperations AviationRegimentMH-47Chinookhelicopterand22personnelfromAlDhafra AirBase, UnitedArabEmirates, toHamidKarzaiInternationalAirport.

Onceontheground,therescuepersonnelweretoseekoutAmericanassetsinAfghanistanandrecoverthemfromtheKabulairportforimmediateevacuationduringOperationAlliesRefuge.

Thetacticsandintelligencebriefingsthecrewinitiallyreceivedindicated TalibanforceswereapproachingKabulbutwouldnotbeinposition toovertakethecityforamonthortwo. Bythemorningoftheirflight,Aug. 15,thesituationhaddrasticallydeteriorated,andthe Talibanwereonthe outskirtsofthecity Despitethis, thecrewpressedon.

“Thesituation wasrapidly changingsoweweregoingintothisnot knowingwhat wasgoingon,” McChesney, theaircraftcommander, said. “Wewerejustpressingforwardbecause, honestlyinmyopinion,whatother choicedidwehave?”

Ontheirfinalapproach,thecrewhadnosecurecommunicationswith airtrafficcontrol,onlywithaC-17GlobemasterIIIalreadyontheground. Thisaircraft’screwreportedheavysmall-armsfire, bothmilitaryandcivilianaircrafttakingoffineverydirection,andpanickedciviliansoverrunningtheairfield.Reach824 wasforcedtoabortthemissionanddivertto

AlDhafraAirBase.

“Afterweturnedaroundthatfirstnight,thewholecrewfeltdisappointed,discouraged,upsetbecauseit wasaharddecisiontomake, andIhave nodoubtsthatit wastherightdecision,” McChesneysaid.“Ifeellikethat discouragementanddisappointmentonlymotivatedusto wanttogetin thereevenmore.”

Aftertheminimum-requiredcrewrest,Reach824pressedonwitha heightenedsenseofurgency. Despitelimitedinformationonwhetherthe airfield wasopenor closedandamaintenanceissueresultinginatwohourdelay, thecrewpressedforward.

Undercoverofnight,Reach824navigatedmountainousterrainonthe approachtoKabul,passingahalf-dozenC-17sunabletolandduetothe airfield closure, minimumfuel,orthreats.

Withnoairtrafficcontroloronsiteintelligence, McChesneyengaged withotherChinookpilotstogleanreal-timeintelligenceandestablisha landingwindowwhentherunway wouldbe clearedofcivilians.

TheReach824creworbitedwithina10-mileradius, makingthemvulnerabletosurface-to-airthreatsuntiltheywereforcedtodivertdueto reachingminimumfuel.

Inacriticalturningpoint,effortsmadeearlierinthedaybycopilot TownsendtosecureairrefuelingpaidoffwhenaKC-10Extenderaerial refuelingtankercrewreachedout.Knowingthatsecuringadditionalrefuelingwouldcontinuetobe challenging, McChesneycoordinatedforthe tankertoflyinformationwiththembacktoKabultoincreasetheir chancesofsuccessasmuchaspossible.

“That changedeverythingbecauseweknewhowserious[ourmission] was,” Catusaid.“Weknewthecargowewerecarrying wasreallydesperatelyneededbythepeopleontheground.”

Now, withenoughfueltoorbitKabuluntiltheairfieldopened,thecrew setupfora15-milevisuallanding Onthisfinalapproach,theywitnessed multipleinstancesofsmallarms fire undertheirflight path, oneround damagingtheirleftwinglet. Withnolanding clearance, noterminallights, andnobuildinglights, thecrew wasgivenonesimpleinstruction:

“Landatyourownrisk.”

Againstallodds, Reach824safelylandedatlast.Oncetheytouched

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U.S.AirForceCol.BenjaminJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,throwsthefirstpitchata TampaBayRaysgameinSt.PetersburgJune8.The TampaBayRaysinvitedJonssontothrowthe firstpitchatthegametoshowappreciationforMacDillAirForceBaseandthemilitarycommunity.

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PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

down,theywereconfrontedby12vehicleswithheavilyarmed Taliban whoescortedthemtothealliedsideoftheairfield.Theymadetheir way throughtaxiwayslitteredwithgarbage, rocks, personaleffects, strayanimals,andabandonedcarsandeventuallylostradiocontactwithallcontrollersduetojamming.

Despitethesehurdles, thecrewoffloadedthehigh-valuecargoinanunprecedented40minutes, enablingthespecialoperationsteamtoconduct theirmissionofseekingandrecoveringAmericanpersonnelforimmediate evacuation.

“Wefoundoutthroughourcontactwiththeunitthatwebroughtin therethattheywereabletogetover800peopleoutfromthecountryside whootherwisewouldnothavemadeittoKabul,” saidcopilotGaugenti. “So, ifwedidnotcompleteourmission,that’s800peoplewhowouldbe stucktherestill.”

However, Reach824’sjob wasn’tdoneyet.OverthetwoweeksofOperationAlliesRefuge, thecrewreturnedtoKabultocompletetwoadditional missionstohelpevacuate348people, theyoungesta17-day-oldgirl.

Intheirfinalmission,thecrewtransported13servicememberskilledin actioninabombingattheairportfromKabultoKuwait.

“That wasattheendofalongtwoweekstryingtofigureeverything out,” Guagentisaid.“Wewereallexhausted. We thoughtweweregoing home. ...Notoneofushesitated,evenasexhaustedaswewere.”

Reach824’ssteadfastcommitmenttothemissionisjustanotherexampleoftheirshareddevotiontoduty.Thisandthecrew’sabilitytosolve problemsenabledtheirsuccessandarequalitiesinstilledineveryAirman.

“TheAmericanmilitary, the U.S. Air Force…wetrainourpeopletobe thinkingindividuals, right?” Townsendsaid.“Youhavetotrainyourpeople andtrustthatthey’regoingtogetthemissiondone.”

Professionalcompetenceandtheabilitytoproducecreativesolutionsis somethingpasseddownthroughgenerationsofAirmenatStewartANGBase.

“Thereweresomanyguysbeforeme, somanyinstructorswhohad taughtmeonmissionshowtomakecommon-sensedecisions,” McChesney said.“So, it wastheguyswhocamebeforemewhoreallymoldedmetobe abletomakethesedecisions.”

WhileMcChesneyemphasizedthetiming wasjustrightforhiscrew tobeassignedthismission,anyofthe105thAirlift Wing’sAirmenwould havejumpedatthe chancetohelphowevertheycould.

“There’sasquadronfullofpilotsbackatStewartthatwouldhavedone thesameexactthingIdid,” McChesneysaid.“Iknowthereareguysthat wantedtobetherewithmesobadthattheywouldhavedoneanything. TherewereguysactivelytryingtogettoAfghanistanbecauseallthey wantedtodo washelpout.”

Servicemembersmaketwo choices, Hokansonsaid.

“Thefirst choiceistoserve,” hesaid.“Thesecond choiceishowwelive. Howwerespondtoacrisis. Dowefight?Dowerun?Dowefreeze?Whatdo we choosetodowhenlivesareontheline?”

Itisn’tuntilapivotalmoment,acrisis, thatweknowforsurehowwe willrespond,hesaid,andcrewmembersofReach824knowhowtheyrespondtoextremetests.

“Youmetcrisiswithconviction,” Hokansontoldthem.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT