Thunderbolt 07/28/2022

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Vol.50,No. 30 Thursday,July 28,2022 News/Features:page3 Newcrisesline Weekinphotos: page4 Imagesfromthe week News/Features:page3 VisittoSaudiRoyalForces Community:page15 Events,Chapel,more...
PhotobySeniorAirmanRyanC.Grossklag
U.S.AirForceCol.BenjaminJonsson,assuming6th AirRefuelingWing(ARW)commander, walks withhiswife,Heather,atthe6thARWassumptionofcommandceremonyatMacDillAirForceBaseAug.4,2020.Theevent,presidedby Maj.Gen.SamBarrett,18thAirForcecommander, wasattendedbythefamilyofJonsson,aswellasbaseandcommunityleaders.The 6th ARW changeof command ceremony isscheduledfor10 a.m. tomorrow. Thank you,Col.and Mrs. Jonsson

AirForcepreparesfornewlyapprovedCOVID-19vaccine

Novavaxprovidesnewoptionfor unvaccinated Airmen,Guardians

FALLSCHURCH, Va. (AFNS)—TheAir ForcewillsoonhavetheNovavaxCOVID-19vaccine availableafterthe U.S. FoodandDrugAdministrationauthorizeditforemergency use andtheCentersforDisease ControlandPreventionendorseditasanotherprimaryseriesoptionfor adultsages18yearsandolder.

TheNovavaxCOVID-19vaccine, whichwillbe availableinthecomingweeks, isatwo-dosevaccinethatpresentsanewoptionforthose whohavebeenhesitanttoreceivetheFDAfullylicensedandapproved mRNA vaccines, PfizerCominartyand ModernaSpikevax.

OnedistinctionfrommRNAvaccinesisthatNovavaxusesatraditionalplatformsimilartoothervaccinesthatAirmenandGuardians mayhavealreadyreceived.

“MostAirmen andGuardianshavealreadyreceivedvaccinesusing similartechnologyastheNovavaxCOVID-19 vaccine, likethehepatitis Bvaccine, whichisaDepartmentofDefenserequirement. Othervaccinesproducedwithsimilartechnologyarethehumanpapillomavirus vaccineandevenoneofthefluvaccines,” saidLt.Col DavidSayers, chiefofpreventivemedicine, Air ForceMedicalReadinessAgency. “The

NovavaxCOVID-19vaccineusestechnologythathasbeenaroundsince the1980s. Notonly dowehaveeffectivenessandsafetydatafromthe Novavax clinicaltrials, butwealsohavedecadesofexperiencewiththis typeofvaccine.”

In clinicaltrialsperformedbeforetheemergenceofthedeltaandomicronvariants, Novavax was90.4%effectiveinpreventingmild,moderateorsevereCOVID-19infections. Unvaccinatedservicemembersmust receivethetwodoses, theprimaryseries, takenatleast21daysapart tobeconsideredfullyvaccinatedandmeettheDepartmentofDefense COVID-19vaccinerequirement.

Individualswhoareintheprocessofseekingareligiousaccommodationexemption can electtouseanyFDA-approvedCOVID-19vaccinationunderemergency use orfullylicensedvaccine, which nowincludes Novavax,atanypointinthereviewprocess to complywiththisvaccine requirement.

“Novavaxmayaccommodatethosewithsincerelyheldbeliefswho feltlimitedintheiroptionswiththepreviousvaccineoffering,” said Maj.Gen.SharonBannister, medicaloperationsdirector, Air ForceSurgeonGeneral.

AsCOVID-19casescontinuetorise, Air Forcemedicalleadersare urgingallAirmen,Guardians andtheirfamiliestovaccinateagainst COVID-19andstayup-to-dateontheirvaccinations. Approvedvaccines havebeenproventodecreasethe chancesofsevereCOVID-19andpre-

MacDillThunderbolt

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

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

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity,conformancewith the“AssociatedPressStylebook andLibelManual”andAir ForceInstruction35-101.

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Besure to visittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWingwebsiteatwww.macdill.af.mil See VACCINE,Page16
COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb MacDillontheweb NEWS/FEATURES TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

CENTCOMleaders visit SaudiRoyal Armed Forces

USCENTCOM

TAMPA,Fla.—Gen. Michael“Erik”Kurilla, commanderof U.S. CentralCommand, along with ViceAdm.Charles“Brad”Cooper, commanderof U.S. NavyCentral,andLt.Gen. Pat Frank,commanderof U.S. ArmyCentral,visitedtheSaudiRoyalArmed ForcesintheKingdom of SaudiArabia July 20-21.

TAMPA,Fla.–Gen.Michael“Erik”Kurilla, commanderof U.S. CentralCommand, along with ViceAdm.Charles“Brad”Cooper, commanderof U.S. NavyCentral,andLt.Gen. Pat Frank,commanderof U.S. ArmyCentral,visitedtheSaudiRoyalArmed ForcesintheKingdom of SaudiArabia July 20-21.

Thevisitispartofanongoingmulti-country triptotheCENTCOMareaofresponsibility.

SeeSAUDIVISIT,Page14

Gen. Michael “Erik”Kurilla,commanderofU.S.CentralCommand,alongwith ViceAdm. Charles“Brad”Cooper,commanderofU.S.NavyCentral,andLt.Gen.PatFrank,commander ofU.S.ArmyCentral,visitedtheSaudi Royal ArmedForcesintheKingdomofSaudiArabia July20-21.

NationalSuicidePreventionLifelinehotline

66thAirBaseGroupPublicAffairs

HANSCOMAIRFORCE BASE,Mass. (AFNS)—TheNationalSuicide PreventionLifelinehotlineislaunchinganewquick-dialoptionnationwidestarting July 16.

AnyonelocatedwithintheUnitedStatescancallortext9-8-8any timeofday, sevendaysaweektoreceivesupportforsuicidal, mental health,andsubstanceusecrisis. Thelinewillconnectcallerstotrained crisiscounselors.

Peoplecanalsocallortext9-8-8ifworriedaboutalovedonewho mayneedcrisissupport.

“Whatwe wanttodoismakeitaseasyaspossibleforsomeoneto reachhelpwhentheyneedit,” saidColleen Carr, directoroftheNationalAction AllianceforSuicidePrevention, ina2022interview “It’snot a newnetworkbeingestablished.It’sanew waytoaccessthatnetworkin a waythat’seasiertoremember.”

AccordingtotheSubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration,callerswillberoutedtoalocalcrisiscenterbasedontheir areacode. Alocal, trained counselorwilllisten,provide supportand shareresources, ifneeded.Ifthereisnoone availableatalocalcrisis

quick-dialoptionnowlive

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U.S.Centcomphoto U.S.AirForcegraphicbyDavidPerry Thethree-digitcode988hasbeendesignatedto routecallerstotheNationalSuicidePreventionLifeline.Thisdialingcodewillbeavailableto everyoneacrosstheUnitedStatesstartingJuly16.
SeeSUICIDE,Page16 NEWS/FEATURES

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.AirForceCol.JasonParker,6thMissionSupportGroupcommander,servescakewithAirmenaspartofanappreciationmealatMacDill AirForceBase,July21.Thethree-coursemeal,hostedby6th ARW leadershipandthe6thForceSupportSquadron,aimedtoprovide a uniquediningexperienceforservicemembersattheDinner’sReefDiningFacility.

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MACDILL THUNDERBOLT U.S.AirForcephoto Ch,1stLt.JamesWhitfield,6thARW, conductsaninvocationpriorto thePortDawgMemorialRunatMacDillAirForceBase.Theannualmemorialrunhonorsfallenaerialtransportationspecialists. PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassSabin Venable,6thSecurityForcesSquadronmarinepatrolman,operatesavesselatMacDillAirForceBase,July 10.Marinepatrolmenutilizepatrolboats,jetskis,andall-terrainvehiclestomonitorcoastal restrictedareassurroundingMacDillAFBwhichincludeshallowwaterwaysaccessibleonlybyjetski.
WEEKINPHOTOS

MacDillAirmanwinsfirst professional MMA fight

The U.S. Air Forceownstheskythroughairsuperiority, butwho’s to sayAirmencan’tcompeteontheground?

On July14,SeniorAirman AdamAmado, 6thMaintenanceGroup aircraftmaintenanceunitscheduler, earnedatechnicalknockoutvictoryoverhisopponentat CageFury FightingChampionship110 in Tampa.

Mixedmartialarts, commonlyknownasMMA,isasanctionedcombatsportthatincorporates multiplefightingdisciplinessuchaswrestling, boxing, muay Thaiandjiu-jitsu.

WhileAmadohasabackgroundcompetinginwrestling duringhis highschoolyears, it washisstrikingabilitiesthatseparatedhimfrom hisopponenton July14.

“IknewImissednostepsintrainingandwentintherewithcomplete confidence,” Amadosaid.“InMMA, there’s asenseofhealthyarrogance

SeeFIGHTER,Page12

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THUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday, July 28, 2022 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 5
NEWS/FEATURES
PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanAdamAmado,6thMaintenanceGroupaircraftmaintenanceunitscheduler,trainsataboxinggymin TampaJuly 11.

Newmedicalprofilesystemto enhance communicationand readiness

PhotobyStaffSgt.ChanceNardone U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJohnCabral,52ndSecurity Forcesmember,performsaphysicaltherapyexercisein themedicalclinicatSpangdahlemAirBase,Germany, June14.Anewmedicalprofilesystemaimedatimprovingcommunicationandoverall readinesshasbeendevelopedbytheAirForceResearchLaboratoryincollaborationwiththeAirForceMedicalReadinessAgencyand theDefenseHealthAgencyandisscheduledto rollout tomilitarytreatmentfacilitieslaterthissummer.

AirForceResearchLaboratoryPublicAffairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSONAIRFORCEBASE, Ohio (AFNS)—A newmedicalprofilesystemaimedatimprovingcommunicationandoverallreadinesshasbeen developedbytheAir ForceResearchLaboratoryincollaborationwiththeAir ForceMedicalReadinessAgency andtheDefenseHealthAgencyandisscheduledtoroll outtomilitarytreatmentfacilitieslaterthissummer.

TheAirmanandGuardian AvailabilityManagement systemwillcontinueto resideintheAeromedicalServicesInformationManagementSystem, butwillbethe new wayofgeneratingaprofile. ASIMSisaweb-based applicationthatprovidestheAir Forcethecapabilityto trackmedicalreadiness, includingimmunizationdata, throughawebportalforallpersonnelbothinfixedor deployedfacilities, andforsecuritypurposes, mustbeaccessedusingaCommonAccessCard.

AGAMiscurrentlybeingtestedat14locationsinclud-

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8 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday, July 28 2022 ◆ MACDILL THUNDERBOLT SixthAirRefuelingWingleadersandAirmenposeforagroup photoinfrontofaKC-135StratotankeratMacDillAirForce BaseJuly22.The6thARWisa3,000-personforcecapableof rapidlyprojectingair refuelingpoweranywhereintheworld. PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

ingWright-PattersonAir Force Base, Ohio; FairchildAFB, Washington; JointBaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey;Travis AFB, California;BealeAFB, California;ShawAFB, South Carolina;Ellsworth AFB, SouthDakota; aswellassevenAirNationalGuardandAir ForceReserveunits.

Medicalprofilesystemsarecommunicationtoolsthatactasaconduitbetweenmedicalproviders, illorinjuredservicemembersand theirsupervisorsorcommanders Aspartofthetreatmentplanforill orinjuredservicemembers, medicalprovidersdocumentrecommended limitationsandrestrictionswiththeservicemembersaswellaswith supervisorsandcommandersfordecisionmakingpurposesinorderto support the healingprocess.

Afterassessingthepriorsystem,teamsofexpertsinAFRL,DHAand AFMRAdeterminedanupdatedsystemcouldimprovethemanagement ofpatients, givethemmoreautonomyovertheirhealingprocessesand enablesbettercommunicationwithleadershipregardingthereadiness statusofpersonnel.Additionally, theupdatecouldincreasemedicalproviders’occupationaland operational awarenessastheywouldbetter understandthephysicalrequirementsofvariouscareerfieldsacross the Total Force.

“Ourhopewiththisnewsystemisthatservicememberswillbemore engagedintheprofilingprocessandhavemoreresponsibilityduring recovery Likewise, commanderswillhavereadyaccesstoinformation onunitmemberswhoareplacedonaprofile, supportingtheirabilityto determinehowservicememberscancontributetothemission,aswell aswhetherornotcertainmemberscandeploy,” explainedMaj.Lindsay Johnston, chiefoftheBase OperationalMedicineClinic(BOMC)DevelopmentBranch in AFRL’s 711thHuman Performance Wing.

AGAMintroduces changestocurrentprocesses, andprovidesimproved communicationbetweencommandersandmedicalproviders. Thisprofile systemalsohasacompletelynewlookwithdashboardssoservicemembersandcommanderswillhaveeasieraccesstoinformation.

“WedesignedAGAMtoprovide improved communicationbetween

commandersandmedicalproviders, balancingservicemembers’medicalneedsduringrecoverywithdutyrequirements,” Johnstonexplained. “Additionally, theimprovedsystemwillempowerAirmenandGuardians, allowingthemtotakeanactiveroleintheirhealth.They’llnot onlyberesponsibleforupdatingtheirrecoveryprogress, buttheycan alsodocumentinAGAMwhenmore care isneeded.”

Duringthedevelopmentprocess, theteamworkedwithmedicalprovidersin manyspecialtiesandbuilt templates formorethan 200 diagnosestogivecommandersanimproved decision-makingtool.These templatesarestandardizedbasedonthemost currentmedicalguidanceallowingforconsistencyacrosstheDepartmentoftheAir Force.

Formedicalproviders, AGAM generatesallprofileinformationelectronicallyontheAir Force Form469,whichistheofficialformprovidersusetocommunicaterecommendationsforfitness, dutyandmobilityrestrictions, whichoptimizestreatment,stabilizationandrecovery. Johnstonstatedprotectedhealthinformationisnotvisible on theAir Force Form469.

Forservicemembers, thenewprocesswillrequirethemtologinto theirMyIMRandprovidestatusupdatesatspecificintervalsprescribed bytheirproviders.

“ServicemembersonmedicalprofileswillgetanemailfromAGAM remindingthemtomaketheseupdates, whichwillminimizedelaysin evaluationandtreatment,” Johnstonexplained.“Commanderswillalso beabletoseeupdatesorifservicemembersaredueoroverduetoeither follow-upwiththeirprovidersor tocertifyacondition.”

Inadditiontobeinganenhancedcommunicationtoolbetweenproviders, servicemembersandcommanders, Johnstonstatedtheimprovedprofiledatawillallowforrecognitionoftrendsandfocusedinterventionssuch asthepotentialforembeddedcareteamsor changes toequipment withinunits.

“AGAMisdesignedtoenhancereadinessallaround,” Johnstonsaid. “Westronglybelievethisnewdesignwillnotonlybeuser-friendlybut offerastrongersupportteam for illandinjuredservicemembers.”

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FIGHTER

youneedtocarrywithinyourself. Youcannotgointherewith anysympathyforyouradversary. I wasafterthefinish,and Ididjustthat.”

Amado wasable to defendeachtakedownattemptand endedthefightwithpunchesonthegroundoverhisopponentwhobroughta3-1professionalrecordwithhimintothe cage

Theideaofgettingpunchedinthefaceisonethatmany peoplewouldflinchat. At ayoungage, Amado gravitatedtowardshand-to-handcombatanddevelopedhispassionfor martialarts

“Igrewup watchingBruceLeeand JackieChanmovies, andI wantedtobeabletothrowpunchesandkickslike them,” Amadosaid. “AsIbeganMMA,Ilearnedearlyonthat youhavetogetoverthefactthatyou’regoingtotakesome hitsinandoutofthecage. It’sabouthowyourespond. You eitherkeepgettinghitorfightback.”

Amado’smaincardfightatCFFC110 washissecondprofessionalbout. His professionaldebutdidnotendwithhim gettinghishandraised.

“Losingmyfirstprofessionalfighthurt,” Amadosaid.“It wasa closefightthatIknewIshouldhavewon. Itmade me hungrier, itmademework harderand itmademe takefightingevenmoreseriousthanIthoughtI wastakingit.I wasn’t goingtoletthathappen again.”

Amadosaidthatthetoughestpartaboutswallowinghis debutloss wasthethoughtofdisappointinghisfamilyand friendswhohavesupportedhimonhisathleticjourney That feelingledAmadotodoubledownonhistrainingefforts, whichincludedmorehoursspentinthegymandsharpening hisskills.

SincehistimeatMacDill, Amadohas beenabletomanage notonlyhisdutieswiththe6thMXG, buthasalsobeenable totrain andcompete asa professionalmixedmartialartist.

“Balancingthetwoisn’t easy work,” Amado said.“There aredaysI wanttosithomeandspendtimewithmyfamily. Ihavelearnedtounplugemotionallyandjust sticktothe routine.”

Amadosaidthatpartofhismotivationcomesfromthe supporthereceivesfromotherAirmenin hisunit.Oneof thememberswhoattendedAmado’s fight washissupervisor, Tech. Sgt.AdamCanty, 6thMXGnoncommissionedofficerin chargeofscheduling.

“SeniorAirmanAmadogaveanamazingperformance,” Cantysaid.“Hetrainsdailyduringafter-dutyhourstoperfecthiscraft,andtoseeallthathardworkpayoff, Icouldn’t be happierfor him.”

AspertheAirman’sCreed,theAmericanAirmanisa warriorwhosemissionistofly, fightandwin Throughhisendeavorsinandoutofthecage, Amado exemplifiesbeingthat warrior.

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanAdamAmado,6th MaintenanceGroupaircraft maintenanceunitscheduler,trainsataboxinggymin Tampa,July11.Amadowas preparingforanupcoming professionalmixedmartial artsfightlaterinthemonth, whichhewonbytechnicalknockoutinthesecond round.

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PhotosbtAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

ForceSupportSquadronServices

MASKREQUIRED INDOORSREGARDLESSOF VACCINATION STATUS

ADMINISTRATIVESERVICES

Common AccessCard (CAC)- By Appointment

OnlyorMissionEssentialActions(InitialCAC issue;lost CAC; PIN Reset;CACexpiringwithin 7days;emergency hardships

Retiree/Dependent ID Cards- 2Kiosksavailable at the BXfor renewalsor by appointmentonly

Passports By AppointmentOnly

Military PersonnelFlight APF/NAF/CIV PersonnelOffice Manpower &OrganizationOffice SchoolLiaison/EFMP NAFCashierCage

PrivateOrg/UnitSM&W Funds

Emergency FinancialAssistance

EVENTSUPPORT

FOODOPERATIONS

of

(FitnessCenter)

(GolfCourse)

COMMUNITYSERVICES

MainBase Pool -Closed

-1/2or FullDay

Boat/RV Registration+

Information,Tickets&

byReservationsOnly

Wash/Resale

READINESS/DEVELOPMENT

FitnessCenter- Masksmustbe wornwhileindoors atalltimes exceptwhileactivelyengagingoncardio oranaerobicequipment.

ChildDevelopmentCenters (CDCs)

FamilyChildCare SchoolAgeProgram

YouthCenter

Military& Family ReadinessCenter Open for walk-incustomersandappointments. Classes& Workshopsareamixtureof virtual andinperson.

Library Base Education Base TrainingOffice Airman LeadershipSchool

Center) Hangar6Grill (BowlingCenter)

(Breakaway

Friday nightsonly1500-2000 AAFES

Follow Usonfacebook @macdillfss

macdillfss.com

ProfessionalDevelopmentCenter/FTAC WAPS/Vol. Education Testing Lodging (MacDillInn)

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ForceSupportSquadronServices Effectiveasof04JUNE2022
OPERATIONAL LIMITEDSERVICES CLOSED
For Season FamCamp Marina
Boat/ Equipment Rentals,Snacks&Drinks
WetSlips GolfCourse Arts&CraftsCenter Bowling
Travel DIYAutoHobby Shop DIY WoodShop SkeetRange Archery
Car
Lot
Capacitylimitedto50patrons for all events. Breakaway EventCenter Theater
Dine-inlimitedto50%capacity for allfacilities. DFAC Rickenbacker’sCafe Brews
theBay Bar SmoothieBar
8IronGrill
BoomersBar&Grill
Event
SeaScapesBar-
FoodOperations

center, thecallerwillbere-routedtoanationalcenterforassistance.

Ifneeded,thecounseloronthecallcanactivatealocalmobilemental healthcrisisteamtobedispatchedtothecallertoprovidetherapeutic interventionsandmakereferralsforoutpatientservicesortransportationforfurther evaluation,accordingtoSAMHSA.

Inthe U.S., 45,979peoplediedbysuicidein2020.Thatisan average ofonepersonevery11minutes, accordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControl.Additionally, 12.2millionadultsthoughtaboutsuicide, 3.2million adultsplannedtodiebysuicide, and1.2millionadultsattemptedsuicide.

Thecreationof9-8-8notonlyhelpseveryonelivingin America,but italsohasthepotentialtomakeasignificantimpactontheactivemilitaryandveterancommunity.

“Thesementalhealthprofessionalsaretrainedonhelpingthemilitarypopulationandaddressingtheuniqueissuestheyencounter,” said KristinWright,violencepreventionintegratorandsuicideprevention programmanageratHanscomAir ForceBase. “Veterans, service membersandmilitaryfamiliesfacedistinctive challengesin multipleaspectsoftheirlives.”

Ifaveterancalls9-8-8, theyhavetheadditionaloptionofbeing connectedtothe Veteran’s CrisisLineinsteadofalocalcrisiscenter. The Veteran’sCrisisLineisafree, confidentialandsecureresourceformilitarymembersand veterans Veteransuicideaccountedfor6,261suicidesin2019, whichrepresented13.7%ofsuicidesamong U.S. adults thatyear, accordingtodatafromthe Veteran’sAdministration.

Nearly600membersofthemilitary, amongactiveduty, reservesand NationalGuard, diedbysuicidein2020accordingtodataprovidedin theannualsuicide reportfromtheDepartmentofDefense. Thereport alsoshows202militaryfamilymembersdiedbysuicidein2019.

“Thefindingsaretroubling. Suicideratesamongourservice membersandmilitaryfamiliesarestilltoohigh,andthetrendsarenotgo-

ingintherightdirection,” saidSecretaryofDefenseLloydAustinin a statementinSeptember2021.

Bycalling9-8-8insteadof9-1-1whenabehavioralhealthormentalcrisismaynotbelife-threatening, theresponseprovidedbypublic services, suchaslawenforcementandEMS, canbereservedforlifethreateningemergenciesrequiring theirassistance.

“Wehaveathree-digitnumberformedicalemergencies;weneed a three-digitnumberforpsychological emergencies—andthat’s what thisis,” said JohnDraper, executivedirectorfortheNationalSuicide PreventionLifelineina2022interview.

The FederalCommunicationCommissionisrequiringallphoneserviceprovidersinthe U.S. todirect9-8-8callsandtextstotheexistingNationalSuicidePreventionLifelineby July16.However, theNationalSuicidePreventionHotlinenumber, 1-800-273-8255willnotgo away.Peoplewillstillreceivethesameserviceswhetherdialing9-8-8or 1-800-273-8255.

Thenew9-8-8quick-dialcameaboutaftertheNationalSuicideHotlineDesignationAct waspassedbyCongressandsignedintolawby formerPresident DonaldTrumpin2020.

“Itcanbetaxingtorememberthedigitsina1-800number, especially duringacrisis, butrememberingathree-digit numberisasimplersolutionforeveryone The9-8-8rolloutallowsanyindividualtoreceive assistance fornot onlysuicidalideationandprevention,butforsubstanceuseandothermentalhealthcrises Itisthebeginningofmaking mentalhealthapriorityandreducingthestigmasurroundingmental healthinourcountry,” Wright said.

Ifyouarethinkingaboutharmingyourselforattemptingsuicide, tell someonewhocanhelpright away. Callyourdoctor’soffice, calltheNationalSuicidePreventionLifelineor9-1-1foremergencyservices, orgo tothenearesthospitalemergencyroom.

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SAUDIVISIT FromPage3 Besure to visittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWingwebsiteatwww.macdill.af.mil

EVENTS

LibrarySummerReading Party

Aug. 4,4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Join usatthelibraryforourendofsummerreadingprogram closingceremonyand awards. Lotsofgamesand eventsfortheentirefamily.

YouthCenterBacktoSchool Dance Party

August5,6 p.m.–9 p.m.Open toyouthages13-18 Comeoutto the YouthCentertokickoffbackto school. Meetsomenewfriendsor catchupwitholdonesfromthesummerbreak.Contactthe YouthCenter formoredetailsat828-7956.

MPFIDcardsnewphonesystem Youcannowcallortext796-5272to getquickanswerstoyourIDcard questions. Open8a.m.–3 p.m.Monday– Friday.

Lookingfortheperfectjob?

The6th ForceSupportSquadronis seekingqualifiedcandidates16years andolder Allpositionsstartat$15 anhourorabove Readytojoinour FSSfamily? Visithttps://macdillfss. com/openjobs/toseecurrentjob openingsandapplytoday!

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

A messagefromVPHarris!

Oneofmygreatesthonorsas VicePresidentisspendingtimewithourdedicatedservicemembers. IhavemetwiththosedeployedoverseasinPoland,Singapore,andHonduras.Ihavemetwiththem acrossourcountry,from VandenbergSpaceForceBaseinCaliforniatotheCoastGuardAcademyin Connecticut,andthisweekatMacDillAirForceBase.WitheachmeetingIcontinuetobedeeplyimpressedandeternallygratefulforallthattheydoforourcountry. To allservicemembers,thank you.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours-

Postat828-4362/4361.

9a.m.to

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trin@us.af.mil

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.

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/

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U.S.AirForcephoto

VACCINE

venthospitalizations and death.Currently, theUnited Statesis averagingmorethan120,000dailyreported casesandmorethan350deathsperday, drivenbythe new, morecontagiousvariantcalled BA.5.

“Unliketheflu,whichcirculatesseasonally, SARSCoV-2,thevirus that causesCOVID-19,hascirculated continuouslyoverthelasttwoandahalfyears,” said Sayers. “Itisimportanttoget vaccinatedandstayup-todatewithyourvaccinestolimitseveredisease. TheNovavaxCOVID-19vaccineisanotheroptiontoensurewe canprotect ourmembers and protectthemission.”

AirmenandGuardianscancontacttheirlocalmilitary treatmentfacilitiesformoreinformation.Additionalinformationonvaccineappointmentsandtestingcanbe foundhere.

SUICIDE

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TheSaudi RoyalArmed Forces, whohavehadacodifiedsecuritycooperationwiththeUnitedStatessince 1951andfoughtalongsidethe U.S. militaryduringOperationDesertStorm,isacriticalpartnerintheMiddle East Thisvisit,thesecondbyGen KurillatotheKingdomofSaudiArabiaandfifthtotheregionsincetaking commandofCENTCOMinApril,underscorestheimportanceofthat partnership.

WhileinSaudiArabia,Gen.Kurillaengagedwith ChiefofGeneralStaff, Gen. Fayyadhal-Ruwailiandother Saudi seniormilitaryleaders.

Theleadersdiscussedmattersofimportancetoboth militariesand to the region,including opportunities to strengthenregionalcooperationacrossanexpandednetworkofsecuritypartnersand waystoenhancesecurity throughemploymentofArtificialIntelligenceandMachineLearning technology.

Gen Kurillavisitedmultiplemilitarysitesincluding portoperations alongtheRed Seaanda

Saudi Patriotbatterydefending Jeddahfrom missiles, rockets, andunmannedaerialsystems The Patriotcrew membersrelayedtheirexperiencefrommultipleintercepts ofHouthi attacks.

TheAmericanandSaudimilitaryleadersalsovisitedtheUS-SaudiCombinedExpeditionary–Robotics OperationsCenter(CE-ROC)wheretheydiscussedcutting-edgemaritimeinitiativesinvolvingArtificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, andunmanned surfaceand underseavessels.

“TheSaudisareall-inonpartneringforinnovation,” said Kurilla. “They understandthetechnology, theapplicationofthattechnology, andtheyareleaningforwardon itsimplementation. TheKingdomispoisedforthefuture, andIlookforwardto a continuedmilitarypartnership.”

16 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday, July 28, 2022 ◆ MACDILL
THUNDERBOLT
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