Thunderbolt 8/17/2023

News/Features:page3

CSAFdeliverskeynote

News/Features:page3

NorthernEdge23-2

Weekinphotos: page4

Imagesfromthe week

Wishin’for a mission

AKC-135Stratotankerassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingisshownontheflightlineatMacDillAirForceBaseAug.

1.TheKC-135isprimarilyusedforair refueling where jetfuelis deliveredthroughaboominthebackoftheaircraft. Air refuelingenables the airassets of the JointForceand partnernationstoflylonger.

Community:page15

Events,Chapel,more...

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

Teachingwithinsight:

MacDill’s immersiontourenhancessupportformilitarychildren

bySrALaurenCobin

6thAirRefuelingWing6thAirRefuelingWing

Aheadofthestartofthe 2023-2024school year, the6thAirRefueling Winghostedanimmersiontourforteachersassignedtothebase’s GeneralClarenceTinkerK-8School.

ThetouraimedtoprovideTinker’steachers withafirsthandunderstandingofthe challengesmilitary childrenface, andenablethem createamoresupportiveenvironmentfor theseunique students.

Thetourbeganwithanin-depthmission brief, outliningtherealitiesof militarylife –fromfrequentrelocationstoextendeddeploymentswithtestimoniesfrom U.S. Air Force Col. AdamBingham,6thAirRefueling Wing commander, military childrenandparents themselves. Thissetthestageforeducatorsto comprehendthecomplexexperiencesof militaryfamilies.

Ahighlightofthetour wasthetimespentat aKC-135 Stratotanker, whereeducatorsmet pilotsandboomoperatorswhowork24/7to

SeeSTUDENTS,Page 13

GeneralClarenceTinkerK-8Schoolteachersposeforaphotoduringatourof MacDillAirForce BaseonAug.1.Tinkerhousesapproximately600studentsandhasbeenapartoftheHillsborough CountyPublicSchooldistrictfor71years.

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling WingcommanderandtheMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmit questions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservices on MacDill. Contentsofthe MacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbythe U.S. government,theDepartmentof Defense,

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsor supplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6thAir Refueling WingorthePublishingCompanyoftheproductsorserviceadvertised.

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Newsitemsforthe MacDill Thunderboltcanbesubmitted tothe6thAirRefueling WingPublicAffairsoffice,8208HangarLoopDr.,suite14,MacDill AFB,FL33621.CalltheThunderboltat828-2215.Email:6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadlineforarticlesubmissions is noon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadline maybe consideredforfuture use. Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue and timeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“Associated PressStylebook and LibelManual”andAirForce Instruction35-101.

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

CSAFdelivers2023LifeCycleIndustryDayskeynoteaddress

byStaffSgt.MikaleyKline AirForceLifeCycle Management CenterPublicAffairs

DAYTON, Ohio(AFNS)—Inakeynote speechtoattendeesoftheLifeCycle IndustryDaysconferenceattheDaytonConvention Center July 31, Air Force ChiefofStaffGen. CQBrown,Jr. discussedhowcombinedefforts of Air Force, industryleadersandinnovators willdeliverthe changesnecessaryfortheservicetoremaintheworld’sbestAir Forceinan increasinglycomplexandcompetitivestrategic environment.

LCIDisheldannuallyinDayton,Ohio, presentedbytheAir ForceLife CycleManagementCenter Theconferencebringstogether high-levelmilitaryleaders, industrypartners andmedia.Theeventallowsfordiscussionof currentcapabilitiesandfacilitatesnetworking forstrongerpartnerships.

Brown, who was recentlynominatedtobecomethenext chairmanofthe JointChiefsof Staff, stressedthenecessityof changetomain-

SeeCSAF,Page 10

AirForceLifeCycleManagementCenterCommanderLt.Gen.ShaunMorris,left,posesaquestionfor Air ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQ Brown,Jr.,aspartofaquestion-and-answerforumduringtheLifeCycleIndustryDaysconferenceattheDaytonConventionCenterinDayton,Ohio, July31.Brownansweredquestionsonvarious topics suchasartificialintelligence,changeand innovationandtakingriskstoaccelerate change.

KadenaABaces dispersed operations duringNorthern

Edge 23-2

byAirman1stClass Tylir Meyer

KADENAAIRBASE, Japan(AFNS)—U.S. servicemembers integrated with JapanSelf-Defense Forces, French airandspaceforcesand other alliesandpartnerstoenhanceAgile CombatEmploymentcapabilitiesfrom dispersedlocationsduringNorthernEdge23-2, July2-21.

StagingoutofKadenaAirBase, the“Keystoneofthe Pacific.” afforded U.S. forcesandpartnernationstheopportunitytoworkthroughinteroperability challengesacrossjoint, multinationalandmulti-domainoperationsinsupportofthesharedsecurityobjectivesintheIndo-Pacificregion.

“NorthernEdge23-2 was a successin challengingourforcestoexercisedistributedoperationsinthefieldratherthansimplesimulations, increasingproficiencyandforcedurability,” said U.S. Air Force Col NicholasEvans, 18th Wingcommander. “Workingtogetherwithour Japanese counterpartsenablesustobolsterourreal-worldtrainingcapabilities,

PhotobyStaffSgt.DwaneR. Young

TwoU.S.AirForceF-15EStrikeEaglesandtwoF-35ALightningIIsjoin fourJapanAir Self-DefenseForceF-15EaglesovertheSeaofJapan, July19.TheU.S.-JapanAllianceisbuiltonsharedinterests,valuesand acommitmenttofreedomandhuman rights;theAllianceisstrongand

SeeNORTHERN EDGE23-2,Page6 focusedon enhancingasecurityarchitecture ofregionalpartnerships.

PhotobyStaffSgt.MikaleyKline

WEEKINPHOTOS

The6thCivilEngineerSquadron,ExplosiveOrdinanceDisposal(EOD)flightgatherforanexplosiveoperationsdemonstration,atMacDillAirForce BaseAug.4,2023.EODtechniciansaretrained to detect, disarm anddisposeofexplosivethreatsin the mostextremeenvironments.

AKC-135Stratotankerassignedto the6thAirRefuelingWingfliesover TampaAug.8.The 6thARW, located atMacDillAirForce Base employsthe KC-135todeliver air refuelingsupportforDepartment ofDefenseaircraft and aircraftofpartnernations.

U.S.AirForce Staff Sgt.Daniel Ward,6thCivilEngineerSquadronlead firefighter,putsonagasmaskatMacDillAirForceBaseAug. 1. Ward posedasaninjuredfirefighterduringarapid interventionteam trainingatMacDillAirForceBase,Florida,Aug.2,2023.RITtraininghelps preparefirefightersto rescuedownedpersonnelinsideaburning building.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

Newbenefit givesmilitary familiesmore flexibility in payingfordependent care

peaceofmind,knowingthattheirloved onesarereceivingqualitycare.

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—Incoordinationwiththe U.S. Officeof PersonnelManagement,the U.S. DepartmentofDefense hasexpanded eligibilityforabenefitthatwillprovidemilitaryfamilieswithanother financialoptionforreducingtheburdenofthecostof dependentcare, ultimatelybolsteringmilitary readiness. TheDependentCare Flexible SpendingAccount, orDCFSA, initiativeprovides accountsthatallow

“TheintroductionoftheDCFSAformilitaryfamiliesisasignificant milestoneinDoD’songoingefforttotakecareofourpeople. Helping familiesaffordcarefortheirlovedoneswhilepursuingtheircareer goalssupportstheeconomicwell-beingoffamiliesanda missionready force,” saidAshish Vazirani,deputyundersecretaryofdefensefor PersonnelandReadiness.

“OPM welcomestheopportunitytobuildontheDefenseDepartment’sexistingsupportofmilitaryfamilies,” saidOPMDirectorKiran

DoDNews

DEPENDANTS

Inpreparationfortheannual FederalBenefitsOpen Season,DoDhasdevelopededucationalmaterialsto supportservicemembersandfamiliesindetermining whetheraDCFSAwillbenefittheirfamily. DoDstrongly encouragesanyoneconsideringaDCFSAtoreviewthese educationalmaterialsandtoseeksupportfromatax consultantandfinancialreadinessprofessionalbefore enrollment. Taxandfinancialreadinessconsultations areprovidedatnocosttoservicemembersandfamilies throughMilitaryOneSourceand the DoDOfficeof FinancialReadiness.

To learnmoreaboutDCFSAsandtolearnhowtoreach ataxconsultantorfinancialreadinessprofessional,visit MilitaryOneSourceorOfficeof FinancialReadiness.

NORTHERNEDGE23-2

FromPage3

whichenhances ourreadinessand lethality.”

Thelarge-scaleexercisetestedparticipants’missioncapabilitiestoincludecommand andcontrol,movementandmaneuverability, hubandspokedistribution, combatsearch and rescue andthe testingandexperimentationofnewtechnology.

Frominfancy,multilateralpartnersgaveinputsintotheoperationaldesignoftheexerciseandcontinuedtoparticipate all the way toitsculmination.

“Bytrainingwithourpartners, welearnhowtoworkthroughsomeoperational challengesasacollectiveforceandget closertoourgoalofatrulyinteroperable, jointand multinational partnership,” said U.S. Air ForceMaj. John Della Pia, 18thOperational SupportSquadron Wing weaponsandtactics chief.

NE23-2alsoachievedthejointforceaircomponentcommander’svisionbydeploying morethan5,000personnel, 90fightersand20tankersto10locationsthroughoutthe region.

“OurAirmenessentiallydeployed–physicallymovingbetweendifferentlocations, pickingupapackandsleepingbag, showinguptoaplacethattheymightnothaveeverythingtheyneedandlearnedhowtoworkthroughthosestrugglesinreal-time,” said U.S. Air ForceMasterSgt.ScottDarden,336th FighterGenerationSquadronmaintenanceproject officerduringNE23-2 “The JASDFweregreatpartnersandwere 100% willingtohelpandwerekeytooursuccess.”

AnintegralaspectofNE23-2 wasexercisingdistributedoperationsthroughacentralizedhubanddispersedspokes, demonstratinggreateragilityandabilitytooutpace anadversary’sactionsandcomplicatetargetingcyclesthroughmovementandmaneuverabilityacrossa widearea.

“Planningandcoordinatinganexerciseonthisscaleintroducessomeincredible challenges–intermsofthesheer number ofairplanes, theamountoffuelrequiredtokeep airplanesflyingandtheoutstandingworkofourlogisticsteamstoensurebothourhub and spokes weresuccessfulintheirmissions,” DellaPia said.

Therange ofoperationsprovidedbyspokeoperationsinHyakuriandTsuiki AirBases, allowed additional U.S. Air Forcecommandstovalidatenewtactics, techniquesand procedures.

SuchcoordinationresultedinfourF-35ALightningIIscompletingahistoricendurancemissionbyflyingfor10hoursbeforejoiningalliedforcesintheairtoparticipatein atacticaltraining mission over theIndo-Pacificregion.

“NorthernEdgeprovidesopportunitiesforustotrainlikewewillfight–asajoint andcoalitionforce,” said U.S. Air ForceCapt. RachelSelf, 355th FighterSquadronF-35A pilot.

Anothernewcapabilitytested,inconjunction withtheAirMobilityCommand’s concurrentfullspectrumexerciseMobilityGuardian 23, wastheReal-Time Information intheCockpitsystem,thatprovidesintelligenceand C2 capabilitiestoKC-135Stratotankercrews. Thistechnologyprovidesoperationswhichstreamlineaircrafttracking andproficiencyon-time, on-target acrossvastdistances

AsKadenaABcontinuestodemonstrateitsstrategicimportanceasahubfacilitating multiple, multi-facetedexercises, andcontinuedailyoperationstomeetmissionobjectives, the18th Wingreinforcesitsvitalpositiontoensuringlong-lastingpeaceandstabilityintheIndo-Pacificregion.

“It’sbeenaherculeanefforttoensurethatourdailyoperationshaven’tsufferedas aresult[ofNorthernEdge],” DellaPiasaid.“It’seasytoforgetthatwehavenormal operationsandtaskingsthatoccurdaily, andit’snoexceptionduringanoperationlike this. TeamKadenahasbeenworkinginoverdrivetoensuremissionsuccessandthey’ve knockeditoutthepark!”

Unveilingthe heartofan AirForce Chaplain

bySrALaurenCobin 6thAirRefuelingWing

Walkingthroughthecorridorsofacorrectionalfacilityonhis waytoleadservice,hewouldapproachthewindowofacell, onlytobegreetedbyhisownreflection.

“Thiscouldbeme,” hesaid.“Insome wayswithmypastjourney, it was me. It remindsme of whatIneededwhenI wasinareallylowplace.”

Thearmedforcescommunityisuniqueinexperiences, serviceand sacrifice. Attheheartofthiscommunitystandsabeaconofcompassion andleadership, whohasanunwaveringcommitmenttothosehe serves.

Fromhisunconventionalentryintothemilitary, tothelegacyheis buildingthroughhisson,Air ForceCapt. KoryCapps’storyisoneof depth,empathy, andthesacredbondbetweenafather, leaderandpatriot.

Capps, whocurrentlyservesas chaplainatMacDillAir ForceBase, broughtawealthofexperiencestotheAir Forceashejoinedtheservice laterinlife.

BeforerepresentingtheAir Force, hespent16yearsnavigatingthe complexitiesofacorrectionalenvironmentasaprison chaplain.

“EverythingIlearnedtodoasa chaplain,Ilearnedtodothere,” Capps emphasized.

Hisjourney wasnotoneoflinearprogression,buthasbeeninfluenced fromhisownpastmistakesandtransformation.Capps’personalexperiencesofovercoming challengesandhardshiphasplayedasignificant rolein hisapproach to chaplaincy.

“MyfaithinHimisatmycore,” Cappssaid.“WhatHehasdoneinmy ownjourneyandmyownlife, showingupinmyplacesofdeepest,darkesthopelessnessandpain informswhoI amand howIoperate.”

Theimageofhisreflectioninthecellwindowalwaysstuckwith Capps. Becauseofthis, hecarriesadeepsenseofcompassionandrecognizesthateveryonehasastory, often definedbytheirworstmoments.

“Sometimeswearealljustonestep away frombeinginareallybad situation,” Cappsrecalls “Seeingyourselfinothersattheirlowestand beingabletoengagewithcompassionisanexperiencethatshapesmeas apersonandasa chaplain.”

AsCappstransitionedtomilitaryservice, he highlights thatthereis nogreaterhonorthantowearthecrossonhisownuniform.

“It’sreflectiveofwhatIbelieve, butalsothepatternandmodelthat I desiretofollow,” hesaid.“I wanttoembodythatkindofcompassionand generosityandsacrificialcareforpeoplethatIbelievethatthisoccupationalbadgeactuallysymbolizes. Thatmeansmeetingpeoplewherethey are, no matterwhat.”

NotonlyisCappsa chaplain, butalovingfatheroffour children.His journeyintofatherhoodbroughtprofound changestohislife, asitdoes formany.

(Above)AletterwrittenbyAdeleCapps,amilitarychild,isshown.Duringherfather’sdeployment,CappswouldtaketimeeachFridaytowriteletters todeployedservicemembers.

(Inset)U.S.AirForceCapt.KoryCapps,achaplainassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWing,posesforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseJune1. Cappscom-missioned intotheU.S.Air Forceafterspending16yearsworkingasachaplainforaprisonfacility.

(Inset)U.S.AirForceCapt.KoryCapps,achaplainassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWing,posesforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseJune1. Forceafterspending16yearsworkingasachaplainforaprisonfacility.

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

Airmenassignedtothe91stand50thAirRefuelingSquadron’sparticipate ina9/11memorialrunin Tampa,Sept.9,2022.Duringtheevent,Airmenran 9.11milestohonorthevictimsofthe9/11attacksandstrengthengroup cohesion amongbothflyingsquadrons.

AdeleCapps,amilitarychild,raisesasaluteathome.Duringherfather’s deployment,CappswouldtaketimeeachFridaytowriteletterstodeployed servicemembers.

(Above)AletterwrittenbyAdeleCapps,amilitarychild,isshown.Duringherfather’sdeployment,CappswouldtaketimeeachFridaytowriteletters

PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

U.S.AirForcecourtesyphoto

tainingtheAir Force’sadvantages overadversaries.

“Changecanbeuncomfortable,” Brownsaid.“We havedoneitbeforeandwecandoitagain,becausethe threatswefacetodayleaveuswithnoother choice. If wedon’tembraceacultureof changetoday, wemayfind ourselvesfacinganadversarythathas.”

To emphasizehispoint,Brownpointedto July1942, whenLt.Gen.George Kenneytookthehelmofthe Fifth Air Forceintheearlydays of World WarIIandfaced downadeterminedenemyequippedwithsuperioraircraft.

“The Fifth wasarag-tagforceofwhathecalledashoestringoperation,” Brownsaid. “Hisownfighterscould notcompetewiththe Japanesefighterssincetheyhad longerrange, weremoremaneuverableandhadsomeof thebesttrained aviatorsintheworld.”

Brownaddedthatinthefaceofthisthreat, Kenney neededasolution–and thatsolutioncameintheformof innovation.

“General Kenneyfoundabrilliant aviatornamed ‘Pappy’GunnhardatworkmodifyingA-20sturning a lightbomberaircraftintoonethatcouldstrafe,” hesaid. “Kenney wassoimpressedthatheputGunnonhisstaff. Hegavehimthetoolsthatallowedhimtoinnovateand sethimloose.”

Gunn’smodifiedbombersdevastated Japaneseshippingandcrippledtheir forcesin theregion,playing a majorroleinAmericansuccessinthePhilippinesand Okinawa.

Next,Browndelvedintothe changingsecuritylandscapeanditsimplicationsforthefutureoftheAir Force.

“WhenIbecamethe chiefnearlythreeyearsago, I sharedmystrategicapproachAccelerateChangeor Lose,” hesaid.“TheUnitedStatesAir Forceisthebest

SeeCSAF,Page11

PhotobyStaffSgt.MikaleyKline AirForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown, Jr.,addressesLifeCycleIndustry Daysconference attendeesattheDaytonConventionCenterinDayton, Ohio,July 31.Brown discussedtheimportanceofinnovation,change andtheimportanceofcollaborating within andthroughout inordertosucceed.

Air Forceintheworld,untilit’snot. As the internationalsecuritylandscape changes, we mustalso change, andwemustprepareifwe wanttopreserveour way oflife.”

Whenlookingacrossthesecurityhorizon, threethingscrystallizedforBrown:uncontested Air Force dominanceisnotassured; good enoughtodaywillfailtomorrow;andwemust collaboratewithinandthroughouttosucceed.

BrownwroteAccelerateChangeorLosebecausehefelttheAir Forceneededtoadaptto a morecomplex,competitiveenvironment.

“Whilethethreatfromoutsideislikenothingwe’veeverseen,wealsohaveathreatfrom within,” Brownadded.“Thatthreatisinertiaoraresistanceto change Thethreatfrom withinistheinability to adapttoa changing threatlandscape.”

Working efficientlywith industrypartners willplayavitalroleindevelopingandsustainingneededAir Forcecapabilities.

“Alongwithourindustryteammatesheretodaywemustdesign,build,fieldandsustain the war-winningcapabilitiesneededtoprevailtomorrow,” addedBrown.“Thosecapabilitiesarefoundinthe[Air Force]Operational Imperativesandtheyarehowwearegoingto shapethefuture. The changetheybring will requireallofushere, governmentandindustry, toworktogethertoensureweremainthe world’sbestandmostcapableAir Force.”

Brownendedthespeechwithacalltoaction,encouragingotherstofindtheirown “PappyGunn”todrive changeandinnovation.

AirForceLifeCycleManagementCenterCommanderLt.Gen.ShaunMorrisprovidesopening remarks to kickofftheLifeCycleIndustryDaysconferenceat theDaytonConventionCenter inDayton,Ohio,July31.LCIDdrawsAirForceandDepartmentofDefenseacquisitionleaders, majorindustrydefensecontractorsandprospectivesupplierstogethertodiscusstheAirForce’s hottopicsinacquisitions and challenges oftodayandtomorrow.

PhotobyStaffSgt.MikaleyKline

CHAPLAIN

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“Thewhole world changedwhenwehadkids,” Capps recalls.

Hedescribesparenthoodasbothrewardingand challenging, andasaconstantmirrorreflectinghisowngrowth and shortcomings.

This responsibilityhasopenedhis eyestothe resilience andendurancedisplayedbymilitaryfamilies, aperspective he deeplyappreciatesashe watcheshisown childrennavigatethroughlife.

He describeshis daughter,Adele, asalittlepatriot.She hasonly known theworldas amilitary child.

“Shehas experiencedallthedeployments, alltheTDYs andIhave missed alotof her birthdays,” he reflects. “We havegonethroughalottogether.”

Recallinghismostrecentdeployment,Cappsshared Adele’s profound impactontheteamabroad.Adelewould writeletterstomembersdeployed withherfathereach Friday, aritualwhichbecameknown as“FridayswithAdele.” Adeleshares, “IwrotethelettersbecauseIknowwhat itislike withmy daddeploying. Iknowthatfamiliescan misseachotherandI wantedto supportthem[theservice members]while theyweremissing theirfamilies.”

Aproudfather reflectsonhisdaughter’s wordsoften, “There was neveradryeye.”

Thelegacyofserviceruns deepintheCappsfamily. With hisson’s decision toserve, Capps’perspectiveonleadership andmentorshipexpandedonnew levels.

“Ifeellikeheritageisabigpartofwhy Ijoined,” saidhis son, KarterCapps, adefenderassignedtothe66th Security ForcesSquadron.“Iwouldn’t havejoinedtheAir Force, or even themilitaryin general, ifit wasn’t for my dad.”

“Inow understandjusthowhardhe worksandwhatit meanstobeinthe United Statesmilitary,”Karter insists.

ChaplainCappsemphasizeshowmilitaryleadersare entrustedwiththecareoftheNation’smost preciousassets—people’ssonsanddaughters. Hefrequentlyasks thoseleaders hementors, “Would Itrust you withmyson?”

Drawingwisdomfromgreatleadersbefore him, Capps sharesaninfluential quotefromSunTzu, “Treatyoursoldierslikesonsand daughters, andtheywillfollowyouinto thedeepest valleys.”

Cappshopestoencourageleaderstoembracethisapproach,recognizingthelastingimpacttheycanhaveon young lives.

ChaplainKoryCapps’storyisatestamentto transfor-mation,faith,andservice.Hisuniquejourney, fromcivil-ianlifetotheAirForce,shapedbyhisroles asafatherandmentor,offersaheartfeltinsightinto thelivesofthosewhoserve.Withhiscompassion, wisdom,anddedication,hecontinuestoinspirethose aroundhim,leavingalastingimpact.

supporttheAir Forcemission.Thishands-onexperienceallowedteacherstoconnecttheoretical conceptstoreal-worldapplications, enhancing theirabilitytoengagestudents.

KerryShashack, anassistantprincipalat Tinker, expressedhergratitude, “Thistourhas givenmeanewappreciationfortheresiliency these childrenexhibit!”

Theteacherimmersiontouremphasizedthe importanceofcreatinganinclusive classroom environmentthatacknowledgestheunique needsofmilitary children.Bydelvingintotheir world,educatorsarebetterequippedtoprovide thenecessarysupportandnurturetheirstudents’well-being.

Amilitaryparent,Airman1stClassSterling Sutton,6thAirRefueling Wingpublicaffairs apprentice, sharedherthoughtsonthetour, “It’sgreattoseeeducatorsmakinganeffortto understandour children’slives. Thistourwill undoubtedlyleadtobettersupportforourkids’ education.”

Withtheanticipationofthe2023-2024upcomingschoolyear, MacDill’sTinker Teacher immersionnotonlyignitedexcitementamong educators, butalsoequippedthemwithinvaluableinsightsfostering a renewedcommitment tocreatinganurturingenvironmentformilitary children.

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton GeneralClarenceTinkerK-8SchoolteachersposeforaphotoduringatourofMacDillAir ForceBaseonAug.1.Tinkerhousesapproximately600studentsand hasbeenapartofthe HillsboroughCounty Public School districtfor71 years.

Smash-upComedy Tour

Whetheryouareafanofcomedy, magic, orjustlookingforaunique andengagingexperience, besure tocatchrePercussionandDerek HughesinactionSunday, Aug. 20. Thisfamily-friendlyshowwilltake placeattheMacDillTheater. Doors openat3:30 p.m.;showstartsat4 p.m. Visitbit.ly/Aug_ComedyTour foreventdetails.

FridayStampedeatBoomers

Join theBoomersStampede every Fridayfrom3 p.m.–8 p.m. Boomer’sislocatedinsidethe BreakawayEventCenterwitha fullbar, multiplescreen’s, music, andpooltables. Enjoycomplimentarysnacksanddrinkspecialsevery Friday. Visitmacdillfss.com/ boomers/ for moredetails.

Youthflagfootballregistration

Donotforgetto registeryour child(ren)forMacDillyouthflag football. RegistrationendsAug 25.

Joinyouthco-edflagfootballfor anactive, fun,andinclusiveexperience CurrentChildand Youth Program members canregister throughtheCYPBMSlogin. Visit macdillfss.com/youthforpricing, requirements, andnon-member registration.

BecomeaSecretShopper

Getpaidtocallorvisit6th Force SupportSquadronfacilities. To learnmore, calloremailthe6th FSSMarketingDepartmentat 828-2513orsixfssfsk@gmail.com.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

TheChamp

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.PatrickHamilton,6thCivilEngineerSquadronairmendormleader, is recognized asChampofthe Weekbythe6thAirRefueling Wingleadershipteam atMacDillAirForce BaseAug.8.Hamiltonwas recognizedforhis roleinstrengtheningthe relationshipbetweenMacDill’s Dorm Council,theWingChaplainCorps andtheIntegratedResiliency Officeultimately connecting 377jointservicememberswith resourcesand toolstobolsterthe4pillarsof ComprehensiveAirman Fitness.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain,calltheCommandPostat828-4362/4361.

Monday-WednesdayMass -12:10p.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

Islamic Service - Friday1:30p.m.(spacereserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Please contacttheChapelat (813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For moredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/or MacDill’s Chapel websiteis: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole