Thunderbolt 07/21/2022

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

HelpavailableforAirmen,Guardianstomitigateinflationimpacts

by Tech. Sgt.ArmandoSchwier-Morales

Secretary of theAir ForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—AssistancetoreducetheimpactofinflatedcostsonAirmen,Guardiansandtheirfamiliesis availablethrough fourareasofeffort.

Aimingtoeasetheburdenofpricehikes, theDepartmentoftheAir Forceisassessingandenacting supportacrosscompensation,entitlementsforpermanent changeofstation/householdgoodsmoves, personal financereadinessandfoodinsecurityaid.

“OurAirmen,Guardiansandtheirlovedonesfulfillcriticalnational securityrolesonbehalfofthenation,” saidSecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendall.“Financialstrainduetoinflationcancreatestresseson ourteammates, anditisourresponsibilityasleadersatalllevelstodo everythingwecantouse availableprogramsandresourcestoprovide relief, andwhereappropriate, advocateforadditionalmeasures.”

“Real-worldeventscontinuetodriveupinflation—fromtheongoing effects ofCOVID-19on ourglobalsupply chains, to theeconomic and energy-relatedconsequencesofRussia’sbrutalandunprovokedinvasionofUkraine. Unfortunately, therisingcostsduetoinflationhave placedanincreasedburdenonourservicemembersandtheirfamilies,” saidUnderSecretaryoftheAir ForceGinaOrtiz Jones. “Asweworkto implementmeasurestomitigatethoseimpacts, IencourageallAirmen

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca Editor:NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentofDefense,

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6thAirRefueling WingorthePublishingCompanyofthe productsor serviceadvertised.

Forretailadvertising,call (813)226-3318.

Everythingadvertisedinthis publicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,orpatronagewithoutregardto race,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age,maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationoranyothernon-merit factorof thepurchaser, user,orpatron.

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

Deadline forarticle submissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity,conformance withthe “AssociatedPressStylebook andLibelManual”andAir ForceInstruction35-101.

U.S.AirForceGraphicbyRosario“Charo”Gutierrez Aimingtoeasetheburdenofpricehikes,theDepartmentoftheAir Forceisassessingandenactingsupportacrosscompensation,entitlementsforpermanentchangeofstation/householdgoodsmoves,personalfinance readinessandfoodinsecurityaid.

MacDill recognizes ‘forgotten’ service membersofpast

byStephenOve

6th AirRefuelingWinghistorian

Constructionworkersfromthe6thCivilEngineerSquadronerectedthefinalnewroadsideheritage markers aroundtheinstallation June 24.

Envisionedasthecapstoneofaprojectto recognizeunderrepresentedgroupswhose memoryhadbecomewhollyforgotten,ateam of U.S. Air Forcepersonnel soughttorestore their legacy.

“Ihaveagreatsenseofprideknowingthese historicalmarkerswillstandforyears,” said Sandra Kobelia, 6th ForceSupportSquadron deputydirectorandhistoricalmarkersiteselectioncommitteemember “Thisislong-overSeeFORGOTTEN,Page10

AirForce mourns loss of6th chief mastersergeantoftheAF

bySecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—The6thChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir Force, JamesM.McCoy, passed away July13attheageof91.

Inhis30-yearcareer, McCoy wasthefirstseniorenlistedadvisorof StrategicAirCommand,servedas chairmanoftwoworldwideseniorenlistedadviserconferencesfortheAir ForceAssociationand wasselected asoneofthe12OutstandingAirmenofthe Yearin1974.

“Whenwetalkaboutstandingontheshouldersofgiants, wearetalkingaboutAirmenlikeCMSAFMcCoy,” saidChiefMasterSgt. of theAir Force JoAnne S. Bass. “HispassionfortakingcareofourAirmen was onlyexceededbyhishumility. He wasaniconofourgreatAir Force-and aherotousall.”

Asthe6thChiefMasterSergeantoftheAir Force, McCoysetoutto improvetheenlistedretentionratethathaddroppedtoaslowas25 percentinthelate1970s. HealsocreatedtheStripesforExceptional Performersprogramandexpandedprofessionalmilitaryeducationoptions.

OneoftheuniqueaspectsofMcCoy’scareerlayinhistimeatNoncommissionedOfficerLeadershipSchool,nowAirmanLeadershipSchool, whereheinstructedthe5thChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir Forceandhis friendRobertGaylor.

HealsoworkedtointroducematernityuniformsforfemaleAirmen, whenprior, theywouldhavetowearcivilian clothesafteracertainpoint inpregnancy.

U.S.AirForcephoto

U.S.ArmyAirCorpsAfricanAmerican“FightingEngineers”atMacDillAirForceBaseareshown ina World WarII-eraphotograph.TheseexpeditionaryservicemembersbuiltandsustainedairfieldsneededtoadvanceAlliedairpower.

U.S.AirForcegraphic Amemorialgraphichonoringthe6thChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir Force,JamesM.McCoy, whopassedawayJuly 13 atthe age of 91.

U.S.MarineCorpsSgt. Maj.DelwinEllington,incomingsergeantmajor ofMarineForcesCentral Command, receivesthe non-commissionedofficerswordduringaceremonyin Tampa,July8. Theceremonywasheldto appointSgt.Maj.Delwin EllingtonasthenewsergeantmajorofMARCENT.

U.S.AirForceCol.BenjaminJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWing(ARW) commander,passesthe6thMedicalGroup(MDG)guidontothegroup’s newestcommander,Col.ErichSchroeder,atMacDillAirForceBase, July14.Ascommanderofthe6thMDG,Schroederwilloverseeadministrative,logisticalandancillarymedicalsupportthatservesthe6th ARW, U.S.CentralCommand,U.S.SpecialOperationsCommandand over50tenantunitsatMacDill.

THUNDERBOLT

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

Photoby Tech.Sgt.BradTipton Tech.Sgt. TungB. TranandStaffSgt.KoreyHunt,927thAircraftMaintenanceSquadroncrewchiefs, replacelandinggearbrakesofaKC-135 StratotankeraircraftonMacDillAirForceBase,July9.TheKC-135providesin-air refuelinginsupport of awide varietyofmission-sets.

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

927thSFSwelcomesnewSecurityForcesSquadron commander

by Staff Sgt.AlexisSuarez 927thAirRefuelingWing

U.S. Air ForceLt.Col.Rafael Pereaassumed commandofthe927thSecurity ForcesSquadronduringanassumptionofcommandceremony at MacDillAir ForceBase July 9.

Asthecommander,Pereatakesonleadership ofmorethan90defenders, includingdirecting, planningandconductingoperationaltraining activitiestosatisfywingand wartimereadiness.

Alsounderhiscommandisthecombatarms trainingandmaintenance, whichsupportsall 927thAirRefueling Wingpersonnel.

Thepresidingofficeroftheceremony, Col. Alan Tornay, 927thMissionSupportGroup commander, spokeabout Pereaafterthepresentationofthecolorsandtheceremony’s invocation.

“Pereahas anincredibleresumeandperformanceineverythinghe’sdone,” said Tornay.

“He wasknowntobeagreatleaderandthe go-toguybyhispeers.”

BeforearrivingatMacDill, Pereacommandedthe387thExpeditionarySecurity Forces SquadronatAliAlSalemAirBase, Kuwait.He hasservedas acommanderin variousfields throughouthiscareer.

“EveryopportunityI’vehadbetweenthe militaryandmyciviliancareerhasledme whereI’vealways wantedtobe,” said Perea. “I amveryproudtobeadefenderandthat’swhy Iamlookingforwardtogivingback.”

Pareaservedasanenlistedlawenforcement specialistrightoutofbasictrainingandapoliceofficerinhiscivilian role. Having excelled invariousleadershiproles,Pereareturnsto hisrootsservingasthe927thSFScommander.

Col.Alan M. Tornay,927thMissionSupport Groupcommander,passestheguidontoLt. Col. RafaelE.Pereaasheassumescommandofthe927thSecurityForcesSquadron duringaceremonyJuly09inthebasetheater atMacDillAir Force Base.

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexisSuarez

andGuardianstolookattheresourcesandprograms availableandsee whichonescanbesthelp, aswellasinformtheir chainsofcommandwho arethereto helpduringtimessuchasthis.”

AlargeeffortisbeingmadebyAirman& FamilyReadinessCentersto ensureAirmenandGuardiansarenotonlyeducatedbutreadytomeet currenteconomicconditions. AirmenandGuardianscancontacttheirlocalfinanceorA&FRCformoreinformation. Foradetailedbreakdownof eachareaofeffort,seebelow.

Compensation:

n TheMilitaryLeadersEconomicSecurity Toolkit, locatedonthe MilitaryOneSourcewebsite, offers information andsupport Thesite isupdatedregularlytoreflect challengesandpolicy changesrelatedto economicsecurity.

n In2022,DepartmentofDefenseMilitaryBase Payincreasedby 2.7%,basichousingallowanceon averageincreasedby3.8%andbasic substanceallowanceincreased by2.3 percent.

n TheDAFisworkingwiththeOfficeoftheSecretaryofDefenseon the14thQuadrennialReviewofMilitaryCompensation,aDoDcommissionedreviewofcompensationprinciplesandconceptsformembersof thearmedforces.

n The DAFsupportsOSD’sinitiativetomitigatetheimpactofOverseasCostofLivingAdjustmentbydecreasing ratesataslowerpace nomorethana2-pointreduction permonth.

n Forthe2023 BAHratecalculationeffort,theDAFhasoptedinto OSD’sone-yearpilotprogramtoacceptlocalmarketrentaldatafrom theMilitaryHousingPrivatizationInitiative Partnersasanadditional mechanismtoincreasesamplesizeandhelpensurecorrectrate-setting Thisdatawillbepartofthe2022 BAH-ratesettingcycletocalculatethe 2023 BAHrate.

n The WhiteHouseandCongresshaveproposeda4.6percentpay raise forthemilitaryin2023,thelargestinnearly twodecades. EntitlementsforPCS/Household Movements:

n The JointTravelRegulationallowsforinstallationstorequesttemporarylodgingexpenseextensionstosupportonandoff-baselodging, whichallowsAirmenandGuardianstoreceivetheirtemporaryliving expenseentitlementsbeyondthetraditional10daysasthey awaithous-

ingfollowingaPCS. InstallationsmayrequestTLEextensionsupto a totalof60days.

n Asof July1,theDoDadoptedtheInternalRevenueService’sincreasetothestandard mileagerates toreflectoncurrentrisingfuel costs. Themileage ratefor PCStravelincreased from$0.18to$0.22 permile, andthemileagerateforTDYtravelincreasedfrom$0.585to $0.625per mile.

n The JointTravel Regulation wasupdatedwithanewauthority grantingpartialdislocationallowanceformembersdirectedtomoveout ofgovernmentquarters, includingsingleAirmenandGuardiansmoving outofdormitories Thepurposeoftheallowanceistopartially reimburse amemberfortheexpensesincurredinrelocatingthehousehold.

n InstallationhousingofficesareassistingmembersastheyPCSwith potentialhousing challenges.

Personal FinancialReadiness:

n A&FRCspersonalfinancialreadinessprogramsustainsandimprovesfinancialliteracyandreadinessbyofferinginformation,education,training, andfreepersonalfinancialcounselingtoAirmen,Guardians, andtheir families. The DAF hasalsoincreasedthenumberof Personal FinancialManagers availabletoassistandenhancefinancial readinessandmoneymanagementskillsformembersandtheirfamilies.

n The Air ForceAidSocietycontinuestosupportemergentneeds suchasbasiclivingexpenses(e.g.,food,rent/mortgage, utilities),vehicles(e.g.,payments, repairs, insurance),and childcarecosts. Airmenand GuardianscansubmitrequeststhroughA&FRCs.

FoodInsecurity:

n FirstsergeantsandA&FRCsassistAirmen,Guardians, andfamiliesinneedoffoodsecurity-relatedgrantsandloanswithreferralsto programssuchas: U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture’sSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram,the FederalSubsistenceSupplementalAllowance program,andtheAir ForceAidSociety.

n TheFY22NationalDefenseAuthorizationActestablishedaBasic NeedsAllowance. TheBNAprovidessupplementalincomeformilitary membersanddependentswhosegrosshouseholdincomefallsbelow130 percentoffederalpovertyguidelines. TheDAFisparticipatinginthe OSDworkinggroupandwillimplement OSD guidanceoncepublished.

THUNDERBOLT

MilitaryshopperscandoublesavingsattheExchange

Back-to-schoolsalestax holidaysoffered

byMarisaConner

DALLAS—Asfamiliesaremakingtheir back-to-schoolshoppinglistsandlookingfor waystosave, manystateswillbeofferingsales taxholidays. Butsinceeverydayisasalestax holidayattheArmy&Air ForceExchangeService, militaryshopperswillenjoyadoublebonusduringtheirstate’staxholiday.

Exchangeswillofferadiscountequaltothe localsalestaxrateonback-to-schoolitems duringstates’taxholidays. Shoppersinstates withasalestaxrateof6%, for example, will receive6% off theireligibleExchangepurchases, inadditionto notpayingany salestax.

Seventeenstatesareofferingasalestax holiday. Eligibleback-to-schoolitemsvaryby

state and mayincludeschoolsupplies, backpacks, clothing, footwearandcomputers.

“TheExchange’staxholidaybonussavings letsmilitaryfamiliesenjoytheexcitementof preparingforanewschoolyearwithoutthe stressofbreakingthebudget,” saidAir Force ChiefMasterSgt. KevinOsby, theExchange’s senior enlistedadvisor.

The taxholidaysbegin July15-17 inAlabamaandend Aug. 21-27inConnecticut. Shopperscan checkfortheirstate’sparticipation, datesandeligibleitemsatwww.taxadmin. org/2022-sales-tax-holiday.

Itmatterswherethemilitarycommunity shops AllofExchangeearningsarere-invested inthe militarycommunity, includingthrough supportforon-installationQuality-of-Lifeprograms. Inthelast10years, theExchangehas contributed$3.5billiontothesecriticalprograms.

SeeSAVINGS,Page11

Courtesygraphic

MacDillMarinePatrolAirmen rescueeightfromacapsized boatin TampaBay

by2ndLt.Kristin Nielsen 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Haveyouevergoneboatingin TampaBay?Atypicaldayonthe bayincludes clear water, hotsunanddelicate wavessheltered bythe surroundingland.

However, foreightciviliansonapontoonboatthatembarkedon thebaythemorningof June12,theirexperience wasanythingbut calm.Luckily, the6thSecurity ForcesSquadronMarine PatrolUnit wastheretohelpthemwhentheirtypicaldayonthe waterturnedinto anightmareat sea.

Ataround11a.m.on June12,StaffSgt. WilliamAu,6thSFSMarine Patrolcrew lead, wassittingwithhispartner, Airman1stClassKade Jones astheylookedinto the sparkling watersurroundingMacDill. Fromindoors, itseemedlikeatypical Tampaday. Butdespitetheunassumingweather, therewereimmense wavesduetoarecenttropical storm.

Thefive-foot-high waveshadledthe U.S. CoastGuardtopublish a“smallcraftadvisory,” warningboatersoftheincreaseddangersof windand waves. Under this advisory, theMacDillmarine patrolunit wouldn’tnormallydotheirroutinesweep, bothfortheirsafetyandfor thelackofboats in the water.

However onthisparticularday, Au feltafeelingdeepinhisgutthat toldhimheneededtogetoutinthebay. “We couldn’teventellyou whatmadeusgooutthere,” saidAu. “It wastheweirdestthing. We justknewwe had to go.”

ThisinexplicableurgeledAu,joinedby Jones toloaduptheirmarinepatrolboatanddoasweepofthe waterssurroundingMacDill. Withinafewmomentsoftheirsweep, thetwoAirmenlockedeyeson a distantpontoonboat.Theboatstoodouttothemfortworeasons;first, it wastheonlyboatonthe water Second,it wasflippedcompletelyupsidedown.

At thatmoment,themarinepatrolmenswitchedintoaction, realizingthatgutfeelinghadledthemtotheeightvictimswhowerenow strandedinthe water Afterassessingthescene, theAirmenimmediatelybegantheirrescuemission,callingforbackupastheypulledthe victimsoutofthe water.

Jonesnoticedabullshark, believedtobe10-12feetlong circling thecapsizedvessel. “Theywere clingingontothewreckage,” saidAu. “Theywereterrified.”

Airmen1stClassSamariRivera-RodriguezandSavin Venable 6th SFSmarinepatrolmen,werebackonlandwhentheyheardthecall overtheradio. Withinminutes, theyweresuitedupandontheir way tothesunkenpontoonto assistintherescuemission.

“It wasreallyroughout,” saidRivera-Rodriguez. “The waveswereso

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

U.S.AirForce Airman 1stClassSamariRivera-Rodriguez,amarinepatrolman assignedtothe6thSecurityForcesSquadron,scansthecoastlinesurroundingMacDillAirForceBaseJuly10.OnJune12,marinepatrolmenAirman1stClassSamariRivera-Rodriguez,KadeJones,andSabin Venable,alongwithStaff Sgt. WilliamAu rescued eightvictims whowere strandedontopofacapsizedvesselin TampaBaywhileonpatrol.The6thSFSMarine

DepartmentofDefense.

Courtesyphoto

U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.WilliamAU,6thSecurityForcesSquadronMarinePatrolunit

FORGOTTEN

duerecognitionforthepersonnelthatledthe wayfor thelaterestablishment of headquarters U.S. CentralCommandand U.S. Special OperationsCommandatMacDill.”

Theseearlygroupswereforgottenaboutdue totheirmarginalizedstatus, brief tenure, or simplylosttothepassageoftimeandarenow showcasedbothastrailblazersintheirdayand thefoundationofworkstillaccomplishedat thebase

Thesegroupsincludetheengineer aviation battalions, mannedalmostexclusivelyby AfricanAmericanservicemembersandthe Women’s ArmyCorpspersonnelwhofirstbegan servingatMacDillin1943during World WarII.

Thenewheritagemarkersarelocatednear thesiteoftheironcesegregatedfacilities, what istodaytheMacDillExchangeMallandChild DevelopmentCenter 1, respectively.

OthersincludeaWWIIprisoner-of-war camplocatednearthebasefitnesscenterand thesiteofthefirstunified commandatMacDill, U.S. StrikeCommand, atthe6thFSS HeadquartersBuilding.

TheeffortsofAfricanAmericanservice membersduringWWIIarewidelyknown throughtheTuskegeeAirmenbutMacDill was once hometo thousands of aviationengineers.

KnownasMacDill’s“FightingEngineers” theseexpeditionaryservicemembersbuiltand sustainedairfieldsneededtoadvanceAllied airpowerfromtheshoresofthecontinental UnitedStatesto TokyoandBerlinbytheend ofWWII.

Whattheydidn’tlearnaboutAgileCombat EmploymentatMacDilltheylearnedinthe heatofbattleatplaceslikeIwoJimaleaving behindbasesandalegacyofAmericanGlobal Reachintheprocess.

U.S. Air ForceMasterSgt. RickeyGray, 6th ARWflightsafetynoncommissionedofficer, volunteeredtoresearch their historyanddevelopthehistoricalmarker.

“Imetagentlemaninthecommunitywho confirmedeverythingthatIwroteaboutregardingtheBlackTroopsarea,” saidGray. “Hehad heardthestoriesfromhisgrandfather. Having himconfirmitmademefeelgoodbecausethat wasthemostdifficultmarkertoresearch.”

Kobelia,whoservedwithGrayonthesite selection committee,was stunnedbywhathe

produced.

“Ihadnoideathere wasasecondaryareafor Blackservicemembers,” said Kobelia.“There’s anentirely‘losthistory’ofwhatthesepatriots enduredjustsotheycouldhelpthe wareffort. Ihopethedesignationofthisareareminds peopleofthoseamazingcontributionsand I hopeitstarts more conversations.”

Thehistoricalmarkersaretheconclusionof a5-year projectto disseminate historical informationthroughoutthebase.

Aplaquedisplayingamaptoall12marker locationsgreetsvisitorstotheMacDillCommunity Parkwhichalsonow includesa new history wall,historicaircraftandunitdisplays, wherebasepersonnelcanlearnmoreabout thesegroupsandallerasofbasehistoryat theirownpace.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

Earlierthisyear, unveilingsofthe Aviation Engineersand Women’s Army Corps historical markerscoincidedwithMacDill’sBlack HistoryMonthand Women’s HistoryMonthobservances.

“MacDillhasaverylongandstoriedhistory ofAfricanAmericansandwomenservicemembersservingamongourranks,” said U.S. Air ForceCol.Benjamin Jonsson, 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander “Andtoday, withthese newhistoricalmarkers, weareacknowledging theimmensecontributionsofthesebarrierbreakingservicememberssoothersfollowing intheirfootstepscanlearnoftheircontributions toournation.I want tothank the volunteersandthehistoricalmarkercommittee fortheiroutstandingeffortstorecognizethese Americans.”

PhotobyStephenOve

Aplaquedisplayingamapof12 roadsideheritagemarkerlocationsgreetsvisitorstotheMacDill CommunityParkatMacDillAirForceBase,whichalsonowincludesanewhistorywall,historic aircraftandunitdisplays,wherebasepersonnelcanlearnmoreaboutthesegroupsandalleras ofbasehistoryattheirown pace.

SAVINGS

FromPage7

Social-media-friendly version: Military shoppers lookingtosaveonback-toschoolshoppingcanenjoy adouble-discountduring theirstates’sales-taxholidays. Exchangestoresin 17stateswillofferadditionalsavingsequaltothe localtaxrateoneligible items. Readmore:https:// wp.me/p9Q7PG-28D.

Since1895, theArmy & Air ForceExchangeService (Exchange)hasgonewhere Soldiers, Airmen,Guardiansandtheirfamiliesgo toimprovethequalityof theirlivesbyproviding valuedgoodsandservices atexclusivemilitarypricing. TheExchangeisthe

54th-largestretailerin theUnitedStates 100% of Exchangeearningssupportmilitary communities Inthelast10years, your Exchangebenefithasprovided$3.5billion in earn-

ings forcriticalmilitary Quality-of-Lifeprograms

TheExchangeisanonappropriatedfund entityof theDepartment ofDefense andisdirectedbyaBoard ofDirectors.

CHIEF

“ChiefMcCoyleftalegacythathighlightstheinstrumentalroleseniorenlistedleadershaveinourmission, bothasexecutorsandadvisors,” said Air ForceChiefof StaffGen. CQ Brown,Jr. “Improvingeducation, equality, andqualityoflife werehallmarksofhistimeinservicethathelpedshapetheforcewehavetoday, andhis dedicationtoAirmenandfamiliescontinuedinhispostretirementworkwiththeAir ForceAssociationandother civicorganizations Iamgratefulforhiscontributionsto ourserviceandam saddenedtolearn of hispassing.”

tall it was hard to see where they were. The wavesjustkeptcoming upand down.”

Whenthesecondmarinepatrolunitarrived,they splitthepassengersbetweenthe tworescueboatsinordertoleveloutthe weightdistributionandavoidanothersunken ship Inthesemoments, teamworkand clear communicationwere integral toasuccessful rescuemission.

“Wedidn’thaveto worryabouteachother,” Rivera-Rodriguezcontinued.“Everypatrolmanhandledthe situationperfectly.”

“Ididn’thave tolook overmyshoulderand worryifeveryone wasdoingtheirpart,” Venableagreed.“I trusted them.”

Within15minutesofsecuringthepassengers, the CoastGuardandtheHillsborough CountySherriff’s Officearrivedandeveryone wassafe. Thecivilians were transportedtoland asthemarinepatrolunit,workingwiththe CoastGuard, began to cleanupthewreckage.

“It’stoughtotrainfor somethinglikethat,” saidAu.“Weconductdrillsonhowtopull peopleoutof the waterandontotheboat,but whenit’s roughlikethatsomething assimple asholdingtheboatinoneplaceis extremely difficult. ButtheAirmenkilledit.Hourson thevessel, gettingusedtotheoceanandits conditionsand challenges preparedthemfor this.”

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

MarinePatrolmenassignedtothe6th SecurityForcesSquadronprotectoversevenmilesof coastlinesurroundingMacDillAirForceBaseJuly10.OnJune12,marinepatrolmenAirman 1st ClassSamariRivera-Rodriguez,KadeJones,andSabin Venable,along with Staff Sgt.William Au, rescuedeightvictimswhowerestrandedontopofacapsizedvesselin TampaBaywhile onpatrol.The6thSFSMarinePatrolunitistheonlyfullyoperational,24/7unitintheAirForce, andis responsibleforprotectingoneofthelargestcoastal restrictedareas in theDepartment ofDefense.

RESCUE

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassSabin Venable,amarine patrolmanassignedtothe6thSecurityForcesSquadron pointsoutthe rescuelocationonaGlobalPositioning Systemin TampaBayJuly10.OnJune12,marinepatrolmenAirman1stClassSamariRivera-Rodriguez,Kade Jones, andSabin Venable,alongwithStaffSgt.William Au rescuedeightvictimswhowerestrandedontopof a capsizedvessel in TampaBay.

Whenaskedwhatthebiggesttakeawayfromtherescuemission was, Au spokeabouthowproud he wasofthe marine patrolmen.

“Mybiggesttakeawayaftergettingeveryonehomesafe washowwellthemarinepatrolAirmendid.Theseare youngAirmen, barely20yearsold. Just watchingthem dotheirtaskswhilecoordinatingwithotheragencies, whilesimultaneouslycaringforthevictims, showedhow competentand well-trained theyare.”

Theteamworkandquickthinkingbetweenthesefour Airmenwere crucial tosecuringthesafetyofthevictims andtheresponders.

“It wasalucky, luckydaythatStaffSgt.AuandAirman1stClass Joneswentouttherethatmorning,” said Ramirez-Rodriguez.

The6thSFSMarine PatrolUnitistheonlyfullyoperational, Airmenmanned, 24/7unitinthe U.S. Air Force, andisresponsibleforprotectingoneofthelargestcoastal restrictedareasintheDepartmentofDefense. Today, the 6thSFSmarinepatrolmenhavebecomethestandard acrosstheAir Force, oftentrainingAirmenontemporary dutyassignmentstolearnabouttheprogramsand proceduresdevelopedatMacDill.

THUNDERBOLT

EVENTS

MacbacktoSchool Fair July23

Thisyear’sMacBacktoSchoolInformation FairisSaturdayfrom9:30 a.m.-noon. JoinusatHangar5for amorningfilledwithfungamesfor childrenandfamilies. Whileyou’re there, don’tforgettovisitsponsor andresourceagencies’booths.

M&FRCCareer Fair July28

Grom9a.m.-2 p.m.therewillbe afreeCareer Fairforactiveduty, DepartmentoftheAir Forceemployees, retirees, andspousestopromoteand provideemploymentopportunities forthebasecommunity AllDatesat theBreakawayEventsCenter. Please contact: 6mss.employments@us.af. milat828-0145

MPFIDcardsnewphonesystem

Youcannowcallortext796-5272

togetquickanswerstoyourIDcard questions. Open8a.m.–3 p.m.Monday– Friday.

Lookingfortheperfectjob?

The6thFSSisseekingqualified candidates16yearsandolder Allpositionsstartat$15anhourorabove ReadytojoinourFSSfamily? Visit https://macdillfss.com/openjobs/to seecurrentjobopenings andapply today.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Lt.DanBandjamsatMacDill!

GarySiniseandtheLt.DanBandpreformatMacDillAirForceBaseJuly8.Theexclusiveconcertfeaturedfoodtrucks,games,andameet-and-greetwiththebandtohonorMacDillpersonnelandtheir families.Thebandsmissionistoupliftandcelebratedefendersandtheirfamiliesonmilitarybasesat homeandabroad.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday 9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,calltheCommand Postat828-4362/4361.

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

Catholic(in-person) -Saturday -5:30p.m. (confession4:30p.m.) Sunday- 9:30a.m.(confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices -Sunday 11 a.m.

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

IslamicService Friday1p.m.(spacereserved)

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

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin