Thunderbolt 08/25/2022

ahead

byCharlesPope

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Withhis West Pointpedigreeandnearly fivedecadesservinginactiveduty, theupperreachesoftheDepartment ofDefense, andassortednationalsecurityendeavors, Frank Kendallhad ahighlyrefinedideaforwhathewouldfacewhentookhisseatasAir Forcesecretaryin2021.

Now, afteronefullyearonthejob, Kendall’sassessmentofwhathis leadershiphasbrought(andwhatithasn’t),andhowthathasshapedthe Air ForceandSpace Forcetobetteraddresstheglobalthreatsfacingthe UnitedStates, isgenerallypositive.

“I’mreasonablycomfortablewithwherewe’vecomeinthelastyear,” Kendallsaidinrecentinterviewthatrangedacrossabroadnumberof topicsrelatingtohowhehasperformedinthelastyearandhowthat translatestowheretheAir ForceandSpace Forceareheaded.

Butwithhisexperienceandknowledge, Kendallquicklyofferedsome well-informednuance.

“Ithinknowthere’s, ifnotquiteaconsensus, atleast closetoitin termsofthedirectionof changethatweneed,” hesaid.“Sothat’sallpositive. Nowit’sgoingtobeuptoustoexecute.”

Healsoofferedabluntassessmentofthestakesconfrontingnotjust himbuttheentire Total Forceandthenationandwhythe challengefrom Chinamustbeunderstoodandmetwithoutdelay.

SecretaryoftheAirForceFrankKendallmakes remarksduringtheSeniorLeaderOrientationCourseatJointBaseAndrews,Md.,April11. Thecourseprovidestrainingfornewlyselectedbrigadiergeneralsand seniorexecutive servicemembers.

“Iregardthecurrentsituation(posedbyChina)asmorestressingthan theoneIexperiencedfor20yearsduringtheCold War,” Kendallsaid,offeringan assessmentthatisallthemoreremarkablegivenhishabitof

MacDillThunderbolt

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

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PhotobyEricDietrich

SeeKENDALL,Page10

Eighteenth Air Force Welcomes New Commander

byMasterSgt.CoryO’Dell 18thAirForcePublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE, Ill.—EighteenthAir Forcewelcomed itsnewcommanderduringa changeofcommandceremonyhere, Aug. 19.

Maj.Gen.CoreyMartinassumedcommandfromMaj.Gen. Kenneth “Thad”Bibbduringtheceremony, officiatedbyGeneralMikeMinihan, AirMobilityCommandcommander.

Priortotakingcommand,MartinservedastheDirec- torofOperations, Headquarters U.S. TransportationCommand,here. Hebegan histenurebydiscussinghowhispreviousrolepreparedhimforcommand of the18thAir Force.

“ThepastfewyearsI was theTransportationCommandDirectorof Operations,” Martinsaid.“Ipublishedalotoforders, and theyoften landedinthehands of Airmenin18thAir Force.”

However, Martinexplainedhowtheaccomplishmentsofthecommand duringthe lasttwoyearshaveprovidedinspiration.

“Whenyou’releading18thAir ForceAirmenwhoare warfighters,

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U.S.AirForceGen.MikeMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander, givesguidontoMaj.Gen.CoreyMartinduringachangeofcommand ceremonyonScottAirForceBase,Illinois,Aug.19.2022.The18thAir ForceisAirMobilityCommand’ssolenumberedAirForceandis responsiblefor 12wingsandone reportingunit.

by SeniorAirman Stephani Barge 436thAirliftWing PublicAffairs

DOVERAIRFORCE BASE,Del (AFNS)— Everything wasnormalathome, untilthe Talibancame. Thentheuniversity closed,andpeoplewerecryinginthestreets. Thenews said airplaneswerecomingtopickupthosethat workedwiththe U.S., whowereindanger. Everyone wasrunningtotheairportbecausethey wantedtogetoutofAfghanistan.Theairport wasfullof people, closeto15,000,andmany werewomenand children.Somepeoplestayed thereforfivetosix days, with nofood or water. Themilitaryarrivedandmysupervisortold usthatbecausewewerehelpingatelevision station, they wantedtotakeuswiththemto America. We wenttotheairportbutsplitup whenthe Talibanbeganshootingintheair toscareus. I did notrun away becauseI was notafraid.Thirtyminuteslater, agiantaircraftlandedontherunway. Morethan500of

us waitedinlinetostepontotheplanewith aneagle headonits tail,which read, ‘Dover, 10186.’

This wasthesceneZarafshan“Zaro”Mirzaie witnessedduringherfinaldayinherhome countryofAfghanistanduringOperationAllies Refuge.

To date, OARisthelargestnon-combatant evacuation operationin U.S. history, involving closeto800civilianandmilitaryaircraftfrom over30nationsaidingtheevacuationofmore than124,000peoplefromHamidKarzai InternationalAirport, Kabul,Afghanistan,Aug. 1430,2021.

OARandOperation Allies Welcomeunited adiversegroupofmilitarymembers, civilians andAfghanevacueeswiththepurposeoflocatingandcreatingatemporarysafehaventhat offeredshelter, support andvitalresources. Butfor Tech Sgt.AshleyMajewski,436thOperationalMedicalReadinessSquadron dental

PhotobySeniorAirmanStephaniBarge Zarafshan“Zaro”Mirzaie,anAfghanevacuee, revisitsthesameC-17Globemaster III thatcarriedhertothe U.S., reflectingon theone-yearanniversaryofOperationAllies RefugeatDoverAirForceBase,Del.,Aug.8.

WEEKINPHOTOS

U.S.AirForceAirman1st ClassMackenzieRodgers, 91stAirRefuelingSquadron schedulerandboomoperator,posesforaphotonext toasquadronmuralatMacDillAirForceBaseAug.9. ChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir ForceJoAnneS.Bass recognizedRodgersatanallcallonbase,Aug.4,forher responseduring TampaBay AirFest2022wheresheprovidedcriticalfirstaidtotwo civilianworkers who were trappedunderneathacollapsedtent.Fortreatingthe civiliansusingherknowledgeoftacticalcombatcasualtycare,Rodgerswas awardedwiththeAirForce AchievementMedal.

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanZoriaEvans,6thAirRefuelingWing religiousaffairsapprentice,posesforaportraitinthe6thARWchapelAug. 10atMacDillAirForceBase.Evanswas recognizedbyChiefMaster Sgt.oftheAirForceJoAnneS.Bassforhereffortsintrainingoverfive hundredAirmenon religiousaccommodationsatMacDill AFB. Asa religiousaffairsAirman,Evansacceleratesspiritual readinessand resiliencyforallAirman,GuardiansandtheirfamiliesatMacDillAFBthrough religiousaccommodation,spiritualfitness,andleadershipadvisement.

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.David Vera,6thMaintenanceSquadronaircraft structuralmaintenancecraftsman,posesforaphotointhecorrosionunit spray roomatMacDillAirForceBaseAug.10.ChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir ForceJoAnneS.Bass recognized Veraatanall-callonbase,Aug.4,for establishingapropercorrosionprocesswhichidentifies requirementsto helpensureasafetransitiontoMacDill’sKC-46 renovationproject.For hissoundjudgementanddedicationtoprocessimprovement, Verawas selectedasthe6thMXSNoncommissionedOfficerof the Year2021.

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

DoD releases firstdepartment-widesocial mediapolicy

by C. ToddLopez, DoDNews

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—

TheDefenseDepartmentreleasedapolicy Aug. 15thatforthefirsttimespellsout, fromthehighestlevelsofthedefensecommunity, howDoDmilitaryandcivilianpersonnelshoulduseofficialsocialmediaaccountstobestadvancethemissionofthe U.S. military andfurtherinstill trust inthe credibilityofthe DoD.

DoDInstruction5400.17,titled “OfficialUse ofSocialMediaforPublic AffairsPurposes,” providesprinciplesforsocialmediausewithinDoD, directionregardingrecordsmanagementproceduresforsocialmedia accounts, andguidancetoensurepersonalsocialmediaaccountsarenot misrepresentedormisinterpretedasofficial accounts.

Whilesomeofthemilitaryservicesandotheragenciespublishedsocial mediapoliciesyearsago, DODI5400.17isthedepartment’sfirstinstructionthatprovided Pentagon-level,departmentwideguidancethatspecificallyaddressestheuseofsocialmedia.TheDoD chiefinformationofficer previouslyissuedDODI8170.01,“OnlineInformationManagementand ElectronicMessaging,” toprovide broad policyguidanceonthesecureand appropriateuseofsocialmedia.Thenewpolicyspecificallyaddressespublicaffairs uses andresponsibilities.

SeeSOCIALMEDIA,Page12

TheDefenseDepartmentreleasedanewpolicythat, forthefirst time, spellsouthowmilitaryandcivilianpersonnelmustusesocialmediatobestadvancethemissionofthe U.S. militaryandto avoidpitfalls thatcoulddamage thedepartment’scredibility.

U.S.AirForcephotobyPatrickBuffett

ForceSupportSquadronServices ForceSupportSquadronServices

OPERATIONAL

LIMITEDSERVICES

MASKREQUIRED INDOORSREGARDLESSOF VACCINATION STATUS

ADMINISTRATIVESERVICES

Common AccessCard (CAC)- By Appointment

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

Retiree/Dependent ID Cards- 2Kiosks available at the BXfor

by

Passports -By AppointmentOnly

Military PersonnelFlight

APF/NAF/CIV PersonnelOffice

Manpower &OrganizationOffice

SchoolLiaison/EFMP

NAFCashierCage

PrivateOrg/UnitSM&W Funds

Emergency FinancialAssistance

EVENTSUPPORT

Capacitylimited

FOODOPERATIONS

Dine-inlimitedto50%capacity

Rickenbacker’sCafe

Brews

SmoothieBar

BoomersBar&Grill

SeaScapesBar-

COMMUNITYSERVICES

MainBase Pool -Closed

-1/2or

by

Wash/Resale

READINESS/DEVELOPMENT

FitnessCenter- Masksmustbe wornwhileindoors atalltimes exceptwhileactivelyengagingoncardio oranaerobicequipment.

ChildDevelopmentCenters (CDCs)

FamilyChildCare

SchoolAgeProgram

YouthCenter

Military& Family ReadinessCenter

Open for walk-incustomersandappointments.

Classes& Workshopsareamixtureof virtual andinperson.

Base Education

Base TrainingOffice Airman LeadershipSchool

ProfessionalDevelopmentCenter/FTAC

WAPS/Vol. Education Testing

Lodging (MacDillInn)

whoaretakingcareofournationaldefense, Ithinkitisbettertobeon thereceivingend of thoseorders,” said Martin.

AsAMC’s solenumberedairforce, 18thAir ForcesupportsAMC’s worldwidemissionofprovidingrapidglobalmobilitytoAmerica’sarmed forcesthroughairlift,aerialrefueling, andaeromedicalevacuation.

Throughouthisspeech, MinihanpraisedBibbfortheperformanceof thecommandoverthelasttwoyearsandtheimpactitmadearoundthe world.

“Thenumbersdon’tlie,” saidMinihan.“Themillionsofpassengers moved,the millionsofpoundsofcargoandfueldelivered, andthousandsofpatientstransferredtohigherlevelsofmedicalcareinthepast twoyearsareremarkable. Butthelegacyforwhichyouwillberememberedismorethanwhatisonthestatsheet. Eachofthosenumbers representsapromisethatourjointforcesalwayshadthesuppliesthey needed,alwayshadthefuelintheair, andalwayshadaridehometo theirlovedones.”

Bibb, whowillbecometheDeputyInspectorGeneraloftheDepartment of theAir Force, sharedmemoriesofhistime as commander.

“Tothe warriors of18th Air Force, youarewhat makes thisnumberedairforcesosuccessful,” saidBibb. “ItoldyouwhenIarrivedwe wouldsetthebarhigh,andyouhaveexceededeveryexpectation. From AfghanistantoRussia,fromChinatoAfrica, youhavemadeahuge impactonthedefenseofournationandourallies. Youhaveembraced innovationandhavetheresultstoshowforit. Youhavebeenrecognized asthebestofthebest,but morethan awardsordecorations, youknow youarereadyforanymission–anytime, anywhere.”

MinihanalsooutlinedMartin’sbackgroundandexperience, explainingthatheistheabsoluterightpersontoleadthecommand,andif called,to defeatouradversaries.

“ThefighttoensureourAirmenhavethetoolstheyneedtobesuccessfulisonyounow,” saidMinihan.“OurproudmobilityexceptionalismcomesfromourAirmen,andIaskthatyoucontinuetoempower themandreadythemforthenextfight.”

Asthe18thAir Forcecommander, Martinisresponsibleforthereadinessandsustainment of approximately36,000active duty, Air Force Reserve, andcivilianAirmen at12 wingsandonedirect reportingunit.

U.S. AirForceMaj.Gen. CoreyMartin,incoming18thAirForcecommander, rendersfirstsalutetoAirmenofthe18thAFduringachange ofcommandceremonyonScottAirForceBase,Illinois,Aug.19.The changeofcommandceremony representsatime-honoredmilitarytraditionprovidinganopportunityforAirmentowitnessthetransferof power totheirnewly appointed commandingofficer.

“Tobewheretheleadingedgeismeeting theatmosphere, wherethe rubberismeetingtherunway,” Martinended.“That’s whereIlookto meetyou in command,andonce againit’s timetoexpedite.”

183rd AeromedicalEvacuation

SquadronConductsAnnual Training atMacDill AFB

storyandphotosby1stLt.KiaraSpann

172ndAirliftWing

Withover100AirmenandnineAFSCs, the183rdAeromedicalEvacuationSquadronstandsasareadyandrelevantunitposturedtodeploy insupportofmilitaryoperations, disasterresponseandhumanitarian missionsatamoment’snotice.

Aeromedicalevacuationsquadronaircrewmemberscanperformtheirmission on theC-17GlobemasterIII,C-130Herculesandthe KC-135Stratotanker. Thisyearforannualtraining AESaircrewmemberstraveledtoMacDill Air ForceBaseandreceivedtheopportunitytotrainonboththeC-17and KC-135airframes.

TrainingontheKC-135,anaircrafttraditionallyusedforaircraftrefueling, gaveeachAirmanpracticalhands-ontrainingthattestedtheskillsettheyhad honedon theC-17.

Membersalsoreceivedmasscasualtyandtriageresponsetraining, which sharpenedtheirpatientcareskills

“MygoalforthissquadronistobeatraininghubthroughouttheAEcommunity,” said Col. Teri Dawn Neely, Commanderofthe183rdAeromedical EvacuationSquadron.“The waythatwehave fought warsforthepast30 yearsisgoing to change, sowe needtobe ready forthat.”

EventhoughtheAESmissionistosavelives, theflightnursesandthe medicaltechnicians aren’ttheonly onesgettingthe jobdone.

“Asidefromtheflightnurseswehaveandthecrewsthatgoouttotheairplaneandtakecareofthemissionandthepatients, ourgroundcrewsarethe onesthatworkbehindthescenes,” said1st Lt. ChrisRoberts, amedicalsupportcorpsofficer, assignedtothe183rdAeromedicalEvacuationSquadron. “Theytakecareofgettingalltheequipment availableandreadyforthecrews toreceiveand loadtotakeouttotheaircraft.”

Fromthemedicallogisticsairmen whoensurethatallofthesupportequipmentandpatientmedicationis availabletotheflyingcrew, to theaeromedicalevacuationoperationsteam,whohandlesalloftheadministrativeduties regardingtheaircrewandpatients, themembersofthe183rdAeromedical Evacuation Squadronworkin tandemtoachievemissionsuccess.

“Thesuccessthatcomesfromwithinoursquadronisacollaborativeeffort,” saidCol. Neely. “Every memberhasanimportantrole, andtheirroleisessentialtocompletingourmission.”

The183rdAESsetsforthtowidenthegaptostandoutasthepremieraeromedicalevacuationsquadronintheAir Force. In2021the183rdledallAir NationalGuardunitsin awards, nearlysweepingallninecategoriestoinclude OutstandingAeromedicalEvacuation Squadronofthe Year.

Airmenassignedtothe183rdAeromedicalEvacuationSquadron searchformedicalsuppliestocare for asimulatedpatientaboard aKC-135Stratotanker,June22.TheAirmencompletedtheirannualtraining,wheretheyhonedtheirskillsinpatientcareatMacDillAirForceBase.

U.S.AirNational Guardphotoby 1st Lt.Kiara N. Spann Maj.DevinNeal,aflightnurseassignedtothe183rdAeromedicalEvacuationSquadron,checksonasimulatedpatientaboardaC-17Globemaster III,June17.The Airmen completedtheirannualtraining,wheretheyhonedtheirskillsinpatientcare atMacDillAirForceBase.

StaffSgt.EthanPerry, abiomedicalequipmenttechnicianassigned tothe183rd AeromedicalEvacuationSquadron, repairsmedica equipmentatMacDillAirForceBase,June22.TheAirmencompletedtheirannualtraining,wheretheyhonedtheirskillsinpatientcare.

beingunderstatedandforcarefully choosinghiswords.

Today, withtheemergenceofChina,“Wehaveawell-resourced,strategic, innovativecompetitorwhoistryingtodefeatnotjustourcurrentcapabilitiesbutthinkingaheadtothecapabilitiesthatwe’regoingtofield andalreadystarteddowntheroadofdevelopingcapabilitiestocounter those,” hesaid.

“It’sagameof chessinwhichwehavetothinkafewmovesaheadand wehavetotakeaction.…Ourabilitytosustaindeterrencedependsupon oursuccessdoingthat.AndIthinkthisisagreater challengeeventhan theonesthatIfacedand waspartofduringtheCold War.”

That,morethananything, explainsperhaps Kendall’s clarioncallduringhisfirstyearassecretary–sevenOperationalImperativesisthe blueprinthedevelopedforrapidly changingthehardware, policiesand culturesoftheAirandSpace Forcestobetterpositionthemtoconfront currentandemergingthreats. TheOperationalImperativesarethetool bywhich Kendallhopestoreshapeandrefocustheservicestocontest, andifnecessary, defeatChinaandothernear-peerpowers.

Onmorethanoneoccasionoverthelastyear, Kendallacknowledged thattheAir Forceisworkingto closeacapabilitygapandthatbeing forcedtocarryolder, lesscapableequipmentisslowingprogressatatime whentimeisshort.

ThatrealityisthereasonthattheAirandSpace Forcesmusttransform,andfast, Kendallemphasizednearlyeveryday, pointingouturgencyisneeded,andthe Joint Forcemustbecomemoreseamless.

Thatisonereasonthefirstof thesevenimperativesisfocusedon space. Onthatfront, Kendallsaidfrequentlyinpublicappearancesthat theSpace Force“isdevelopingaresilientforcedesigntomodernizeand delivernewcapabilitiesatoperationallyrelevantspeeds”inaonce“benign”domainthatisnowahighlycontestedarea.

Heendorsedthemilitary-widepushtowardanewgenerationofjoint operationknownas JointAllDomainCommandandControl, or JADC2, butwithacaveat. TheAir Force’scontributiontothelargereffort,known astheAdvancedBattleManagementSystem,isshowingpromise, Kendall said. However, the“deliverable” mustbe “identifyingthetangiblebenefits weneedtogetintothehandsof warfighterstomakeanoperationalimpact.”

Thatfocusisanothercommonrefrainfor Kendall,basedlargelyonhis roleashigh-rankingprocurementofficerintheDepartmentofDefense duringtheObamaadministration.Pilotprograms, vagueprototypesand goodideaswithoutastrongbasisforanactualproductattheendarea constanttargetfor Kendall.Thoseefforts, hesaid,willendupinthevalleyofdeathatatimewhencombatantcommandersneedactualequipmentandpracticesthatarereadytobeusedinthefield.

“Wehaveplentyofrisktomanageintheportfoliothatwehavetoday,” Kendallsaid.“ButwhatI’mfocusedonmorethananythingelseisensuringthatourprogramsarestructuredandresourcedtogetrealcapability intothefield,togetmeaningfuloperationalcapabilityintothehandsof ouroperatorsasquicklyaspossible.”

Thereremainotherthornyproblemstoo, Kendallsaid.Theyinclude traditionalonessuchasretentionandqualityoflife, determiningthe correctmixof“capabilityversuscapacity”andsurprisessuchasRussia’s invasionofUkraine, thebumpywithdrawfromAfghanistan,thecontinuedstubbornpresenceofCOVID-19,andcopingwiththefinancialfallout ofunexpectedinflation.

Butacrosshisfirstyear, Kendallsaidevenwiththosebig, unanticipatedissues, heissatisfiedwithhowtheyear wasnavigated.

Asforthe Total Force, Kendall,theformerArmyofficer, isimpressed.

“I’mdelightedwiththecapabilitiesandthetalentandthesenseof missionthatIencountereverywhereIgointheAir ForceandtheSpace Force,” hesaid.“Thesearepeoplewhoarededicatedtoservingtheir country;theyworktirelessly, haveanenormousamountofcapability, and theyservethecountryverywelleveryday.”

Kendallsaidheiscomfortablewiththebudgetproposedforthenext fiscalyear, forinstance, andmoreimportantly, thatCongresshasgenerallyembracedthereasonsdrivingtherequesteveniftheyhavequestions aboutsomelineitems. Heispleasedwiththecontinuedgrowthofthe fledglingSpace ForceandwiththeleadershipofChiefofSpaceOperationsGen. John“Jay” Raymond.ThesameistrueforAir ForceChiefof StaffGen.CharlesCQBrown,Jr andGinaOrtiz Jones, thedepartment’s undersecretary, Kendallsaid.

“It’sbeenjustadelightfulexperiencetohavesuchacohesivesenior leadershipteamtoworkwith,” hesaid.“Fromdayone, that’sbeenvery positive, andIthinkit’sallowedmetodoalotofthingsfrommyperspectiveoverthelastyearthathavemovedtheAir ForceandtheSpace Force bothforwardandinthedirectionweneedtogo.”

Hehasbeenheartenedbythe waythe Total Forcehasembracedhis, “One Team,One Fight”credo.

Thoserealitiesprovidethefoundationforprogressonwhat Kendall saysisthemostimportant–andurgent–priority, hisSevenOperational Imperatives.

“ThatlistofsevenOperationalImperativeshasbeenhowIfocusedeffortwithintheDepartmentoftheAir Forcetoidentifythethingsthatwe needtodotostayaheadofthethreat,” hesaid.

Thepurposeistwofold, Kendallsaid. First,isarticulatinggoalsand tasksthatarespecificenoughtogenerateactualresultsand,in Kendall’s words, “putcapabilitydirectlyintothehandsof warfighters.”

Thesecond,andaccordingto Kendall,moreimportant,istoinstilla senseofurgency.

“OneofthingsthatI’vesaidoverthepastyearisthatiftherewereone thingIcoulddo, itwouldbetoinculcateeveryoneinvolvedasenseofurgencyaboutgettingonwiththingsandmovingforward,” hesaid.

“Istillfeelthat way. Ithinkthat’ssomethingofacultural change, whichisstillinprogress. Ithinkwe’vemadealotofprogressonthat, butI’mnotsurethateverybodyappreciatestheneedforthatsenseof urgencyandhowimportantthatis.”

THUNDERBOLT

facilitymanagerandlogisticsnoncommissionedofficer in charge, andZaro, the2,311th Afghanevacuee toarriveinthe U.S., OAR and OAWprovidedthemwith somethingfarmore unexpected: Family.

Now, oneyearlater, theyreflectback onthe eventsthatbrought them together.

“Everyone wassittingonthefloorofthe plane, holdingontighttothe[tie-downrings] thatwerenearus,” Zarosaid. “It wasvery hot andhardtobreathe. We traveledtoQatar … thenGermany… andthenweflewto Washington,D.C.”

Zaro recalledher firstmomentsinthe U.S. “Whenwearrived,wewereseparatedand traveledtodifferentsafehavens,” shesaid. “Mygroup wassenttoNew Jersey. Somefamiliesbecameseparated,whileafewpeoplewere screenedfortiestothe Taliban. Therewere manypregnantwomen,someevengavebirth aswetraveled.Therewerealsomanyunaccompanied children. Themilitarygaveeach of usabadgenumber, makingiteasiertoidentify usandprovidemedicalcare. Theymovedus

intooldbuildingsandbuiltvillagesfor usto feelmore at home.”

AroundthesametimeZaroarrived,Majewskideployedto JointBaseMcGuire-DixLakehurst,New Jersey, aspartof Task Force LibertyinsupportofOAW. Sheworkedas theprotectioncellnoncommissionedofficerin charge, dealingwithsituationssuchassexual assault, childabuse, underage bridesanddomesticviolence cases.

“It wasthebestandhardestexperience Ihaveeverhadinmy entirelife,” Majewski said. “I wasreallyintegratedandspentallday, everydaywiththewomen: gettingtoknow them,helpingthemlearnEnglishand preparingthemforwhen theywouldresettleinthe U.S.”

Majewskidescribedthe earlydays ofOAW asorganized chaos, asthreevillageswerecreatedtohelptheAfghansacclimate. Onevillagehad30tents, housingaround700Afghans each.

“Thereweresomanypeople, it wasdifficult tofindwhoI waslookingforattimes

PhotobySeniorAirmanStephaniBarge Zarafshan“Zaro”Mirzaie,anAfghanevacuee and Tech.Sgt.AshleyMajewski,436thOperationalMedicalReadinessSquadrondentalfacility manager andlogisticsnoncommissioned officerincharge, revisitthesameC-17GlobemasterIIIthatcarriedZarototheU.S.

said. “Manywereafraidtotalktome, infearof beingsentback toAfghanistan,orlosingtheir currentaccommodations Womenspecifically

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

SOCIALMEDIA

“It’slong overdue,” saidAndyOare, Office oftheSecretaryofDefensedirectorofdigitalmedia.“Therehave been effortsinthepasttodothis, butinanorganizationofthis sizeandmagnitude, youneedtofullycoordinateandensureallviewpointsareheardandrepresented We wanted tomakesuretheserviceswere collaboratorsfrom thevery beginning.”

Because socialmedia changesrapidly, Oaresaidpolicies thatthedepartmentmay have starteddevelopinginthe pastbuthadneverfinalizedwouldquicklyshowtheirage. That won’thappenwiththenewlypublishedinstruction, andhe stressedthat thispolicy willbecontinuallyrefined and updatedbased ontheevolving social medialandscape.

“We’ll workacrossthedepartmenttobeagile and responsiveinourday-to-dayoperationsasweimplementthis policyand update it where and when weshould,” Oare said.

“Socialmediahasan effectoneveryoneofourservice members, civilians, contractorsandtheirfamilies—whetherthey runan officialaccountorhaveneverheard ofTwitter,” Oaresaid. “Weowe it toallofthemtohaveonecentral policythatprovidesa clearlyarticulatedstandardofoperationandaccountability.”

TheDoD socialmediapolicyappliestoOffice ofthe SecretaryofDefense personnel, themilitary departments, the Office oftheChairman ofthe JointChiefsof Staffandthe JointStaff, thecombatantcommands, andotherDoDofficesandagencies. Insomecases, thismeansthenewpolicy willsupersede preexistingsocial mediapolicies, but close coordinationthroughoutitsdevelopmentensuredthat all perspectiveswereconsideredandintegrated.

“Wedeliberatelywrote itinacollaborative manner, and itencouragescomponentheadstocontinueestablishing component-specificsocialmediaregulations,” Oaresaid. “Ouraimis not tobeprescriptiveorrestrictive, butrather tolayoutsomecommonsenserulesthatsimplyhavenot beenformallyarticulatedatthislevel.”

Inadditionto detailingtherolesandresponsibilitiesof DoD leadershipinenforcingresponsiblesocialmedia practices, thenewpolicy offersguidance to departmentpersonnelwho generatecontent onofficialsocialmediaplatforms toensureresponsibleuseofthemedium,key elementsto considerwhenestablishinganewpresenceorexpanding intonewplatforms, andontheauthorityto closeunused accounts.

“Ifsocialmediaismismanagedormishandled, the U.S. government’sreputationwiththeAmerican public; relationshipswithinteragency, international,state, localandtribal entities;military operations;andreputationforahighethicalandprofessionalstandardmaybecompromised,” the policy warns social mediapractitioners.

TheguidanceinDODI5400.17ismeanttoensureDoD’s credibilityand avoidcontroversy, while usingsocial media toshareitsmissions with thepublic, Oaresaid.

THUNDERBOLT

CustomerscanevaluatetheirbenefitthroughannualCommissaryCustomerServiceSurvey NEWS/FEATURES

byDeCA CorporateCommunications

FORT LEE, Va.—Military customers worldwide will have the op portunityto evaluatetheirstoresthroughtheannualCommissary CustomerServiceSurvey (CCSS)startingAug. 22.

TheDefenseCommissaryAgency(DeCA)surveywillbe availablefor 10consecutiveshoppingdays endingonorbeforeSept.7, dependingon thecommissary’soperatingschedule. Customerswillbeaskedtotake the surveyatthe commissary entranceareabeforetheyshop.

“TheCCSSallowsustocompareourpatron’sperceptionofourstores duringafixedperiodoftime,” said James Taylor, chiefof DeCA’sstore operationsdivision.“We’recommittedtobeingthepatron’s groceryretailerof choiceandthisallowsustofocusonimprovingthedeliveryof the benefit.”

Customerswillbeaskedatrandomtoparticipateinthesurvey which evaluatesareassuchas customerservice, pricing, savings, product availabilityandselection, cleanliness, storelayout,andproduce, meat, grocery deliandbakeryquality.

Afteragreeingtoparticipate, customerswillbepresented withthree options: Scan aQRcode andtakethe surveyontheir ownmobiledevice

Havethestoreemployeeaskthequestionsandenterresponsesin the store’siPadorphone

Orpersonallycompletethesurveyonthestore’s iPadorphone CommissaryassociateswillusedisinfectantwipestosanitizetheiPadand phonebetweenuses, andprovideglovestoeachcustomerelectingtouse thestoredevice. Theprecautionsarepartofthesafetymeasuresbeing usedduringtheCCSS cycle tohelpprevent COVID-19 exposure

Lastyear, morethan20,000shoppersratedthecommissariesan overall4.49, up.03over the prior year Thescoreis based ona5-point scale, rangingfrom1,“Poor,” to5,“Excellent.” Customersrecognizedthe courteousnessofcommissaryemployees, cleanlinessofstoresandthe easeoffindingproductsthroughthestoresbyrating theseelementsthe highest.

“Analyzingthedatawithinthesesurveysallowsustoidentifystores thatpatronsperceivetobeourbestandsharetheirbestpractices,” said BrianMyrick, amanagementandprogram analyst. “Italsoprovidesus low-scoringelementsandstores, allowingustoidentifycontributing factorsanddevelopprocessesforimprovement.”

InadditiontotheannualCCSS, DeCA alsousesareceiptsurveythat givescommissariesreal-timepatronfeedbackthroughouttheyear, accessible at thelinkprovided on thebottomofevery purchasereceipt.

Before- andafter-school careavailable

Fortheparentsofchildreninkindergartento18whoneedbeforeor after-school care.schoolage(kinder-12) YouthCenter(ages9-18).Must haveaccesstoMacDillAFBForpricingandmoreinformation,pleasevisit;macdillfss.com/school-age-care

Youthflagfootballregistration

Opennow.Costis$50formembers and$60fornon-members. Youthflag footballisavailablethroughtheMacDill YouthCenterforages5-15.Contactthe YouthCenterformoreinformationat828-7958.

RegisterforShortFitnessCenter GladiatorChallenge

JoinusontheShortFitnessCentersouthtrackfortheGladiator ChallengeSept.2.Checkinat7a.m., funwillbeginat7:30a.m.Teamsof twoorfourwillcompeteinbarricades,medicineballtoss,sledgehammerswingsandmore!Registeryour teamat 6fss.fsvs.fitnessprograms@ us.af.mil

Lookingfortheperfectjob?

The6thForceSupportSquadronis seekingqualifiedcandidates16years andolder. Allpositionsstartat$15 anhourorabove.Ifyouarereadyto joinour6thFSSfamily,visithttps:// macdillfss.com/open-jobs/toseecurrentjobopeningsandapplytoday.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Letthegamesbegin!

U.S.AirForceCol.CoryDamon,6thAirRefuelingWingvicecommander,posesforaphotowith UkrainianathletesatMacDillAirForceBase,Florida,Aug.17.Morethan60Ukrainianathletes,families,coaches,caregivers,andstafftraveledtoMacDillAFBen routetoOrlando,wherethey’llcompeteinthe2022DepartmentofDefense WarriorGamesheldatESPNWide WorldofSportsComplex, August19to28.The WarriorGamesconsistsofnearly300wounded,ill,andinjuredactivedutyservicemembersandveteranswhowillparticipateinaseriesofadaptivesportingeventsand represent theU.S.Army,MarineCorps,Navy,AirForce,andSpecialOperationsCommand.TheDOD Warrior GamesisacelebrationofnotonlyU.S.servicemembers,butthoseofinternationalteams. Warrior athletesfromCanada andUkrainewillcompeteinthisyear’sevents.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

Jewish

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/

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook)

EVACUEE

werenervoustotrustusandspeakup, eventofemale servicemembers Myjobaffordedmethe opportunity tointegratemoreandbecomeaconfidanteformanyAfghanwomen.”

Inadditiontoherprimaryduties, Majewski opened abeautysalontoprovideasafeandempoweringwork environmenttothefemaleevacuees, wheretheycould experiencewhatitwouldbeliketoworkinthe U.S. The salon wasalsowhereshefirstmetZaro.

“ShecametomeafterIhadjustopened[thesalon]to askifshecouldhelppaintnails,” Majewskisaid “She wasoneofthefewwomenwhocametothe U.S. with nothingandnoone, sowebondedalotinthefactthat I wasteachinghereverything.”

Majewskisaidshe, Zaroand14otherwomenworked atthesalon.Theyhad closeto90customersinthesalon adayandhadtoturn away more.

“Itfeltgoodtoprovideapurposeforthewomen,while givingmyselfanoutletduringastressfultime,” shesaid. “Ihadlostmyfatherthethirddayofmydeployment,so Zaro andthe otherwomenarewhere Iputmyfocus.”

WhenZarofoundoutshe wasbeingresettledin Texas, both she and‘MJ’weredevastated.

“Ididnot wanttogoto Texasalone,” Zarosaid.“But MJtoldmethatIwoulddowellandtogiveita chance She wasalwayssupportingusandtryingtohelpeveryonethat wasworkingin thesalon.”

Soonafterherarrivalto Texas, Zaroregularlycalled Majewskiintears, confidingthatshe wasexperiencing harassmentfrommeninthesamehotel.Thesituation eventuallycametoa headandMajewski tookaction.

Withherleadership awareandsupportiveofthesituation,Majewskidecidedatthatmomentthatshehadthe resourcestohelpsupportZaroandboughtheraone-way tickettoDelawarethenextpossibleflightout.It’sbeen a decisionshehasn’tregretted,asZarohasbeenapillarof supportforheraswell.

“Icouldn’timaginenothelpingher,” Majewskisaid. “AfterIlostmyfather, itfeltlikeshefilledthevoidand gavemeapurposewhenIneededit.Inmany waysshe helpedmemorethanIhelpedher.”

MajewskiandZarocurrentlylivetogetherwiththeir threedogs, astheyjourneythroughtheprocessofformal adoption.MajewskiplansonpassinghermilitaryeducationbenefitstoZaro, who, afterbeinginspiredbythe eventsofOARandOAW, aspirestobecomeanurseand jointheAir Force. Untilthen,beingeachother’ssupport andfamilyismorethanenough.

“I’menjoyingeverysinglemomentthatIhavewith MJ,” Zarosaid.“SheisthepersonformethatIalways wishedtohave.”

THUNDERBOLT