Thunderbolt 7/06/2023

Operation CentennialContact -page8

News/Features:page2

A legacyofservice

News/Features:page3

HonoringNavajoNation

Weekinphotos: page4

Imagesfromthe week

Photoby1stLt.KristinNielsen

Community:page15

Events,Chapel,more...

AKC-135 Stratotankerassigned

tothe6thAirRefuelingWingfliesover theSunshine SkywayBridgein St.Petersburg duringOperationCentennialContact,June27.Duringtheoperation,morethan150aircraftflewabovecommunities aroundthecountryandacrosstheworldtohonor100yearsofair refuelingexcellence.With100yearsofexperience,theU.S.AirForce’sair refuelingcapabilitiesdeliverunrivaledrapidglobal reachandmeaningfulmaneuverfor theJointForceandouralliesandpartners. Aerial refuelingserves asaforcemultiplier,increasingthespeed,range, lethality, flexibilityandversatilityofcombataircraft. Tankersalsocarrycargoandpassengers,performaeromedical evacuations, and enable strategicdeterrence forthe UnitedStates.

NEWS/FEATURES

Charles ‘Charlie’BHaralson: Alegacyofservice and commitmenttoservice

by Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook 6thAirRefuelingWing PublicAffairs

Fromhumblebeginningsastheyoungest of15 childreninSouthernGeorgia,toalifeof service andadventure, U.S. Air Forceretired Charles“Charlie” BHaralsonhaslivedalife that’snothingshortofinspiring. Adecorated veterananddedicatededucator, Haralson’s journeyisatestamenttocommittedservice andhardwork.

In1951,attheageof18,Haralsonenlisted inthe U.S. Air Forcewithdreamsofbecoming anaircraftmechanic. Ashe awaitedanopeninginmechanicschool,Charliemetarecruiter seekingAirmeninterestedinrefueling Hedecidedtogiveitashot.

“TheAir Forceusesyou wheretheyneed youmost,” Haralsonsaid.“Iqualifiedasanaircraftmechanic. Beingatthemechanic’sschool, which wasin Wichita Falls, Texas, myASVAB score wasa94.Anyonewitha90couldapply tobeaflightengineerorboomoperator. Naturally, I wantedtofly, andI washappywiththe flightpay, soIvolunteered.”

SeeCHARLIE,Page10

U.S.AirForce retiredCharles“Charlie”BHaralsonisshownintheboompodofa refuelerduring flight.HaralsonflewonfourdifferenttypesoftankerstoincludetheB-29,C-97,KC-97,andKC135and refueledtendifferenttypesofaircraftrangingfromtheF-4 totheB-52earninghim the titleofseniorboom operator.

COMMANDER’SACTION LINE

TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling WingcommanderandtheMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher: JoeDeluca

Editor:NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe Times PublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderbolt arenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsed by the U.S. government,theDepartmentofDefense,

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsement by the DepartmentofDefense,the Departmentofthe AirForce,6thAir Refueling WingorthePublishing Companyof the productsor service advertised.

For retail advertising,call(813) 226-3318. Everythingadvertisedin this publicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,orpatronagewithoutregardto race, color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age,maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationor anyothernon-merit factorofthepurchaser,user,orpatron.

MacDillon theweb

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

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

Deadlineforarticlesubmissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’s publication.Articlesreceived afterdeadline maybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticle andphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“AssociatedPress StylebookandLibel Manual” andAirForceInstruction 35-101.

CourtesyphotoofCharlesBHaralson

Honoring past, promoting futurewithNavajoNation

by2ndLt.DorianNeuendorf

AIRMOBILITYCOMMAND—AirMobilityCommandorganizedameetandgreeteventin Page, Ariz., where Air Forcerepresentativesand localNavajoveteransandcommunitymemberscametogethertohonor thepast,developthepresent,andpromote the future.

Thecommunityeventbroughttogetherapproximately 30AirMobilityCommand(AMC)representativesand50 Navajoveteransandcommunitymembers. AMCshowcasedMobilityAir ForcesandflewintwoC-130Herculesaircraftforthecommunitytoexperiencefirst-hand.

Civilianparticipantsweregiventheuniqueopportunityto walk throughtheC-130aircraft,connectwith experienced aviatorsandmentors, andengageinprofessionaldevelopmentandnetworkingopportunities.

“Thisisthebeginningofarelationshipwherewecan comehereandletyoungpeopleknowwhattheAir Force andservingisallabout, andalsolowerasmanybarriersaswecan,” saidGeneralMikeMinihan,AMCCommander, atalunch sponsored by theNavajoNation’s VicePresident,RichelleMontoya.“Iamcommittedto

See PAST,Page12

AirMobilityCommandorganizedameetandgreeteventinPage,Ariz.,whereAir ForcerPhotobyMark VoorhisepresentativesandlocalNavajoveteransandcommunitymembersonJune23,2023.Participantswere giventheuniqueopportunityto walkthrough the C-130aircraft,connect with experiencedaviatorsandmentors,and engagein professional development and networkingopportunities.

AMCcelebrates100thyearofair refuelingwithcommunityflyovers

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

TheUnited States Air Forcewillbeconductingflyovers across50 stateson June27tohonor100yearsofaerialrefuelingexcellence More than150tankersfrom26 Total Force installationsarescheduled to participatewithKC-135Stratotankers, KC-10 Extenders, andKC-46 Pegasusaircraft.

Today’s U.S. Air Forceairrefuelingcapabilitiesdeliverunrivaled rapidglobalreachfor U.S. forcesandourAlliesandpartnersthroughouttheglobe Aerialrefuelingservesasaforcemultiplier, increasing thespeed,range, lethality, flexibilityandversatilityofcombataircraft. Tankersalsocarrycargoandpassengers, performaeromedicalevacuations, andenablestrategic deterrencefortheUnitedStates.

“Airrefuelingpropels ourNation’sairpower acrosstheskies, unleashingitsfullpotential,” saidGen.MikeMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander. “It connectsourstrategicvisionwithoperational reality, ensuringwecanreachanycorneroftheglobewithunwavering speedandprecision. Airrefuelingembodiesourresolvetodefendfree-

domandprojectpower, leavinganindeliblemarkon aviationhistory.” Innovationandtenacity, characteristicsthatfuelourAirmentoday, werewhat drove aviators todeliveragame-changingcapability 100 yearsago.

Inthecontinuedpursuitofadvancedcapabilitiesandincreasedendurance, U.S. ArmyAirService aviatorspulledofftheimpossibleon June27,1923.Onthatday, 1stLt. VirgilHineand1stLt. Frank W. Seifert,flyingaDH-4B, passedgasolinethroughagravityhosetoanother DH-4BpilotedbyCapt.LowellH.Smithand1stLt. John P. Richter, accomplishing thefirstaerialrefueling.

Onehundredyearslater, theUnitedStatesAir Forcecelebratesthese Airmen,andlookstothenextgenerationtobringdiversityofthought, pushboundariesand findsolutionsbeyondthestatusquo.

ThiscriticalcapabilityisessentialfortheDepartmentofDefense’s mostvitalmissions. To remainrelevantinthecurrentandfuturesecurityenvironments, theAir Forceisintheprocessofrecapitalizingits tankerfleet.TheongoingacquisitionoftheKC-46Aandaccelerating

See100th,Page7

PhotobyMark Voorhis

WEEKINPHOTOS

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

AKC-135Stratotankersassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingtaxisdowntheflightlineofMacDillAirForceBase,Florida,duringOperationCentennialContactJune27.Duringtheoperation,morethan150aircraftflewabovecommunitiesaroundthecountryandacrosstheworld tohonor 100yearsofair refuelingexcellence.With100 yearsofexperience,theU.S.AirForce’s air refuelingcapabilitiesdeliverunrivaledrapidglobal reach andmeaningful maneuverforthe JointForceandourAlliesand partners.Aerial refuelingservesasaforcemultiplier,increasing thespeed,range, lethality,flexibilityandversatilityofcombataircraft. Tankersalsocarrycargoandpassengers,performaeromedicalevacuations,andenablestrategicdeterrencefortheUnited States.

A C-17Globemaster IIIassignedtoCharleston Air ForceBase,South Carolina,fliesoverGeorgiaduringOperation CentennialContact June 27.During theoperation,more than150 aircraftflew abovecommunities aroundthe countryand acrosstheworldto honor100 yearsof air refuelingexcellence.With 100years of experience,the U.S. AirForce’s air refuelingcapabilities deliverunrivaledrapidglobal reachandmeaningfulmaneuverfortheJointForceand ourAllies and partners.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook

AC-17GlobemasterIIIassignedtoJointBaseCharleston, SouthCarolina,fliesoverthe GandyBridge in Tampa,Florida,behindaKC-135 Stratotankerassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingduring Operation CentennialContactJune27.Duringtheoperation,more than150aircraftflew abovecommunitiesaroundthecountryandacrosstheworld tohonor100 yearsofair refueling excellence.

PhotobyDerrickBole

AirmentoseechangesindeploymentcycleswithAFFORGEN

Secretaryof theAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Big changesare underwayfordeployed Airmen asthe U.S. Air Forcetransitions away from theexpeditionary Air ForcemodelofforcepresentationtotheAir Force ForceGeneration model after morethan20years of contingency operations.

What you need to know:

TheAir Forceis changingthe wayit presents and generates forcesfor thefirsttimein morethan 20 years.

The changesaredesignedtoimproveAir Force readinessfor the highend fightandtobettercommunicatethecapabilitiesthat the servicecan provide to the Joint Force.

AllAirmen,except thoseassignedtojoint positions, willbeassigned to one offour phases that deploy ona24-monthcycle, orpossiblymorefrequentlyforunitsassignedtotheaircomponentto aCombatant Command.

ImplementationofthenewAir Force ForceGenerationmodelwill evolveovertime.

This changeestablishesa more structuredand predictablecycletobetter prepareAirmenfordistributed, high-endcombatoperationsbyallowingfocusedtimeforindividualandunittrainingandcertification The modelalsoseekstogivejointleadersamoreaccuratepictureofAir Force

readinessandhowtheservicecan bettersupportjoint operationswhile maintaining that readiness.

AFFORGENandrelated concepts are some ofthe waystheAir Force isadvancingits warfightercultureto ensureitsabilitytowintomorrow’s conflictsaspart ofthejointteam.

“Wehavebeenabletoget away withtakingthreeAirmenfromthis base, fiveAirmen fromthisbase, andtwoAirmen fromthatbase, deploying themandexpectingthemtocometogetherondayoneandbeateam,” said Lt Gen. James Slife, headquartersAir Force deputy chief ofstaffforoperations, during an AFFORGENpanelattheAir WarfareSymposiumMarch 8.“Wedon’tactuallythinkthat’sthe waythefutureoperatingenvironment is goingtopermit us to operate.”

Slife’s commentsreinforcedcommentsmadebyAir ForceChiefof Staff Gen. CQBrown, Jr., duringhiskeynoteaddress onthestateoftheAir Force duringtheSeptember 2022 Air, SpaceandCyber Conference.

“Weneedanapproachthatservesournationalsecurityanddefense strategies, ourjoint warfightingconcept and recognizesthe changing threatsandtendencies inthe characterof warfare,” Brownsaid,emphasizingthe need toaccelerate theadoption of newoperational concepts. “Adoption is makingthe conceptspart of our DNA, part of our culture.”

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100TH

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thepursuitofthenext-generationairrefuelingsystem(NGAS),announcedinMarch, ispropellingforwardthe capabilitydevelopedandentrustedtoAirmen a century ago.

“Asweembarkonthenext100yearsofairrefueling, wewillcontinuetostrengthen ourair mobilityexcellence,” saidMinihan.“Wemustleveragetheremarkablecapabilitiesofairrefuelingtopreservepeace, protectfreedom, andbring hope to theworld.As MobilityAirmen,wewritethe next chapter of airrefueling.”

AirMobilityCommandsalutesthevisionarieswho’vedonetheimpossible, whileinspiringthenextgenerationofdreamersandout-of-theboxthinkersforthe challenges ahead.

Foradditionalinformationpleasereach outto AirMobility Command PublicAffairs atAMC.PA.ADO@us.af.milorbyphoneat618-229-8587.

AMCcelebrates100thyearofair refueling withcommunity flyovers acrosstheUS

AirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE, Ill.(AFNS)—Te UnitedStatesAir Force willconductflyoversacross50 stateson June27 tohonor100yearsofaerial refuelingexcellence. Morethan150 tankersfrom 26 Total ForceinstallationsarescheduledtoparticipatewithKC-135Stratotankers, KC-10Extendersand KC-46 Pegasus aircraft.

Today’s U.S. Air Forceairrefuelingcapabilitiesdeliverunrivaled rapid globalreachfor U. S. forces, alliesandpartnersaroundtheglobe Aerial refuelingserves as aforcemultiplier, increasingthe speed, range, lethality, flexibilityand versatilityofcombataircraft. Tankersalsocarry cargoand passenger s, perf ormaeromedicalevacuations, andenablestrategicdeterrencefortheUnitedStates.

“Airrefuelingpropelsour nation’s airpoweracrossthe skies, unleashing itsfullpotential,” saidGen.MikeMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander. “Itconnectsourstrategic visionwithoperationalreality, ensuring wecanreachanycorneroftheglobewithunwaveringspeedandprecision. Airrefuelingembodiesourresolvetodefendfreedomandprojectpower, leavinganindelible markon aviationhistory.”

Innovationandtenacity, characteristicsthat fuelour Airmentoday, were whatdrove aviatorstodeliver a game-changing capability100yearsago.

Inthecontinuedpursuitofadvanced capabilitiesandincreasedendurance, U.S. ArmyAirService aviatorspulledofftheimpossibleon June27, 1923.Onthatday, 1stLt. VirgilHineand1stLt. Frank W. Seifert,flying a DH-4B, passedgasolinethrougha gravityhosetoanotherDH-4Bpilotedby Capt. LowellH.Smithand1stLt. John P. Richter, accomplishingthefirst aerialrefueling.

Onehundredyearslater, theUnitedStatesAir Fo rcecelebratesthese Airmenandlookstothe nextgenerationtobringdiversityofthought,push boundaries and find solutionsbeyondthestatusquo.

ThiscriticalcapabilityisessentialfortheDepartmentofDefense’smost vitalmissions. To remainrelevantinthecurrentandfuturesecurityenvironments, theAir Force isintheprocessofrecapitalizingitstankerfleet. TheongoingacquisitionoftheKC-46Aandacceleratingthepursuitofthe next-generationairrefueling system,announcedinMarch, ispropellingforward thecapability developedand entrusted toAirmenacenturyago.

“Asweembarkonthenext100yearsof airrefueling, wewillcontinue tostrengthenourairmobilityexcellence,” Minihansaid.“Wemustleveragethe remarkablecapabilitiesofairrefuelingtopreservepeace, protect freedomand bringhopetotheworld.As MobilityAirmen,we writethe next chapterofair refueling.”

AMCsalutesthevisionaries who’vedonetheimpossible, whileinspiring thenextgenerationofdreamersandout-of-theboxthinkersforthe challengesahead.

TheKC-46APegasus representsthebeginningofanewerain aerial refueling,providingvitalcapabilitytotheU.S.AirForce andjointpartners.TheUnited StatesAirForcewillconductflyoversacross50statesonJune27tohonor100yearsofaerial refuelingexcellence.

PhotobyMasterSgt.MichaelJackson

presentsthebeginningofanewerain fueling,providingvitalcapabilitytotheU.S.AirForce atesAirForcewillconductflyoversacross50statesonJune27tohonor100yearsofaerial

TheKC-46APegasus representsthebeginningofanewerain aerial refueling,providingvitalcapabilitytotheU.S.AirForce andjointpartners.TheUnitedStatesAirForcewillconductflyoversacross50statesonJune27tohonor100yearsofaerial refuelingexcellence.

A92ndMaintenanceSquadronAirmaninspectsaKC-135Stratotankerafteritlandspriortoahotpit refuelingoperationat FairchildAirForceBase, Wash.,March25,2021.TheUnited StatesAirForcewillconductflyoversacross50statesonJune 27,2023,tohonor100yearsofaerial refuelingexcellence.

areaKC-135Stratotankerfromthe916thAirRefuelingWing,SeymourJohnsonAirForceBase,N.C.,foraircrewtodisembark,atFairchild Air ForceBase, Wash.,Oct.16,2019. atesonJune27 tohonor100yearsofaerial refuelingexcellence.

PhotobyAirmanKiaundraMiller

PhotobyMasterSgt.MichaelJackson

PhotobyMasterSgt.MichaelJackson

PhotobyAirmanKiaundraMiller

Haralson’scareerledhimtoflymissionsin sevencountries, includingtheUnitedStates, England,Iceland,Thailand, Greenland,Morocco, andSpain.Asaseniorboomoperator, he flew onmultipletankers, includingtheB-29, C-97,KC-97,andKC-135,andrefueledaircraft ranging fromtheF-4totheB-52.

“TherefuelingoftheF-84fighterstaking themoverseaswithoutthemhavingtostopfor gas. To gettoEngland, wehadtorefuelthem overtheAtlanticOcean.Ihadneverseenone before, anditreally wasasmallhole tohit.”

Haralsonreflectedonthegeneralpublic’s perceptionofhisjobasaboomoperatorduring thattime.

“Ithinktheyacceptedit,buttheydidn’t knowhowwedidit,” Haralsonsaid.They couldn’tbelievetwoplanescouldgetthat close togetherintheairandtransferfuelinminutes withouthittingeachother.Peoplecouldn’tbelieveit really.”

OneoftheGeorgianative’snotablemissions involvedrefuelingplanesfrom Greenlandin radiosilence. Theonlycommunicationcame fromasinglelightusedtosignalbetweenthe planes. TheF-84,withareceptaclethesizeof a hand, wasthemostexcitingaircrafttorefuel, requiringincredibleprecisionandskill.

“IjusthopeI wasn’tgoingto goofup,” recalledHaralson. We hadtodescendslightlyto keepupaheadofthereceivingaircraft,otherwisehe’dstallout. That’s how the jettanker cameabouttogetsomethingtokeepupwith theheavyreceivers,” Haralsonexplained.

Despitethepressuresofaerialrefueling, Haralson wasadedicatedandskilledAirman knownforhisabilitytokeepcalmunderpressure. He was chosentobecomeaninstructor andtrainotherAirmenonhowtoperforminflightrefueling.

“I wasanAirmanandhadatechnicalsergeantasanassistant,” Haralsonsaid.“He was agunnerandhadbeenthroughthe war. He hadmoretimeintheairplanethanIdid.Ihad toteachhimhowtorefuelwhich wasnoproblem.”

Afterhistimeasaboomoperator, Haralson continuedhisserviceintheAir ForceasanOfficer TrainingSchoolrecruiterinthe Kansas Cityarea.Hisdedicationandachievements wererewardedwithtwoairmedals, theNa-

U.S.AirForce retiredCharles“Charlie”BHaralsonisshownintheboompodofa refuelerduring flight.HaralsonflewonfourdifferenttypesoftankerstoincludetheB-29,C-97,KC-97,andKC-135 and refueledtendifferenttypesofaircraftrangingfromtheF-4totheB-52earninghimthetitleof seniorboomoperator.

tional DefenseMedal, the VietnamService Medal,SeniorCombatAirCrew Wings, and more

Throughouthismilitarycareer, Charlie’s life wasenrichedbyhislovingfamily. Hemarriedhiswife, Hazel,andraisedfivedaughters together. Oneoftheirdaughterswouldgoon toserve28yearswithdistinctioninthe U.S. Army, andseveralgrandchildrenhavealso proudlyserved inthemilitary.

Today, at theageof90, helooksbackonhis servicewithpride, rememberingthefriendships hemade alongthe way, andthesenseofcamaraderiethatissharedamongservicemembers.

“Ihadthreeofficerswho lookedafter me,”

recalledHaralson.“Ifwelandedataforeign base, they madesureIhadordersandfood beforetheywenthomeandthatimpressed me. Theyusedtosayboomoperatorshadthe best job in theAir Force. Youhavethreecollegegraduateswhodriveyoutowork,youonly work15minutesandyoulaydowntodothat,” hesaidwithareminiscentsmile.

Withtwocareersbehindhim,Haralsonhas enjoyedtravelingtheglobeonSpace Available flights. Theyhavevisitedover30countries onfourcontinents, usingthemilitaryflights spendingtimewiththeir children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildrenscatteredacross theworld.

CourtesyphotoofCharlesBHaralson

AFFORGEN

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BrownconsidersAFFORGENasonethedriversforculture change, particularlyinthe way the Air Forcepresentsanddeploysforces—othersareagilecombatemployment,missioncommand,multi-capableAirmenandthewingA-staffconstruct.

Browninstitutedhisstrategicapproachof “AccelerateChangeor Lose”whenhebecametheAir Force’sChiefofStaffbecausehesawuncontestedairdominance wasnotassured,andAFFORGEN, alongwith otherdriversfor change, area wayfortheservicetomaintainitsdominanceina changingoperationalenvironment.

AFFORGENestablishesa24-monthrotationalcyclebrokenintofour, six-month phases: Prepare, Certify,AvailableandReset. Airmen and unitsbuildreadinessthroughthe prepare and certifyphases, deployduringthe availablephaseandreintegrateandreconstituteduringthereset.

WhileAirmeninjointassignmentsdonottypicallysupportAir Force deployments, theycouldbetaskedworldwideandshouldensurethey remainready. Airmenassignedtotheaircomponentsofcombatant commands, suchasIndo-PacificCommandorEuropeanCommand,may deployforoperationsandexerciseswithintheirspecificCCMD’sareaof responsibility. However, in somecasestheymayalsobetaskedtodeploy outsideofthatAOR.

AFFORGENwillcontinuetoevolveasAirmendeployandprovide lessonslearnedtotheirunits. TheHeadquartersAir ForceLessons LearnedDirectorate,alongwiththeHeadquartersAir ForceDirectorateofOperationsarethefocalpointsforAFFORGEN-relatedlessons learned,studies,analyses,assessments, modeling,simulationandpolicy.Inaddition,theAir ForceExpeditionaryCenterisresponsiblefor developingastandardized wayforcommanderstocoordinatetraining, sharelessonsandmentortheirsuccessors.

Forceelements

UnderAFFORGEN, theAir Forcepresentscapabilitiesasforceelementsmadeupofmultipleunittypecodes. EachtypeofFEprovidesa specificoperationalcapability:

MissionGeneration:Providescombat, combatsupport(thosethat arespecificallyidentifiedonthe aviation/operational UTC’smission capabilitystatement)andcombatservicesupportcapability. Thereare multipletypes ofMGFEs: Mobility, AirSuperiority, GlobalPrecision

Attack,SuppressionofEnemyAirDefenses, LongRangeStrike, HighAltitudeIntelligence, Surveillance, andReconnaissance, AirRefueling, Intra-TheaterAirliftandCombatSearchandRescue.

OpentheAirbase:ThisFEprovidescapabilitiestoopenanairbase, regardlessoffollow-onmission(s), includingcommandandcontrol,force protection,cargoandpassengerhandling, logistics, airfieldoperations, forceaccountability, financeandcontracting, hostnationsupport,receptionandbed-downoffollowonforces.

CommandandControl:ThisFEprovidesthecapabilitiestoestablish anAirExpeditionary WingC2structureandincludesinitialwingoperations, maintenance, missionsupportandmedicalgroupcommanders aswellastheAir (A) and special staffs.

EstablishtheAirbase:ThisFEprovidessufficientforcestosupport mostmissionsorweaponsystems ItintegrateswiththeOpentheAir baseandC2FEsasrequiredandprovidestheearliestcapabilitytoenableandsustainthegenerationofmissions.

OperatetheAirbase:ThisFEenhancescombatsupportandcombat servicessupportcapabilitiesbeyondwhattheEstablishtheAirbaseFE providesandbringsit tofulloperationalcapability.

RobusttheAirbase:ThisFEprovidesadditionalcombatsupportand combatservicesupporttoincreasetherobustness ofthe capabilities alreadyinplace.

Demand Force Teams:DFTsareunitsorcapabilities withuniqueor highlyspecificcombat,combatsupport,orcombatservice supportcapabilities. ExamplesincludetheExpeditionaryMedicalSupportSystem, RapidEngineering Deployable Heavy Operations RepairSquadron –Engineer, orCombatCamerasquadrons.

InadditiontobeingpartofanFE,USAF-fundedactive-dutyAirmen areassignedtodeploymentphasesA, B,C, or D, whichreplacethepreviousP-andX-bands. AirmenwillbegindeployingunderAFFORGENin October, withphaseCfollowedby D, A,andBphaseseverysixmonths. Thesephasesthenrepeatevery24-months.

AFFORGENFEsareintendedtobetailorablebutnotdivisible. This meansifajointforcecommanderonlyrequestsaspecificsubsetof UTCsfromaFE,theremainingUTCswillremainunavailableforuse duringthatAFFORGENcycle.

PAST

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workingwiththeAir Forceandany otherserviceonhowwecan…make surethatifthere’sakiddreaming aboutbeingintheAir Force, I want toworkashardastheyaretohelp them comein.”

TheC-130aircraftprovided a backdropfortheevent,andAir Forcerepresentativesshowcased thecapabilitiesoftheaircraft,explainingitspivotalroleinmodern-daymilitaryoperationsand humanitarianefforts. Navajocommunitymemberssharedstories of their ancestors’invaluablecontributionsduring WWII, effortsthat provedtheNavajoNation’sdedication, courage, and resourcefulness duringthe war.

DiscussionsbetweenAir Force personneland Navajoveterans andcommunitymemberstouched onvarioustopics, includingeducation, careeropportunities, andculturalexchanges Byfosteringthese relationships, AMCandtheNavajo Nationarepavingthe wayfor a brighterfuture.

“Comingfromafamilyofveteranswhohaveserved--having a senseofaseatatthetable, being seen,andbeinghonored--having General MinihancometotheNavajoNation,myhomestate, wasan honorinitself,” saidStaffSergeant AnastaciaRodriguez,whoinitiated theevent.“Tome, itportraysanew beginning, anewrelationship, and it’s exciting!Myself, myfamily, and otherparticipantsareexcited,becausetheyknowthatsomething biggerwillcome fromthisvisit.”

TheAir ForceandAirMobilityCommandremaincommitted topreservingthememoryofthe NavajoNation’sinvaluablecontributions duringWWIIandlook forwardtofurthercollaborations that honorthepast, developthe present,andpromotethe future.

Gen.Mike MinihantalkedwithAirForce representatives,localNavajoveteransand communitymembers duringameetandgreetinPage,ArizonaonJune23,.Participantsweregiventheuniqueopportunitytowalk throughtheC-130aircraft,connectwith experiencedaviatorsandmentors,and engageinprofessionaldevelopment andnetworkingopportunities.

PhotobyMark Voorhis.

EVENTS

Family Friday at SeaScapes

Comecelebrate Family First Fridayson July 7atSeaScapes from3-10 p.m.Therewillbea Seafoodthemedmenu, kids’menu anddrinkspecials. Formoreinformation, visitmacdillfss.com/wpcontent/uploads/JulyFFF.pdf.

BigDawg Powerlifting

Competition

TheShort FitnessCenterwill be hosting aBig Dawg PowerliftingcompetitiononSaturday, July 8at11a.m.Members willbeevaluatedon3roundsofdesignated workouts. Firstplaceprizeintwo weightcategories(under175lbs. andover176lbs.,male andfemale). Warmupstartsat11a.m., competitionstartsat11:15a.m. Formoreinformation,visit macdillfss.com/short-fitness-center/.

Volleyball Jamboree

TheShort FitnessCenteris hostinga Volley Jamboreeatthe Short FitnessCenteron July14at 5 p.m.Registerby closeofbusiness Wednesday, July12bystopping bythefitness centerfront deskorbyemailing 6fss.fsvs.intramuralsports@us.af.mil.

Becomea SecretShopper

Getpaidtocallorvisit6thFSS facilities. To learnmore, callor emailthe6FSSMarketingDepartment at828-2513orsixfssfsk@gmail.com.

TheChamp!

U.S.AirForceStaff Sgt.RobertMunro,6thOperationalMedicalReadiness Squadroninitialflyingclassphysicalcoordinator, middle, receives theChampofthe Weekaward from6thAirRefuelingWingleadership atMacDillAirForce BaseJune20.Munroprocessed 26initialflyingclass physicalsforthe6th ARW, U.S.SpecialOperationsCommand,Joint CommunicationsSupport Element,andReserveOfficers TrainingCorps.HeisontheAFWERXevaluationteamanddedicatedover eighthoursto reviewingproposalsforqualificationtotaling$8.5billion.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain, calltheCommandPostat828-4362/4361.

Monday-WednesdayMass -12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

CatholicMass -Sunday- 9:30a.m. (confessionsbyappointment)

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Protestantvirtualservices -Sunday -11a.m. (www.facebook.com/6amwhc)

Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

IslamicService - Friday1:30p.m.(spacereserved)

OtherFaithGroups- PleasecontacttheChapelat (813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For moredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/or MacDill’s Chapel websiteis: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole