TheHonorableAshishS.Vazirani,undersecretaryofdefenseforPersonnelandReadinessgreetsU.S.AirForce Se-niorAirmanJacobKraus,6thSecurityForcesSquadronmarinepatrolman,duringhistouratMacDillAirForce BaseJune25.Duringhisvisit,Vaziraniexperiencedhowthe6thSFSmarinepatrolunitdefendersprotectover7 milesofMacDill’s coastlinefromoutsidethreats.
byAirmanPaulaArce 22ndAirRefuelingWingpublicAffairs
A 22ndAirRefueling WingKC-46A Pegasusexecutedtheworld’sfirstnonstop, KC-46A Pegasuswestboundcircumnavigationendurance flight,calledProjectMagellan, June29-July 1 startingandfinishinghere.
Thisflight wasthelatestMaximumEnduranceOperation(MEO)fortheKC-46A Pegasus, AirMobilityCommand’snewesttanker aircraft.
Overall,MEOsextendaircraftmissionsin bothtimeandaircrew, toenablegreatercapabilitiesandgreaterreachovergreaterdistances. Indoingso, MEOsenableAirMobility Commandtosurgepersonnel,suppliesandaircrafttosustaininitialoperations andproject andconnectthe Joint Force, anywhere inthe world.ThefoundationofRapidGlobalMobility isfuel,provided by tankers.
“MaximumEnduranceOperationsareall aboutovercomingthetyrannyofdistance:with a48-hourdutyday, youcanliterally fly across theworld,” saidCapt.CodyDonahue, 22ndOperationsGroupexecutiveofficer, whohasbeen
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PhotobyAirman1stClassGavinHameed A350thAirRefuelingSquadronKC-135RStratotankerfromMcConnellAirForceBase,Kansas, refuelsaMcConnellKC-46APegasusovertheUnitedKingdom,July1,.TheKC-46wastaking partina45-hourMaximumEnduranceOperation,calledProjectMagellan,launchingJune29 fromMcConnellAirForceBase,flyingwestward,non-stop,aroundtheworldandlandingbackat McConnellJuly1.
TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam
Publisher: Joe Deluca
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byMaj.BeauDowney AirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs
SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Inthe commander’sofficeatAirMobilityCommand headquarters, thereis clockhungonthe wall. It’seasytomisswhenyoufirst walkintheroom becauseit’sofftotheside, insightofthedesk andframedbetween chairswherethecommandersitsandmeetswithstaffandguests In boldrednumbers, itcountsdown,ticking away thesecondsandcreatingapalpableandunrelentingsenseofurgencyonits waytozero.
The clockhasbeeninplaceformuchofGen. MikeMinihan’stenureascommander, having originally beeninstalledtopacethe command forthestartofExerciseMobilityGuardian 2023, theAir Force’spremiermultinationalmobility exercise Next,the clockcounteddownto June 30--thedeadlineMinihansetforthecommand to closeoutpriorityinitiativesfromtheexercise.
“Bottomlinehereiswearedrivingaheadquarterstoactionthatcanhandlecontinued supportforglobaloperationsandstill make
U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanIanAllen,305thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron(AMXS)flyingcrew chief,left,Airman1stClassLoganLong,middle,andSeniorAirmanBradenRussel,right,6th AirliftSquadron(AS)loadmasters,lowertheramponaU.S.AirForceC-17GlobemasterIIIatan auxiliaryfieldnearAndersonAirForceBase,Guaminsupportof ValiantShield2024June10.
bySeniorMasterSgt.Richard P. Ebensberger AirUniversityPublicAffairs
MAXWELLAIRFORCEBASE,Ala.— TheCurtisE.LeMayCenterforDoctrineDevelopmentandEducationandAirMobility Commandcollaboratedonsignificantrevisions tothejust-releasedAir ForceDoctrinePublication3-36,AirMobilityOperations, reflecting theservice’srenewedcommitmenttomaneuverabilityandlethality.
Thepublication’sfirstmajorrevision infive yearsalsoreflectstheevolvingstrategicenvironmentandre-emphasizestheimportanceof thejointfunctionsofmaneuver, sustainment andcommandandcontrol.Theseprinciples arecriticaltopreparingthemobility airforces toeffectivelypositionthejoint forceforadvantageanddeliverlethaleffectsatthetempore-
PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton
AplaqueisdisplayedtohonorCol.MelvinB.Asp’s accomplishments duringabuildingdedicationceremonyatMacDillAirForceBaseJune27. AspservedasthefirstcommanderoftheDrewFieldArmyAirBase,now TampaInternationalAirport,andisknownforhisdesign of thefirstsuccessfulsmallplanecalledtheAsplane.
AnAirman hitsahomerunduringanArmyvsAirForcesoftballgame atanundisclosedlocationwithintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,July3.Thetwoteamswerecoachedbyformer WashingtonNationalsplayersDougFisterandAdamEaton.Thegamewas heldtocelebrateIndependenceDay.
U.S.AirForceaerialportersloadmunitionsontoaC-17Globemaster III assignedtothe155thExpeditionaryAirliftSquadronatanundisclosed locationwithintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,April 24.TheU.S.AirForceisgloballyposturedtoprotectanddefendfreedomofcoalitionalliesand regionalpartnerswithintheCENTCOMareaof responsibilitytomaintainpeaceandstabilityacrossthe region.
bySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster
Former WashingtonNationalsplayersAdamEatonandDoug Fister, theteam’smascotScreech, andseveralteam representativesvisitedthe379thAirExpeditionary Wingon July3-4,2024,to commemorateIndependenceDay.
TheNationalsexploredvariouscareerfields acrosstheinstallation,includingstaticdisplay toursofaKC-135Stratotanker anda C-17GlobemasterIII.Theyspentsometimewithexplosive ordnancedisposaltechniciansfromthe379th ExpeditionaryCivilEngineerSquadron,participatedin a military workingdog demonstration withhandlersfromthe 379th Expeditionary Security ForcesSquadron, and joined aride-along withfirefightersfromthe 379th ECES.
Duringthevisit,theNationalsinvited a379th
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Former WashingtonNationalsplayersDougFisterandAdamEatontalkwitha350thExpeditionaryAirRefuelingSquadronmaintenancetechnicianatanundisclosedlocationwithintheU.S. CentralCommandareaof responsibility,July3.TheplayerscametoCENTCOMtoshowtheir appreciationandhelptoboostmoraleacrosstheinstallation.
goodontheinvestmentfromMobilityGuardian tobenefitthejointforce,” Minihansaid. LastyearsawthelargestiterationofMobilityGuardianever, markingthefirsttimeit was focusedonandconductedintheIndo-Pacific. Thousandsofparticipantsacrossmillionsof squaremilesofoceanandterrainvalidatedpreviouslyidentifiedgapsandexplored new tactics, techniques, andprocedures--allwithina realisticenvironmentthatforcedjointparticipantstofacetherealitiesofcontestedlogistics. SpeakingduringaSeptember2023interview withAirandSpace ForcesMagazineabouthow theexercise was designed, Minihansaid, “We justlettherealworldbetherealworld.”
Thecapstoneeventansweredkeyquestions: CantheMobilityAir Forceproactivelyrespond totheenvironmenttoshapeitforunfair advantage?Canitovercomesiloedmissionsandroles? Andperhapsmostfundamentally, canitexplode intotheaterwiththemass, tempo, andsustainmentneededto enable the joint forcetowin?
Theanswerstothesequestionsaren’trhetorical.Theyplayedoutduringreal-worldevents, andtheremainingworktobedoneexistedin a10-linelistofprioritiesAMC wastrackingto build“irreversiblemomentum” towardthenext iterationoftheexerciseandbeyond.
Eacheffortreflectedkeylessonslearnedthat broadlyfitintofourmajorcategories:data,decisions, developmentanddiscipline. Gettingto therightsolutionsforeachitemcanrequireadjustingcurrentprocedures, leveragingexisting technologies, orifneeded,developing entirely newcapabilities.
“The10-line was themain effortatAMC sinceAugust2023,ensuringthatweputreal effortbehind changinglessonsobservedinMobilityGuardiantolessonslearned,” saidBrig GenCoreySimmons, AMCDirectorofStrategy, Plans, Requirements, andProgramsandthe generalofficermentorforseverallinesofeffort. “Itisamazinghowmuch cangetdonewhen theentirestaffgetsbehindspecificanddefined tasksandmakethemainthingthemainthing.”
Thisiswhatthe clockcounteddownto:takingthelistfrom10tozero--eitherbycompletionorbymovingtheinitiativeintoanormal stateofgovernancewithinthecommandstaff.
Oneofthetopprioritiesonthelist wasfocusingonimprovingcommandrelationships--the
PhotobyStaffSgt.Joshua T. Crossman Maj.ChristianBrechbuhl,farright,AirMobilityCommandmissionsystemsdeputydirector,briefs seniorleadersabouttheAirlift TankerOpenMissionSystemsprogramona C-17Globemaster III April24,ontheflightlineatRamsteinAirBase,Germany.The ATOMSprogramisapartofGen. MikeMinihan’s,AMCcommander,25x25initiativetoconnect25%ofthemobilityfleetby2025. The ATOMSprogramwillgivemobilitycrewssituationalawarenessandbettersurvivability,upgrading our communicationabilitiesandin-flightinternet access so that mobility aircraft can communicatewiththeJointForcewhileinflight.
interrelatedresponsibilitiesbetweencommanders. AstheMAFbalanceshighglobaloperationaldemandwithfutureplanningrequirements, theabilitytocomfortablynavigaterelationships whilesupportingforcegenerationmodelsacross theservicesatthespeedofrelevanceiscritical.
“Idon’tthinkit’saskingtoomuchthatour Airmenknow who they are workingforand whattheirprioritiesare,” Minihansaid.
Anothermajor, anddecidedlyurgentpriorityissomethingthecommandiscalling“25by 25,” whichisagoaltodeliverrobustconnectivitycapabilitiestoatleastaquarterofthefleet by 2025to kickstartconnectivity aheadofthe traditionalbudgetingcycle.
“Ourforcerequiresconnectivity, survivability, andagility,” saidMinihaninhisBeyondthe Manifesto To hisHeadquartersstaffhecontinued,“Closethosegapssothatwecanmeetthe tempoandmassof combat.”
Asthe clockapproachedzero, MobilityAirmen werecrossingitemsoffthelistandtranslating lessonslearnedintoreal-worldeffects. Theywere gettingwhatMinihancalls“setsandreps” with mission-typeordersandleaning inonnavigatingcommandrelationshipstodevelop“trustbetweenthecockpitandtheheadquarters.”
TherecentiterationofExercise ValiantShield, anotherIndo-Pacificevent,saw MAF participantsdemonstratemaximumenduranceoperationsandspecializedfuelingoperationsthat showcaseversatilitytomaneuverthejointforce.
“Thisisthreeyearsofeffortwithenormous jointequitiesatstake,” Minihansaidpriorto the clockexpiring. “We are investinginculture, andwhenthiscountdownhitszero, we willhavemarkedthenextsteponalongjourneytowardsolidifyinga warfighter’smindset thatleveragesmobilityandmaneuverforlethality.”
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planningProjectMagellanformonths. “InaneraofGreat PowerCompetition,crewsneedtheabilitytooperatelongerthantheyhave in the past,andProjectMagellanisthenextstep ingettingAMCcrewsexperienceinthegame-changingnewconstructthat isMEO.”
McConnellcoordinatedreceiveraircraft duringthemissiontodemonstrateitsabilitytooperateasatankerduringMEO. Duringthis flight, theKC-46refueledAir ForceB-2Spiritbombers, C-17GlobemasterIIIairlifters, F-15EStrikeEaglesandanotherKC-46.
Theoperationalsoexemplified TeamMcConnell’sprogressindevelopingandadvancingKC-46capabilities, sincereceivingitsfirstKC-46s in 2019.
OnboardtheglobalKC-46flightwere:Col.Brent Toth,aircraftcommander;Capt.CodyDonahue, instructorpilot;Capt. DaisonBatangan, instructorpilot;Capt. T.J. Buckley, instructorplot;MasterSgt JonathanLauterbach instructorboomoperator;MasterSgt PatrickMurray, instructorboomoperator;Capt. JacobHeyrend, flight surgeon;Staff SgtAlejandroMelendez,flyingcrew chief;andStaffSgtDustinShaffer, flyingcrew chief.
“Itgoeswithoutsayingthatwewillbe accomplishing traininginour primaryrolesastankerpilots,” Donahuesaid. “Our pilots willbe conductingmultipleheavyweightonloadsandourboom operatorswill be refuelingseveraldifferenttypesofaircraftthroughouttheflight.”
TeamMcConnellalsoexhibiteditsabilitytoExplodeIntoTheater –ormultipletheatersinthiscase--bycoordinatingwiththreeother militarybasesaroundtheworldtopre-positionseveralofthe wing’s tankerstorefueltheKC-46enrouteso it couldfly for45hoursstraight. TwoKC-46’sweresenttoAndersenAir ForceBase, Guam,oneKC-135 StratotankertoRAFMildenhall,England,andoneKC-135tothe U.S. CentralCommandAreaofResponsibility, inordertorendezvouswith theglobe-trottingaircrafttoresupplytheirmuch-neededfuel.Backingupthe22ndARWairbridge wasaKC-135from100thARWoutof MildenhallandaKC-135deployedfromtheUtahAir NationalGuard.
“Notonlyisthedurationofthissortienotable, butwearecompletingitwithjusttwobasiccrews,” saidDonahue. “Previously, threepilots wereabletoflyasan‘augmented’crewforupto24hours. Goingforward,AMCislookingtohaveacrewoffourpilotsoperatingforupto 48hours.”
ThecommandremainsfocusedonprovidingMobilityAir Forces warfighterswiththeresourcesandcapabilitiesrequiredtoperform effectivelyduringhigh-paceoperationalenvironmentandmax-endurancemissions.
Namely, longdutydayscallforsafetymeasures. Capt Jacob Heyrend,349thAirRefuelingSquadronflightsurgeon,was onboardto ensurethehealth,safetyandperformanceof thecrew.
“Goalsforthisflightweretoseethecombinedcapabilitiesofamoderntankerandaugmentedcrews, pushingthebrinkofhumanperformance,” Heyrendsaid. “Thefinal goalIhadfor theflight wasto maintaincrew, flightandmissionsafetyandhealthastheaeromedical element.”
Two22ndAirRefuelingWingpilotsflyaKC-46APegasusfromMcConnell AirForceBase,Kansas,thatisparticipatingin aMaximumEndurance FlightaroundtheglobecalledProjectMagellanJune30.Magellanwas theworld’sfirstnonstop,KC-46westboundcircumnavigationendurance flightthattookofffromMcConnellJune29andlandedagainJuly1.
CourtesyPhoto
ThesunshinesoncloudsoutsideofaKC-46APegasusfrom McConnell AirForceBase,Kansas,thatisparticipatingina MaximumEndurance FlightaroundtheglobecalledProject MagellanJune30.Magellanwas theworld’sfirstnonstop,KC-46westboundcircumnavigationendurance flightthattookofffromMcConnellJune29andlandedagainJuly1.
U.S.AirForce aircrewmembersassignedtothe6thAirliftSquadronruntoaU.S.AirForce C-17GlobemasterIIIwhileconductingFlushchecklistprocedu Shield2024June14.TheFlushchecklistisdesignedforanaircrewtogetanaircraft’s enginesrunninginminimalamountoftimeand readyfordepartur as ValiantShieldallowtheIndo-PacificCommandJointForcestheopportunitytointegrateforcesfromallbranchesofserviceandwithouralliestoconductprecise,lethal multi-domaineffectsthatdemonstratethestrengthandversatilityof theJointForceandourcommitmenttoafreeandopenIndo-Pacific.
byChrisBishop AirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs
SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Acrossthevastandtyrannous distancesofthe Pacific, AirMobilityCommandsupportedthe10thiterationofexercise ValiantShield 24,abiennial jointand—forthefirst time—multinationalfieldtrainingexerciseintheIndo-Pacificregion, June7-18,2024.
Theexerciseincluded ninewingsfromacrossAMC, eachbringing differentmission-setstoexercisean d ch allengestoovercome. VS24 wasledbytheUnitedStatesNavy’s PacificFleet.
UnitsfromacrosstheDepartmentofDefenseparticipatedduring VS24,integratingbetween U.S. andallyandpartnerforcesatvarious levelswhileoperatinginrealistic, sometimesdegraded,environments. ForAMC, thismeantcontinuingmomentumfrompreviousexercises such asMobilityGuardian23andgaininggroundtowardfutureexercises.
AccordingtoCapt. Tommy Takao, apilotwith6thAirliftSquadron, JointBaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,New Jersey, andtheC-17planner forVS24,theopportunitytopractice Jointandcombinedtrainingis rare
“[ValiantShield]showcasesourcommitmentandourdedicationto ouralliedandpartnernationshereinthe Pacificanditalsoshowsour
abilitytoshowupinmassandmovecargotowhereitneedstogoto supportthe Joint Force,” hesaid.“We gotourdepartureorder, senthalf ourforceelementoutwithabout 140 peopleandwewerethenableto regeneratewithinaveryshorttimespanuponlandingat Yokota.”
ExplodeIntoTheater
AMCisposturedtoprovidemaneuverandflexibilityforthe Joint Fo rceintimesofcrisis VS24showcasedMobilityAir Fo rces’newly developedtechniques, tacticsandprocedurestorapidlydeployorredeployintotheater.
OneofthesenewtacticsareMassEnduranceOperations. What was previousl y un precedented is increasinglybecoming st andardpr actice—aircrewandaircraftflyingforextendedperiodstoachievemaximumcombateffectivenessinfast-paceoperationalenvironments.
The317thAirlift Wing, DyessAir ForceBase, enteredtheIndo-Pacificwithmass, tempoandsustainmentduringa22.6-hourMEO. The wingbroughtfourC-130J’sacrossthecontinentalUnitedStatesand the PacificOceantolandatAndersonAir ForceBase, Guam,for ValiantShield.
Enduranceoperationssuchasthisalignwithcoreobjectivesfrom theAgileCombatEmploymentconcept,whichisshiftingoperations fromcentralizedinfrastructuretodispersedlocationsandsustaining combatpowerincontestedenvironments.
PhotobySeniorAirmanKeeganPutman C-17GlobemasterIIIwhileconductingFlushchecklistprocedures on YokotaAir Base,Japaninsupport of Valiant adyfordeparture predicatedonanimminentthreat. Exercisessuch estheopportunitytointegrateforcesfromallbranchesofserviceandwithouralliestoconductprecise,lethal, andoverwhelmingmulti-axis,
U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanBradenRussel,6thAirliftSquadron(AS) loadmaster, ensures a safeenginestartfora U.S.AirForceC-17GlobemasterIIIat Yokota AirBase, Japan insupport of ValiantShield 2024June10.
U.S.AirForceMaj. VictorConde,40thAirliftSquadronevaluatorpilotandmissioncommander,flies a C-130JSuperHerculesduringanextendedMaximum EnduranceOperation,June5.TheMEOtoGuamwascompletedin22.6hoursofflighttimeinsupportof ValiantShield2024.
bySAEvanLichtenhan AirUniversityPublicAffairs
FORCEBASE—From droppingoutofhighschool tocommandinganROTC detachment,Lt.Col.DavidRichardsonprovedthat inthe U.S. Air Force, hard workcanpayoff.
Richardsonworksasthe commanderofAir Force ROTCDetachment 025 at ArizonaStateUniversity.
“Isupportthemissionbyensuringwedevelopleadersof characterfortheAir&Space Forcestofightand winournation’s wars,” Richardsonsaid.
RichardsongrewupsurroundedbyAir Forceculture, withhisfatherbeingaretiredseniormastersergeant inthe avionicsfield.
“MyAir Forceintereststartedwithmyfather,” Richardsonsaid.“Hegenuinelyseemedtoenjoyhisjob, and that wasenticingforme. AfterIdroppedoutofhigh school,Iquicklyrealizedmycareerprospectsweredim. TheAir Forceprovided thestructureand direction I neededtoturnmylifearound.”
Inhisearlyyears, hefoundhimselfoutofhighschool, notknowingwhathe wantedtodowithhisfuture AlthoughhedecidedtojointheAir Force, thatcamewith itsown challenges.
“I wasthebiggestobstacletoasuccessfulcareer,” he said.“I wassoimmatureandself-centeredasayoung person;itnearlysabotagedmyAir Forcecareerbefore itevenstarted. WithinmyfirstyearintheAir Force, I receivedeightLORsandaUIF. WhenthegroupcommanderorderedahandfulofAirmentobetransferred frommysquadrontoanewone, I wasoneoftheAirmen chosen.Mynewsquadroncommander, Lt.Col.Sam Rosado, lookedatmyUIFandsaid,‘Someofthisyou deserved,andsomeofthisisjustthesnowballrolling downhill.Iamthrowingallofitout.’ Fastforward a fewyears, asayoungandveryexperiencedNCO, I was stillselfishlymotivated, worriedabout howdecisions wouldaffectmeandmycareer. Atsomepoint, aswitch happenedforme, andIfocusedonothersandtheirsuc-
Thecrewcollaboratedwithathird-partycontractortoenrollthecrewin afatiguestudy. Thecontractorshaveexperienceworkingwith elite sports professionals, NASAandotherinternational space stationastronauts.
“Theyutilizevalidatedmetrics, such as the Psychomotor Vigilance Testing,” Heyrendsaid.“Theaircrewself-administeredthesetestsat certainpointsinthesleep-wakecycleandwhenprompted by me, or self-initiatedutilizingproprietarysoftware. Ialso performed variousad hoccognitiveassessmentsinflight, manyofwhichwerecomponentsof theMontrealCognitiveAssessment Iobservedtaskresponseaswellto gainawholepersonperspectiveofeachcrewmember.”
Thefourpilotsandtwoboomoperatorsaboardtheflighttookturns restingandrelievedtheircounterpartsatset intervals, takingadvantageofthebuilt-inbunkbedsonthetanker.
AsthefirstmainoperatingbasefortheKC-46,McConnellhasrefineditsapproachtotheAir Force’snewesttankertoproviderapid airlift,airrefuelingandaeromedicalevacuationforthe Joint Force. SuccessfullyflyingitslongestKC-46MEOyetisatestamenttothe hard workofthe TeamMcConnellAirmen.
“The22ndARW’srecentMEOaroundtheworldshowcasednotonly theunmatchedenduranceoftheKC-46aircraft, butalsotheincredible
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quiredforvictory, saidAMC’scommander.
Highlightingthepublication’srelease, GenMikeMinihan,AMC Commanderstressed, “Amateursstudytactics, professionalsstudy logistics, thevictorsstudymaneuver.” Remarking ontheeffortstoupdate thedoctrineheadded,“ThisversionofAFDP3-36pushestheenvelope inrecognizingwhatthemobilityairforcesbringtothefightandhow weelevatethelethalityofthejointteam.It includesnewsectionson commandandcontrol,maneuver, thekeyroleairmobilityplaysindeterrenceoperations, andcriticallessons learnedfromOperationAllies Refuge, theRussianinvasionofUkraineandrecentoperationsinIsrael. Ourfuture challengedemands close readingofthisdocument and
resilienceandprofessionalismofouraircrew,” saidCol.CoryDamon, 22ndARWcommander, who wasonboardthefinaltankerrefuelingthis worldwideKC-46flight.“Thismission wasatruetestofour capabilities andashiningexampleofthecriticalroleourtankersplay inproviding fuelandsupporttothe Joint Force. I’mincrediblyproudofourteam’s achievementinpushingtheboundariesofwhatourtankersandtheir crewscando, andIhavenodoubtthatthishistoricmissionwillserve asafoundationforfuturemaximumenduranceoperationsandfurther solidifyourpositionasakeyenablerof globalpowerprojection.”
Also, onboardthatlasttankerinthe globalairbridgerefueling the around-the-world KC-46flight wasBrig. Gen. GeraldDonohue, DirectorofOperations, StrategicDeterrenceandNuclearIntegration, HeadquartersAirMobilityCommand,observingthis latestdemonstration oftheKC-46’scapabilitiestoprovideRapidGlobalMobilityandGlobal Reach.
“Learningintrainingmitigatesriskincrisis,” saidDonohue. “This missionprovidedAMC anotheropportunitytolearnlessonsandcapturebestpracticesforincreasinghumanperformanceduringMEO. You needtolooknofurthertoseethattheMobilityAir Forcesaredeadly seriousaboutourroleasthe Joint Forcemaneuver.”
thinkingabouthowtofight.”
AFDP3-36underscoresthatairmobilityoperationsareafundamentalextensionofairpower—thecapabilitytoprojectmilitarypower throughcontrolandexploitationin,fromandthroughtheair. Thisupdateddoctrinealignswiththerealitiesof greatpower competitionand isthefirstinaseriesofmajorservicedoctrineupdatesdesignedto preparetheAir Forceforfutureconflicts.
TheLeMayCenterisresponsibleforthedevelopment,dissemination and implementationof Air Forcedoctrine Itis conductinga fulldoctrinereviewinsupportofthe Air Forcere-optimizationfor Great Power Competition.
cess. Focusingonothers’success was aturningpointinmycareer;their successhasenabledanupwardtrajectoryformycareer.”
Afterspendingoveradecadeinsecurityforcesontheenlistedside, and overcominghisstruggles, Richardson decidedhewouldbeabletohave a greaterimpactifhecommissioned.
“Spendingmysecurityforcescareerinalmostexclusivelyoperations, IknewI wasnotcompetitiveforseniormastersergeantor chiefmaster sergeantdespiteaverysuccessfulenlistedjourney,” Richardsonsaid.“If I wantedtohaveabiggerleadership impact,I wasgoingtoneedtopursue adifferentpath.Aroundmy12-year mark,Istartedmybachelor’s degree, which was challengingbeingfull-time inperson,beforewidespreadonline courses, andworking12-hrshifts.”
Richardsonsaidhistoptipsfor successwouldincludetakingcareof yourteams, beingateammatewith alearningattitude, andbecustomer serviceoriented.
Courtesyphoto
OfficialportraitofU.S.AirForce Lt.Col.DavidRichardson,commanderofAirForceROTCDetachment025atArizonaState University,duringhistimeasan enlistedmember.Duringhisenlistedyears,hewasassignedto avarietyofpositions,including lawenforcement,desksergeant andflightchief.
“Whileyourcareermaybeareflectionofmanyofyouraccomplishments, youwillnotbesuccessfulunlessthosearoundyouaresuccessfultoo,” hesaid. “Youwilllikelyneverbethesmartestpersonin theroom,soapproachyourteamswiththismindset.Courtesyalways paysoffinthelong-run,andeveryoneshouldbetreatedwiththe samerespectfrom E-1to O-10.
AEWAirmantovirtuallythrowthefirstpitch, which wasfeaturedduringtheir Fourthof July gamein Washington D.C. Additionally, theAirman’sfamily wasinvitedtothrow theirown pitchliveatthestadium.
“It’sasurrealexperiencetobeselectedtothrow outthefirstpitchfortheNationals,” saidtheAirman. “A lotofhard-workingmenandwomenhere attheepicenterarejustasdeserving, ifnotmore; I’msupergratefulfortheexperience.”
Asthecapstoneofthetour, servicemembers fromacrosstheinstallationcompetedin a first everAir Forcevs Armysoftballgameatthe 379thAEW, with each teamcoached byone of theformerNationalsplayers. TheAir Forcetriumphedwithanoverwhelmingvictory, defeating theArmy21 to3.
“This wasoneofthebestAir ForceeventsI’ve beenapartof,” saidoneoftheAir Forceplayers “TheNationalsorganization, ourAirmen, andall theplayersfromtheArmyandAir Force, onthe eveofIndependenceDay, remindedmeofhow America’spastimecanstillbringeveryonetogether.”
Theteamhosteda Fourthof Julycelebration toconcludethevisit,invitingallinstallation memberstoasimulcastoftheirgamehappening in Washington D.C. againsttheNew YorkMets. Theformerplayersandtheirmascotinteracted withfansandprovidedcomplimentarygame ticketsforfamilymemberswholivenearthenation’scapital.
“Beingabletowishtheservicemembersindividuallyahappy Fourthof Julyin[adeployed] countryissomethingthatIcansayI’veneverdonebefore,” said Fister “Itdefinitelyputsthings inperspective. Thesacrificestheygivedayin
U.S.AirForcephoto
Guestsandmembersofthe379thAirExpeditionaryWingcelebrateduringa WashingtonNationalsSimulcastatanundisclosedlocationwithintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility, July4.Thesimulcastallowedfordeployedpersonneltowatchthegamealongsidetheirfamily membersbackhome.
andout,that’ssomethingwecan’ttakeforgrantedandit’ssomethingwetrulyappreciate.”
Thevisitservedasaheartfelt‘thankyou’from boththe WashingtonNationalsandthe379th AEWleadershipforthehardworkand dedicationoftheAirmen,aswellas thejointand regionalmissionpartnersattheepicenter.
“It wasanextraordinary waytocelebrateour Nation’sfreedom,” saidBrig. Gen.RichardDick-
ens, 379thAEWcommander. “Givingourpersonneltheopportunitytotakeakneeandenjoy a tasteofhomeonthe Fourthof July wasincredible. We arethankfultothe WashingtonNationalsorganizationforenablingthesegreatevents forour warfighters. Whethertheyfly, fix,orsupport,weareincrediblyproudoftheworkour servicemembersdoeverydayinsupportofour nationalinterests.”
FamilyFunNight
JointhefunatMacDillLanes& FamilyFunCenterfor“Kids Night”FamilyFunNightonJuly 12from5-9p.m.EnjoyaDJ, cartoonmov-ies,cosmicbowling, andgoodybags(whilesupplies last).Don’tmissthe$7.95Kids Buffet(12andunder),$2games, andaffordableshoerent-als:$3 foradultsand$2forkids. Visitmacdillfss.com/wp-content uploads/JulyFFN_24.pdfformore information.
Red,White,BlueGolf Tourney
JointheBayPalmsGolfComplexfor theRed,White&BlueAllAmerican GolfTournamentonSaturday, July13,withan8a.m.shotgun startontheSouthCourse.Teams oftwowillcompeteusingvaried formats:BestBall,Modified AlternateShot,andScramble, withteessetat100,150,and200 yardsrespectively.Entryfee coversgreenfees,acart,andan All-Americanstylelunch.Signup attheProShopbynoononFriday, July12.Pricing:$20AGF, $40Military(Active/Retired),$50Civilian. Visitmacdillfss.com/wp-content/ uploads/RWBGolf8.5X11.pdffor moredetails.
TaptoPaynowAvailable
Alleight6thFSSFood Bever-agelocationsnowaccept contact-lesspayments,including ApplePay &GooglePay. Stopby todayand grababitetoeatora refreshing beverage.Foralistof facilitiesand menusvisit, macdillfss.com/eat-drink/.
U.S.AirForceLt.Gen. Tony BauernfeinddeliversaspeechduringtheAirForceSpecialOperations CommandchangeofcommandceremonyatHurlburtField,Florida,July2.Duringtheceremony, Bauernfeind relinquishedcommand ofAFSOC toU.S.AirForceLt.Gen.MichaelConley.
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)
Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com
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
AccordingtoCol.TriggRandall,515thAirMobility OperationsGroup commanderandCommanderofthe Valiant Shield2024Mobility Task Force, AMCsupportsACEconceptsdominantlythroughthe Global Air MobilitySupportSystem.PracticedextensivelyduringVS24,air mobilityoperationunitsarein-placewithinthe Pacifictheatertoreceive unitsastheyarrive. Inmoreaustereenvironments, theGAMSShas contingencyresponseunits tohelpreceiveaircraftwherethere wasn’t previouslypersonnelorinfrastructuretodoso.
“Theonly waytheycan[explode intotheater]isbyhavingsupport personnelonthegroundtoreceivethemwhentheygettothe Pacific,” saidRandall.
Maintaininglogisticsacrossvastdistancesinthe Pacifichasits challenges Addthepotentialforconflictanddegradedenvironments, and those challengesgrowexponentially.
Accordingto Takao, VS24isgoodtrainingtotestAirmen’sability toplanandexecutemissionswhilegeographically separatedfromthe AOCthatdirectsthem.
To addressthese challengesduringVS24,AMCstoodupaMobility Task Force, whichRandallsaidcanbeusedwhenaircrewandpersonnelcannotreachbacktoAMCoranAirOperations Center. TheMTF monitoredall618thAOCCommandandControlelementås, sointhe
eventofcommunicationsystems challenges, commandcontinuitycould bemaintained.
RandallsaidthatVS24’sMTF had 16personnelassignedtoit,majorityofwhichhadnopriorAOCexperience. Exercisingadaptabilityin ever-changingenvironments, they were abletoaccomplishtheirtasks inexercisescenariosandoperatedin-theater withoutcommunications withthe618thAOC.
TheMTFconceptisdesignedtobescalable, enabling wideapplicationofACEconcepts. Itcanbeappliedbothtosmall contingenciesand largetheaterexercisesuchasVS24.
“AstheMTFisaconcept, it wasatrialrun here during thisexercise,” saidRandall,“Theideaofbeingabletooperateinadegradedenvironmentisavalidone, andweneedtokeepworkingtofindoutthebest waystodoso.”
Inhis2023BeyondtheManifesto, Gen.MikeMinihan, Air Mobility Command commander, saidthatmomentumand newconceptswill be requiredinreal-worldcontingencieswithcomplex commandstructures andlogistical challengessuchasdegradedcommunications. Through these MAFconceptsexecutedduringexerciseslike VS24, AMCcontinuestodevelopcommandrelationships, commandandcontrol, and sustainmentconceptsofemploymentthatwillsurvivefirstcontactwith theenemy.
