






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-
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.
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.
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
PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.AirForceCol.JasonParker,6thMissionSupportGroupcommander,servescakewithAirmenaspartofanappreciationmealatMacDill AirForceBase,July21.Thethree-coursemeal,hostedby6th ARW leadershipandthe6thForceSupportSquadron,aimedtoprovide a uniquediningexperienceforservicemembersattheDinner’sReefDiningFacility.
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
MACDILLPhotobyStaffSgt.ChanceNardone U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJohnCabral,52ndSecurity Forcesmember,performsaphysicaltherapyexercisein themedicalclinicatSpangdahlemAirBase,Germany, June14.Anewmedicalprofilesystemaimedatimprovingcommunicationandoverall readinesshasbeendevelopedbytheAirForceResearchLaboratoryincollaborationwiththeAirForceMedicalReadinessAgencyand theDefenseHealthAgencyandisscheduledto rollout tomilitarytreatmentfacilitieslaterthissummer.
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-
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.”
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.
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
of
(FitnessCenter)
(GolfCourse)
MainBase Pool -Closed
-1/2or FullDay
Boat/RV Registration+
Information,Tickets&
byReservationsOnly
Wash/Resale
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)
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.
Aug. 4,4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Join usatthelibraryforourendofsummerreadingprogram closingceremonyand awards. Lotsofgamesand eventsfortheentirefamily.
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.
The6th ForceSupportSquadronis seekingqualifiedcandidates16years andolder Allpositionsstartat$15 anhourorabove Readytojoinour FSSfamily? Visithttps://macdillfss. com/openjobs/toseecurrentjob openingsandapplytoday!
Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com
Oneofmygreatesthonorsas VicePresidentisspendingtimewithourdedicatedservicemembers. IhavemetwiththosedeployedoverseasinPoland,Singapore,andHonduras.Ihavemetwiththem acrossourcountry,from VandenbergSpaceForceBaseinCaliforniatotheCoastGuardAcademyin Connecticut,andthisweekatMacDillAirForceBase.WitheachmeetingIcontinuetobedeeplyimpressedandeternallygratefulforallthattheydoforourcountry. To allservicemembers,thank you.
NormalHours-
Postat828-4362/4361.
9a.m.to
-
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/
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.
FromPage3
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.”