News/Features:page3
Winngwarsbymakingfriends
News/Features:page3
RodeowrapsinYokota
Week in photos:page4
Images fromthe week
Community: page15
Events, Chapel, more...
Membersofthe6th CommunicationsSquadronposenexttoaKC-135StratotankeratMacDillAir
NEWS/FEATURES WeaponsAirmensquareupinloadcompetition
byAirman1stClassLeonidSoubbotine 23rdWing
MOODYAIRFORCEBASE,Ga.—Airmen fromthe74thand75th FighterGeneration Squadronsfacedoffinaquarterly loadcompetitionatMoodyAir ForceBase, Georgia, June 29.
Overthreemonths, thetopthreeoutof60 weaponsAirmenare chosentocompeteatthe loadcompetitioninfrontofaliveaudienceof co-workers, leadershipandfamilymembers
“LoadcrewoftheQuartereventsareconductedthroughouttheyeartohighlightthe bestandthebrightest,mostproficientweaponsloadcrewsouttherefrombothfighter generationsquadrons,” saidChiefMasterSgt. WilliamBeard,23rdMaintenanceGroupweapons manager. “We’llseewhocanloadtheweapons thefastest,withoutanysafetyorliabilityviolations.”
Meticulousattentiontodetail and standardsisparamount,especiallywhendealing withpotentiallydeadlyammunitioninaustereconditionswhendeployedoverseas. That’s whyweaponsloadingisonlyoneoffourscored partsoftheevent.
SeeWEAPONS,Page16
PhotobyAirman1stClassLeonidSoubbotine U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassCecilioBorboa(left),75thFighterGenerationSquadronload crewmember, U.S.AirForceStaff Sgt.KylerWilson(center),75thFGSloadcrewchief,andU.S. AirForceAirman1stClassJonathanMorales(right),75thFGSloadcrewmember,holdaload competitiontrophyatMoodyAirForceBase,Georgia,July11.Everyquarterthe bestweapons Airmenfromthe74thand75thFGS’scompeteinaloadingcompetitiontofindthemostproficientcrewsandboostmorale.
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,
the Departmentof the Air Force or the6th Air Refueling Wing.
The appearance of advertisingin thispublication,includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the Departmentof Defense, the Departmentof the Air Force,6th Air Refueling Wingor the Publishing Companyof the products or serviceadvertised.
For retail advertising, call (813)226-3318.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, orpatronagewithout regard to race,color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, age, marital status, physical handicap,politicalaffiliationor any other non-merit factorof the purchaser,user,orpatron.
MacDillontheweb
Website: www.macdill.af.mil
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase
Instagram: macdill_afb
Twitter: @macdill_afb
Newsitems for the MacDillThunderbolt can be submitted tothe6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office,8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite14, MacDill,FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at828-2215. : 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil.
Deadline forarticle submissions isnoon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articlesreceived after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions areconsidered for publicationbased onnews value and timeliness.
Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.
NEWS/FEATURES
Winningwarsby makingfriends
by Tech.Sgt.Kregg York UnitedStatesAirForcesCentral
Withalargemilitarypresenceand thousandsofservicemembersoperatinginthe MiddleEast,oneoftheDepartmentofDefense’smostimportantmissionsisbeingled byoneofitssmallerteams:theAir Forces CentralAir WarfareCenter.
“Ourjobisbasicallysecuritycooperation, whichisafancytermforgoout,makenew friendsandstrengthenexistingrelationships,” said U.S. Air ForceCol. Kevin Walsh, commanderoftheAFCENTAir WarfareCenter, “andthe waywegoaboutdoingthat is providingsubject-matterexpertisetopartnerhostedexercisesthroughoutthe U.S. Central Commandareaofresponsibility Ifsomeone needsfighterexpertiseorcommandandcontrolexpertise, ormobilityexpertiseorintel, we’reabletoprovidethosepersonneltosupportourpartners.”
SeeWINNINGPage13
U.S.AirForceAirmencurrentlydeployedtotheU.S. CentralCommandareaof responsibility standwithAirmenfromthePakistanAirForceSpecialServicesWingbeforeajointterminalattackcontrolexerciseinanundisclosedlocationinPakistanduringExerciseFalcon Talon,June 4.TheAirForceCentralAir WarfareCenterdeployedajointterminalattackcontrolinstructorto conductacademicdiscussionsonairspacecontrolauthority,coordinatedattacks,sensormanagement,andenhancedtargetdescriptions.
Multi-CapableAirmenRodeowrapsupat Yokota
byAirman1stClassDavidS. Calcote 374thAirliftWing
U.S. Air Forceand JapanAirSelf-Defense Forceparticipatedinabilateral, two-day MultiCapableAirmanRodeoeventat YokotaAirBase and TamaHills, Japan, June27and28. Theevent wascreatedaspartofaninitiative topromoteamulti-capableculture while identifyingadvancedtrainingopportunities forAirmentoadaptandlearnskillsoutsideof theirnormalday-to-dayduties. Multi-capable airmanhaveproventobetheforcemultiplier, whichhelpsoperationscontinueinall environments, whichensuresthatmissionobjectives canstillbeachievedevenifmanpower islost orcriticallylowembodyingthemulti-capable Airmanmindset.
JapanAirSelf-DefenseForce Tech.Sgt. TanakaRyuuichirou,Air TacticsDevelopmentWing, scanshissurroundingsforsimulatedoppositionforcesduringtheMulti-CapableAirmanRodeo eventat TamaHills,Japan,June28.
Courtesyphoto
WEEKINPHOTOS
AGermanAirForce PA-200 Tornado receivesfuelfromaRoyalCanadianAirForceCC-130HHerculesduringtheEuropeanAir-to-Air
TrainingportionofexerciseArcticDefender24atJointBaseElmendorf-Richardson,Alaska,July11.ArcticDefenderisaGermanAirForce-ledexercisethatprovidesauniqueopportunitytointegratevariousforcesintojoint,coalitionandmultilateraltrainingfromsimulatedforwardoperating bases.EART trainstankercrews,planners,taskersandengineers,includingmaintenancepersonnel,inair-to-air refuelingoperationsandoffers a uniqueopportunitytothenationsparticipatinginArcticDefendertotraintheirtankerandfightercrewsinplanningandexecutingmissionswithin a realisticandmultinationalframework.
PhotobyDylanSmith CadetcandidatesarriveattheU.S.AirForceAcademyPreparatory Schoolforin-processinginColoradoSprings,Colo.,July11.ThepreparatoryschooloffersaselectgroupofciviliansandenlistedpersonnelapathwaytojointhecadreattheU.S.AirForceAcademy.
Fuelstechniciansassignedtothe379thExpeditionaryLogisticsReadinessSquadronperformanaerialbulkfueldeliveryatanundisclosed locationwithintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,July 10.Aerialbulkfueldeliverysystemsareusedtotransferfuelfromone fuelbladdertoanotherpre-flight.
PhotobySeniorAirmanShelimarRiveraRosado
Refueling
U.S.AirForcephoto
NEWS/FEATURES
Tyndallenhancesefficiencyforcrewchieftraining
byAirman1stClassZeeshanNaeem 325thFighterWing
TYNDALLAIRFORCEBASE,Fla.—With recentadvancesintechnology, crew chiefsassignedtoF-35ALightningIIsarenow abletoexperience simulated F-35cockpitsforfullimmersionduringtheirengineruncertification,which isafour-daycourseofintensivetrainingon advancedproceduresthatcovers criticalinformation,hands-onfamiliarizationwiththe simulator andoperationaltraining withthe aircraft.
The introductionof5th-generationaircraft cockpitsimulatorshasredesignedenginerun trainingatTyndall,enhancingproductivity, readinessandbudgetingfortheAir Force.
“Weusedtohavetoschedule a jetfor an entireweek,” saidMasterSgt. BrianMorrissey, 95th FighterGenerationSquadronF-35productionsuperintendent.“Thattakesthe aircraftout
SeeTYNDALL,Page11
U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.CameronBarfield,left,325thMaintenanceSquadronmaintenancetraininginstructor,observesAirman1stClassLogan Youmans,95thFighterGenerationSquadron crewchief,duringF-35ALightningIIvirtual realitymaintenancetrainingat TyndallAirForce Base,Florida, July9.
PhotobyAirman1stClassZeeshanNaeem
U.S.AirForceandJapanAirSelf-DefenseForcepersonnelposeforaphotoat YokotaAirBaseJapan,June28.TheMCARodeoservedasanopportunityforbothU.S.AirForceandJapanAirSelf-DefenseForcepersonneltocollaboratetogetherandcombineskillsetstoovercomeavariety ofchallengesandscenarios.
“Thegoaloftherodeoistocreateinterestintheprogramandpromote themindsetofbeingaMulti-CapableAirman,” said Tech. Sgt.Stephen Lewis, 374thAirlift Wingdefenseparalegal.“It’salsoanopportunityto engagewithourhostnationpartnersandboostthoserelationships.”
Participantsweregroupedintoteamsoffivemembersand pittedagainst each other in acompetitiontowinfirstplaceintherodeo. The winners wereassessedbaseduponhowthey applied and utilizedtheirnewskills.
Dayonefeaturedtrainingandassessmentsofteams’abilitiestoperformlandnavigation,radioetiquette, tacticalcombatcasualtycare; chemical,biological,radiological, nucleardefense, andpalletbuildingand cargomovement.
Daytwostartedattheoutdoorrecreationalarea, TamaHills, whereall fiveteamsweredroppedoffinalocationwheretheyhadtoutilizetheir newskillstonavigatetheir wayto checkpointswhileadaptingtoaneverchangingenvironment.
“Westrivetoactivelyinvolveourhostnationasmuchaspossiblein eventslikethissothatwehavethoserelationshipsbuiltandamutual understandingofhoweachotheroperates,” saidStaffSgt.AndrewHershberger, 374thOperationsSupportSquadronnoncommissionedofficer in chargeofsurvival, evasion,resistanceandescape.
TheMCARodeoeventmarkedasignificantmilestoneinthe U.S. and JASDFpartnership, asbothforcesworkedtogethertoshowcasetheir skillswhileadaptingtoarangeof challengingscenarios. Throughtrainingeventslikethese, Yokotacontinuestobolsterpartnershipsandmissionreadinesscapabilitieswhilestrengtheningvaluableskillsinpersonnelinboththe U.S. Air Forceand JASDFforces.
PhotobyAirman1stClassDavidS.Calcote U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.AndrewKeller,374thLogisticsReadiness Squadronvehiclemanagementsectionchief,treksacrossterrainwith histeamduringtheMulti-CapableAirman rodeoat TamaHills,Japan, June28. Teamscompetinginthe rodeohadtopushthroughtheterrain withnewly-acquiredlandnavigationskillstolocatetheirnextwaypoint.
PhotobyStaffSgt.Diego Villarreal
NEWS/FEATURES
FirstU.S.militarybaseinNigercompleteswithdrawal
byStaffSgt.Charles Welty 406thAirExpeditionaryWing
U.S. andNigerienmilitarypersonnelheld a ceremonytomarkthecompletionofthe U.S. military’swithdrawalfromAirBase101in Niamey, Niger, on July7,2024.
ThecompletewithdrawalfromAirBase101 comes amonthafterthefirst departureofC-17 GlobemasterIIIaircraftfromthebase in early June. Overthelastmonth, U.S. forceshave successfullywithdrawnallpersonnelandessentialassetsfromthebaseandhave handed controlof U.S. areaswithintheinstallation backovertotheNigeriengovernment.
“Todaywereflectpositivelyonthepast 15 yearsofsecuritycooperationandsharedsacrificeby U.S. forcesandNigerienforces,” said U.S. Air ForceMaj.Gen. KennethEkman, U.S. AfricaCommandDirectorofStrategy, Engage-
SeeNIGER,Page10
U.S.andNigerienmilitarypersonnelheldaceremonytomarkthecompletionoftheU.S.military’swithdrawalfromAirBase101inNiamey,Niger, onJuly7.
PhotobyUSAFMaj.Sandy VanDenMooter
From Sicilyto CENTCOM
bySeniorAirman ZacharyFoster UnitedStates AirForcesCentral
U. S. CE NT RALCOMMANDAR EA OF RE SP ON SI BI LI TY –Bo rnandraised in thepicturesquevillage of Alia, Si ci ly, U. S. Air ForceStaffSgt. MarcoGuccione’sjourneyfromasmallMediterraneantowntothe U.S. Central Command areaofresponsibilityepitomizestheAmericanDream.
DuringhisformativeyearsinAlia , Guccionefu llyembracedhis surroundings. Fluentin thelocallanguageanddeeplyconnected to thevibrantculture, helaidthegroundworkforhisfutureendeavors. By age25,heearnedadegreeinkinesiologyandmetthewomanwho would laterbecomehis wife.
Everything wasgoingjustasitshould, but it wasdifferentfrom howGuccionepicturedhis future Despitehis accomplishmentsand deeprootsinSicily, Guccionefoundhimselfdrawntonewhorizons beyondhisfamiliarMediterranean surroundings.
“In2015,mybrotherfoundajobfor mein theStates,” Guccione said.“Thejobitself wasn’tanythingspecial butit wasa chancefor change.”
Soon,Guccioneworkedina warehouse alongside his brother, reconnectingwithfamilymemberswhoha dalready ma de themove. Thework wasn’texciting, butit wasastart. He was intheLandof Opportunityand wasdeterminednot to letthis chanceslipthrough hisfingers.
Afterworkingafewoddjobs, Guccionesat downwithanoldfriend to redefinehisgoals. Hehadbeeninthe U.S. for afewyearsbuthad notfoundtherightfit.
“Myfriend was a recruiterforthe[U.S.]Armyatthetime,” Guccionesaid.“Hereco mm end edItaketheASVAB(ArmedService s VocationalAptitudeBattery)just to seewhereIstand Itturnsout I scoredwellwith electronics, andbeforeI knewit,I wasofftobasic training.”
Guccioneisnostranger to change. Heknewbasictrainingwouldbe difficult. He knewhewouldfacethe samefundamentalissueseveryoneelsedoes;missinghisfamily and friendsissomethingeverytrainee hasto overcome, butGuiccionehadonemorethaneveryoneelse.
“WhenIgottobasic trainingIknew verylittleEnglish,” Guccione said.“Thatmakeseverything more difficultbecauseallofthelearningmaterials areinEnglish,theinstructors, theothertrainees, everyonespokethislanguagethatI didn’treallyunderstand.”
Gu ccionehadjustafew shortw eeks toaccomplis h a ta sk th at manytakeyearstodo. Hehad no additionalmaterials; hejusthad teammates willing to help.
“Practice. Practice. Practice,” Guiccionesaid.“Everythingcomes downtopractice. Iknewverylittle EnglishwhenIfirstjoinedthe Air Force, butthe moreIworked at it thequickeritcame.”
Beforeheknewit,Guccionenotonlyknewthelanguagebutcould leverage hisbilingualismtoadvancehiscareer.
Afterseveralassignmentsacrossdifferentbases, Guccionefinally foundhimselfat AvianoAirBasein Italy, justaday’sdrivefromhis hometown.Here, hisbilingualskillsopeneddoorstonewopportunities.
“My timein Avianohasbeengreat,” Guccionesaid.“It’sbeenreally incredibletotalkwith people inamorefamiliarlanguage, andit’s beenhelpfulin facilitating communicationbetweenourAirmenand thelocalforce.”
Guccione’sbilingualproficiencyprovedinvaluablewhenateam of re searchersfrom Wa shington D. C. arrivedin Italy tosearch for WWII-eraaircraftandevidenceofPOW/MIA casualtiesinthePisa area. His abi litytotranslatefacilitatedcriticalconversations wi th locals, makinghima natural choicefortheassignmentrecommended byhisflight chief.
“Ourfirststop wastoPisa,” Guccionesaid.“My role wastoaskthe old peopleiftheyrememberedanything. Theypointedusineverydirection,andwewenteverywheretoseewhatwecouldfind.”
Gu ccione’seffortslaidthegroundworkfor a lo ng-termproject aimedatrepatriatingfallenveteranstotheirfamilies.
Shortlyafter, Guccione wasagain called uponforthisbilingual capabilities-thistimeata deployedlocation.
Recently, the379thAirExpeditionary WinghostedafleetofItalianAir Forceassetsontheir wayto JapanforOperationIndo-Pacific Ju mp2024,whichleveragestheITAF’sglobalpartnershipstoadvancetheforce’s warfighting capabilities.
OnestopontheirjourneytotheIndo-Pacific region wasan installationwithin the U.S. CentralCommandareaofresponsibility, where Guccioneis deployed.
Duringtheoperation,Guccioneusedhisfamiliarcultureandlanguagetoadvocateonbehalfofthewing. His tra ns lationsenabled ITAF personneltocarryouttheirmissionbetterandthe379thAEW Airmentofacilitate.
“ThepilotsspokeEnglishwell, buteveryoneelsehadissues,” Guccionesaid. “Smallthingslike conversionstotheimperialsystemfor thequantityoffuelcanhaveasignificantimpactifcommunicated incorrectly.”
Durin g Op era ti on IPJ 20 24 , Guccione’srole asthe sole tran slatorforITAF planningandemergencyproceduresprovedpivotal. His precisionensured se amlesscommunicationbetween inte rnational units, underscoringthemission’ssuccess.
Guccionecontinuestoexcelinbridgingculturesandenhancinginternationalcooperation,so he remainsrootedinhis Sicilianheritage. Hisjourneyfrom a smallvillagetoapivotaltranslatorin globalmissionsisatestamenttoperseveranceandtheboundlessopportunities withinthe U.S. Air Force.
U.S. trans of re fromSici
AirForce Staff Sgt.Marco Guccione,379th ExpeditionaryMaintenanceSquadron PrecisionMeasurementEquipment Laboratoryspecialist, middle, anslates forItalianAirForcepersonnel insupport of OperationIndo-Pacific Jump 2024 atanundisclosed locationwithin theU.S.CentralCommandarea sponsibility, June 30.Gucionne supportedthis year’s IPJasaliaisonbetweenthe 379th AirExpeditionary WingandtransientITAF. Guicconeis originally fromSicily,bringingafamiliarcultureandlanguagetobettersupportITAFpersonnelontheirjourney to theIndo-PacificAOR.
U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.MarcoGuccione,379th Expeditionary MaintenanceSquadronPrecisionMeasurementEquipmentLaboratoryspecialist,translatesfor ItalianAirForcepersonnelinsupportofOperationIndo-PacificJump2024atanundisclosedlocationwithin theU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility, June 30. Gucionnesupportedthisyear’sIPJasaliaisonbetweenthe379thAirExpeditionaryWingandtransient ITAF.GuicconeisoriginallyfromSicily,bringingafamiliarcultureandlanguagetobettersupportITAFpersonnelontheirjourneytotheIndo-PacificAOR.
U.S.AirForcephoto
U.S. Air Force photo
mentandPrograms “Iamgratefulforthe closecollaborationwithourNigerienhosts tosupportthesafe, orderlyandresponsible withdrawalof U.S. forcescommemoratedtodayatAirBase101.”
Thesuccessfuldepartureof U.S. personnelandassetsfromAirBase101 wasmade possiblethroughthe JointDisengagement Commission’scooperativeandtransparent efforts. Theyincludedprovisionsforasmall contingentofadditional U.S. personnelto providelogisticalsupport, ensuringtheefficientwithdrawalofremainingforcesandassets.
“Wehaveyettodefinethenext chapterof ourbilateralsecurityrelationshipwithNiger. Aswedo, our closecollaborationonthe AirBase101withdrawalwillhelpsetthe toneforthosediscussions.,” saidEkman. “Thatnext chapterwillalsoinvolveotherregionalmilitariesasweadjustourpresence andactivitiesin WestAfricatopursuemutualsecurityobjectives. UnitedStatesAfrica Commandwillmaintainourfocusonbuildingpartnercapacityandstrengtheningrelationshipsandtrust. We arecommittedto listeningto WestAfricanmilitariestobest supporttheirpartner-led, U.S. enabledoperationstocounterviolentextremismand improvesecurityandstability.”
WithAirBase101’swithdrawalnowcomplete, thefocusmovestoAirBase201 in Agadez,whichhassimultaneouslybeenprepped forasafeandorderlywithdrawal by Sept. 15.
AU.S.AirForceC-17GlobemasterIIItaxisdowntherunwayfollowingaceremonymarkingthe officialturnoveroftheU.S.compoundatAirBase101inNiamey,Niger.ThisNigerienbasehas housedU.S.personnelandassetstohelpcounterviolentextremistorganizationsinthe region. WiththeclosureoftheU.S.compoundonAirBase101,U.S.forceswillnowfocusoncompleting thewithdrawalfromAirBase201inAgadez.
PhotobyUSAFMaj.Sandy VanDenMooter
ofthefightandoffthepilots’handsfortrainingandwhattheyneedto accomplish.It’snice havingthese[simulators]wherewecan send a coupleofguysthroughandtrainthemwithout reservingoneofour mostvaluableassets.”
Utilizingthistechnologyreduceslogistical obstaclespreviouslyfacedduringthetraining course Oneofthekeyfeaturesisthe accuracy, closelyreplicatingreal-worldscenariosthat are difficulttorecreateonaircraftunlessasystem isfailing.
“Itgivesthestudents a chancetogetcomfortableinthecockpitbeforegettingintorealaircraftandseeingemergencies,” saidStaffSgt. CameronBarfield,325thMaintenanceSquadronmaintenancetraininginstructor. “We benefit fromreceivingeasieropportunitiesforscreen timecomparedtoreservingaircraft,eliminating multiplestepsandmakingusmoreefficient.The simulator[shaves]afulldayoffthecourse.”
MasterSgt.EmilianoCanales, 325thMaintenance Group developmentinstructor element chief, statedthesimulatoristhefutureofcrew chieftrainingwiththepotentialofgoingbeyondengineruntrainingwithopportunitiesfor broaderuseacrossvariousmaintenanceunits The325thMXGhasnowtakentheinitiativeto applythisnewequipmentthroughouttheAir Forcefor5th-generation aircraft.
“Iwouldliketoseeothermaintenancesectionscomeoverandusethisequipmenttotailor theirownstyleoftroubleshootingonaircraft,” Canalessaid.“Let’ssaysomeoneneedstolearn howtoopentheairrefuelingdoor, theycould comehereandrunthatprocesswithout spend-
U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.CameronBarfield,325thMaintenanceSquadronmaintenancetraining instructor,holdsthecontrolstickforaF-35ALightningIIsimulatorat TyndallAirForceBase, Florida,July9.Utilizingthesimulator reduceslogisticalobstaclespreviouslyfacedduringthe engineruntraining,suchas reservingoneof Tyndall’sF-35ALightningIIaircraftthatcouldbe conductingflyingtraining.
ingextratimereservinganaircraft.Itwould maketheprocessalotquickerandgiveeveryone moreconfidence Thisscreentimeismuchmore than you wouldbeabletoseeevery day onthe flightline.”
Currently, only15Airmenhavecompletedthe coursewiththenewtechnology, butthesimula-
torisprovingtoserveasacrucialcomponent as Tyndall currentlyhas 8oftheprojectednearly 70F-35 aircraft.Thishands-ontrainingnotonly willbenefitcrew chiefs, butpilotsandinstructorstoobypreparingpersonnelforreal-world scenariosandteachingappropriateresponse strategies.
PhotobyAirman1stClassZeeshanNaeem
TheAAWC, atenantunitofthe380thAirExpeditionary Wing, isasmallteam,composedofjustover20Air ForceandArmypersonnel.Theseoperationalexperts travelto9differentcountriesthroughoutthe U.S. CentralCommandareaofresponsibility, workingtobuild thoserelationshipsandmilitaryties. Withan average assignmentlengthof2.5years, AWCpersonnellivein theirhost-nationcommunities, furtherbuildingthose internationalrelationships.
Byprovidingsubject-matterexperts, the U.S. isable toassistpartnernationsinbuildingtheirexercisesand increasethecoalition’s collectivecapabilities throughouttheregion.
Walshsaystheirfocusis“integrationandinteroperability,” withthegoalofseeing U.S. andothernations’ aircraft“takeoffandallspeakthesametacticallanguage.”
TheAAWCisinvolvedinmultipleexercisesthroughout theregion,suchasHAWKEX, theIntegratedAir andMissileDefenseOperationsCourse,BALLAST CANNON, FALCON TALONandDESERTFLAG, which thisyearhosted10differentcountriesinalarge-scale operationalexercise.
While theAAWC provides subject-matter expertsto assistpartnernations, Walshsaystheydon’ttakecontroloverexercises, ordictatehowthosenationsshould conductthosetrainings.
“It’sveryimportantthatthementalitywetakeis ‘here’sa waythatwe, inthe U.S., havefoundsuccessful,’”said Walsh.“Itdoesnotmeanitisthebest way; it’sjusta waythatwe’vefoundsuccessfulgivenvarious circumstances, andwepresentthattoourpartnersto modify–giventheirculturalunderpinningsandtheir capabilitiesandresources–tofinda waythatworksfor them.”
Walshsaysthatthestrengththe U.S. hasintheregionliesintherelationshipsithaswithitspartners, makingthismissionevenmoreimportant.
“Weneedtobeabletorelyonourpartnerstohave a teamefforttogetaftersomeofthosestrategicgoals,” said Walsh.“Weusetheseexercisesandpartner-nationintegrationeventstobuildstrongercoalitions, build strongerfriendshipsandpartnerships, sothatwhen calledupon,wecanallacttogetherinourinterests.”
With U.S. adversariesstilloperatingintheregion,as wellasjointeffortstokeepshippinglanessafefornationsthroughouttheworld, Col. WalshsaystheAAWC’s missionisvitaltostrategicefforts.
“Beingabletobeadirectinputintothat, beingableto
AU.S.AirForceF-16FightingFalconpilotfrom AvianoAirBase’s510thExpeditionary FighterSquadron,alsoknownasthe‘Buzzards,’currentlydeployedtotheU.S.Central Commandareaof responsibility,preparestotaxioutforaflightinanundisclosedlocationinPakistan duringExerciseFalcon Talon,June4.U.S.AirForceCentral’s378thAir ExpeditionaryWingandPakistanAirForceAirmen recentlyconductedthefifthiterationofExerciseFalcon Talon,abilateralField TrainingExercisefocusedontacticallevelcounter-terrorism,air-to-groundweaponsemploymentandsubjectmatterexpert exchanges.
U.S.AirForceF-16FightingFalconpilotsfrom AvianoAirBase’s510thExpeditionary FighterSquadron,alsoknownasthe‘Buzzards,’currentlydeployedtotheU.S.Central Commandareaof responsibility,watchaircrafttakeofffromanundisclosedlocationin PakistanduringExerciseFalcon Talon,June10. ExerciseFalcon Talon2024provided U.S.forcestheopportunitytointegratewithpartnerforcestoexpandtraininginteractionsandsupportoperationalobjectivesforbothnations.
Courtesyphoto
Courtesyphoto
WINNING
liaisewithourpartners, sothatwecanallworktogether to keepthe global commonsfree, to keepexternal actorsfromexertingamaligninfluenceintheregion,is areallyneatthingtobeapartof, sinceitdoesdirectly impactourpublicbackhome, whethertheyknowitor not.”
AftercommandingtheAAWCfor2years, Walshsays thebiggestlessonhe’s learnedishowmuchwecan learnfromourpartners.
“Weliveinafantasticandamazingcountry,” said Walsh,“andIthinkoneofthenegativeaspectsofthat canbethebeliefthatour wayisalwaysthebest, and our wayisalwaystheright way. Havingtheopportunitytoliveinvariouspartsoftheworld,seehowother culturesaddressthings, andthentakingthoselessons learnedbackhomeisprobablymybigtakeawayfrom thisassignment.”
WhiletheAAWChasplayedalargeroleinimproving theinteroperabilityofpartnernationsthroughoutthe region, itisstillworkinghardtocontinuetobuildthose partnershipsandensureastrongercoalition,prepared tomeetthe challengesofthefuture.
“Neverunderestimatetheimportanceoftherelationshipbuildingthatthe U.S. military does. We needto continuetoleverageforeignareaofficers, organizations thatspecializeintheatersecuritycooperationmissions, tohelpbuildthoserelationships, andlearnaboutother countries, sowecanunderstandtheirmotivationsand maybetheirreactions, tohelpshapehowweapproach problem-solvinganddecisionmaking.”
Editor’sNote:Atthetimeofthisinterview, Col.Kevin WalshwasthecommanderoftheAFCENTAir Warfare Center. AtaChangeofCommandceremony July 2he relinquishedcommandtoCol.Nicklaus Walker.
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
Virtualcookingclasses
Don’tmissthis funopportunity tobrushuponyourcookingskills orlearnhowtoprepareanewdish alongside(viaZoom)season4winnerofMasterChief, LucaManfe. To registerandviewthezoomsessions available July26and July27, gotoforcesupport.awardsplatform. com.
Julybasetheatermovies
YourMacDillBaseLibrarywill beofferingfreemoviesattheBase Theater. Moviesareopentoanyone withbaseaccesstoMacDillAFB. Foracompletemovieschedule, visitmacdillfss.com/library/.
Outdooradventuretrips
Experiencethethrillofadventurewith6FSSOutdoorAdventure Tours! Frommasteringthe basicsofkayakingtoembarking onexhilaratingkayaktours, swimmingalongsidemajesticmanatees, andexploringthedepthsthrough scubadiving. Visitmacdillfss.com/ outdoor-adventure-tours/toursto viewupcoming classesandunforgettabletripsthatselloutquickly.
Taptopaynowavailable
Alleight6FSS FoodBeverage locationsnowacceptcontactless payments, includingApple Pay &Google Pay!Stopbytodayand grababitetoeatorarefreshing beverage. Foralistoffacilitiesand menus visit, macdillfss.com/eatdrink/. Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com
Joint airborne training
AnAlaskaAirNationalGuard pararescuemanfromthe212thRescueSquadronconductsairborne operationsfromanAlaskaArmyNationalGuardCH-47FChinookhelicopteratMalemuteDropZone, JointBaseElmendorf-Richardson,Alaska,July9.TheGuardsmenofthe212thRQSandthe3rd ASOS TACPspecialwarfareAirmenconductedjointairbornetrainingtomaintainthePJ’sproficiency inconductingfull-spectrumpersonnel recoverytoincludebothconventionalandunconventional rescueoperationsandthe TACP’stodirectlethalandnonlethaljointfirepowerwhenevernecessary.
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 1:30p.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
PhotobySeniorAirmanJuliaLebens
“We testthemonweapons, munitionssystemsandaircraftknowledge,” Beardsaid.“Welookovertheiruniforms, haircuts, boots, patches, toolboxesareinspectedfor cleanlinessandorganization.It’s atwo-week efforttomakesureallthosethingsarealignedandpreparedfor, culminatinginthefinalload.”
Withtightenedtimelines, spectatorsandpeerpressure, theAirmen mustlookoverthemissilelaunchers, bombracksandthemunitionitself beforetheycanbegintoload,secureitandgetreadyforflight–allwhile followingaseriesof checklistsandtechnicalorderstoensureaccuracy andsafety.
“Preparationisthekeytotheabilitytobeflexible,” saidSeniorAirmanBrandonMarshall, 23rdMaintenanceGroupleadcrewmemberand eventevaluator. “Beinginasituationwhereyou’regoingtobeunderhigh stressisa waytoprepareforthedeployedenvironment.”
Addingauniquetwisttothenormalquarterlyevent, seniorleaders
performedahead-to-headloadaftertheAirmenfrom74thand75thFGS finishedtheirs.
“It’sagoodopportunitytoremindtheseAirmenthatareoutthere workingthejobdayinanddayout,thatthesemastersergeants, seniors andeven chiefs, theywereallinthoseshoes,” Marshallsaid.“It’sagreat waytolettheseniorleadersgetbacktotheirrootsaswell.”
Justliketheteethand clawsofthetiger, weaponsAirmenperforma crucialroleinthecomplexmachinethatistheUnitedStatesAir Force. Quarterlyloadcompetitionsaddtheopportunitytobuildmoraleandcamaraderie, sharpentheskillsofAirmenandpickthebestofthebestto competeattheirpinnacleannualcompetition.
“Withoutbombsormissiles, thejetisjustgoingtoflyaroundandpoke holesinthesky,” Beardsaid.“Withoutweapons, it’sjustanotherairline.”
Ina closerace, theAirmenfromthe75thFGSwonendingthelong winningstreakofthe74thFGSlastingsince2019.
