News/Features: page3
Cadetstour MacDill
News/Features: page3
Airmansavesalife
Week in photos: page4
Images fromthe week
Community: page15
Events, Chapel, more...
AU.S. Airman is hoisted into anMH-60T Jayhawkassigned to CoastGuardAirStationClearwater, nearMacDill Air ForceBaseJuly 22.AirStationClearwaterprovidedsupportforawatersurvival trainingexercise involvingU.S.Air Forceaircrewmembersassigned to multiple units. The trainingexercisewaspartof theAirForce’sSurvival,Evasion, ResistanceandEscapecurriculumdesigned to prepareAirmenforescapingadownedaircraftinopen water.
NEWS/FEATURES MacDillAirForceBasehostsInnovation VendorFair bySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian 6thAirRefuelingWing
The24thRapidDeploymentSquadronrecentlyorganizedavendorfairfrom July1718atMacDillAir ForceBase, showcasingover 20innovativegovernment-contractedmilitary equipmentvendors. Thetwo-day eventhighlightedcutting-edgetechnologiesdesignedto enhancemilitaryeffectiveness, agility, andefficiency.
Thevendorfairfeaturedadiversearray of equipment,includingpop-upshelters, water purificationsystems, electricaltowers, advancedbatteries, sensitivecompartmentedinformationfacilitydoors, andefficientshower andtoiletunitsdesignedforrapiddeployment Additionally, attendeeshadtheopportunity to explorethelatestinroboticsandotherstateof-the-artsolutionsaimedatstreamliningoperationsindeployedlocations.
“MyteamandIdedicatedsubstantialeffort toorganizingthisevent,” said U.S. Air Force MasterSgt. Tommie Taylor, Superintendentof CharlieteamatRDS. “Oneofthemajor challengeswefaced wascoordinatingthelogistics foreachvendorandmanagingthetracking
SeeVENDOR,Page10
MilitaryandCivilian representativesaregivenatourduringaDeploymentCellinnovationfairat MacDillAirForceBaseJuly17. Twenty-ninevendorsparticipatedintheevent,showcasinginnovativeproductsdesignedtoensurerapidmobilityinthefield.
TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam
MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Joe Deluca
Editor: Nick Stubbs
The MacDillThunderbolt ispublishedby the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. militaryservices on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are notnecessarily the officialviews of,or endorsed by the U.S. government,the Departmentof Defense,
the Departmentof the Air Force or the6th Air Refueling Wing.
The appearance of advertisingin thispublication,includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the Departmentof Defense, the Departmentof the Air Force,6th Air Refueling Wingor the Publishing Companyof the products or serviceadvertised.
For retail advertising, call (813)226-3318.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, orpatronagewithout regard to race,color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, age, marital status, physical handicap,politicalaffiliationor any other non-merit factorof the purchaser,user,orpatron.
Website: www.macdill.af.mil
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase
Instagram: macdill_afb
Twitter: @macdill_afb
Newsitems for the MacDillThunderbolt can be submitted tothe6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office,8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite14, MacDill,FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at828-2215. : 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil. Deadline forarticle submissions isnoon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articlesreceived after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions areconsidered for publicationbased onnews value and timeliness.
Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.
PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian
NEWS/FEATURES CivilAirPatrolAirCadetExchangeprogramtoursMacDill byAirman1stClass SterlingSutton 6thAirRefuelingWing
The6thAirRefueling Wingledatourfor thecadetsfromtheNetherlands, UnitedKingdom,Canada,AustraliaandNewZealandwho werepartoftheCivilAir PatrolInternational AirCadetExchangeprogramon July 15.
Airmenfromacrossthe6thARWinvited cadetstotouraKC-135Stratotankeronthe flightline, learnhowtopatch holes withmetal atthe FabricationFlight,discovernewinnovationsatBoltCellandwitnessedamilitary workingdoginactionwiththe6thSecurity ForcesSquadron.
“Participatinginacadetexchangeprogram offersyoungleaderstheinvaluableopportunitytobroadentheirhorizons, experiencediverseculturesandbuildlifelonginternationalfriendships, allwhiledevelopingessential skillsandgainingaglobalperspective,” said U.S. Air ForceMaj.AnthonyRios, 927thMaintenanceGroupexecutiveofficer.
This wasthefirstcadetexchangeprogram
SeeCADETSPage13
AnAustralian civilairpatrolcadetusesadrillduringademonstrationatthe6thMaintenance SquadronfabricationflightatMacDillAirForceBaseonJuly15.Thecadetsparticipatedin hands-onexperiences buildingcommunity relationsandmetwithAirmenfromacrossthe6thAir RefuelingWing.
One‘strike’savedachild’slife bySeniorAirmanSabrinaFuller-Judd 51stFighterWing
OSANAIRBASE,RepublicofKorea–Aburstofcolorpaintedthe walls, withthedistinct clatteringsoundofbowlingballs knockingdown whitepins. A childquicklyrushedovertohis motherandnearbySenior AirmanMalachi Ward,51stLogisticReadinessSquadronfuelslaboratorytechnician,the child’s face waslit with concern.Themotherand Wardrushedtothescene, wheretheyoungersiblingappearedtobe choking
Ward wasattherightplaceattheperfecttime:OsanAirBase, Republicof Korea,March26,2024.
“Wewerebowlingwithafamilythathadthree kids, andtheiroldest soncameuptomeandsaid thathisbrother was choking,” explained Ward,whoperformedtheHeimlichmaneuverandunlodgedtheobstructioninthe child’sthroat. “Ididn’tsecond guesswhatI wasdoing. I wasrelievedthatI wasabletohelp avoidadiresituation.”
U.S. AirForce Senior AirmanMalachi Ward,51st Logistic Readiness Squadronfuelslaboratorytechnician,posesforaphotoforearningthe titleMustang ofthe WeekatOsanAirBase,RepublicofKorea,July23. Ward wascompetinginabowlinggamewhenhesavedachildfrom chokingonMarch26.
PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton
PhotobySeniorAirmanSabrinaFuller-Judd
WEEKINPHOTOS TechnologyisputondisplayduringaDeploymentCellinnovationfairatMacDillAirForceBaseJuly17. Twenty-ninevendorsparticipatedinthe event,showcasinginnovativeproductsdesignedtoensurerapidmobilityinthefield.
U.S.AirForcephoto
U.S.AirForceLt.Gen.DerekFrance,NinthAirForce(AirForcesCentral) commander,middle,navigatestheinstallationwith379thExpeditionary CivilEngineerSquadronleadersatanundisclosedlocationwithinthe U.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,July25,2024.Thiswas France’sfirstimmersionwithCENTCOM’slargestAEW.
AnA-10ThunderboltIIpilotassignedtothe107thExpeditionaryFighter SquadrondeployedfromMichigan’sSelfridgeAirNationalGuardBase performsapre-flightcheckatanundisclosedlocationwithintheU.S. CentralCommandareaof responsibilityduringExerciseSkyShield9, July 14.
PhotobyAirmanMoniqueStober
Photoby Tech.Sgt.JoshuaSmoot
NEWS/FEATURES 325thMXGshowcasesACE bySeniorAirmanZachary Nordheim 325thFighterWing
Airmenfromthe325thMaintenanceGroupalongsidevariousunits fromacrossthe325th Fighter WingemployedtheAgile Combat Employmentconcepttoraisewing-level readinessduringexerciseCrown Royal24-5, July15-19.
Theyshowcasedtheirabilitytodominateairpowerbygenerating, launchingandregeneratingcombat-readyaircraftwithminimal equipment andcrewinthisdeploymentaircraft generationexercise.
“I’veworkedindifferentareaswherewe’veutilizedtheMulti-CapableAirmenconceptwhereeveryone learnsthegistofeachother’s career fields, butthisexercisehasbeeneyeopeninghavingneverparticipatedinsomethinglikethisbefore,” saidMasterSgt.CoryKramer, 95th FighterGenerationSquadronF-35productionsuperintendent.“The keylearningpointswe’regoingafterisfindingproblems, sowecan getthemcorrectednowversuswhenwe’redownrangeinareal-world fight.”
Duringthisexercise, a20-manteam, includingcrew chiefs, special-
See325th,Page11
Fromleft,U.S.AirForceMasterSgt.Dez Watson,95thFighterGenerationSquadrontacticalaircraftmaintenancespecialistsectionchief, observesStaff Sgt.GarrettWilderness,95thFGSF-35dedicatedcrew chief,andSeniorAirmanDanielleCapraun,325thMaintenanceSquadronaerospacegroundjourneyman,conductapost-flightinspectionon anF-35ALightningIIinasimulatedcontingencylocationat TyndallAir ForceBase,Florida,July17.
PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyNordheim
NEWS/FEATURES Warrantofficerinstructorsgraduate TACCertificationCourse bySeniorAirmanEvanPorter AirUniversityPublicAffairs
MAXWELLAIRFORCEBASE,Ala– The U.S. Army WarrantOfficerCareerCollegeheld agraduationceremonyofitsTrain,Advise, and CounselOfficer CertificationCourse in Ozark, Alabama, July19.
Amongthegraduateswerefourmembersof the U.S. Air Force, markingthefirst timeAir Forcepersonnelreceivedthe TACCertification fromtheArmy.
Thissignificantachievementsupportsthe evolvingnatureofmilitarytrainingandthe growingimportanceofjointoperationsinanera characterizedbygreatpowercompetition.
Thegraduationceremony, heldattheHolmanHouseinOzark,Alabama, wasahistoricalmilestone. U.S. ArmyCol. KevinMcHugh, thecommandantofUSAWOCC, highlightedthe uniquenatureofthisgraduation.
“Todayisaspecialoccasionbasedonitsown merits, aswerecognizethehardworkand dedicationofthoseaspiringtoserveinnew and challengingrolesastraining, advising, andcounselingofficerstaskedwiththedevelopmentofjuniorofficersandleaders,” hesaid. “Withtoday’sgraduation,weacknowledgethis partnershipformedtoassistinthesuccessful implementationoftheAir Force WarrantOfficercommissioningprogram, notseen forover 60years.”
FortheAir Force, thiscollaborationrepresents a strategicshiftintrainingandleadershipdevelopment.TheAirmen chosenforthe WarrantOfficerTrainingSchool, basedatMaxwellAir ForceBase, Alabama,includedMaster Sgt. VernonBoyd,MasterSgt.RyanLawrence, MasterSgt.DavidElliottandSeniorMaster Sgt.KayleighMcAviney Theircertificationas TACofficersispoisedtoinfluencethefutureof theAir Force’snew WarrantOfficerProgram. Thepathtothisachievementrequiredeach AirmantoadapttoanArmytrainingenvironmentwithitsdistincttraditionsandprotocols.
“Attending an Armytraining courseforthe firsttimepresentedunique challenges, such as translatingArmy-specificlanguage, acronyms,
Graduatesofclass24-501standatattentionduringagraduationceremonyattheHolmanHouse inOzark,Alabama,July19.WiththeU.SAirForcelaunchingthenew WarrantOfficerCorpscareerpath,Class24-501isthefirst TACOfficerCertificationCourseclasstohaveAirmanamongst itsgraduates.
andprocesses, whichweredifferentfromwhat weuseintheAir Force,” saidElliott.“Iovercamethese challenges by creatingapersonal glossaryoftermsandfrequentlyconsultingmy instructorandmyArmy classmates.”
Theknowledgeandskillsacquiredbythese Airmenaresettorevolutionizethecurriculum atthenewAir Force WarrantOfficerSchool.
“Weplan to extract some processesand formalitiesundertheir‘CandidateLed Strategy’ modelinanefforttorefineourownsimilarconcept,” saidMcAviney. “Theintentionofthisconceptistoallowcandidatestoholdleadership positionswithinthecourse, givingthemtheopportunitytoutilizetheirenhancedcommunicationandadvisingskillsets, whilebuildingupon theirleadershipandfollowershipfoundations.”
ThisapproachisexpectedtoenhancethedevelopmentofAir Force WarrantOfficers, preparingthemtomeetthedemandsofmodern
militaryoperations. The TACCourse’sfocuson coaching, mentoringandcandidate-ledstrategieswillbecrucialinshapingthenextgenerationofAir Forceleaders.
Inthecontextofgreatpowercompetition, theroleof warrantofficersismorecriticalthan ever
“IexpectgraduatesfromAir Force Warrant OfficerSchoolwillbeequippedtoprovidecommanderswith high-caliberadvisors,” saidElliott.“Wearereceivinghighlycompetent,driven,subject-matterexperts, andgivingthem eightweeksofdeliberatetraining Theywill graduateandshowuptocommanderseagerto showthemthevalue warrantofficerswillprovide”
Thecollaborativenatureofthistrainingalso enrichedtheirperspectivesonjointoperations.
See TAC,Page12
PhotobySeniorAirmanEvanPorter
Anewfatherhimself, Wardrelatedtothe familyasafatherofa3-month-oldson waiting forhiminFlorida.
“NowthatIamadadmyself, Iwouldhope someoneelsecouldhelpinthesame wayifit weremy child,” remarked Ward. “Ifeellikeeveryoneshouldhavethebasicmedicalknowledge. We trainin TacticalCombatCasualty CareandRedCross classes: itseemsrepetitive butwhenyouareinthatsituation, youhave to understandhowtousethoseskillseffectively.”
Ward’spassionforfitnessandoutdooractivitiesledtohisinterestinbeingaphysical trainingleader. Hisskillswereoriginally used toassisthisshopwithstayinginshape Now, hisPTLtraininggavehimthecompetenceto resolvethesituationquickly. Hebelievesevery servicemembershouldcontinuouslypractice Cardiopulmonaryresuscitation, TCCC, and firstaidskills.
“Seeingwherehavingpropertraininghas ledmeishumbling,” said Ward.“It’sshownme thatoneactioncanmakeadeeperimpactregardlessofwhatyouthink.”
Hispursuitofpersonalandprofessionaldevelopmentmotivates Wardtoexcelatbowling andasafuellaboratorytechnician,wherehe focusesonloadinganaircraftwithsafefuel qualityforthe51st Fighter Wingmission.
“Thedaysarehard,long, andtedious, I’ve seensomecoolaircraftthatInormallywould notgettosee,” said Ward, aparticipantofthe OsanABintramuralbowlingteam.“Goingout andbowlingisanicebreakfromjustbeingin mymind,andit’snotoverlycompetitive.”
Ward wasrecognizedasMustangof the Weekon July26,2024,forhislife-savingdeed andhumility. Headdsthathiswifeandfamily areespeciallyproudofhim,andareimpressed byhiseffortseveryday.
“TheywereallproudofmeforwhatIdid,” Wardsaidhappily “They’vebeenproudofme forjustputtingthisuniformoninthemorning andcomingtowork.”
Asafatherinthe U.S. Air Force, hereflected onhisownexperiencessofar, providingwords ofwisdomtohisson.
“Dowhatinterestsyou,regardlessofthe
U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanMalachi Ward, 51stLogisticReadinessSquadronfuelslaboratorytechnician,posesforaphotoforearning thetitleMustangofthe WeekatOsanAirBase, RepublicofKorea,July23.
opinionofothers,” echoed Ward.“Becausenot everyoneisgoingtosupportyour choice, but whatmakesyouhappyiswhatwillfurther yourenrichmentinlife.”
PhotobySeniorAirmanSabrinaFuller-Judd
SEREspecialistschangedfaceofwatersurvivalprep storyandphotosbyAirman1stClassAliciaCampbell 6thAirRefuelingWing
Ocean waterfillsthevesselascrewmembers chuck waterfromtheirtethertolife, a 20-person liferaft.Anothermembersteadfastly refillstheescapingair that keeps theirraftafloat.Theseactivitiesarejustacoupleofmeasurestakentoensurethe survivalofAirmenintheeventofadownedaircraftoveralargebodyof water.
Duringasimulationofanin-flightemergency,pilotsandaircrewstationedatMacDillAir ForceBaseperformlife-savingtechniquesinpreparationforpotentiallong-termsurvival andisolationoveropen water.
WaterSurvivalPreparationatMacDillconsistsoftwosegments,academicinstructionreviewingconceptssuchasopen waterrecoveryandraft-livingprocedures,andalivesimulationtoapplythoseconcepts.Allpilotsandaircrewarerequiredtocompletethiscourseevery 48months,andthisyear,participantsareinforafunsurprise.
Giventhe chargeofmakingthistrainingasrealisticandsafeaspossible,twoSurvival, Evasion,Resistance,andEscape(SERE)specialistssetouttotransformthe wayMacDill preparespilotsandaircrewforin-flight wateremergencies. For Tech.Sgt. JeremyHaskins andStaffSgt.MatthewMontour,SEREspecialistswiththe6thOperationsSupportSquadronandinstructorsofthe WaterSurvivalPreparationcourse,thismeantmovingintoaseasonofgrowth,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.
MontourandHaskinshadaframeworkforcreatingthisnewandengagingcourse,but theyknewtheyneededthehelpofthecommunitytobringthisimmersiveexperiencetolife.
“Thebig challenge wasrecognizingwhatassetswehaveinplay, atleasthereandnear MacDill,andhowwecanutilizeandincorporatethemintoour watersurvivalpreparation course,” saidMontour.“Thenextbigstep wasgettingallofthoseuniqueandcapableassets tobeabletoassistusinthisprocess.”
Thenewscenarioallowsparticipantstopracticeatruerversionofwhattheymayencounter. Ratherthanswimmingout50yardsintothe water,participantswillboardaHillsboroughCountySheriff ’s Office(HCSO)marinevesselandbecarriedtothemiddleofthebay, approximately1200yards,wheretheywilldisembark,swimintoaliferaft,andsimulate raft-livingprocedures. To closeouttheexperience, theCoastGuardwill“rescue”theteamvia helicopterhoist(anoutcomemorelikelytooccurontheopen waters).MontourandHaskins believethese changeswillprovideamoreimpactfulexperienceforbothpilotsandaircrew.
To facilitatethetypeofprogramthateffectivelypreparespilotsandaircrewforemergencies,MontourandHaskinsneededtobecertifiedtoaddresscertainsituationswhileinthe trainingenvironment.
Soon,theywouldattendtheNavy’sSurfaceRescueSwimmerSchool(SRSS),ademanding 26-daycoursethattestsphysical aptitudeand mentalacuity, all whileequippingparticipantswiththeskillstorecoverandassistpersonnelduringemergencysituations.
PhysicallyandmentallydemandingprogramswerenothingnewforHaskinsandMontour,butthisprogramaddedafewlayersofpressurethatmadetheprocesssomethingto remember. Forone,SRSSisagruelingprogramwithahighattritionratebutbeingthefirst Airmentoattendmadethemkeenly awarethattheywererepresentingallthe U.S. Air Force andsettingthestandardforallwhofollowed.Likeahouseofcards,onefalsemovecould havetheentireoverhauled watersurvivalpreparationcoursecrumbling,orattheveryleast, delayed.
Asifthatweren’tenough,duringthetraining,Montourexperiencedanepisodeofillness whichcouldhavemeanttheendofhistrainingandnocertification.
PhotobyAirman1stClassAliciaCampbell
U.S.AirForceAirmendragaliferaftonshoreduringawatersurvivaltrainingexerciseatMacDillAirForceBaseJune28.Thetraining exercisewaspartoftheAirForce’sSurvival,Evasion,ResistanceandEscapecurriculumdesignedtoprepareAirmenforescaping a
U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.JeremyHaskins,aSurvival,Evasion,ResistanceandEscape specialist assignedto the 6thOperationsSupport Squadron,simulatesanemergencycallduringawatersurvivalcourse atMacDillAirForceBaseJune28.SEREspecialistsprovidedirectsupporttopersonnel recoveryprogramsthroughpreparation,planning, executionandadaptation.
PhotobyAirman1stClassAliciaCampbell
U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.MatthewMontour, a Survival,Evasion,ResistanceandEscape specialist assignedto the 6thOperationsSupport Squadron,briefsaircrewmembersonwatersurvivaltacticsatMacDill AirForceBaseJune,28.AirForcepilotsandotheraircrewmembers arerequiredtoenrollinSEREcoursestopreparethemforin-flight emergencies.
PhotobyAirman1stClassAliciaCampbell
VENDOR andreceiptofequipmentfrom multiplesources Itisgratifyingthattheeventhassuccessfullyconcluded,knowingthat weprovidedanopportunityfor everyonetoexploreandaccess thelatestinnovations.”
Theshowcasedequipmentis expectedtoempowerthenext generationofmilitarypersonneltoexplorecreative ways to achievemorewithfewerresources Byintegratingthese technologies, themilitarycan operatewith increased agility andspeedwithoutsacrificing efficiency.
“We’retalkingaboutatleast $20millionworthofequipmenthere.” said U.S. Air Force Technical.Sgt. KyleDover, SectionChiefassignedtoRDS “Justonesingletrailerworth almostamilliondollarsout therecanpoweratleasttwoof ourcampsbyitself.”
Asthemilitarycontinuesto prioritizeagilecombatemployment,theabilitytooperate fromdispersedforward locationsinconcertwithalliesand partnersbecomesincreasingly vital.Thesedemonstrations reveal notonlytheadaptabilityofMacDillAirmen,butalso theversatileandmultipurpose usageoftheshowcasedequipmentinvariousenvironments.
Visitorstotheeventleft withagreaterunderstanding oftheinnovativetechnologies availableandarenewedsense ofthepossibilitiesforenhancingmilitaryoperations. The RDSvendorfairstandsas a testamenttothepowerofinnovationandtheimportance offosteringpartnershipsto drivemilitarysuccessinthe 21stcentury.
ACivilianContractorgivesapresentationduringaDeploymentCellinnovationfairatMacDillAirForceBase, July17. Twenty-ninevendorsparticipatedintheevent,showcasing innovativeproductsdesignedtoensure rapidmobilityinthefield.
GascanistersareputondisplayduringaDeploymentCellinnovationfairatMacDillAirForceBaseJuly17. Twenty-ninevendorsparticipatedintheevent,showcasinginnovativeproductsdesignedtoensurerapidmobilityinthefield.
PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian
PhotobyAirmanMoniqueStober
ists, securityforces, weaponsloadcrewsand troopsfromlowobservable, fuels, aerospace groundequipmentflights, used theirskillsand putthemtothetest.
Priortothiswingexercise, thesemembers participatedinatwo-weekcoursethatcovered thecoreconceptsofwhatACEmeans, what theimportanceofitisandpracticedelements ofACEwhilebuildingcomraderywithinthe team.Theexerciseservedasanend-of-course capstonetoputmembersknowledgetothetest.
“OnethingthatI waspleasantlysurprised by waseverybody’seagernesstolearnandbe involvedinotherjobstomaketheexercisehappen,” saidStaffSgt.Garrett Wilderness, 95th FGSF-35dedicatedcrew chief. “There was very highmoraleandpeopleenjoyedwhatwewere doing, evenifit washotonedayorrainythe next.”
ExerciseCR24-5involvedfourF-35ALightningIIaircraftsoperatingoutoftwosimulated sites:a ForwardOperatingSiteatDannelly FieldMontgomery, Alabama,andaContingencyLocationatTyndall.Theselocations are meanttoreplicateoperatinginadeployedor austereenvironmentwhile continuingtosupportthemission.
“Beingdownrange, lifehappens,” saidKramer “Youdon’tknowifsomeone isgoing to getsick,injuredorhaveafamilyemergency andneedtobesenthome. So, thethoughtis ifsomeonedropsoutofyoursmallteam,you needsomeonetofillthatrolewhetherthat’s theirjobornot.”
U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanCody Wells,95thFighterGenerationSquadronweaponsloadcrew member,maneuversaGBU-31version1bombtobeloadedontoanF-35ALightningIIinasimulatedcontingencylocationat TyndallAirForceBase,Florida,July17.PriortoexerciseCrown Royal24-5, exerciseparticipantscompletedatwo-weekcourselearningandpracticingthecore conceptsofAgileCombatEmploymentwhilebuilding comraderyamongstAirmenfrommultiple careerfields.
PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyNordheim
“TrainingalongsideourArmycounterparts wasessentialtounderstandingthebasicsofnomenclatureand overarchingcorpsprinciples,” saidMcAviney “Butthe greatestbenefitcamefromunderstandingtheintricacies ofhowtheArmyandeachspecialtyutilizestheir warrant officers.”
ThecertificationofthesefourAirmenas TACOfficers isnotjustapersonalachievement,butasignificantmilestonefortheAir Forceandthebroadermilitarycommunity. ChiefMasterSgt.StefanBlazier, AirUniversitycommand chief, acknowledgedthehistorical significance of thiseventwithregardtoshapingthefutureofAir Force leadershipbywelcomingtheinstructorsintotheirnew role.
“TheseAirmenwillbeprofessional warfighters. They’re goingtobecredibleadvisers. They’regoingtobetechnical integrators,” hesaid “They’regoingtobeplankholders forour WarrantOfficerTrainingSchool,whichisaboutto takeafirststepinthejourneytotakeustonewheights andtestnewlimits Ourfirstswornofficerswillprimarily beestablishedinourcyberandITcommunities, butthey willopendoorsforotherspecialtiestopursuepathways thatembracetechnicaldepthoverbreathas warrantofficers.”
AstheAir Forcecontinuestoadapttotheevolvingdemandsofglobal militaryoperations, theintegrationof joint-servicemethodologiesandtrainingapproachwill playacrucialroleindevelopingcompetentandconfident warrantofficers TheachievementsofthesefourAirmen pavethe wayforfuturecollaborationsandinnovations inmilitarytraining, ensuringthatthenextgenerationof leadersiswell-equippedtofaceany challengethatarises.
CADETS eventheldsinceCovid-19, markingasignificantstep towardrestoringnormalcy andfosteringinternational camaraderie.
“Theseeventsallowcadetstoonceagainbenefit fromcross-culturalexperiences, leadership development, allowingthecadetsto exchangeideas, strengtheningglobalbondsinapostpandemic world,” saidRios.
Cadetswerebriefedby representativesfromdifferentcountries, providing themwithuniqueinsights intodiversemilitarytraditions, strategicperspectives andculturalpractices
“It wasimportantfor me, asaCanadianofficer, to talktothecadetsbecause sharingourexperiences andperspectiveshelpsto buildmutualunderstandingandrespect,” saidCanadianArmed ForcesLt. Col. PatCantin,Canadian SpecialOperations Forces CommandLiaisonOfficer.
“Bydiscussingmycareer, militarypractices, and leadershipprinciples, Iaim toinspireandpreparethe nextgenerationofleaders foreffectivecollaboration inanincreasinglyinterconnectedworld.”
TheCivilAir PatrolInternationalAirCadetExchangeisanannualtwoweekexchangeprogram designedtopromotecadets of character, andparticipationamongtheworld’s civilianauxiliary aviation programs MacDillAFB iscommittedtoproviding outreachopportunities to fostercommunityrelationships.
(Above)CanadianArmedForcesLt.Col. PatCantin,CanadianSpecialOperations ForcesCommandliaisonofficerspeaks to CanadiancadetsatMacDillAirForceBase July15.ThecadetsparticipatedinhandsonexperiencesandmetwithAirmenfrom acrossthe6thAirRefuelingWing.
(Left)Aninternationalcivilaircadetisseen takingphotosintheboompodonaKC135StratotankerduringatouratMacDill AirForceBaseonJuly15.Thecadetsparticipatedinhands-onexperiencesbuilding community relationsandmetwithAirmen fromacrossthe6thAirRefuelingWing.
PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton
PhotobySeniorAirmanSterlingSutton
COMMUNITY EVENTS Hangar6extendedhours MacDillLanes& FamilyFunCenter, alongwithHangar6Grill,now haveextendedhoursforevenmore fun. JointhefunTuesdaythrough Saturdayfrom11a.m.– 9 p.m., and Sundayfrom12–7 p.m.Comeforthe bowling, stayforthedeliciousfood Visitmacdillfss.com/hangar-6-grill/ andmacdillfss.com/macdill-lanesbowling/formoredetails.
Augustbasetheatermovies YourMacDillBaseLibrarywillbe offeringfreemoviesattheBaseTheater Moviesareopentoanyonewith baseaccesstoMacDillAFB For a completemovieschedule, visitmacdillfss.com/library/.
FamilyFunNight JointhefunatMacDillLanes & FamilyFunCenterfor“KidsNight” FamilyFunNightAug. 9 from5– 9 p.m.Enjoy aDJ, cosmic bowling, andgoodybags(whilesupplieslast). Don’tmissthe$7.95Southofthe BorderKidsBuffet(12andunder), $2games, andaffordable shoerentals:$3foradultsand$2forkids. Visitmacdillfss.com/wp-content/uploads/AugKidsNight.pdfformoreinformation.
Kinderspot DidyouknowthatKinderspotis availableonMacDillAFB?Offer upandrentshort-term childcare inweeklysegmentsattheChild DevelopmentCenters. Kinderspot aimstosupportactiveduty, reservistsandDoDcivilianfamilieswith their childcareneedswhentheyare ontemporarydutyassignments, leave, relocatingtoanew baseorbeingcalledinforreserveduty. Learn moreat carewecanshare.com.
SERE training AHillsboroughCountysheriff’sdeputyoperatesalawenforcementand rescuevesselnearMacDill AirForceBaseJuly22.TheHillsboroughCountySheriff’sOfficeprovidedsupportforawatersurvival trainingexerciseinvolvingU.S.AirForceaircrewmembersassignedtomultipleunits.Thetraining exercisewaspartoftheAirForce’sSurvival,Evasion,ResistanceandEscapecurriculumdesignedto prepareAirmenforescapingadownedaircraftinopenwater.
CHAPELSCHEDULE Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m.to 3p.m. After hours chaplain, callthe Command Post at 828-4362/4361.
Monday-Wednesday Mass - 12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel
Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessionsby appointment)
Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Chapel at 828-3621or email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil for inquiries regarding Protestant religious education.
Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule &tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil
Islamic Service - Friday 1:30p.m.(space reserved)
OtherFaith Groups - Pleasecontact the Chapelat (813)828-3621orviaemail at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil
For more details and information, visitthe Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel
PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings
“[The]realitysetinthatthenextcouplehoursordayswereaboutto getawholelotworse. Iwokeupat0130andthought,‘Thisisn’tgood.PT isat0600,I’mnotgoingtogetanymoresleep, andmybodyisactively rejectingfoodand water,’” saidMontour.
“Iprayedfirst,calledHaskinsat0540forapeptalk,armedmyself withahoteltrashcan,extra clothesinmypack, andthewilltosurvive. I knewthatifIdidn’tshowupforPT, orifIdidn’tperformwellenough,I wouldgetpulled.IalsoknewthatifIvoluntarilywenttosick callorthe ERduringtraininghours, Iwouldgetpulled,” headded.
“Inallhonestythough,rememberingwhyI wasthere wascritical;Iam hereforthebettermentandsafetyofothers, sowhat’salittlemomentary discomfort?”
Unabletokeepanythingdown,Montourpoweredthroughagrueling PTsessiontogetthecreditheneededtomoveforward,andhecappedoff hiseveningwithatriptotheemergencyroom.
“ThefollowingdaywehadourfinalevalwhichIpassed,andthenwent totheERthateveningtoo,” hesaid. Hisperseverance wasatestamentto thetremendousresponsibilityhefeltinbeingoneofthefirstfromtheAir Forcetoattend.
AlthoughSRSSisademandingprogram, Haskinsnotesitsimportance forSERESpecialists. “Currently, thestandardforSERESpecialistsisto belifeguardcertified.”
“WeareadvocatingforotherSEREprogramsacrosstheforcetogoto theNavySurfaceRescueSwimmerSchoolsotheycanhavethoseskills
andbeassafeastheycanandlowertherisktotheforceinthathigh-risk trainingeventthattheyconductandareresponsiblefor.”
Althoughthegrueling water trainingprogramandanillnessstood asobstaclesontheirpathtoareimagined watersurvivalpreparation course, HaskinsandMontourarethankfulfortheexperiencesandopportunitiesthisjourneyhasafforded.
“We’vegottentowork withotheragenciesthatI’veneverworked withbefore, forinstancetheHillsboroughCountySheriff’s Office,” said Haskins “That’sbeenahugebreadthofknowledgeandalsoopensupa lotmoreresourcesforustotapinto.”
Haskinsdiscussedhowthisexperiencehasalsoinfluencedhimpersonally, “[it’s]alsobeenbroadeningformetogetoutofmycomfortzoneand beabletointeractwithciviliansandothercounterpartsina waythatis applicabletothepreparation we alreadyperformhereatMacDillAFB.”
BothMontourandHaskinsreceivedspecialrecognitionfortheireffortsinrevitalizingthe watersurvivalpreparationcourse. MajorGeneral Corey J. Martin, the18thAir ForceCommander, giftedthemwiththe 18thAFcoinsandpersonalletterscelebratingthisachievement.
“It’s beenablessingseeingthisprocess changewithinthelastyear,” saidMontour. “It wasalotoflegwork,aboutninemonthsofplanningand preparationfromtheSEREshop.”
“Wehopetosetaprecedentanda wayforwardfortherestofourprograminthehopethatotherunits, andotherSEREspecialists across AMCandacrossthe Forcecanimplementsomeoftheseskillsas well.”
