NEWS/FEATURES Implementing AFFORGEN:labs
bySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster 6thAirRefuelingWing,PublicAffairs
Whydodeployersneedtogiveblood?AccordingtoAir ForceStaffSgt. JonathanMoore, 6th MedicalSupportSquadron non-commissioned officerin chargeofshipping, bloodtellsastory.
Bloodcarriesmarkersforanarrayofgenetic andcontagiousdiseases. Fordeployers, the baselinetestisdesignedfortwopurposes:detectingHIVandstoringareservesampleasa partoftheDepartmentofDefenseSerumRepository.
WhileHIVisuncommonamongservicemembers, theAir Forcerequiresroutinetestsprior to andfollowingadeploymenttoproactively combatthedisease.
“WithHIV, ifyoucantestforityoushould,” explainedMoore. “Inthe1980stheprogram startedbecauseHIV wasarealconcernifcontracted.Now, wekeepthetestbecauseit’svery manageablewhentreated,especially ifcaught early.”
AlongsidetheHIVtestisasampleforthe DoDSerumRepository, acollectionofmore than74millionblood-derivedserumsstoredat Wright PattersonAir ForceBase, Ohio.
Thecollectionservestocontinuallygrowthe
U.S.AirForceSeniorAirman Ayisha Mercado,6thMedicalSupportSquadronlaboratorytechnician,collectsabloodsamplefromStaff Sgt.JonathanMoore,6thMSSnon-commissionedofficerinchargeofshipping,duringa routinetestatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.29.The6thMSS laboratoryoverseestheshipmentofmorethan200healthcarediagnostictestsperday.
Armed Forces HealthSurveillanceDivision’s (AFHSD)database, allowingforaninformed viewofoperationalcapabilitiesacrossalldeployedlocations.
COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE
TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.milor Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam
MacDill Thunderbolt
Publisher: Joe Deluca
Editor: Nick Stubbs
The MacDillThunderbolt ispublishedby the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force. Thiscommercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorizedpublication for distribution to members of the U.S. militaryservices on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are notnecessarily the officialviews of,or endorsed by the U.S. government,the Departmentof Defense,
the Departmentof the Air Force or the6th Air Refueling Wing.
The appearance of advertisingin thispublication,includinginserts or supplements,does not constitute endorsement by the Departmentof Defense, the Departmentof the Air Force, 6th AirRefueling Wingor the Publishing Companyof the products or serviceadvertised.
For retail advertising, call (813)226-3318.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, orpatronagewithout regard to race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap,politicalaffiliationor any other non-merit factorof the purchaser,user,orpatron.
“TherepositorystartedwithHIVtesting inthe1980sandhas developed intoagreat
SeeBLOOD,Page10
MacDillontheweb
Website: www.macdill.af.mil
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase
Instagram: macdill_afb
Twitter: @macdill_afb
Newsitems for the MacDillThunderbolt can be submitted tothe6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office,8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite14, MacDill,FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at828-2215. : 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil.
Deadline for articlesubmissions isnoon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articlesreceived after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions areconsidered for publicationbased on news value and timeliness.
Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.
2 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, March 7, 2024 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster
MacDillfirstsergeantleads, supportsexpectantfathers
bySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs
Seekingtosupportmilitaryfathers, U.S. Air ForceMasterSgt.Craig Miller, the6thMaintenanceGroupfirstsergeant, recentlyledaDad’s 101workshopatMacDillAir ForceBase.
Tailoredformilitaryservicemembers, theworkshopdelvedintopracticalskillsforneworexpectantdads, includingcareforinfants, supporting partners, preparingforlaboranddelivery, andnavigatingthelifestyle changesthatcomewithparenthood.
Asafathertofive children,rangingfroma15-year-olddaughtertoa 1-year-oldson,Millerisnostrangertothefieldofparenting, explaining, “Ihavealways wantedtobeadad.”
“It’shardtodefinesuccess[asaparent],” hesaid.“Thisismysecond timeconductingafatherhoodworkshop IlovebeingafatherandI want toseegreatdadsintheworld.”
HannahHoffman,alicensed clinicalsocialworkerandfamilyadvocacyinterventionspecialistforMacDillAFB, arrangestheseeventsona
heldtoeducateneworexpectantdadsoncareforinfants,supporting partners,preparationforlaboranddelivery,andcopingwithlifestyle changes.
MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, March 7, 2024 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 3 NEWS/FEATURES
PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole
MacDillmedicsmaximize
See FATHERS,Page8
PhotobySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin U.S.AirForceMasterSgt.CraigMiller,6thMaintenanceGroupfirstsergeant,leadsadiscussionaboutfatherhoodduringaDad’s101workshopatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.28.Thefatherhoodworkshopwas
Panelmembersspeaktobase personnellduringtheBlackExcellenceSymposiumatMacDill AirForceBase,Feb.28.The themeoftheeventwas‘ShapingFutureLeaders’andincludedcareerprofessionalsin entrepreneurship,finance, education,civicorganizationsand thearmedforces.
U.S.AirForceAirman 1stClassKevinRenteria,6thOperationalMedical ReadinessSquadronbioenvironmentaltechnician,adjustshisgasmask duringafittestatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.27.Gasmasksplayavital roleinprotectingservicemembersduringchemical,biological,radiologicalandnuclearattacksincontestedenvironments.
Squadron,isescortedtoanambulanceduringaMajor AccidentResponseExerciseatMacDillAirForceBaseFeb.28.Flowerswasgiven asimulatedinjurytoallowMacDillemergency responsetechniciansto exercisetrauma responseskills.
4 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, March 7, 2024 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
WEEKINPHOTOS
PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster
PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole RussellFlowers,aneducationspecialistwiththe6thForceSupport
Photoby Tech.Sgt.LutherMitchell
TACenhancesMobilityAirmen’s warfightingcapabilities
storyandphotosbyAirman1stClassAidanThompson 87thAirBaseWing
JOINTBASEMcGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST,N.J.—AC-17GlobemasterIIItakes low, evasivemaneuvers throughmountains, flyinglowerthanthepeaksonlytocrestthetopand dive again. Theaircrewsimulatescalls forsupportfromanalliedjet,andthecrewmakestheirfinaldescentonasmall,improvisedflightlinewherean F-22Raptor awaitsfuelandmunitionstransfer, readytocontinuethefight.TheC-17 crewthentakesoffand leavestheflightlinewithoutatrace. Thistraininginasimulatedcombatscenariohelpsprepareaircrewsforthe futurefight.
Airmenassignedtothe305thAirMobility Wing’s6thAirliftSquadroncollaboratedwithunitsfrom JointBase Langley-Eustis, Virginia,duringthe TacticsAdvancementCourse(TAC), Feb. 7-8. TACallowsaircraftmaintainerstogainexperiencewithaircrafttheydonotcommonlyworkwith,expandingtheirtoolkitformoreversatility infutureoperations.
“TACissupposedtobeabridgebetweentheupgradetrainingwedoatAltus(Air ForceBase),Oklahoma,at theformaltrainingunit,” saidMasterSgt. JosephBerglund,6thAS C-17evaluatorloadmaster. “Thismakesus moreadaptableand agilewhenitcomestocombatemploymentfortheC-17.”
Thefirststageofthecourse wasa formationflightoftwoC-17stradingleadingandfollowingpositionswithin theirflightpath.Afterlandingat JointBaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, thecrewconsolidatedequipmentandbegantheirflighttoJBLE.AfterlandingatJBLE, AirmenhelpedthecrewloadF-22 cargowhileutilizingtheflightline.
“Thebiggestthingtotake away isbeingabletothinkonthefly,” Berglundsaid. “Always maintainyoursituational awareness, makesurethatyoucanadaptandflextonewand evolvinginformationthatispassedtoyou atanyphaseofflight,andmakesurethatyou’rereadytoaccomplishthemission.”
Keepingthesamestringenttrainingenvironment,the6thASaircrewsetuptentsontheflightlinetoremain inthesimulatedexerciseenvironmentthroughoutthenight.Thisexercisehelpslay thegroundworkforcollaborationbetweeninstallationsAir Force-wide, improvingcohesionwhenworkingtoward a central mission.
“Wealwaystalkaboutjointenvironmentsandinteroperabilityand that’sexactly whatthisis,” Tech. Sgt.Eric McKinley, 6thASC-17loadmaster, said.“BeingabletoworkwithJBLE, you gettoknowtheirpeopleandwhatto expectfromeachother, whichisabsolutelypertinent. We needtounderstandwhatourcapability is. Doingthat nowversusinacontingentenvironmentis100%better. We’llcertainlybeaheadofthegame.”
ThisexercisefurtherimprovesMobilityAirmen’sadaptabilitybytrainingthemtoovercomeunexpectedobstacles. Pilotsweretaskedwithtakinglowair, evasive maneuverstoensuretheyhavetheskillsettoemployrapid, agile, and resilientsupport.Throughouttheexercise, Airmentestednewtacticsandproblem-solvingtechniques to enhancetheircapabilitiesagainstnear-peeradversaries, andthiscourseposturesAirMobilityCommandAirmentoexecute agileoperationsonaglobalscale.
6 u WWW.M ACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thur sday, March 7, 2024 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
refuelsaC-17GlobemasterIIIduringthe Tactics AdvancementCourseatJointBaseLangley-Eustis, Va.,Feb.7.Airmenassignedtothe6ASloadedcargoontotheC-17inordertoprovidesupportforthe F-22RaptorsatJBLE.Theadvancementscourse posturesAirMobilityCommandAirmentoexecute agileoperationsonaglobalscale.
Va.,Feb.7.Airmenassigned tothe6thAirliftSquadronloadedcargoontothe C-17inordertoprovidesupportfortheF-22RaptorsatJBLE.Theadvancementscoursepostures AirMobilityCommandAirmentoexecuteagileoperationsonaglobalscale.
(Above)U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanJordanLimberg,6thAirliftSquadronC-17flyingcrewchief,
(Left)AC-17GlobemasterIIIsitsontheflightline duringthe TacticsAdvancementCourseatJoint BaseLangley-Eustis,
inthecyberfield,” saidGilbert. “A biginnovationIdid wasreducingman-hoursbyusing Power-Shell,whichisascriptinglanguage, toautomateatonoftedious choressuchas manuallyupdatingtrackersormanuallycompilingdata.”
Thesquadron’ssignificanceextendsbeyondtechnicalsupport; itservesastheinitial contactpointforanybasecommunicationissue. Whetherresolvingproblemsdirectlyor routingthemtotheappropriatedepartment,Gilbertandtherestofthe6thCSensure thateveryissueisaddressedpromptlyandeffectively.
“Wegetabout150troubleticketssubmittedeveryweek,” said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. DanielAdames, 6thCSnon-commissionedofficerin chargeofcyberoperations. “Weget about1,200callsaweek,andthat’snotevenincludingemails.”
The6thCSisallaboutteamworkandcollaboration. TechnicianslikeGilbertand Adameswork closely, sharingknowledgeandsolvingproblemstogether, strivingtocreateasenseofcommunityandpurpose. ThiscollaborativespiritallowsforAirmento excelinthefast-pacedandever-changinglandscapeofcyberandnetworkoperations.
“Myteamhelpsmeeveryday. IfIcan’tsolvesomething, somebodyelsecan,” saidGilbert.“Weuplifteachother, notjusttogettheday todaytasksdone, butalsotoimprove everyone’sskills.”
Astechnologycontinuestoevolve, sodoesthesignificanceofcommunicationinthe workplace TheworkofGilbertandAdamescontinuallyensuresthatthebaseremains connected,secure, andreadytomeetany challenge.
FATHERS
quarterlybasistoprovidesupportfornewfathersnavigatingthecomplexitiesofparenthood.Sheoftenselects outstandingmentorswithintheunitstoleadtheseevents basedontheirexperienceandrelatabilitytoservicemembers.
SheknewMillerwouldbeanexcellentfittoleadthis class, sharing, “IhadtheopportunitytomeetandinteractwithMasterSgt.Milleronvariousoccasionsthisyear throughoutreachandpreventioneventsonbase.”
“Miller’sinfectiousenergyandpositiveattitudehasa wayofengagingwithindividualsinagenuine wayashe shareshisexperiencebeingafathertofive children,” she said.
WhilereflectingonhistwodecadesofservicetotheAir Force, Millersharedthatbeingadadhasshapedhiminto abetterAirman,aboveallelse.
Duringtheworkshop, Millercoveredmilitary-specific challengesassociatedwithfatherhood, andaddressed theimportanceofbeingagreathusbandandsupporter forservicememberstransitioningintofatherhoodforthe firsttime.
Milleradvisedthattimespent away fromhomeand overcomingpridearetwopotentialbarrierstohurdle whenparentingasanactivedutyservicemember. Heemphasizes, “buildtrustwithinyourrelationshipandpracticehumility.”
“The best partof beingadad is spendingtimewith themandteachingthemaboutlife,” hesaid.
Thissentimentfueledhispassionforteachingand guidingothersintherealmoffatherhood.Astheworkshopaimedtoempowermilitarydads, Millerexpressed, “Dadscanmakeadifferenceinthe world.”
Hoffmanshared,“Miller’spassionforhisfamilytranslatesintopalpableenthusiasmforthenewandoftennervousdads.”
Aspartofthelargerinitiativeofthe FamilyAdvocacy ProgramatMacDillAFB, Hoffmanhopesforattendeesto feelmorecomfortableandconfidentintheirrolesasnew fathers, withthehelpofMiller’s characterandvalues.
Miller’sfatherhoodworkshopprovidednotjustpracticalguidancebutaheartfeltperspectiveontheunique blendofmilitaryserviceandfatherhood.
8 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, March 7, 2024 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
FromPage3
COMM FromPage5
participatedinthescenario, with injuriesappliedusingmakeupand otherprops, tosimulateanaircraftcrashonbase. Eachvolunteer was instructedtoactouttheirinjurieswhileroughlytwo-dozenmedicalprofessionalsprovidedfieldcare.
“Weholdthisexerciseannually,” said WilliamHebert, 6thMDGmedicalemergencymanager. “Thepartwealways wanttofocusonisgetting thattriageareasetup, andgettingthosepeoplewithseriouslife-threateninginjuriesevacuatedassoonaspossible.”
Simulatedcasualtiesweresortedintogroupsdependingonthelevel of caretheywouldneedtosurvive. Thosewithlife-threatening injurieswere evacuatedviaambulance, medicaltransport bus, ortransporthelicopter.
Personnelfromthe Tampa FireDepartmentandacrew of flightmedicsfrom TampaGeneralHospitaljoinedtheexercisealongsidefirefightersfromthe6thCivilEngineerSquadronanddefendersfromthe6th Security ForcesSquadron,toworkandshareknowledge.
“Notonly wasthisexercisemeanttohonetheirskills,” saidHebert. “It wasgreattohavebothenlistedservicemembersandofficersworking side-by-side, justliketheywouldinthefield.”
Everymemberhadaroletoplay. Whethertheywere documenting patientsreadytobeevacuated,transportingvictimsincriticalcondition, orsupervisingthose withlesssevereinjuries, emergency personnelat MacDillworkedtogethertocompletetheMAREseamlessly.
MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, March 7, 2024 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 9
FromPage3 Besuretovisittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWingwebsiteatwww.macdill.af.mil
MARE
healthcareresource,” saidMoore. “Allbloodisstoredin largefreezersandcanberequestedbydoctorsandused forresearchstudies.”
HIVandrepositorysamplesarejustthestartforservicemembersontracktodeploy. AccordingtoMoore, certaincareerfieldsrequireadditionalteststotrackmission relatedimpactonthe healthofAirmen.
Careerslikesheetmetaltechniciansrequiretestingfor certainheavymetalstoensurepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)isproperlydefending Airmenfromhazardousconditions, Mooreexplained.Thesetestsalsoserveto addresshealth-relatedissuesonthehomefrontinstead ofthepotentiallydegradedorimprovisedsystemsincontestedenvironments.
Inordertoconductthesetests, laboratorytechnicians havetoexposethemselvestoanarrayofbacteriaanddiseases. To combat the spread,technicianswearcasespecificPPE.
AccordingtoMoore, day-to-dayblooddrawsonlyrequireglovesandalabcoatbutinfectiousdiseasesneed specialdirectionfromtheMedicalGroup’sPublicHealth division.
“Whenwearehandlinganybiologicalmaterialwetreat itasinfectious,” Mooresaid.“Wesetthathighstandard sowhenwedoencountersomethingdangerousithasno impactonourprocedures. Itdoesn’tmatterifthesample isinfectiousbecauseeverythingishandledwiththesame amountofcaution.”
ThenewAir Forcegenerationmodel(AFFORGEN)is preparingunitstotraintogetheranddeploytogether As aresult,base-wideresourcesareadjustingtheircapacitiestoaccountfortheincreaseindeployers.
Thelaboratoryalreadyservesthelargestgroupofretireesanddependentsinthenationwith200testsbeing processedandshippedperday. Accordingto Moore, the teamanticipatesthenumberofteststoincreasewithAFFORGEN, butareequippedtohandlethesurge.
The waveofpatients brought by AFFORGENisjust onesituationthatMooreandhisteamhavehandledover theyears Theirproblemsolvingcapabilitiesanddeterminationtocontinuallyimprovehaveplayedapivotalrole inthe6thMedicalGroup’sabilitytoadequatelysupport tensofthousandsofservicemembers, retirees, dependentsandforeignnationals.
10 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, March 7, 2024 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
BLOOD FromPage2
EVENTS
FamilyFunNight
TestyourluckonMarch8from 5–9 p.m.atMacDillLanesfor a familyfunnight,wheresuperheroesandleprechaunsunite. Wear yourbestgreenattireandget readytoenjoybowlingtothebeat withthelivelyDJ, meetyourfavoritesuperhero characters, indulge inadeliciousbuffet, anddon’t missyour chancetowinwithgiveawaysevery30minuteswhenthe “lucktrain”stopsonaluckybowler Foreventflyeranddetails, bit.ly/ MarchFamNight.
Outdooradventuretrips
Experiencethethrillofadventurewith6FSSOutdoorAdventure Tours. Frommasteringthe basicsofkayakingtoembarking onexhilaratingkayaktours, swimmingalongsidemajesticmanatees, andexploringthedepthsthrough scubadiving. Diveintonatureand creatememoriesforever. To view upcoming classesandunforgettabletrips, visitmacdillfss.com/ outdoor-adventure-tours/ tourssell outquickly. Signuptoday.
Flavorburst:Boomerscall-in deals
Cravingfreshsalads, mouthwateringwings, ordeliciousshareables?LooknofurtherthanBoomers!Callinyourordersevery Thursdayand Fridaybetween3– 7 p.m.andtreatyourselftoadelectablefeast.Dial512-8441toplace yourorderandpickituptogo, hassle-free. Formoreinformationvisit macdillfss.com/boomers/.
Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com
The Champ!
Membersofthe6thAirRefuelingWingcommandteamawardU.S.AirForceAirman1stClassSterlingSutton,6thARWpublicaffairsjourneyman,withtheChampofthe WeekawardatMacDillAir ForceBaseFeb.26.Suttoncoordinatedandledthearrivalofholidayeventsandcardsdeliveredto Airmen inthedorms,aswellasledmultiplecommunityoutreachprogramsthroughtheMacDillmascot,Champa Boom.
