Thunderbolt 6/27/2024 by MacDill Thunderbolt

News/Features:page3 379th ECES rapid repair

News/Features:page3 MarinereturnstoJuniorROTC

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page9 Events, Chapel, more...

NEWS/FEATURES

AFCENT’s TaskForce-99focusesonpartnernationintegration

bySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster UnitedStatesAirForcesCentral

U.S. CENTRALCOMMANDAREAOF RESPONSIBILITY—

Whatdoesthefuture warfighterlooklike?Whatuniformwillthey wear? Willtheyintegratewithartificialintelligence?Therearealotofunknownsaboutthe futurefight,butthereisonecertainty:tocontinuegeneratingcombatairpower, the U.S. Air Forceandtheirmissionpartnersneedtoinnovatehereandnow.

Leadingthe chargeinthe U.S. CentralCommandareaofresponsibilityistheNinthAir Force’s(U.S Air ForcesCentral) Task-Force-99 (TF-99).

Inasignificantstepforward,onMay28,the dedicatedtestandevaluationcellopenedits doorstotheGermanArmed ForcesintheAOR forthefirsttimesincetheircreationin2022.

“Therearemanythingsboththe U.S. and Germanyhaveincommon,andwevalueaninternationalperspectivetowardproblem-solving andinnovation,” said U.S. Air ForceCol JeffreyDigsby, TF-99commander “Thereisalot tolearnfromourpartnernationsandalotwe hopetoshare.”

Theintroduction waspartofanongoingseriesofimmersiontoursthroughouttheTF-99

SeeAFCENT,Page10

U.S.AirForcephoto

AU.S.AirForcesCentral TaskForce-99(TF-99)technicianshowcasescommunicationstechnologyduringatourforGermanArmedForces representativesatanundisclosedlocationwithinthe U.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibilityMay28. Thetourwasapartofaseriesfocusedon introducingTF-99’scapabilitiestoAFCENT’s regionalmissionpartners.

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

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDillThunderbolt ispublishedby the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. militaryservices on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are notnecessarily the officialviews of,or endorsed by the U.S. government,the Departmentof Defense,

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Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

NEWS/FEATURES

379thECESexhibitsRapid AirfieldDamageRepairskills

byAirman1stClassDerrickBole UnitedStatesAirForcesCentral

U.S. CENTRALCOMMANDAREA OF RESPONSIBILITY—

The379thExpeditionaryCivilEngineerSquadronparticipated in a RapidAirfieldDamageRepairexerciseatan undisclosedlocationwithinthe U.S. Central Commandareaofresponsibility June12.

Anattackontheinstallationcouldspelldisasterfortheaircraftonanyinstallation, renderingportionsoftheairfieldinoperable.

“Oneoftheprimarycoreresponsibilitiesof Air Forceengineersistomakesurewecan rapidlyrecovertheairfieldandthe installation fromattack,” said U.S. Air ForceLt. Col.Douglas Kelley, 379ECEScommander. “Exercises liketheRADRensurethatweareabletodo thatinatimelymannersothatourbasecan returntoexecutingthemission.”

EveryrotationperformstheRADRexercise toimproveAirmen’sreadinessifanattackon theinstallationoccurs. To beginthe exercise, the379thECESdeployedaconvoyofpave-

See379thPage8

AnAirman assignedtothe379thExpeditionaryCivilEngineerSquadronaddswatertoaconcretemixduringaRapidAirfieldDamageRepairexerciseatanundisclosedlocationwithinthe U.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibilityJune12.CivilengineersconductRADRexercisesin preparationfor real-worlddamage repairsontheflightlineintheeventofanattack.

Cadettocadre:Marine returnstoJunior ROTCprogramatHurlburtField

bySeniorAirmanNatalieFiorilli 1stSpecialOperationsWing

“Airstrike, airstrike, airstrike!”

U.S. MarineCorpsStaffSgt.BryanCaldwellyelledwithaslightcrack inhisvoice. Afternearly aweekof shouting, hisvoicehadbecomeraspy andstrained.

Infrontofhim, a groupof JuniorROTCcadetsmovedtogether asa unit, scanningtheshorelineofSanta Rosa Island,near Hurlburt Field, Florida. Withthesoundsofsimulatedgunfire closinginonthem,they spoke quietlyamongstthemselvestomaketheirnextmove

Thestudents, participatingin a JuniorROTC summerleadershipschool programatHurlburt Field,weretaskedwith atraining personnelrecovery mission.

“Airstrike, airstrike, airstrike!”

Again,theirinstructorshoutedto warnthemofincoming danger. ReactingtoCaldwell’smessage, theyhurriedto avoidthemockairstrike.

SeeCADET, Page11

PhotobySeniorAirmanNatalieFiorilli

U.S.MarineCorpsStaffSgt.BryanCaldwellpreparesforabriefingduringaJuniorROTCsummerleadershipschoolprogramatHurlburtField, Florida,June14.Caldwell,aformerSLSJuniorROTCstudent,nowvolunteersasaninstructorfortheannualprogram.

U.S.AirForcephoto

WEEKINPHOTOS

Playerswiththe TampaBayBuccaneersinteractwithservicemembers,veterans,andtheirfamiliesduringameetandgreetatMacDillAirForce BaseJune7.Buccaneersplayerssignedmemorabiliaatthebaseexchangetoimprovemoraleandstrengthencommunityties.

PhotobyAirman1stClassAliciaCampbell

NEWS/FEATURES

RefuelingHolloman:suicidepreventionthroughhand-craftedbeverages

bySeniorAirmanCorinna Sanabia 49thWing

“Morethananything, mytimeatRefuel taughtmetobegentlewithothers.”

Nearly14yearsago, Holloman’s chapelcorps identifiedaproblem:suiciderateswereincreasingamongthepopulationofdormresidents and theireffortstocombatitwerenothaving alarge enoughimpact.

Inresponse, theideaoftheRefuelCafecame tofruition,acafethatnotonlyofferedfreedrinks forAirmenlivinginthedorms, butalsoasafe placetogatherandconnectwithone another.

Annand JoeBrinegarhavebeeninvolved withtheRefuelCafesinceitopeneditsdoorsin December2011 AsaformerSeabeeforthe U.S. Navy, Joebeganhisinvolvementbyassisting withtheconstructionofthecafe, buthe andhis wife, Ann,stayedfortheAirmen. Joe becamethe RefuelCafecoordinator, withAnnbyhis sideas avolunteer.

“Westartedcomingtothe chapelonbase whenwemovedhereand Joeofferedtohelpwith theconstruction,” saidAnn.“We stayedon as volunteersforyears andwe’vebeeninvolvedinthe leadershippartofthecafefor aboutthelast five years.”

Themissionofthecafe wassimple:suicide prevention.Annhasmadeitherpersonal goalto becomethedormgrandmother. EverySaturday andSundayeveningwhenthecafeopens, she sitsinthecourtyardforhours, justlisteningto theAirmenwhocomeby

PhotobySeniorAirmanCorinnaSanabia

AvolunteerattheRefuelCafemakesadrinkforadorm residentatHollomanAirForceBase, NewMexicoJune15.TheRefuelCafe’sbaristasvolunteeronSaturdayandSundayeveningsto facilitatetheirmissionofsuicideprevention.

“What75-year-oldgrandmawouldn’tloveto bragthattheygettohangoutwithF-16crew chiefsandMQ-9sensoroperators,” saidAnn. “TheseAirmenreally arethebestofthenation. To sit andtalkwiththesebeautifulyoung people isanabsoluteprivilege.”

WhileAnnand Joehavecountlessstoriesof Airmentheyhaveconnectedwithovertheyears, thereisoneAirmanwhocreditsthecouplewith

Two MaxwellAirmenearnAirAssaultbadges

bySeniorMasterSgt.RichardEbensberger AirUniversityPublicAffairs

Recently, twoAirmenassignedtothe42ndSecurity ForcesSquadronsuccessfullyearnedthe prestigiousAirAssaultbadgethroughthe U.S. ArmyAir AssaultSchoolat FortCampbell, Kentucky. This July, MaxwellAFBwillhostthe nextAirAssaultassessmentfor Airmenseekingto earntheesteemed badge.

LastApril,SeniorAirmanMichaelHowertonIIIandSeniorAirmanCorbenHudsonembarked on thisdemandingjourneyalongsidethe U.S. Army’s 101stAirborneDivision.Throughouttherigorous course, theseAirmenandSoldiersdelvedintoacomprehensivecurriculum coveringrotarywingaircraftmissions, aircraftsafety, aero-medicalevacuationprocedures, combatassaultprinciples, rappelling, andsling-loadoperations.

“I wascompelledtoregisterforthiscourseduetomy anticipationofa challengingexperience, one thatwouldallowmetodemonstratemyabilitiesin ataskthatIpreviouslydeemed unattainable,” saidHowerton.“I was awarethattheagonyIwouldexperienceduringthe challengewouldbebrief, thereforeIhadtoexertmaximumeffortwithoutholding back.”

ThepathtoearningthecovetedAir Assaultbadgeisnotforthefaintofheart.ThecurriculumisdesignedtotestSoldiersandAirmenbothmentallyand physically, pushingthemtotheir limitsand beyond. Frommasteringhelicoptersafetyprocedurestoexecuting fast-ropeandrappellingtechniques, everyaspectofairassaultoperationsiscoveredinexhaustivedetail.

“Thecourse’smostvaluableattribute wasthe collaborativeeffortandtheoptimal degreeofcompetition,” saidHowerton.“Itcompelledyoutoelevateeveryone’sperformancetoa degreebeyondthe bareminimumcriteria.It instilled inmeamindsetofperseveranceand determination. IsetouttoaccomplishAirAssault,butitservedas a reminderthatcommitmentsholdgreaterinfluencethanmere goals.I wasdeterminedtocompleteAir Assault.”

Physicalfitnessisparamount,with candidatessubjectedtogruelingobstaclecourses, timed road marches, andintensetrainingsessions. Mentalfortitudeisequallyimportant,asparticipantsmust makesplit-seconddecisionsunderpressureandoperateeffectivelyinhigh-stress environments.

AttheheartoftheAirAssaultSchoolexperienceishands-ontraining, fostering camaraderieand teamworkamongparticipants. Lifelongbondsareforged,strengthening themilitary community.

“Inmyprofessionalcareer, Iintendtoutilizetheknowledge Ihaveacquiredbyassumingaleadershiprole,” saidHowerton.“Individually, thecoursehasenhancedmyconfidenceandself-assurancein everydaysituations.”

As warfareevolves, air assaultoperationsremainvital. Fromcombatdeploymentstohumanitarian missions, theskillsimpartedat Air AssaultSchoolempower militarymembers torespondswiftlyand decisivelytodiverse challenges.

Forthosewhosuccessfullycompletethearduousjourney, therewardcomesin theformofthe covetedAirAssaultbadge, asymbolofexcellenceandproficiency inairborneoperations. Butmorethan justapieceofmetalwornontheuniform,itrepresentstheculmination of months ofhard work, sacrifice, anddedication.

“Istronglyendorsethiscoursetoothers,” saidHowerton.“Itprovidesawealthofinformationexchangeregarding challenges, experiences, andgoalsthatonemaynothavebeen awareof, makingit a worthwhileinvestmentforindividuals seekingphysicalandmentalstimulation.”

NextAssessmentOpportunity

Lookingahead,MaxwellAFBisgearinguptohostthenextAirAssault assessmenton July12-13, providinganopportunityformotivatedAirmen tostepupand challenge themselves. Theassessmentwillencompassaseriesofdemandingtasks, includingaphysicalfitnesstestanda12-mile road

SeeAIRASSAULT, Page8

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanMichaelHowertonIII,SeniorAirmanCorbe AirborneDivisiongraduatefromtheU.S.Army AirAssaultSchoolatFortCampbell,Ky centerformasteringhelicopter-borneoperations.Overthedecades,ithasevolvedandadaptedtomeetth duceagile,proficientsoldierscapableofexecutingairassaultmission

PhotobySeniorMasterSgt.RichardEbensberger U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanMichaelHowertonIII,SeniorAirmanCorben Hudsonassignedtothe42ndSecurityForcesSquadronatMaxwell Air ForceBase,Ala., andU.S.Army’sSoldiersassigned101st AirAssaultSchoolatFortCampbell,Ky. April16.Establishedin 1974,the U.S.ArmyAirAssault Schoolhassinceearneda reputationasthepremiertraining centerformasteringhelicopter-borneoperations.Overthedecades,ithasevolvedandadaptedtomeetthe ever-changingdemandsofmodernwarfare,butitscoremission remainsunchanged:toproduceagile,proficientsoldierscapableofexecutingairassaultmissions withprecisionandproficiency.

mentandconstructionvehiclestoasimulatedairfield wherecraters hadalreadybeen created.

“EverycareerfieldinCE wasapartofthis,” saidthe379 ECES pavementandconstructionequipmentexerciseteamlead.“Fromourexplosiveordnancedisposalspecialistsperformingunexplodedordnance sweepstoourengineersperforming in theexercise, everyonehada role toplayintherestoration.”

Pavementcutterstransformedthecratersintorectangularholes wideenoughforothervehiclestooperate. Largeexcavators, bulldozers, andotherheavymachinerythenremovedthe largepiecesof concrete andrubble. Oncethelargerdebris was cleared, Airmenusedshovels, pickaxes, andotherhandheldtoolstocreate clearandlevelholesforthe cementmix.

Pouringthecementmixcompletelyleveliscrucialtomaintaining airfieldintegrity. Anyvariationinheightcouldspell disasterfortaxiing, arriving, ordepartingaircraft.

“Attheendoftheday, it’s allaboutourAirmenengineers,” said Kelley. “Wecanhavethebestequipment in theworld,butifwedon’t haveourexceptionalengineerswhoaretrainedandreadytouseit, it wouldn’t matter.”

Theexercisenotonlyhighlightedthetechnicalskills andpreparednessofthe379thECESAirmenbutalsodemonstratedtheirabilityto maintainanactivepostureevenafteranattackontheinstallation.

AIRASSAULT

FromPage6

Airmenassignedtothe379thExpeditionaryCivilEngineerSquadron performasitesurveyonasimulateddamagedairfieldduringa Rapid AirfieldDamageRepairexerciseatanundisclosedlocationwithinthe U.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibilityJune12.Civilengineers conductRADRexercises in preparationfor real-worlddamage repairs ontheflightlineintheeventofanattack. march,amongotherexercisesdesignedtoevaluateparticipants’physical andmentalendurance.

InterestedAirmenassignedtoMaxwell areencouragedtoconsultwith theirunit’sleadershiptobeginpreparations. Theassessmentdemands precision,stamina, andmentalresilience, qualitiesthatdefinetheelite groupofAirAssaultbadgeholders.

Airmenwhosuccessfullycompletethe assessmentwillthenbeeligible

toapplytotheAirAssault Schoolat FortCampbell, Kentucky.

Established in 1974, the U.S. ArmyAirAssaultSchoolhassinceearned areputationasthepremiertrainingcenterformasteringhelicopter-borne operations. Overthedecades, ithasevolvedandadaptedtomeettheeverchangingdemandsofmodern warfare, butits coremissionremainsunchanged:toproduce agile, proficient soldierscapableofexecutingair assaultmissionswithprecisionandproficiency.

U.S.AirForcephoto

COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Taptopaynowavailable

Alleight6thFSS FoodBeveragelocationsnowacceptcontactlesspayments, includingApple Pay andGoogle Pay. Stopbytodayand grababitetoeatorarefreshing beverage. Foralistoffacilitiesand menus visit, macdillfss.com/eatdrink.

‘StuckwithyourRuck’run/walk

JointheShort FitnessCenter for“StuckwithyourRuck” June28 at7a.m.,startingnearBayshore Gate Ruckor walktotheGolf Courseandbackinyourfitnessattire, carryingaruckwithyour chosenweight.Don’tforget water, sunscreen,andbugspray, andcompete forprizesforthefastestfemaleand maleruckers. Formoreinformation,visitmacdillfss.com/wp-content/uploads/StuckwithRuck.pdf

Junebasetheatermovies

YourMacDillBaseLibrarywill beofferingfreemoviesatthebase theater Moviesareopentoanyone withbaseaccesstoMacDillAFB. Foracompletemovieschedule, visitmacdillfss.com/library

AutoHobbyclasses

Learntomaintainyourvehicle likeaprowithMacDillAutoHobby’s Wednesday classes. Frommasteringpreventativemaintenanceto conqueringoil changesandbrake repairs, empoweryourself withessentialautomotiveskillstokeep yourriderunningsmoothly. For moreinformationandtoregister, visitmacdillfss.com/arts-andtrade-crafts

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

New mastersergeants

U.S.AirForcemastersergeantselectsposeforagroupphoto June3onMacDillAirForceBase.Thecelebration recognized70ofthe5,500technicalsergeantsselectedforpromotionforthe24E7promotioncycle.

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)

Protestant services - 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

compound,showcasingtheemergingtechnologytestedin thedeployedlaboratory.

Duringthetour, thejointforceteamgaveanoverview ofTF-99’scapabilitiesandcommunicatedthecompetitive advantagethey haveestablishedintheCENTCOMAOR.

“TF-99isabletopushthelimitswithautonomousoperationsandartificialintelligencecapabilities, building trustinemergingtechnologiesthatarebecomingmore andmorerelevant,” saidDigsby. “Weareabletorapidly createnewcapabilitiesforthe warfighter, findnovel ways toutilizethosetechnologiesintheater, anddemonstrate theirusefulnesstothelargerAir ForceandDepartment ofDefense.”

Whilea partnership with the GermanArmed Forces intheregionisstillindevelopment,TF-99hasbeencontinuingtobuildconnectionswithmilitaryandcommercial entitiesonaglobalscale.

AsofMay2024,TF-99haspartneredwiththeAir Force Research Laboratory, HeadquartersAir Force, AFCENT BattleLab, otherservice Task Forces, theUniversityof Missouri-KansasCity, George MasonUniversity, United StatesAir ForceAcademy(USAFA),andseveralprivate companiesworkingindefense, security, autonomy, artificialintelligence, unmannedaerialsystems (UAS), counter-UAS, andotherfields.

TF-99isnowfocusingtheireffortsonsharingresources andcollaboratingwithpartnernationsthroughoutthe AOR.

“We’verecentlymadeaconcertedefforttoinvolvemore PartnerNationsin Task Force99,adoptingourthirdLine ofEffortto‘Buildstrongregionalpartnersanchoredin innovation,’”saidDigsby “Task Force-99currentlyhasa full-timeCanadianmember, andwewelcomeall Partner Nationstolearnabout Task Force-99’sinnovationefforts andencouragearicherexchangeofideasonsharedproblemsets. Therehasbeenincreasedinternationalinterest inwhat Task Force-99isdoing, andwewelcomethecollaboration.”

AsAFCENTcontinuestodevelopitspresencewithin theCENTCOMAOR, unitslikeTF-99playavitalrole inpositioningthe U.S. armedforcesto protect anddefendthefreedomofcoalitionalliesandregionalpartners, maintainingpeaceandstabilityacrosstheregion.

Fromthere, theylocatedasimulatedinjured patient,performed basic firstaidproceduresandworkedtomovehimtotheirextraction point: a boatparkedonthesouthernendofthe small island.

Astheyheadedfortheboat, Caldwellcontinuedtoshouttowardthe cadets, warningthemof incomingthreats.

Yearsbefore, Caldwellstoodinthesameplace as thestudents-as a participantinthefirst-everSLS classin2011.Muchlikehisroleasan instructortoday, Caldwellrecalledthathe was farfromquiet duringhis timeatSLS.

“I wasmorein a leadershipposition,” he said. “I wantedtobeableto helpmakepeoplebetter.”

Lookingback, Caldwellsaidthatwhenhefirstjoined JuniorROTC in highschool,he wasn’tparticularlyinterestedinjoiningthemilitary. However, justoneyearafterhewentthroughtheprogram,heenlistedandleft forMarineCorpsbootcampon ParrisIsland,SouthCarolina.

HeaddedthatreturningtoSLSas an instructorforthe past several yearshasbeenanopportunityforhimto besomeonewithwhomthecadetscanrelate.

“Itrytogivethempointersonlife, notjustonthemilitary,” Caldwell

said.“Itryto sharemyexperiencewiththem andhelpthemreallysee the biggerpicture.”

Heldinpartnershipwiththe1stSpecialOperations Wing, theSLS programatHurlburt Fieldbeganin2011.

Retired U.S. Air ForceCol. KennethRodriguez, SLS director, explained thattheprogramhasgrownandmaturedovertheyears.

Thisyear, SLStookplace June10-14andincludedmorethan60 Junior ROTCstudentsfromsevenlocalandregionalhighschoolsnearHurlburt Field.Throughoutthe five-dayprogram, thestudentsslept in tents, ate mealsatthebase’sdiningfacility, participatedindailyphysicaltraining and classroomtrainingsessions-anexperiencesimilartothatofAir Force basicmilitarytraining.

Additionally, the studentsexperiencedanorientationflightonboardan MC-130JCommandoII,repelleddownthesideofa wall,learnedlandand watersurvivalskillsandtacticalcombatcasualtycareandparticipatedin severalteam-buildingactivities.

“Theseexperiencesat SLScanbe life-changing,” saidRodriguez.“The kidsgetsomuchexposuretophenomenalrolemodelsandtheycansee themselvesintheirshoesoneday.”

SUICIDEPREVENTION

transformingthecourseofhislife.

LamarMunson wasstationedat Hollomanfrom2017to2020and was assignedtothe49thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron, directlyacrossthe streetfromRefuel.AsayoungAirman assignedtohisfirst dutystation, Munson waslookingforaspacewherehefeltlikehebelonged.

“IwenttoRefuelonedaybecauseI sawit open and walked inandjust reallyenjoyedtheatmosphere,” saidMunson.“When ImetAnn and Joe, theyeffectivelyadoptedmeandbroughtmeintotheir family. Joetaught meprettymucheverythingIknowaboutwoodworkingandbeingpatient,bothinloveandinlife. Anntaughtmetodorightby people who’ve wrongedmeevenwhenit’d be easyto becomeresentful.”

DespiteseparatingfromtheAir Forceduetohealthcomplications, Munsonlooksbackonhistimespent at theRefuelCafeasnotonlyimpacting hislife, butalsotheAirmen aroundhim.

“I’ve watchedpeoplewhocomeindestroyed andunsureiftheycan surviveanotherday, bepickedupandgiventhetools to survive,” he said. “Ann and Joeliterallysavelivesjustby beinggentlewithAirmen.”

MunsonisjustoneofmanyyoungAirmenwhofound asafe havenwithintheRefuelCafe. TheimpactAnn and JoehavemadeatHollomanhas fosteredacultureofcommunityamongthedormresidents.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. CarlBernier, 49th AMXSunit deploymentmanager, hasbeenapartofthe Refuel Cafeforthelast eight years.

“Ibeganasanormalvolunteer, workingfour-hourshiftson Friday, Saturday, andSunday,” hesaid. “AsanewAirmanwithnofriendgroupor plansformyweekends, it was aperfect fittooccupy mytime. It gotme

outofmydormjustabouteveryweekendandImademanylong-lasting friendshipsduringmytimethere.”

NotonlydidBernierfindahomewithinthecafe, buthealsolearned valuablelifelessons he still carrieswithhimtoday.

“OnethingthathasstuckwithmeissomethingI wastoldwhenI was learningthecustomerserviceaspectofvolunteeringthere,” hesaid.“I wastold,‘itdoesn’tmatterwhattheirrankis, orwhattheirjobis, orwhy they’rehereorthere; firstandforemost,they’reaperson–andyouneedto makesuretheyfeelthat.’”

WhileAirmengatherat thecafeformanyreasons, manyofthemleave withthesamefeelingof care, belongingandpurpose.

“Very often,the best wayto helpyourselfistohelpothers,” saidBernier. “Thecommunitiesthatdedicatethemselvestohelpingothersarealmost alwaysthemostwelcomingandwholesomegroupsofpeople, andbyhelping them,andhelping others, youwillfindthatyou’vesomehowallowed yourselftobehelpedalongthe way.”

Annand Joe’scommitmenttobuildingasafespaceforyoungAirmen is evidentintheworktheydoeveryday.

“Thewhippedcreamthatgoesontothedrinksisactuallypartofthe mission,” saidAnn. “A lotoftimesAirmencomeherewithlowexpectations forafreedrink, so wetrytodeliverthebest-lookingproductpossible, to showtheseAirmenthattheyareworthit. We alwaysaimforthewhipped creamtobe twoincheshigh. We liketosay‘there’sloveinthewhipped cream,’becausewhenI see theAirmen’sfaceswhentheyreceivethisbeautifuldrink,Iknowwhatwearedoingisimpactful.”

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Brews of the Bay Open 7 Days a Week • 3-10PM Local Craft Beers& Cocktails

macdillfss.com/rickenbackers/

8

IRON GRILL | HANGAR 6 GRILL | SEASCAPES (ESM Eligible)

Team USA – All American Steak Burger with Cheese, Side of Onion Rings, and Fountain Drink | $11.50

July 26ththrough August 12th

Team Canada – Chaffle Sandwich, Fried Chicken Breast on a Waffle with Bacon, Maple Syrup Glaze, Side of Fries & Fountain Drink | $11.50

Team France – Marinated Chicken Breast, Ham, and Swiss Cheese, served on a FrenchLoaf, with Fries and Fountain Drink | $10.75

Team Germany – Bratwurst served with Sauerkraut on a Pretzel Roll, with Fries and Fountain Drink | $8.95

Team Great Britain – Fried Fish & Chips (Fries) with Fountain Drink | $9.75

FITSTOP | RICKENBACKER’S (NOT ESM

Eligible)

Team USA – “Go for the Gold” Pineapple Rings & Cottage Cheese Cups | $3.25

Team USA – Cinnamon Roll | $3.50

Team Canada – Canadian Bacon, Egg Patty, Swiss Cheese, on a English Muffin | $3.25

Team France – Fresh Croissant with Butter & Jam | $4.50

Team Great Britain – Fresh Baked Scones (Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, or Raspberry White Chocolate) | $4.25

BLT Grilled Cheese | $6.50

Choice of Sourdough or Texas Toast, Crispy Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Tomato

Jalapeno Grilled Cheese | $6.50

Choice of Sourdough or Texas Toast, Cream Cheese, Finely Chopped Jalapenos, Cheddar Cheese, and Crispy Bacon

Steak Grilled Cheese | $6.50

Choice of Sourdough or Texas Toast, Philly Meat, Grilled Peppers, Onions, Melted Provolone Cheese

GARLIC TUNA SANDWICH | $8.75 -Limited Time OnlyTuna Mixed with Mayonnaise, Celery and Scallions on a Grilled Hoagie Roll with Garlic Butter. Sandwich Topped with Swiss Cheese, Lettuce & Tomato. Served with Choice of Fries or Chips.

SPUDS | $3.25

Fresh Sliced & Deep Fried Potatoes Thin Cut Medallions

Served Plain or Salt & Malt Vinegar

MENU FEATURING... Nachos, Salads, Beach Time Favorites, Baskets, Sandwiches & MORE!

Upgrade Your Spud With... Nacho Cheese or Make it Loaded (Chili, Cheese, and Jalapeños) for an additional cost Add Additional Jalapenos to any order for 75¢ Onion Rings | $3.50

For Inquiries Regarding Special Events at SeaScapes Phone: (813) 840-2020 6FSS.2.brewscatering@us.af.mil CHECK OUTTHE MENU!