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Japanesecivicleadersvisit

News/Features:page3
Fromgrieftogratitude
Weekinphotos:page4

Imagesfromthe week
News/Features:page3
Japanesecivicleadersvisit
News/Features:page3
Fromgrieftogratitude
Weekinphotos:page4
Imagesfromthe week
PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings
Community:page 11
Events,Chapel,more...
ANASAB-377-SGTSuperGuppy Turbinefrom NASA’s JohnsonSpaceCenter, TexasisshownontheflightlineatMacDillAirForceBaseAug.1.TheSuperGuppy TurbinewasintransittoNASA’s KennedySpaceCenter,Florida,andwas carryingtheOrionHeatShield.The16.5-foot-wideheatshieldisoneofthemostimportantsystemsontheArtemis IIOrionspacecraftandwillhelpensureasafe return ofastronautsonboard.NASA’s Artemisprogramaimsto return humansto themoonforlong-termexploration and future missions.
JOINTBASESANANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas—Newyouth footballcampsaredeliveringlifeandteambuildingskillsatinstallationstoravereviews
Thecamps, centrallyfundedbytheAir ForceServicesCenter’s child andyouthprograms, areatfourinstallationsfor2023andareexpected togrowsignificantlyto20-25DepartmentoftheAir Forcelocationsfor summer2024,includingsomeoverseas.
“We’vebeenrequestingnewsportscampsforawhileandwereable tomakeithappen,” said KevinHansen,AFSVCCYPspecialist.“The feedbackhasbeenoverwhelminglypositive…someofourstaffhave evensaidthatthishasbeenthemostsuccessfulyouthsportscampthat AFSVChaseversponsored.”
Thecamps, foryouth9-18,aredeliveredbyMVP360,aPhiladelphiabasedcompanyaffiliatedwiththeNFLPlay60organizationandtaught, insomecases, byyouthcoacheswithNCAAandNFLexperience.
FelixAgosto, aretiredAir ForceseniorNCOandmilitarydad,isthe founderandCEOofthecompany, andsaidherecognizesthehardships military childrenandfamiliesendure.
“MyprogramisbuiltonlessonslearnedduringthetimeIspentservingmycountry,” hesaid.“Thereisastrategybehindwhatwedothatfits withintheresiliencyculture There’sverylittledowntimebydesign.”
Duringthecamps, “there’safocusonteamwork,situationalleadership, problemsolving, peer-to-peersupportand characterdevelopment, inadditiontothesport’sspecificskillsdevelopmentsuchasstrength, conditioning, speed,catchingandthrowing,” Hansensaid.“Thus, this positive, interactivecampanduniquelyset-upprogramadaptstoinclu-
MVP 360Coach TravisProctorhigh-fivesacampparticipant at ayouth footballcampin Florida.Thenewcamps, funded by theAirForce ServicesCenter’schildandyouthprograms, are atfourinstallationsfor2023 andare expected to grow significantly to20-25Department oftheAir Forcelocationsforsummer 2024,including someoverseas.
sivesurroundingsandskilllevelsforallparticipantsleadingtoamore resilientmilitaryyouth.”
JointBaseSanAntonio-Lackland wasthefirststopintheprogram.
“Theteam of coachesandtrainersmotivatedtheyouthtodevelop
TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommanderand theMacDill community. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam
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The 6thCivil Engineer Squadron environmentalflighthostedcivicleadersfromacross central Japan, July25.
Thevisitinggroupconsistedof KeisukeSatomura,GinowanCityOfficemilitarybaseaffairs sectionsubsection chief, Masashi Toguchi,Chatan Townmayor, Shintaro Yamaguchi,Fukuoka HeadOfficereporter, and Junya Yamatoto, Yokosukacrisis managementdivisionstaff.
Thetourkickedoffwithanopendialoguebetweenthecivicleadersandthe6thCESenvironmentalteamfocusingontherole of volunteersandmitigation,andsourcesoffunding.
“Ourgoalwithallofourvolunteeropportunitiesistocreateanenvironmentwherepeoplecanjustshow up andwork,” saidDanielle Clooney, 6thCESnaturalandculturalresource manager “Wetakecareofthelogistics, coordinationandanythingelsethatcoulddetersomeonefromattending, andit’sworked.Itfeels morelikeyou’reparticipatinginateambuilding eventratherthandoinga chore.”
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Japanesecivicleadersand 6thCivilEngineerSquadronflightmembersposefor agroupphoto followingatourof MacDillAirForceBaseJuly25.Thevisitinggroup consistedofKeisukeSatomura,GinowanCityOfficemilitarybaseaffairssectionsubsectionchief,Masashi Toguchi, Chatan Townmayor, Shintaro Yamaguchi,FukuokaHeadOffice reporter,andJunya Yamatoto, Yokosukacrisismanagementdivisionstaff.Theteamlearnedenvironmentalbestpractices,proceduresfor culturalandhistoricalpreservationandthe role of communityoutreachindeveloping a strongvoluntaryforce.
Inourdiningroom, the decorationsarestillondisplay. The motivation toremovethemhadnotyetarisen.Thecandleswerelitonacake, andall ofhissiblingsblewthemoutwhilewesangtohiminheaven.Inmyexperienceasamotherwhohaslosta child,twodaysarethemostdifficult. Birthdays and, asmy childrenrefertothem,“death days.”
In reality, Ihave notseenhimsinceIleftfor basic trainingin2021.As amother, IknewI wantedtogivemyseven childrenthe opportunityto experienceawidevarietyofculturesandmeetnewpeoplefromallover theworld.
I was disheartenedongraduationdayrealizing thatasnowstorm hadpreventedmyfamilyfromattendingtheceremonyon Feb. 3,2022.I showedmy childrentheycandohardthingswith passion, sacrifice, and determinationtonevergiveupandyetI wasproudtobepartofsomethingbiggerthanmyself.
Telephoneandvideocallswithmy childrenandhusbandwereenjoyableformeaswecontinuedtoadjusttomilitarylife. ThefactthatIhad
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GeneralClarenceTinkerK-8SchoolteachersposeforaphotoduringatourofMacDillAirForceBaseonAug.1.Tinkerhousesapproximately 600 studentsandhasbeen a part oftheHillsboroughCountyPublicSchool districtfor 71years.
U.S.Marine CorpsMaj.Gen.ChrisA.McPhillips,incomingcommanderofU.S.MarineCorpsForces,CentralCommand,front,standsat attention duringachangeofcommandceremonyat MacDillAirForce BaseAug.1. USMARCENTisdesignatedasthe MarineCorpsservice componentforU.S.CentralCommandandis responsibleforallMarineCorpsforcesin the CENTCOMarea of responsibility.
PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster
U.S.AirForceLt.Col.JohnWilliams,outgoing50thAirRefueling Squadroncommander,right,is recognizedbyCol.JeffMrazik,6th OperationsGroupcommander, earninganAirForceCommendation Medalduring the50thARSchangeofcommandceremonyatMacDillAirForceBaseAug.1.Williamscompletedmultiplenuclearoperational readinessexercises,ledMobilityGuardianastheleadflying squadronandfacilitateda72hournonstopagilecombatemployment capstoneflight.
JOINTBASEPEARLHARBOR-HICKAM,Hawaii—Inthevastexpanseofthe Pacifictheater, distance, austerityandcompetitionpose challengestotheabilityoftheUnited StatesanditsAlliestoprojectairpower. U.S. andcoalitionforcesparticipating in Mobility Guardian23demonstratedhowendurancerefuelingoperationscouldovercomesuchlimits.
“Longendurancesortiesconductedduring MG23reinforcedtheoperationalrelevanceof theconceptandvalidatedAirMobilityCommand’sabilitytocontinuetobeaforcemultiplier, evenwiththetyrannyofdistanceinthe Pacific,” said U.S. Air ForceMajor JasonSewell, MG23deputy director. “LongendurancemissionsallowedKC-135sandKC-46stostayon stationlongerandoffloadmorefueltoreceivers
MaximumEnduranceOperationsfortanker aircrafthave emergedasastrategicimperative fortheU.S.,Alliesandpartners. Thesemissions,characterizedby extended periodsofaerialre-fuelingwithouttheneed forlanding,arecrucialinbolsteringmilitary capabilities,enhancinginteroperationsand projectingglobalpower.ForMG23,aircraft receivedthenecessaryfueltocomplete theirobjectivesfromalignedforcesatRoyal AustralianAir ForceBaseDarwin.
“Ourareaofoperationsisapproximately sixhoursaway,whichtakesabout60,000 poundsofgasjusttogetthere,”saidU.S. AirForceMajorSean KingofMcConnell’s 349thAirRefuelingSquadronandtheKC-46 PegasusForceElementcommanderat RAAFBaseDarwin.“ThepurposeofMEOis tobeabletostayouttherelongerand furtherthecapabilitiesofourreceiversas
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Photoby Tech.Sgt.HeatherClements AU.S.AirForceKC-135Stratotankerprepares to refuel aKC-46PegasusduringMobility Guardian23overtheIndo-Pacific region,July 14.Threethousandpersonneldirectlysupportedthelarge-scale mobilityexercise.
thanwouldhaveotherwisebeen possible.”
TRAVISAIRFORCEBASE, Calif.—TravisAFBreceiveditsfirstKC-46A Pegasus July 28,2023.
Maj.General Joel Jackson,Air ForceDistrictof Washingtoncommander, andanaircrew madeupofmembersfromthe60thand349thAirMobility Wingsdeliveredthefirstaircraft toTravisdirectly fromBoeing Field, locatedinSeattle, Washington.
To commemoratethismilestone, TeamTravishostedacelebratoryeventinthenewlyconstructedthree-bay hangar invitingbasemembersandleadersfromthelocal community.
Duringtheevent,keyleadersprovidedremarksincludingavideopresentationby John Garamendi,congressionalrepresentativeofCalifornia’s3rdDistrict,andremarksby U.S. Air ForceretiredLt.Gen.SamuelCox,BoeingAir ForceandSpace ForceSystemsvicepresident, Maj.Gen.CoreyMartin,18thAir Forcecommander, Maj.Gen. Jackson,aswellas TeamTravisleadershipincludingCol.DerekSalmi, 60thAMWcommander, andCol. TerenceMcGee, 349thAMWvicecommander.
“Thishasrequiredtheconcertedeffortofallwhofly, fix,supportandhealaspartofthemobility missionhere atTravisand has translated directlyintotoday’s capabilities,” said Salmi.
TheKC-46Aaircraftwillbeoperatedbythe6thand9thAirRefuelingSquadronsforthe activecomponentandthe70thand79thAirRefuelingSquadronsfortheAir ForceReserve Command.
“Whilewecelebratetoday, thegreateventofbringingintheKC-46, whatwehonoreverydayisthecultureofanAirmobilitywing,” said Jackson.“Thecultureofwhatwehavehere at TravisAFB.”
In January2017,formerSecretaryoftheAir ForceDeborahLee Jamesannouncedthat TravisAFB wasselectedasapreferredlocationforthesecondroundofKC-46Abasingselections.
InpreparationforthearrivaloftheKC-46A, thebasecommencedconstructiononthe $136.2millionthree-bayhangarinDecember2018. Followingfiveyearsofwork, theproject reacheditscompletioninMay2023.Thisexpansivehangar, spanningapproximately174,300 squarefeet,willserveastheDepartmentofDefense’sexclusiveKC-46Asupportfacilityon thewestcoast.
“ThefirstfeelingIfeelispride,” saidLt.Col. PaulOverdiek,749thAircraftMaintenance Squadroncommander. “We’rereadytooperateit[KC-46] andwe’rereadytomaintain it.”
TheKC-46Aisequippedwithseveralself-protection,defensiveandcommunicationfeaturesmakingitmoresurvivableinacontestedenvironment.AccordingtoBoeing, recent contractsbetweenBoeingandtheAir Forcewillcontinuetoinvestinadvanceddataandcommunicationcapabilities.
“TheKC-46Aprovidessurvivability, connectivityandsituational awarenessthatareunprecedentedinatanker, allowingthecrewtodetect,identify, avoidanddefeatthreatsincontestedenvironments,” said Lynn Fox,BoeingvicepresidentandKC-46Aprogrammanager “We’llcontinuetopartnerwiththeAir Forcetoevolvethe Pegasus’scapabilitiestomeetthe needsofthemission.”
TheKC-10isplannedforcompletedivestmentbySeptember2024,making wayfortheKC46totakeovertheroleofbeingtheairrefuelingaircraftoftheGateway to the Pacific. This transitionwilllaunch theKC-46Aasthenewfaceofairrefuelingoperations, ensuringthe continuedreadinessandeffectivenessofairoperations, worldwide.
“Beginningtoday, theKC-46standsreadytotakethebatonpassfromthemostfaithfulof tankers, theKC-10Extender, whosedistinctivesilhouettehasgracedthe skiesoverSolano CountyforthepastthreedecadesandextendedAmericanpowerworldwideformorethan fortyyearswithitsdefining characteristicsofstrengthand class,” saidSalmi.
CourtesyphotofromBoeingCompany ington,July28.TheaircraftisthefirstKC-46Aforthe60thAirMobility
PhotobyNicholasPilch U.S.AirForceSeniorMasterSgt.MarykathleenOlaes, 82ndAerial Port Squadron manager,playswithhernephew duringtheKC-46Pegasus arriv-alceremony at Travis AirForceBase,California,July 28.During the event, Team Travis welcomedtheirfirst KC-46andcelebratedtheofficial begin-ningofthe installation’sKC-46operations.
PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenJacoby educatingonthenextgeneraia, July 28,2023. edtheirfirstKC-46APegasusand edtheofficialbeginningoftheinstallation’sKC-46Aoperations.
Thefirst60thAir MobilityWingKC-46APegasusarrivesat TravisAirForceBase,California,July 28. Team Travis welcomedtheir firstKC-46Aandcelebratedthe officialbeginning of the installation’sKC-46Aoperations.
Photoby Tech.Sgt.LeviReynoldstheirownpersonalgoals, identifyandcompletedailyobjectivestoreachtheirgoal,and gainanunderstandingofteamdevelopmentandleadership,” said Tom Lynds, JBSALackland YouthProgramsdirector. “Theend-of-practicereflectivequestionandanswer periodsreinforcedteamsupportconcepts, workingtogetheronthesameobjectiveand personalresponsibility.”
Attheendofcamp, Lyndssaidattendeesleftwith“atoolboxofpersonalsupport, drillstobuildonteamfootballandapersonalphysicalfitnessroutinetomaintainflexibilityandstrength.”
Theyalsoleftthecampasamorewell-roundedyouth,hesaid.
“Themainobjectiveistoensuretheflagfootballcampreceivesmaximumexposure toprovideasmanyyouthaspossibletheopportunitytoparticipateandexperiencethe skilldevelopmentofallfacetsofthegame, whileenhancingallareasoftheirskillsand fundamentalsforvariousnewsports,” said WilliamCrockett,amemberoftheyouth programsteamat JointBaseMcGire-Dix-Lakehurst,New Jersey “Theultimategoalis toinstillleadershipqualitiesinthemnotforjustsports, buttohelpthempreparetobe leadersinlifeaswell.”
Thecampswerebuiltarounda“hitthegroundrunning”mentality, Agostosaid.
“Theprogramisprogressiveinthatwestartwithaheavydoseofstrengthandconditioningondayone, andendwithafun,competitivegame,” hesaid.“Kidsareguided throughoursystemthatencouragesteamwork,participationandcommunication.The finaldayseemslikefunbecauseofalltheworkthey’veputinpriortoit.”
Nowthathe’sbeenretiredfor11years, Agostosaidhe’saroundparentswhofindit extremelydifficulttoleavetheirkidsonabusinesstripforfivedays
“Air Forceparentsleaveforuptosixmonthsatatime, yettheyreturntoafamily waitingforthemwithopenarmsbothathomeandatwork,” hesaid.“Thereisnothing easyaboutitineitherscenariobutthereissomethingtobesaidabouttheparentand childwhoovercomethehardshipsoftheseparation,reuniteandmoveoninlife.”
Thecampsbeganin JunewithJBSA-Lackland,followedbyMacDillAFBandHurlburt Field,Florida,andendingwithJBMDLinAugust.
Inadditiontolifelessons, youthattendingthecampsreceiveanNFLjerseyfrom theirlocalareaandtheyouthcampsitesgetnewyouthfootballgearandequipmentto supplementtheirsports programs
LookformoreontheexpandedcampsinSpring2024andvisitwww.myairforcelife. comforAir Forceservicesprogramupdates.
MVP360CoachAlex Romanand ayouthfootball camp participantgoupforacatchduringadrillataFlorida base.Thecamps,centrallyfundedbytheAirForceServicesCenter’s child andyouthprograms,are atfour installationsfor2023andareexpectedtogrowsignificantlyto20-25Departmentof theAirForcelocationsfor summer2024,includingsomeoverseas.
MacDillAir ForceBasereliesoncommunityvolunteersforsupport inpreventingandreversingdamagetotheenvironment,accordingto Clooney. Theinstallation’sbiggestvolunteerorganization, TampaBay Watch,contributesvolunteerstoworkalongsideservicemembersin shorelinerestorationefforts.
“Fromourdiscussion,theoysterreef[restoration]project wasreally interesting,” said Toguchi. “AftertalkingwithKadenaAirBase[Japan], theymentioned wantingtohelptheenvironment;Ithinkthisinitiative couldbebeneficialtothearea.”
Accordingto JasonKirkpatrick,6thCES environmentalmanager, fundingforenvironmentalpreservationandstabilizationeffortscomes primarilyfromtheDepartmentofDefensewith$820,000havingbeen allocatedsofar. Supplementalfundingcomesfromfederalandlocal programssuchasthe U.S. Fish& WildlifeService, aswellascommunitynon-profits. Intotal,$1,336,200hasbeenallocatedordonatedtowards thecauseoverthepast20years.
“Ourinstallationhashadgreatsuccesslookingtoboththelocaland federalgovernmenttofundourprojects,” saidKirkpatrick.“Ourpart-
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Endurancerefuelingisnotanewmissionset,buttheduration andscopeofflightsachievedduringMG23areunprecedented.KC-135 Stratotankersconductedmultipleflightslastingmorethan48hours. Atthesametime,theKC-46,theUSAF’snewestrefuelingplatform,
nershipswithlocalagencieshavebeenabletoextendDODresources givingus theflexibilityto take on projectsthatwouldn’tbepossible otherwise.”
Thefinaltopicdiscussed wastheconceptofmitigationanditsrole incorrectingdamagedonetotheenvironmentthroughmissionnecessaryprojects. AccordingtoKirkpatrick,theteamalwayslooksfor ways tocompleteaprojectbyeither avoidingorminimizingdamagetothe environmentfirst.
“Mitigationisalwaysdifferentdependingontheprojectanddestructionnecessary,” saidKirkpatrick.“Forexample, abuildingthatunavoidablyremovesoneacreofwetlandsrequiresustocreateatleastan acreofnewwetlands, sometimesmore. Replacementofwetlandsystems throughmitigationservestobalanceecosystemservicesthatmaybe lostthroughwetlandsdestructionandhelpstopromoteahealthierecosystem.”
Followingthediscussion,theenvironmentalteambroughtthecivic leadergrouptocoastalrestorationsitesacrosstheinstallationtosee theeffortsfirsthand.
accomplisheditslongestoperationalflighttodatewitha35-hoursortie .
Bothaircraftutilizeadvancedcapabilitiestosustainmilitaryoperationsovervastdistances.TheStratotankerhasbeenthebackboneof America’srefuelingenterprisefornearly 60 years.WithupdatedReal TimeInformationintheCockpitsystem,itcanreceive,processand usereal-timedatathatsignificantlyincreasessurvivabilityand missioneffectiveness.
TheKC-46istheonlyrefuelingplatformintheworldthatcanoffload fuelthroughtheboomandacenterlinedroguewithoutlandingtoreconfigure,allowingittooffloadfueltomostjointand Alliedaircraft.Simul-
taneously, an enhanced refuelingoperatorstationandcommunications equipmentgive its crew unparalleledsituational awareness, particularly vitalforregionswherethethreat environmentnecessitatescontinuous presenceandrapidresponse.
Moreover, MG23facilitatedcooperationandstrengthenedmilitaryalliancesthroughthesemissions. ForcesfromAustralia,Canada, France, Japan,NewZealand, theUnitedKingdomandtheUnitedStatesintegratedtoconduct Jointandmultinationaloperationsseamlessly, enhancingcollectivedefensecapabilities.
“I’veneverbeenapartofsomethingwithsuchanintensefocuson integrationand interoperability,” said RAAFFlightLieutenantRobert Bartholomew-Walsh,13Squadronmovementofficer. “MobilityGuardian hasbeenagreat,agileexercisefor[the]Air Forcetobeapartof Specifically, 13SquadronhasbeenabletoworkwithalargeUSAFelement here, andthatinvolvementhasbeenquitevaluable.”
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abunkbedtickledmysons, whothoughtit washilarious thattheirmother wassleepinginabedliketheirs.
Thentwoweekswentby andon February19th,our lives changedforeverwhenIreceivedaphonecallfrom my10-year-olddaughter, Serenity.
“Mom,Mackinleyisgoingtothehospital,” shefranticallysaid.“Everyoneisinmyroomstayingoutofthe way becausetheambulanceishere!”
“Why, whathappened?”Iaskedmyvoiceshaking.
“EzekielsaidMackinleyhadfallenasleepwhile watchingashow,” Serenityhurriedlysaid,“Heturnedblue.”
“What?”,Iexclaimed,“LetmetalktoDad!”
“Dadisbusytalkingtotheparamedics, hetoldmeto callyou.”
“Thankyouforcallingme, everythingisgoingtobe okay, pleasekeepeveryonecalmandturnonyourtvwhile Itrytofigureoutwhatisgoingon,” Isaidreassuringly “I loveyou,telleveryoneIlovethem.”
Assoonastheambulancepulled away, myhusband calledme. “Ishestillalive?”,Iasked.
“Hestillhadapulse, andI wasabletogethiscolor back,” Myhusbandsaidtrembling. “Heisaliveandheadedtothehospital,theywouldn’tletmegowithhim.”
IprayedformysonandcriedforGod’swill.Beforemy departurefromtraining, I wasinformedthatMackinley’s brainhadswelled.Asaformofprotection,whileItraveled,noonewouldtellmeifhehaddiedwhenIasked, notmycaptain,nottheAmericanRedCross, ormyfamily alreadyatthehospital,notevenmyhusband.
“IfMackinley’sbrainisswollen,whyaretheynotoperating?”Ifinallyaskedangrilywhilelisteningtosilence ontheotherendofthephone. “Aretheyjustkeepinghim aliveformetosaygoodbye?”
Thesilence wascutwithatearfulresponsefrom SeeJOURNEY,Page12
JointheBoomersStampedeevery Friday from3 p.m.–8 p.m.Boomer’sislocatedinside theBreakaway EventCenterwith afull bar, multiplescreen’s, music,and pooltables.Enjoycomplimentary snacksand drinkspecialsevery Friday Visit macdillfss.com/boomers/ formore details.
Whether you areafanof comedy, magic,orjustlookingforaunique andengagingexperience,besure tocatchrePercussionand Derek Hughes in action onSunday, August20.Thisfamily-friendlyshow will take placeat theMacDillTheater,doorsopenat3:30 p.m.,show startsat4 p.m.
Rentabaywithallthetoolsyou needWednesday–Fridayfrom 9a.m.–7p.m.andSaturdayfrom 9a.m.–5 p.m.
Upcoming events:
Aug. 15–Oil change classforLadies
Aug. 18– Free 72-pointvehicleinspection
Visitmacdillfss.com/arts-and-tradecrafts/formore information.
Getpaidtocallorvisit6thFSSfacilities. To learnmore,calloremail the6thFSSMarketingDepartmentat828-2513 orsixfssfsk@ gmail.com.
Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com
U.S.AirForce Staff Sgt.AlexDiego,91stAirRefuelingSquadronboomoperator, was recognized asChampofthe Week by the6thAirRefuelingWingleadership teamatMacDillAirForceBase Aug.1.Diegoassumedmultipleextraduties,includingmanaging$80,000incomputer equipmentandacquiring20newlaptopsfortheunit.
NormalHours- Monday-Friday - 9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain,callthe CommandPostat828-4362/4361.
Monday-WednesdayMass - 12:10 p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel
CatholicMass -Sunday- 9:30a.m. (confessionsbyappointment)
Protestantvirtualservices -Sunday - 11a.m. (www.facebook.com/6amwhc)
Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil
IslamicService - Friday1:30 p.m.(spacereserved)
OtherFaithGroups- PleasecontacttheChapelat (813)828-3621or viaemailat6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil
Formoredetailsand information,visit theChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/or MacDill’sChapelwebsite is:https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel
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myhusband,“Yes…heisonlifesupport. I’msosorryI couldn’ttellyouwhileyouwerebyyourself.”
AsIbegantoprocessthesewords, a deepsadnessovercameme. Acrylikenootherfilledthecar asmyheart broke. IcriedformysonwholovedElvisanddancedwith meto PatsyCline’smusic, realizingthathewouldnever walkthisearthagain.Memoriesofusfloodedmymind andtherealizationthatIwouldneverseehimsmile againset in.
Why?Whycouldn’tithavebeenmeinstead?Iwould havegivenanypartofmetokeephimhere. Ilivedmy life;he wasyoungandhadafulllifeahead of him.
WhenIfinallyarrived,hisbody wasbeingkeptaliveby tubesandmachines. However, he wasnolongerthere. He wasempty, andhissoulhadleft AllIcoulddo washold my 8-year-oldson’slifeless bodyinmyarms.
Mytearsfellontohisfairskin, andIbrushedhisdeep brownhairtothesidewithmyfingers, asmothersdo. Icriedharder, knowing thathewouldnotplayfullypull away asyoungboys do whenyoufixahairgoneastray. I heldhimaslongasIcould,indisbeliefandshock,Imanagedtoputabravefaceonformyfamily whocameto say theirgoodbyes. OneofthehardestthingsIhadtodo was tobestrongandreassuringthathisspiritwenttoheaven andthatwewerejustsayinggoodbyetohisbody.
“Wewillseehimagainsomedaywhenwegotoheaven Itold my children.”
Beforehe wastakentothemorgue, wespentsomelast momentswithhim,paintinghishandandplacingitona canvas. Thestaffhadmadeasculpturemold of hishand andcapturedhisheartbeatforastuffedrabbit.Thehospitalstaffallowedmetobathemysonwithdignity, and dresshiminahospitalgown,andgentlytietheidentificationtagon hissmalltoe.
Howdo youovercomethis? Howdoyou serveyour countryandprovideabetterlifeforyour childrenwhen youdonotfeellikeyourself?Thenewme wasbroken, and IknewIneededhelpto continue.
Oursmallhometowncommunitiescametogetherto showtheircompassionandsharetheirdeepestsympathiesforourlossofMackinley. Thejoyousopportunity formyreturnfromthemilitary wasreplacedbysomber emotionsasItriedtobeagooddaughter, sister, mother, friend,wife, andAirman.
AfterMackinley’sprivatefamilyvisitation,he wascremated,andaCelebrationofLife washeldintheschool gymnasium.He wasnotburied,butinstead,hisashes travelwithusandareplacedonaspecialcabinetthat willcometoeachnewdutystationwithus. Noweveryday Ikissthetopofasmallurnandplaceitinmy pocket. He hastraveledwithmeeverydayduringmymilitarycareer followinghisdeathtokeepmypromiseforanadventurousmilitaryjourney.