Thunderbolt 7/20/2023

Darklightning research

News/Features:page3

AirForceClimatePlan

News/Features:page3

Linguistbreaks barriers

Weekinphotos: page4

Imagesfromthe week

Community:page10

Events,Chapel,more...

JusticeDepartment reinforcesfederalprotectionsforservicemembers,spouses

DepartmentofJusticeOfficeofPublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—The Justice Departmentannounced July14thatithasissuedalettertoallstatelicensingauthorities aboutnewemployment-relatedfederalprotections for military families. The letter informs statelicensingauthoritiesaboutCongress’s recentamendmenttotheServicemembersCivil ReliefAct that allows servicemembersand theirspousestousetheirprofessionallicenses orcertificatesinnewjurisdictionsiftheyare relocatingbecauseofmilitaryordersandmeet certainotherrequirements.

“Servicemembersandtheir familiesshould notfaceunnecessarybarrierstoemployment becauseofthesacrificestheymakeinservice toourcountry,” saidAttorneyGeneralMerrick B. Garland. “The guidanceweareissuingtodayreflectsthe JusticeDepartment’scommit-

menttohonoringournation’sservicemembers andtheirfamiliesnotjustwithwords, butalso withaction.”

“Servicemembersbeargreatburdensto protectandadvanceourdemocracyandfamiliesofthesededicatedmilitaryprofessionals oftenmakesacrificesonourbehalf, including frequentmoves, child-care challengesandinterruptions orbarriers toemployment,” said AssistantAttorneyGeneralKristenClarkeof the JusticeDepartment’sCivilRightsDivision. “Theresourcesthatwearemaking available shouldempowermanyservicemembersand militaryspouseswithprofessionallicensesto betternavigatetheburdensthatcanresult fromfrequentlymovingaround thecountry.”

In January2023, Congressaddedanew provisiontotheSCRA—alawthatprovides servicemembersandtheirfamilieswithawide varietyoffinancialandhousingprotections

tomakeiteasierforservicemembersandmilitaryspousestohavetheirprofessionallicenses recognizedwhentheyrelocatetoanotherstate duetomilitaryorders. ThenewSCRAlicense portabilityprovisionprovidesthatservicemembersandmilitaryspousescanhavetheir out-of-statelicensesrecognizedasvalidinthe newstate while theyarestationedthereso longastheymeetcertainrequirements.

ThelettertostatelicensingauthoritiesexplainshowtheSCRA’s licenseportabilityprovisionreducestheadministrativehurdlesthat servicemembersandtheirspousesface when theymoveacrossstatelines Thedocuments explaintherequirementsservicemembersor theirspousesmustmeettohavetheirlicense orcertificaterecognizedasvalidunderthis newlaw. Thedepartmentisalsoreleasing a factsheetabouttheSCRA’s licenseportability provision.

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

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

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: NickStubbs

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Deadlineforarticlesubmissions is noon, Wednesdays toappear inthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadline maybe consideredforfuture use. Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“Associated PressStylebook and LibelManual”andAirForce Instruction35-101.

MacDillontheweb

AirForce rolls out ClimateCampaignPlan

SecretaryoftheAirForce Energy,Installations,andEnvironment

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—TheDepartment oftheAir ForcereleaseditsClimateCampaign Plan July11.

icandmeasurableobjectivesandkeyresults. Thisplan detailstheactions, officesofprimary responsibility, externalpartnersandtimelines toachievethekeyresults.

DAF’soverallgoalis toberesilienttothe effectsof climate changeandpreserveacombat-credibleforcethatisincreasinglyimpacted by climate change Thedepartment’sability toadapttothese challengeswillbecriticalto meetournationalsecurityobligations.

TheDepartment of theAir ForceClimate ActionPlan,which waspublishedin October 2022,defineshowitwillpreserveoperational capability, increaseresiliency, anddoitspart tohelp mitigatefuture climateimpacts. The planlaysout anenterprise-wideapproach to whyitisimportanttoensurepolicies, technologyinnovationandevolvingoperationsremain relevantina changing climate.

TheClimateCampaignPlanistheimplementationportionoftheClimateActionPlan andbreaksdownthestrategythroughspecif-

“Ourprioritiesaretomaintainairandspace dominanceinthefaceof climaterisks, ensure ourdecisionsreflectan understandingofthe impacts of climateonourmission, andbuild resiliencebyoptimizingenergyuseandpursuing alternativeenergysources,” saidDr. Ravi Chaudhary, assistantsecretaryoftheAir Force forenergy, installations, andenvironment.“Ultimately, thisCampaignPlanisabout warfightingandrespondingatthepointofeffectfor theatercommanders–andwewillbeready.”

Thedepartmentwillprovideupdatesasnecessarytoaddressnewpolicies, technologyinnovation,andevolvingmissionsthatanswer emerging climate concerns.

AirForcelinguistbreaks barriers duringMobilityGuardian2023

by Tech.Sgt.Alexander Cook Air MobilityCommandPublic Affairs

YAKUMOSUBBASE, Japan—AsaHongkongese-American, U.S. Air ForceSeniorAirman KelvinChonghasauniqueadvantage. A Japanesetranslatorassignedtothe185thSecurity ForcesSquadronat KadenaAirBase, Japan,ChonghasplayedavitalroleasthestrategicculturalrepresentativefortheAir ForceduringMobilityGuardian 2023.

Chong’sbiculturalbackgroundallowshimtounderstandnotonlythe Japaneselanguagebutalsotheculturalnuancesthatplayasignificant roleineffectivecommunication.Hisabilitytonavigatetheintricaciesof honorifictermsandaddressindividualsaccordingtotheirstatusadds a layerof respectandprofessionalismtohisrole.

“Thebiggest challengeofmyjobistounderstandwhattheexpecta-

SeeLINGUIST,Page9

U.S.AirForcegraphic

TheDepartmentoftheAirForceClimateActionPlan,whichwas publishedinOctober 2022,defineshowitwillpreserveoperational capability, increase resiliency,anddoitspart tohelp mitigate futureclimateimpacts.

Photoby Tech.Sgt.AlexanderCook

U.S. AirForceSenior AirmanKelvinChong,aJapanesetranslatorassignedtothe18thSecurityForcesSquadron,speakstoLt. Gen.RyusukeMorikawa,commanderof AirSupportCommandinsupportofMobility Guardian2023,at YakumoSubBase,Japan,July13.DuringMG23, Chongservedasthestrategiccultural representativeforthe Japanese AirSelf-DefenseForceand U.S.AirForce,ensuringaccurateand efficient communicationamongpartner nations.

“Ourprioritiesaretomaintainair andspacedominanceinthefaceof climaterisks...”

-Dr. RaviChaudhary

WEEKINPHOTOS

A C-130Herculesassignedtothe910thAirliftWing, YoungstownAirReserveStation,Ohio, sits on theflight lineat MacDillAir Force Base July16. The45th Aeromedical EvacuationSquadron recentlyutilizedtheaircraftinatotalforceaeromedicaltrainingevent.TheAESforcessupportthefull rangeofmilitaryoperations,includinghumanitarianassistanceanddisaster response.

AKC-46APegasus assignedtothe305thAirMobilityWing,JointBase McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,NewJersey,front,and a KC-10AExtenderassignedtothe60thAMW, TravisAirForceBase,California, areshown ontheflightlineatMacDill AFBJuly12. Tankeraircraftarecapable of performingair refueling which enablesglobal reachfor theDepartmentofDefense.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

U.S.AirForceCol.KatherineLilly,6thMaintenanceGroupcommander, rendersherfirstsalutetothegroupduring the 6thMXG changeof commandatMacDillAirForceBaseJuly14.Lillywaspreviouslythe directorofstafftotheDeputyUnderSecretaryoftheAirForceforInternationalAffairs.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

AirMobilityCommandexerciseexpedites JointForce capabilities

by SeniorAirman Tiffany DelOso AirMobility CommandPublic Affairs

JOINTBASEPEARLHARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii—Inanendeavortounderstand the challengesandtyranny ofdistancewithin the Pacifictheater, AirMobility Commandhas completedphase1ofMobility Guardian2023. The exercisefostersinteroperabilitybetween Alliesand partnersaswellas Joint Forces, in themaneuvering ofmorethan15,000 U.S. and international forcesassociatedwithotherexercises acrosstheIndo-Pacific.

Headquarteredat Joint Base PearlHarborHickam, Hawaii,theExerciseControl Group ismadeup ofdozensofexerciseplannersconsistingofAir Force, Jointandinternational units. Connectingthe diverse breadthoffunctionsiskeytothemobilization, deployment andsustainmentneededto transmitthe Joint Force andtheirequipment to anygloballocationwhen it’s needed.

“Thecollaborationandconnectionformed alongsideourDoDteammatesandourAllies andpartnersduringplanningandexecution willpaydividendstoday, tomorrowandinto ourunquestionablycomplexfuture,” saidLt.

Col. Jake Parker, MG23exercise director.

Oneoftheunits includeateamof U.S. MarineAirandGround Task Forceplanners, Sgt. HeatherDilcher, 3rdMarineAircraft Wing,

SeeJOINTFORCE,Page8

U.S.MarineCorps Sgt.HeatherDilcher, 3rdMarineAircraftWingMarineandLanceCpl. Veronica Huerta,1MarineExpeditionaryForceAirandGround TaskForceplanners,poseinfrontofaU.S. AirForceC-5MSuperGalaxyduringajoint missionthrough MobilityGuardian23atJointBase PearlHarbor-Hickam,Hawaii,July9.MG23isamobilityexerciseheldacrossa3,000-milearea intendedto deepeninteroperability withU.S.alliesandpartners,bolsteringthecollectiveability to supportafreeandopenIndo-Pacific area.

PhotobyAirman1stClassMadelineBaisey

AMCcommander,co mm and chiefvisitthe Ga tewaytothe PacificduringMG23

bySeniorAirmanAlexanderMerchak 60thAirMobilityWingPublicAffairs

WithMobilityGuardian2023wellunderway, U.S. Air ForceGen.MikeMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander, andChiefMaster Sgt.JamieNewman,AMCcommandchief,visitednumerousAMClocations,includingTeamTravis,July11-12.

MobilityGuardian2023isAMC’slargestfullspectrumreadinessexerciseinthecommand’shistoryand Minihan wastheretoobservethestrategicroleTravis AFBplaysintheregion.

“Everythingthat’sspecialaboutthis[AMC]patch existsonthisbase,” saidMinihan.“Thereisnota notherpowerprojectionplatformontheplanetthatis moreimportantthanthisbase. Youreffortsarebeing feltgloballybecauseoftheworkbeingdoneonthis base.”

ThisisthelargestExerciseMobilityGuardianin thecommand’shistorywithmorethan3,000mobilityAirmenparticipatingacrosstheIndo-Pacificarea ofresponsibilitydemonstratingalltenantsofRapid GlobalMobility, maneuveringthe Joint Force, andintegratingwithourAlliesandpartners. Te amTravis deployedmorethan400personnel,includingaircrew andsupportteamsfromtheC-17GlobemasterIII,C-5 SuperGalaxyandthe60thAeromedicalEvacuation Squadron.

Te amTravis wa sempha sizedasastrategically importantnodeidentifiedasoneofthekeymobility touchpointsvisitedbyhigherheadquartersaspartof MG23,furtherhighlightingTravisasthe“Gatewayto the Pacific.”

“Travisdemonstratestremendoussupp ort tothe Indo- Pa cificregiononaregularbasis,” said U. S. Air ForceCol.DerekSalmi,60thAirMobility Wingcommander. “MobilityGuardianisanopportunitytoshowcaseourabilitytosucceedwithouralliesandsister servicesinprovidingrapidglobalmobilityonany scale. We’renostrangerstothetrialsofanoperationallylimitedenvironmentandwewelcomethisopportunitytoshowthatwe’repreparedtoaddressthese challengesandsupporttheJointForce inallaspects ofcombatoperations.”

SeeMG23,Page11

Airmenwith the821stContingencyResponseSquadronparticipate inalethality coursedemonstrationduringMobilityGuardia vis AirForceBase,California,July11.

U.S.Air

AirmanOliverDavis,

MaintenanceSquadronC-5M SuperGalaxyhomestation checkjourneyman, andGen.MikeMinihan, AirMobilityCommandcommander, changeatireonaC-5MduringavisitamidstMobilityGuardian2023 at TravisAirForceBase,California, July11.

PhotobySeniorAirmanAlexanderMerchak edemonstrationduringMobilityGuardian 2023 at Tra-

(Farleft)U.S.AirForceGen.Mike Minihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander, firesan M4 with 5.56simunitiontraining rounds duringavisitamidst MobilityGuardian2023at TravisAir Force Base,Califor nia,July11.

(Left)U.S.AirForce Col.MichelleMilner, 60thOperational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, asksa questionduring an all call amidstMobility Guardian 2023 at TravisAirForceBase, California,July11.

PhotobySeniorAirmanAlexanderMerchak

ForceSenior

left,60thAircraft

PhotobyNicholasPilch

andLanceCpl Veronica Huerta,1Marine Expeditionary Force.

“TheMarineCorpshappenstobeperformingexercisesintheateratthe sametimeand weneededaliftin order tomove ourpeople outintothe theaterandconductourexercises,” explainedDilcher.

Throughmonthsofcoordination,the60th AirMobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, wasabletoprovide aC-5MSuperGalaxytosupporttheMarineCorpsmission; a teameffortthatrequiredcontinuouscommunication.

TheC-5hasthecapacitytoholdmorethan 281,000poundsand canflyfartherthan 2,500 nauticalmileswithoutaerialrefueling, makingitanessentialassetacrosstheDepartmentofDefense.

“This ismyfirsttimeworking jointlyinthis type ofcapacity, andIthinkit’sbeengoingreallywell,” saidDilcher. “Thecommanderhere hasbeenreceptivetousworkinghere. He’s givenusaccesstoeverythingweneed tobeinvolvedinandensuredouraccesstoequipment and space weneed toconductour mission.”

TheMAGTAFplanningteamcoordinated withthehelicopter’shomestationandthe 60thAMW toensureall thecargo wasprepped andreadytogowhen the C-5arrived. Preparationincludedremoving andfoldingtheaircraftsrotorstoensuremultiplewouldfitinsidethe SuperGalaxy.

“It wasaprettysimpleprocess,” saidSeniorAirmanChristopherMedina, 2nd Airlift Squadron loadmaster. “TheMarinesknewex-

U.S.MarineCorpsLanceCpl. VeronicaHuerta,1MarineExpeditionaryForceAirandGround TaskForceplanner,sitsinaBellAH-1CobrahelicoptercockpitafteritsarrivalonaU.S.Air ForceC-5MSuperGalaxyduringajoint missionthroughMobilityGuardian23atJointBasePearl Harbor-Hickam,Hawaii, July9.

actlywhattodoandhowtosetupalltheir cargo. Because oftheirpreparation, it was reallyeasyforustopull [thehelicopters]in.”

ThisisthefirstyearMobility Guardianhas takenplaceintheIndo-Pacific, a clearshift fromtheexercise’sprevious U.S.-basediterations. Thepurpose ofthisiterationistotrulyunderstand the challengesthetyrannyof

distanceandcontestedlogisticscanpresent whenitcomestodeliveringRapid Global Mobilityforthe Joint ForceandourAlliesand partners. TheMobility Forces willserveasthe cohesivefluethatenablesthemeaningfulmaneuverfortheCombined Jointforcesacross a variety ofexercises thissummerintheIndoPacifictheater.

PhotobyAirman1stClassMadelineBaisey

tionsare,” saidChong “Ihavetolearnanduse alotofhonorifictermsin Japanesewhendealingwithdifferentindividualsandtheirstatus. Inmypast,I didn’thavetodealwithhigherranking Japanese officers.”

Chong’slinguisticabilitieswerenotlimited to Japanesealone Beforejoiningthemilitary, hehadalreadylearnedfourdifferentlanguages, thoughonlyonaconversationallevel. However, histimeatKadenaAirBaseallowed himtofurtherdevelophis Japaneselanguage skills. Workinginthe PassandRegistrationoffice, hehadtheopportunitytointeractwith Japanesecustomersregularly, expandinghis knowledgeofthelanguageanditsapplication inmilitaryoperations.

“Thatexperiencegaveme more knowledge in Japaneseandhowitappliestomilitaryoperations,” saidChong. “WhenMobilityGuardiancamearound,I wasrecommendedforthe roleofa Japanesetranslator, andIgladlyaccepted the challenge.”

DuringMG23,Chong’s role wascrucialin bridgingthegapbetweenthe U.S. Air Force andtheir Japanesecounterparts. Heaccompanied U.S. Air Force personnelinbriefings, trainingexercises, andsimulations, ensuring accurateandefficientcommunicationatall times. Hisabilitytoconveymessagesaccuratelyandinterpret Japaneseresponseshelped fosteracollaborativeenvironment,leadingto successfuljointoperations.

“BeingapartofMobilityGuardianhasbeen anincredibleexperience,” saidChong. “Ihave witnessedfirsthandthepowerofeffectivecom-

munication and howitstrengthensrelationshipsbetweennations. Iamproudtoserveas astrategicculturalrepresentativeforthe U.S. Air Force, andIbelievethatmyrolehasmade apositiveimpactonthesuccessofthisexercise.”

Chong’sdedicationandlinguistic skillshave

notonlyearnedhimrespectamonghis U.S. Air Forcecolleaguesbutalsoadmirationfromhis Japanesecounterparts. Hiscommitmenttounderstandingandrespecting Japaneseculture hasforgedvaluableconnectionsandlaidthe foundationforfuturecollaborationsbetween thetwonations.

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanKelvinChong,18thSecurityForcesSquadronJapanesetranslator, posesfora portraitin supportof MobilityGuardian2023,at Yakumo SubBase, Japan,July13.

Friday StampedeatBoomers

Jointhe BoomersStampedeevery Fridayfrom3 p.m.–8 p.m. Boomer’sis locatedinsidethe BreakawayEventCenterwith a full bar, multiplescreens, music, andpooltables Enjoycomplimentarysnacksanddrinkspecialsevery Friday. For more information visit, macdillfss.com/wp-content/ uploads/friday_stampede.pdf

MacBack to schoolevent

Don’t missoutontheMacBack toSchooleventandInformation

FaironSaturday, July29from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.Comejointhefun at Hanger3atthis annualevent filledwithgames, activities, music, food,freeschoolsuppliesandinformation. To learnmore, visitmacdillfss.com/macback-to-school/.

Youthflagfootballregistration

Getinthegame. Registeryour child(ren) July26throughAug. 25. Jointhe YouthCenterco-edflag footballfor anactive, fun,andinclusiveexperience. Developskills, buildfriendships, andcreatelastingmemoriesonthefield.Current childandyouthprogramsmemberscanregisterbeginning July 26throughtheirexistingCYPBMS login. Forpricing, requirements, andnon-memberregistrationdetails, visitmacdillfss.com/wp-content/uploads/YOUTHFLAGFOOTBALL.pdf.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

TheChamp!

U.S.AirForceCol.AdamBingham,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,left,andChiefMaster Sgt.BrettLafreniere,6th MissionSupportGroupseniorenlistedleader,poseforaphotowith Tech.Sgt.PennyCornell,6thForceSupportSquadronnoncommissionedofficer inchargeof force management,duringaChampionofthe Week recognitionat MacDillAirForceBaseJuly 11.Cornellwas rewarded forher involvementincorrectingadiscrepancywithintheEmergency ManagementHurricane Readiness Team guidancewhichhelped co-authornew policiesto resolve transportationand storage limitingfactors.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain, callthe CommandPostat828-4362/4361.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FromPage6

MG23featuresawiderangeofrefuelingandtransport aircraftworkingwiththousandsofJointservice mem-bersandinternationalAlliesandpartnersto practice interoperabilityacrossairlift,airrefueling, aeromedicalevacuation,airmobilityoperations(Global AirMobilitySupportSystem),andcommandand controlincontested,degraded,andoperationallylimited environments.Manydifferentunitssupportedtheheavy lifttosevendifferent countries where U.S.Airmen worked side-by-sidewith multiplepartnernations.

DuringMG23,land,naval,air,anddefenseforces fromAustralia,Canada,France,Japan,NewZealand andtheUnitedKingdomwillconductoperations alongside U.S.JointForceelementswhilespanning 3,000miles.

“Itshouldbeevidentbynowthatsuccessofthe Joint ForcerequiresacapableandintegratedMobility Air Force,” MinihansaidinastatementreleasedwhenMG23 kickedoff. “MG23willturnplannedintegrationintooperationalintegrationwithinthetheater, stretchingMAF capabilitiestomeetfuturedemandsand,protectshared internationalinterestswithourAlliesandpartners.”

MinihanstressedpreparationforMG23 wasnotlimitedtoasmallgroupofplanners, ratherit wasawhole offorceefforttakingheedtoAir ForceChiefofStaffGen. CQBrown, Jr.’sdirectiveto“Go Faster.” Whenhetook commandinOctober2021,Minihan propelledthecommandtowarddrovesofunconventionalbutrisk-informed approaches, guidingthe wayAMCprojectsmobilityforcesacrosstheglobe.

AsMinihanconcludedhisvisitinCalifornia,theTravisteamspreadacrosstheglobesupportingMG23and theairmobilitymission.

To seemoreupdatesaboutMobilityGuardian23,visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/MG23.