25 minute read
News/Features
B-1s border Arctic for Baked Alaskan; enhance ACE practices
by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AF-
NS)—Two B-1B Lancers and approximately 50 Airmen assigned to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, engaged in an Agile Combat Employment exercise, Baked Alaskan, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 9-10.
The Dyess AFB teams tested new technology, simulated joint tactics and long-range strike capabilities with fighter aircraft, and took on new ground roles, allowing the units to improve tactics, techniques, and procedures.
One of the key objectives of this mission was to operationalize the ACE concept by sending Dyess AFB Airmen to a different region. It also employed the multi-capable Airman construct, where Airmen were tasked with fulfilling multiple duties outside of their traditional Air
See ALASKA, Page 14
Photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell
A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, sits on the flight line at Eielson AFB, Alaska, during the Baked Alaskan exercise, Sept. 9, 2022. Two B-1’s and approximately 50 Total Force Airmen from the 7th BW and 307th BW engaged in the Agile Combat Employment exercise to refine multiple skills in less than 24 hours.
by Airman 1st Class Brenden Beezley 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar—Approximately 100 Airmen and four KC-46A Pegasus aircraft conducted 24-hour operations during Air Mobility Command’s multi-week Employment Concept Exercise 22-08 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from Aug. 27 through mid-September.
Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and 931st Air Refueling Wing participated in the ECE, working in two teams to operate around-the-clock, testing the KC-46A’s ability to support real-world missions and assess its capabilities on the path to full-operational status.
On Aug. 29, the KC-46A Pegasus completed its first operationally-tasked combat sortie, refueling two F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.
“The CENTCOM ECE allowed us to stresstest the KC-46A in an extreme desert environment while completing operational missions in support of a combatant command,” said Lt. Col. Josh Renfro, AMC KC-46 Cross-Functional Team deputy.
The ECEs, coupled with ICR, reflect a risk-
See KC-46, Page 13
Photo by Airman 1st Class Brenden Beezley
The aircrew from the KC-46A Pegasus’ first combat sortie pose for a group photo Aug. 29, during Air Mobility Command’s Employment Concept Exercise 22-08 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The Pegasus and aircrew are participating in the exercise to provide air refueling operations to the U.S. Central Command theater. The team refueled two F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Savannah L. Waters
Senior Airman Edwin Guerrero, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant dedicated crew chief, marshals an F-15C Eagle during exercise Pitch Black 2022 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Sept. 1. Approximately 110 Pacific Air Forces Airmen participated in PB22, the RAAF chief of air force’s biennial capstone international engagement activity with forces drawn from a wide range of regional, coalition and allied nations. This year, 17 nations participated in PB22 from Aug. 19 to Sept. 8.
hance interoperability among the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom forces.
“The objective of the United States is to have a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations within this region,” said Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander. “The main idea behind our strategy in the Indo-Pacific, specifically PACAF, is to work with allies and partners, and Pitch Black represents a perfect place for our air forces to train together and become interoperable.”
Photo by Staff Sgt. Savannah L. Waters
A U.S. Airman from the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepares an F-15C Eagle for take off during Exercise Pitch Black 2022 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Sept. 1.
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jason Stewart, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command G-6 operations officer, carries his father’s ashes inside an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, at MacDill Air Force Base Sept. 1. U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jason Stewart, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command G-6 operations officer, holds his father’s ashes on an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, over Tampa Sept. 1.
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jason Stewart, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command G-6 operations officer, speaks with his son, Senior Airman Cameron Stewart, Air Force Special Operations Command administrator, on an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, over Tampa, Florida, Sept. 1. J. One year after his father’s passing, J. Stewart fulfilled his promise by taking his father’s ashes on a C-130 flight that took off from MacDill Air Force Base.
Bugsy’s final flight
story and photos by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings
6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Just after his 16th birthday, he heard President John F. Kennedy deliver his empowering inaugural address to the nation, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Inspired by JFK’s words, Rector Stewart II gained clarity on what he wanted to do. Two years later, as an 18-year-old high school senior in Miami, he drove an unreliable car to class.
Frustrated at his vehicle, he told himself one morning that if his car did not start, he would drop out of school and serve in the armed forces. Soon after that day, he swore the Oath of Enlistment and joined the U.S. Air Force.
“My dad became a C-130 Hercules aircraft mechanic and got stationed at Sewart Air Force Base in Tennessee,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jason Stewart, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command G-6 operations officer. “Not long after that, he was in Vietnam flying missions in Southeast Asia as a crew chief.”
Rector Stewart also went by the name “Bugsy,” a nickname passed down to him from his father. Bugsy shared stories of his military experience with his family.
“Serving in the Air Force was a formative experience for him,” Jason Stewart said. “He
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMUNITY SERVICES
Common Access Card (CAC) - By Appointment Main Base Pool - Closed For Season Only or Mission Essential Actions (Initial CAC FamCamp issue; lost CAC; PIN Reset; CAC expiring within Marina - 1/2 or Full Day Boat/ 7 days; emergency hardships Equipment Rentals, Snacks & Drinks Retiree/Dependent ID Cards - 2 Kiosks available Boat/RV Registration + Wet Slips at the BX for renewals or by appointment only Golf Course Passports - By Appointment Only Arts & Crafts Center Military Personnel Flight Bowling APF/NAF/CIV Personnel Office Information, Tickets & Travel Manpower & Organization Office DIY DIY Auto Hobby Wood Shop Shop School Liaison/EFMP Skeet Range NAF Cashier Cage Archery - by Reservations Only Private Org/Unit SM&W Funds Car Wash/Resale Lot Emergency Financial Assistance READINESS/DEVELOPMENT Fitness Center EVENT SUPPORT Child Development Family Child Care Centers (CDCs) Breakaway Event Center School Age Program Theater Youth Center Military & Family Readiness Center Open for walk-in customers and appointments. FOOD OPERATIONS Classes & Workshops and in person. are a mixture of virtual DFAC Library Rickenbacker’s Cafe Base Education Brews of the Bay Bar Base Training Office FitStop Smoothie Bar (Fitness Center) (Open Sept 12) Airman Leadership School 8 Iron Grill (Golf Course) Professional Development Center/FTAC Boomers Bar & Grill (Breakaway Event Center) WAPS/Vol. Education Testing Hangar 6 Grill (Bowling Center) Lodging (MacDill Inn) SeaScapes Bar - Friday nights only 1500-2000 AAFES Food Operations
Follow Us on facebook @macdillfss macdillfss.com
From Page 6 informed, data-driven, constraint-analyzed approach to releasing KC46A operational capabilities to the Joint Force, he added.
All four aircraft operated out of Al Udeid Air Base, with three of the KC-46As focused on completing aerial refueling missions and a fourth aircraft on alert in the event of a grounded aircraft, simultaneously testing the limits of the aircraft in the extreme desert climate.
“This ECE gave AMC valuable data needed to meet aircraft-turn times, maintenance requirements, and engineering dispositions, and provided output for air refueling as needed while we continued to refine the aircraft performance parameters,” said Renfro. “It also allowed AMC to gain a deeper understanding of how best to employ and deploy the KC-46A in future operations.”
During their time at Al Udeid Air Base, leaders from Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and a variety of other squadrons from around the base visited the Air Force’s newest air refueling platform.
“This was my first time flying on the KC-46 and seeing it in action was very impressive,” said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Nelson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. “The onboard systems provide great situational awareness of the surrounding area to the crew, and watching the boom operator accomplish air refueling using the remote vision system was equally impressive.”
Employment Concept Exercises are a subset of the KC-46A Interim Capability Release plan that allows AMC to employ the KC-46A in different scenarios for further operational employment testing and evaluation. The ECEs allow AMC to rapidly gather actionable data on the KC-46A’s performance in various scenarios, increasing operational capability to the tanker fleet requirements and increased tanker capacity.
Over the past 16 months, the KC-46A has demonstrated growing operational capacity at a swift pace. In May 2021, the KC-46A was not cleared to operationally support any U.S. Transportation Command missions. Through the Interim Capability Release plan and dedicated work by members of the growing KC-46A community, the KC-46A is now cleared to operationally refuel 97 percent of the daily Joint Force air refueling demands as tasked by U.S. Transportation Command.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Brenden Beezley
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Abigail Sherbondy, 931st Maintenance Squadron crew chief, guides a fuel truck Aug. 30, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Airmen from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, were participating in Air Mobility Command’s multi-week Employment Concept Exercise and worked in conjunction with Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at AUAB.
From Page 5 Force specialty code on the flight line.
“As a crew chief, our team was responsible for quick-turning the jets for takeoff,” said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Deanda, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. “After we accomplished our traditional duties, we were utilized as Petroleum, Oil, and Lubrication troops. This is an example of how we as crew chiefs can be multi-capable,accomplishing a variety of mission sets which reduces our personnel footprint.” The multi-capable Airmen initiative directly supports ACE, which is a proactive and reactive operational scheme of maneuver within threat timelines to increase resiliency and survivability while generating combat power by training Airmen to be capable of accomplishing tasks outside of the core AFSC.
During the Baked Alaskan exercise, Dyess AFB Airmen and reserve mission partners deployed two B-1s from home station to Eielson AFB. While there, they tested fly away communication kits, conducted routine maintenance and armament reloading, and integrated with a variety of joint force aircraft to include F-35A Lightning IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15C Eagles, E-3G Sentrys, and KC-46A Pegasus, all with the intent of redeploying the aircraft back to home station on a compressed timeline.
Col. David Martinez, 489th Bomb Group commander, joined the team in Alaska for the exercise.
“This exercise showcased the seamless integration of our traditional reservists with their active-duty counterparts,” Martinez said. “Deliberate, planning, training, and inclusion ensures Reserve readiness and accessibility, and preserves the combat power of the Total Force.”
“I am proud of our Total Force Airmen from Dyess for taking the initiative in planning and executing this exercise,” said Col. Joseph Kramer, 7th BW commander. “The bomber ACE construct has evolved into a mission-type which could include a sortie generation from home station to an area of responsibility and then recovery to a different main or forward operating base. The 7th BW must be prepared to execute in this way. Through exercises like Baked Alaskan, we are training to be prepared to fight tonight.”
Photo by Senior Airman Jose Miguel T. Tamondong (Top) Staff Sgt. Jon Belk, assigned to the 489th Bomb Group, drives a bomb lift truck onto a C-17 Globemaster III during the Baked Alaskan exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 9. (Above) Capt. Ryan Gorski, 9th Bomb Squadron B-1 pilot, sets up a communications flyaway kit at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 9. The communications flyaway kit utilizes SpaceX’s Starlink service.
From Page 2 board began to realize reaching land safely was not going to happen.
Life jackets were passed out and put on. Instructions were given on what to do when the plane ditched into the water. According to manuals, the plane would skip along the water’s surface and stop, and then the passengers would walk onto the wings and climb onto one of the five life rafts.
After this, a loud thump was heard by all; engine No. 2 caught fire and then went silent.
The plane started to plunge. All the lights went out. The end was near.
Because of the 20-foot waves and 50-mileper-hour winds, the crash was violent. Instead of skipping on the water, the aircraft’s hull was torn open, and the right wing was shorn off. The winds were so powerful that four of the five life rafts blew away.
Yet, no one seemed to panic—those healthy enough to walk moved towards the emergency doors and jumped into the freezing waters.
Fifty-one people crowded into the last 25-person raft; in the chaos and darkness, it had been mistakenly inflated upside down, so there was no access to potable water, flares, or medical supplies. Though no one remembers exactly how long it took for the plane to sink, after 15 minutes, it had disappeared entirely. No other survivors could be seen other than those on the raft. For the next six hours, they were driven by fierce winds and continuously soaked by freezing waves while huddled together. Finally, the raft of survivors would travel another 22 miles, lost at sea, and invisible to the dozens of aircraft racing to the scene or orbiting above. Sadly, three of the 51 on the raft would not live to see rescue.
The rescue
Before going down, the captain of Flight 923 was able to send off an SOS call intercepted by a Swiss freighter ship, the MS Celerina. Assisted by flares dropped by two aircraft that also heard the SOS and diverted their course, the Celerina was able to bring all 48 survivors aboard. They were safe, warm and taken care of for the remaining journey to land. The storm that made their landing so deadly continued, which delayed their journey. However, after three days aboard the Celerina, the seas calmed, and the remaining crew and passengers finally made it to land in Belgium.
The heroes
Capt. John Murray was a World War II pilot who never thought his most difficult flight would take place after the war.
The 44-year-old pilot could not brace: he needed to try and steer the shuddering, unbalanced 72-ton aircraft traveling at 120 mph. Despite being knocked unconscious when his head slammed into the control panel upon impact with the ocean, bleeding to a point where he was unable to see, and with the water inside the plane up to his chest, Murray made sure all the 75 souls on board were off the plane –alive. Then, out of instinct, he went back into the cockpit to grab a flashlight. During a brutal swim to the raft, he rescued a teen newlywed. Weak from the hours-long ordeal in the air and sea and losing a lot of blood, he had to be pulled into the raft by the other survivors. He was the last aboard the aircraft.
His last-minute thought before the plane sank ended up saving everyone. After hours afloat, the captain of the Celerina saw the lone beam of light and knew there were survivors.
“If not for that flashlight, no one would have found us,” said Carol Ann Gould, Flight 923 flight attendant.
Gould was supposed to have the day off, but Flight 923 needed an additional flight attendant to accompany the 68 servicemen and their family members. At 22 years old, she would be the only cabin crew member to survive. As many of the survivors would later recall, Gould’s relaxed, calm demeanor helped them prepare for and survive the crash. Knowing that the inevitable would happen, she had a comforting smile and reassured the passengers their captain was the best pilot to handle this situation.
Gould did not secure herself for the crash until she confirmed that every passenger was buckled in and in the proper crash position. She was the very last one to prepare, just mere moments before the plane went down. Immediately after impact, she got up and started leading the passengers out of the plane. She went back and forth, getting everyone she could out. Finally, she was pushed out of the aircraft by a Soldier who told her there were no more people she could help.
After she was pulled onto the raft, Gould started helping take care of the wounded and making sure she spoke to all of them on the raft. To keep hopes high, she led them in song. She never stopped until they were finally rescued. Even in her exhausted state, once on the Celerina, she continued to talk with the passengers until they were all safely back on shore.
Capt. Juan Figueroa-Longo, a physician, was supposed to be on vacation with his wife, Carmen, but instead, the OB-GYN became the emergency doctor who made sure everyone who could survive, did. With the assistance of Gould, while on the raft, Figueroa dealt with hundreds of life-threatening injuries, including severe aviation fuel burns, deep cuts, broken bones, hypothermia, and, most importantly, shock. He did
Photo courtesy Eric Lindner
Carol Ann Gould, Tiger Flight 923 flight attendant, who volunteered to work aboard the flight, on what was her day off, assisted Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Juan Figueroa-Longo in rendering medical assistance in addition to keeping morale high on the raft until the ship, MS Celerina, rescued survivors.
From Page 10 was so proud for the rest of his life that he had served. Even though he only did four years, he always held service members and veterans in the highest regard.”
The pride Bugsy felt in giving back to his country was shared by his father, who fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a U.S. Navy Sailor. Bugsy’s affection for America and its values carried on to his sons and grandson, who also joined the armed forces.
“It’s about civic duty, civic responsibility and serving a purpose higher than yourself,” said Jason Stewart. “It’s about voluntarily doing the things people won’t do, but more importantly, what other people can’t do. I came from a lineage of folks who weren’t in the business of burning their draft cards down on main street.”
Following his enlistment, Bugsy settled back home in Florida and started a career at the Publix grocery store chain.
Using the leadership skills he developed while serving in the military, he worked his way up the fleet service manager out of a Miami warehouse. He retired from Publix after 26 years.
“I remember how he would run his shop and inspire those who worked around him,” said Jason Stewart. “He was a leader in his place of work. I admired those traits and thought it was awesome my dad was a leader of people. I believe he picked up those traits in the Air Force.”
The proud Vietnam War veteran is remembered by his family, peers and coworkers as an honorable man who loved his country and gave back to the community he grew up in.
On Sept. 1, 2021, Bugsy passed away from complications from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Jason Stewart held his father’s hand in the hospital as he took his last breaths.
“I made a promise to my dad,” said Jason Stewart. “I said, ‘Hey, dad, I know how proud you are of your service, and I promise to you, I’m going to fly your ashes on a C-130 one last time.”
Jason Stewart then assured his father, whose eyes were closed, that he was around his loved ones and it was okay for him to pass. Bugsy passed away five minutes later.
On Sept. 1, 2022, one year after Bugsy’s passing, Jason Stewart fulfilled his promise to his father.
Accompanied by his son, Senior Airman Cameron Stewart, Air Force Special Operations Command administrator, the grandson of Bugsy, Jason Stewart carried the ashes of his father on an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. The Joint Communications Support Element and the 920th RW coordinated the flight that took off from MacDill AFB.
From Page 15 so despite having lost his glasses in the crash. He also received assistance from Senior Master Sgt. Peter Foley, a reporter for Stars and Stripes.
“I guess it was a sense of duty that kept me going,” Figueroa said in an interview. “It was something that had to be done.”
The U.S. Air Force played a vital role in the rescue from start to finish. Lt. Joe Lewis found the raft while piloting his checkout flight out of Scotland; Figueroa tended to those on the raft; and Capt. John Riddle raced from Châteauroux Air Station, France, to meet the Swiss ship when it arrived in Antwerp. Riddle was put in charge of ensuring survivors were taken care of.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1991, then-Maj. Gen. Riddle shared how meeting and helping the survivors altered his life.
“It forever changes your perspective on life,” Riddle said. “I had to be the first step in trying to help these people take the first step in getting their lives back after such a devastating event. Some lost spouses and friends. For the rest of my career, and even today, I cannot imagine the pain they went through not only at that moment but for the rest of their lives.”
The lost ones
Though Flight 923 is a story of survival, there were 28 people who lost their lives that day. Included were 17 members of the military, five crew members, and six family members, including two children who died with their mother on their way to join their father and husband, who was stationed in Germany.
Lt. Col. George Dent sat crowded on the raft with the other survivors, all but six feet away from his wife, Elizabeth. He panicked when on the raft and called her name but was relieved to hear her respond. However, when the survivors were being pulled onto the rescue ship, he discovered she was one of three who had died of their wounds while on the raft.
Most of the military members lost that day were U.S. Army combat paratroopers. Some as young as 18 were heading to their first duty assignment. Others were mid-level noncommissioned officers, as well as one officer.
Back in the cities and towns where each of the lost came from, the pain was hard on all. Like the survivors, their lives were changed forever.
The lessons learned
Flight 923 is not only a story of survival and loss; it also brought changes to the way water landings are governed today. As evident with U.S. Airways Flight 1549, which landed on the Hudson River in 2009, ditching an airplane on smooth water and close to shore is one thing, but when it is not smooth and far from land, Flight 923 led to essential safety improvements.
The Coast Guard was key in using the example of Flight 923 to push for changes in water rescues of downed aircraft. They pushed for laws that mandated reversible rafts on aircraft. More importantly, all rafts and life jackets now have lights on them so they can be seen by ships and passing aircraft.
Other rules and regulations that can be traced to Flight 923 include improvements to the black box digital recorders and better deicing procedures.
The best lessons learned that day were exemplified through Murray, Gould, Figueroa, and the other survivors who helped each other out of the plane and onto the only raft. The lessons of heroism under pressure and saving others before caring for oneself still resonate today. The Air Force is founded on the virtues of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do – these heroes, whether Army, former or current Air Force or civilian, exemplified what it means to be a wingman.
Flying Tiger Flight 923 may not be a wellknown story; however, it is a story military history should never let die. As the Air Force celebrates its 75th anniversary, now is the best time to look back and reflect on aviation moments like this.
Note: Information for this article was made possible by an interview with and from the book “Tiger in the Sea,” written by Eric Lindner, who is Capt. Murray’s son-in-law. To honor Murray, Lindner made it his personal goal to tell the story of Flight 923. He also was able to interview some of the survivors and share their stories in the book.
Photo courtesy Eric Lindner
From Page 3 play a key role in production of many of the flight’s projects.
Along with creating the STRETCH Pod, some of their projects include modifying an out-of-service pod to carry Luneburg Lenses, as well as engineering an electro-optical pod adapter for the F-35 program.
“With such an experienced and technically diversified staff, this flight is unmatched in its ability to rapidly design, engineer and fabricate test prototypes and transition them to the ‘Proof of Concept’ phase,” Captain Hope said. “Our team runs the gamut capability-wise - from metal fabrication, to circuit card manufacturing and even software design, the guys here in Special D can do it all. I think our flight motto really sums it up best, ‘Any Tasking for the Asking.’”
The flight’s mission is to provide professional engineering, design and manufacture capability in aircraft related system technologies, enabling rapid transition from concept to certified operational demonstration.
“The Special Devices Flight is like MacGyver on steroids,” said Colonel Scott. “They can build anything.”
Any organization here seeking Special Devices Flight assistance is encouraged to contact the flight at 2832135.
EVENTS
Teen night out Sept. 30
This free night out is open to teens ages 13 – 18 at the MacDill youth center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Find more info at macdillfss.com/ youth/
Library events held daily
The MacDill Library hosts daily and monthly events such as PreK story time, LEGO Club, escape room event and much more! Find the full calendar at macdillfss.com/ library/
Outdoor adventure tours
The Force Support Squadron offers monthly tours to locations across Florida. Find the full list at macdillfss.com/outdoor-adventuretours/
Air Force Photo Contest extended until Sept. 30
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Traditions” in honor of celebrate the Air Force’s 75th Birthday. First place will win a $500 Amazon Gift Card. For complete contest rules and where to submit your photos, visit myairforcelife.com/2022-airforce-photo-contest/
Looking for the perfect job?
The 6th Force Support Squadron is seeking qualified candidates 16 years and older for positions in hospitality, food and beverage, child & youth, and recreation. All positions start at $15 an hour or above. Find our full list of jobs at macdillfss. com/open-jobs/
New to MacDill? Visit macdillfss .com/relocation
Honoring the missing
Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian
Airman assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing carry the prisoner-of-war/missing in action flag during the POW/MIA 24-hour run at MacDill Air Force Base Sept. 16. The POW/MIA flag was adopted in 1972. It was then enshrined into law as mandatory to be flown on federal properties in 2019.
CHAPEL SCHEDULE
Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After hours chaplain, call the Command Post at 828-4362/4361. Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule & to join distro, please contact elimelach.estrin@us.af.mil
Monday-Thursday Mass - 12:10 p.m.
www.macdill.af.mil/chapel
Catholic (in-person) - Saturday - 5:30 p.m.
(confession 4:30 p.m.) Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessions by appointment)
Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m.
Islamic Service - Friday 1 p.m. (space reserved)
Other Faith Groups - Please contact the
Chapel at (813) 828-3621 or via email at 6ARW. HCADMIN@us.af.mil
MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel
