Thunderbolt 9/14/2023

News/Features:page2

Youngpilotschangingaviation

News/Features:page3

CMSAFengageswithAirmen

Weekinphotos:page4

Imagesfromthe week

D-Cellraises ‘bare base’

Community:page15

Events,Chapel,more...

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

Airmenassignedtothe24thSpecialOperationsWing,Detachment1,alsoknownasDeploymentCellor“D-Cell,”constructtentsduringacertificationexerciseatRobinsAirForceBase,Georgia,Aug.22.BasedoutofMacDillAirForce Base,Florida,D-Cellconsistsof54membersacross15jobcodesformingfouragileteams,whoseprimary roleisto “barebase”–torapidlyturnundevelopedlocationsintofullyfunctionalbases.TheunitvisitedRobinsAFBtocertify theircapabilitiesas an alert responseteam.

After5 years,AF JROTC FlightAcademychanging thefaceofaviation

byPhilBerube AirUniversityPublicAffairs

MAXWELLAIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS)—Thefaceof aviationis changingandit’s beginningtolookalotlikehighschoolstudents.

It’sbeenfiveyearssincethefirstgroupofcadetsbuckledupincockpitsinpursuitofanAir Force-sponsoredprivatepilotcertificatethrough theAir Force JuniorReserveOfficers’Training Corps FlightAcademyprogram.

Sincethesummerof2018,1,089AFJROTC cadetshavepursuedtheir dream ofbecoming apilot,with861,or79%,succeeding. A significantachievementconsideringthatoutsideofthe program,thedropoutrateforlearnerpilotsis around80%,accordingtoresearch by aviation advocacygroups, suchasAircraftOwnersand PilotsAssociation.

HeadquartersAFJROTCfirststartedtakingFlightAcademyscholarshipapplicationsin thefallof2017,withthefirst aviation classes startingthefollowingsummeratsixpartneringuniversities. Thatnumberhassincegrown to24participatinguniversitiesin2023, which includessomeofthe nation’s leading flightprogramslikeEmbry-RiddleAeronauticalUniversityand Purdue University.

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AirForceJuniorReserveOfficers’ TrainingCorpsCadetJohnGraggconductsapre-flightinspectiononanaircraftat TroyUniversity, Troy,Ala.,July27.Gragg,astudentatCloverHigh School,S.C.,wasoneoftheJROTCcadetstakingpartinpilottrainingat TroyUniversityoverthe summer.Troywasoneof24partneringuniversitiesin2023providinganeight-weekpilottraining course foracademyattendees.

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,

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Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy, clarity,brevity, conformancewiththe“Associated PressStylebookandLibelManual”andAirForceInstruction35-101.

CourtesyPhoto

CMSAFspeakson‘serving duringaconsequentialtime’

Topenlistedleaderengageswith AirmenatJointBaseAndrews

bySeniorAirmanDaekwonStith 316thWingPublic Affairs

JOINTBASEANDREWS, Md.(AFNS)— ChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir Force JoAnne S. Bassdiscussedcurrentandfuture challenges forAirmenwhilespeakingwith basepersonnel, Aug. 30.

“Weareservingduringaconsequentialtime, probablythemostconsequentialI’veseeninmy 30-yearcareer,” Basssaidattheopeningofher Q&Asessionatthebasetheater.

Beforetaking questions, Bassoutlinedthe currentgloballandscapeandtheimperativefor increasingmilitarystrengthasadeterrentto U.S. competitors. Shealsohighlightedconflict hotspots, includingUkraine, theMiddleEast, North Korea andChinaasinfluencesontheAir Force’sdirection movingforward.

Highlightingthatthe U.S. militarycan no longersolelyleadin air, landandsea, Bass

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ChiefMasterSgt.of theAirForceJoAnneS.BassspeakswithAirmen during anall-callatJoint BaseAndrews,Md.,Aug.30.Bass representsthehighestenlistedlevelofleadershipintheU.S. AirForce.

The305thAMWsays‘CanDo’ toDock46 Two-BayHangar

by Senior Airman MattPorter

JOINTBASEMCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.—he305thAir Mobility Wing heldaribbon-cuttingceremonyforitsnewlycommissioned ‘Dock46two-bay hangar’at JointBase McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., on August 24.

Theeventconcludesfouranda halfyearsofplanningand240,650accident-freeman-hoursafteritsinitialgroundbreaking on December3,2018. Amilitary construction project valuedat nearly $54 million,thehangar will serve asa mission-criticalassetintheKC-46A Pegasus’abilityto provideRapid GlobalMobilityforthe Joint Force.

Forthe menand womenofthe605thAMXS, it signifies ahistoric weapon systemtransferand thebeginningofanewerainglobalaerialrefueling operations.

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NewJersey4thDistrictCongressmanChris Smithaddressed theaudienceonthestrategic value thefacilitybringstotheKC-46A Pegasus refuelingmission.Theeventconcludesfourandahalfyearsofplanning and240,650accident-freeman-hoursafterits initialgroundbreakingon December 3,2018.

PhotobyAirman1stClassGianlucaCiccopiedi

87thAir BaseWing

U.S.AirForcephoto

WEEKINPHOTOS

Airmenassignedtothe24thSpecial OperationsWing,Detachment1, alsoknown as DeploymentCellor“D-Cell,”moveinformationduringacertificationexerciseatRobinsAirForceBase,Georgia,Aug.23.TheD-CellAlphaandCharlie Teamsunderwentthisoff-stationcertificationexercise to ensuretheir capabilitiesto respondto globalalertscenariosatamoment’s notice.

U.S.AirForceStaff Sgt.JoshuaJordan,structuralcraftsmanwiththe 24thSpecialOperationsWing,Detachment1,alsoknownasDeploymentCellor“D-Cell,”operatesaforkliftduringacertificationexercise atRobinsAirForceBase,Georgia,Aug.25.TheD-Cell’sprimary roleis to“barebase”or turnunfamiliar terraininto ahabitableenvironmentas quicklyaspossible.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

Bottlenosedolphinssearchforfoodalongtheshorelineat MacDillAir ForceBaseSept.6.Bottlenosedolphins,foundthroughouttheworldin bothoffshoreandcoastalwaters,feedonavarietyofpreysuchasfish, squid and crustaceans.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

NEWS/FEATURES

Micro-reactorpilotprogram reachesmajormilestone

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—TheDepartmentoftheAir Force, in partnershipwiththeDefenseLogisticsAgencyEnergy, reachedacriticalmilestoneAug. 31,inpilotingadvancednuclearenergytechnology withtheissuanceoftheNoticeofIntentto Awardacontractto Oklo Inc.

OkloInc. willsite, design, construct,ownandoperateamicro-reactor facilitylicensedbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommissionat EielsonAir ForceBase, Alaska. Thenoticeinitiatestheacquisition process to potentially awarda30-year, firm-fixed-pricecontracttothevendorafter successfullyobtaininganNRClicense.

“TheDepartmentoftheAir Forceannouncement today demonstrates howtheDepartmentofDefensecontinuestoinvestinfacilitating U.S.developedtechnologythat provides missionassurance andadvances our nationalinterestsinAlaskaandthehomeland,” saidBrendanOwens, assistantsecretaryofDefenseforEnergy, Installations, andEnvironment.” We are watchingthisproject closelyand working withthe othermilitary departmentsto identifyadditionalinstallationswhere deploymentof U.S.-developedadvancednucleartechnology willimprove powerreliabilityand installationresilience.”

Micro-reactorsaresmallnuclearreactorsthatcanproducecarbonfreeenergy andareequipped withbuilt-insafetyfeaturesthatselfadjust to changing conditions anddemandstopreventoverheating. The technology’sabilitytooperateindependentlyfromthecommercialgrid andreducegreenhousegasemissionsmakemicro-reactorsapromising powersource for criticalnationalsecurityinfrastructure.

“TodayisahistoricfirstfortheAir Force, stateofAlaska,andthenation.Safe, reliable, cleanenergyusingmicro-reactortechnologywillbe anintegralpartofAir Forceinstallationsin thefuture. Thebestpart ofthisinnovationisthatwearecomingtogetheratthebeginningto demonstratethis capability—partnering with key regulatoryauthorities, state, andlocalcommunitiestoensurewegetthisrightanddoit safely,” said Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, assistantsecretaryoftheAir Force forEnergy, Installations, andEnvironment.“It’sahugeteameffort.By seizingtheinitiativeonthiscriticaltechnologytoday, we arelayingthe foundationfor Americancompetitivenessin energyforyearstocome.”

Astheimpactsof changingenvironmentalconditionsbecomemore recognizable, the Departmentunderstandstheimportancetosecure energyinfrastructure, supply chainsandlogistics to ensuremissionresilienceandresource availability.

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Airmen reflect onlessons learnedatPatriotMedic23

byJulianHernandez 433rdAirliftWingPublicAffairs

JOINTBASESANANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas(AFNS)—The433rdMedical Groupreturnedhomeaftervalidatingitsreadinesstodeploybyparticipatingin PatriotMedic23.Thetraining, partofalargerexercisecalledGlobalMedic, involvedmore than7,100Reserve, activedutyandalliedforcesas wellas coalition partners.

SeventyReserveAirmenfromthe433rdMDGspent19daysundergoingrigorousand realistictrainingat YoungstownAirReserveStation,Ohioand FortMcCoy, Wisconsin. OntopofvalidatingtheAirmen’sreadinesstodeploy, theannualexerciseservedtoenhance interoperabilitybetweenunits, medics, individualreservistsandthejointforce.

PatriotMedic23provided “Alamo Wing”reservistsopportunitiestosharpentheir skillsbeyondwhatcantypicallybeaccomplishedduringmonthlyunittrainingactivities.

“WhatI’mgratefulforisthatI’dneverseenourpeopleinthe433rdAeromedical StagingSquadroncometogetherbefore, they’dneverhadtoobefore” saidMaj.Reginald Whittington,433rdASTSBravoFlightcommander. “I wasveryimpressedwiththe juniorAirmen, theseniorleadership …I wouldgoto warwiththesepeople…wehave peopleintheunitthatIwouldtrustwithmylife.”

Participationin PatriotMedicledtolearningmomentsfornewAirmenandveterans alike. Airmenfromthe433rdASTSembeddedwiththe914thASTS, basedoutofNiagara FallsARS, New Yorkaspartoftheirtrainingattheexercise.

“It wasthefirsttimeinmycareerthatweembeddedwithanotherunit,” Whittington,whohasservedformorethan20years, noted. “Weliterallycametogetherwith anotherASTSwhohasthesame challenges, thesamesuccesses, thesame, ordifferent, solutionsto certain things, andwewereableto maximizewhatworksbest.”

Forseveralofthe “Alamo Wing”reservists, this wasonlytheirfirstorsecondexercise withtheunit.

“WhenIwentinthere, honestlyIdidn’tknowwhattoexpect,” saidSeniorAirman LuisMartinez,a433rdASTSmedic. “Myjobhereisasamedicsothat’smymentality, I’mgoingtogobeamedic…butitturnedouttobealotmorethanthat.Ilearnednew rolesandresponsibilities. IlearnedhowtobealeaderandIlearnedalsohowtobe a follower.”

TheexercisenotonlytestedtheReserveAirmen’sknowledgeoftheirjobsandtheir physicalcapabilities, butalsotheirmentalresiliency. Manyofthelessonswerelearned thehard way.

“Wefailedalot,which wasagoodthingbecauseyouneedtofeelthatpainandthen youcomeupwithbettersolutionsnexttime,” saidSeniorAirmanLindseyNeubauer, 433rdASTSmedic.

BothNeubauerandMartinezreceived challengecoinsfortheirperformanceatthe exercise, atraditional wayformilitaryleaderstorecognizetheeffortsof theirtroops.

PatriotMedicalsoallowed433rdMDGseniorleaderstoevaluateandmentortheir Airmen,whilestrengtheningthebondsbetweenthemembersoftheirteams.

“I’vebeeninfor16years…thisisprobablyoneofthemostrealisticones,” Master Sgt. JulieFuleky, 433rd MedicalSquadronBravoflight chief, pointedout. “Aswewent

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ReserveAirmenfromthe433rdMedicalSquadronposeforaphotooutsidetheirtrainingareaat Base,Ohio,duringPatriotMedic23.Participationinthe19-dayexerciseinvolvedmore7,100Reserveandactive-dutyservicemembersfrommultiplebranchesandallowedAirmenofthe433rdMedicalGrouptovalidatetheir

ReserveAirmenfromthe433rdMedicalSquadronposeforaphotooutsidetheirtrainingareaat YoungstownAirReserve Base,Ohio,duringPatriotMedic23.Participationinthe19-dayexerciseinvolvedmore7,100Reserveandactive-dutyservicemembersfrommultiplebranchesandallowedAirmenofthe433rdMedicalGrouptovalidatetheir readinesstodeploy.

ReserveAirmenwiththe433rdMedicalSquadronstepoffaC-5MSuperGalaxyas they returntoJointBaseSanAntonio-Lackland, Texas,Aug.29, afterparticipating inPatriotMedic23.Participationinthe19-dayexerciseinvolved more7,100 Reserve andactive-dutyservicemembersfrommultiplebranchesandallowedAirmenofthe 433rdMedicalGrouptovalidatetheir readinessto deploy.

(Farleft)MasterSgt.JulieFuleky,amedicaltechnicianassignedtothe433rdMedicalGroup,JointBase SanAntonio-Lackland, Texas,andCapt.RaniekaLee, aclinicalnursealsoassignedtothe433MDG,providecare forapatientduringexercisePatriotMedicat YoungstownAirReserveStation,Ohio,Aug.16.ExercisePatriotMediccombinedmedicalpersonnelfrom morethanadozenReservesquadronstohelpbuild a robustand readymedicalforcecapableofproviding trauma,en routecare, return-to-dutyandevacuation whiledeveloping resilientAirmenabletosupportthe warfighter.

(Right)Membersofthe433rdAeromedicalStaging Squadronandthe914thASTSposeforagroupphoto outsidetheirtrainingareaatFortMcCoy,Wis.during PatriotMedic23.ReserveAirmenfromthetwounits wereembeddedtogetherduring 19-dayexercise,involvingmore7,100 Reserveandactive-dutyservice membersfrommultiplebranches.

PhotobyMasterSgt.JulieFuleky

PhotobyEricM.White

Photo by Maj. Reginald Whittington

PhotobyJulianHernandez

MICRO

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“OurpartnershipswithOkloInc., NuclearRegulatory Commission,DepartmentofEnergy, Alaskastakeholders andTribalNationsareimperativetoasuccessfulpilot andfutureimplementationscalabilityofthistransformationaltechnology,” saidNancyBalkus, deputyassistantsecretaryoftheAir Force forEnvironment,Safety andInfrastructure.

Themicro-reactorisexpectedtobeoperationalbythe endof2027, asdirectedbythefiscalyear2019National Defense authorizationAct.

“Eielson(AFB)iseagertowelcomethiscutting-edge technologyontothebase. TheNOITAtoOkloInc. reinforcesourcommitmenttoinnovationinordertoprotect anddefendthenationwithevengreaterefficiencyand effectiveness,” saidCol.Paul P. Townsend, 354th Fighter Wingcommander at EielsonAFB.

PATRIOT

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throughit,youstartedtoseetheteamcometogether…it wasaveryvaluableexercisebecause, wherewenormally onlyseeeachothertwodaysamonth, we wereworking closelytogetherfor19days.”

Col.Michelle VanSickle, 433rdMDGcommander, servedasthejointtaskforcesurgeonat FortMcCoyduringtheexercise. Sheobservedaftertheexercisethat manyofthenewermedicswereabletofullyunderstand theirmissionandtheimportanceoftrainingpriortodeployment, whilemoreseasonedmedics expandedtheir knowledgeaboutoperatinginacontestedenvironment.

“Theyallcametogethertoaccomplishthemission,and allperformedat, orabove, thestandardweexpected,” VanSicklesaid.“Iamproudofthem.”

“Thisprojectissignificantduetothetangibledifferenceitmakesinthe abilitytoperformmajormaintenance onsuchacomplexaircraft,” said U.S. Air Force Lt.Col. Aaron Vogeler, 605thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron commander. “Itrepresentsacommitmenttothefuture ofthisinstallation andourmission,thedefenseofournation,aswellasthe economicimpact onthesurroundingcommunities.”

Theprimecontractor, Walsh Federal,subcontractedapproximately$31 millionto210New Jersey contractors duringthefouryearsof construction. Approximately44,000militaryandcivilianemployeesworkinsupport ofthe JointBase, makingitthesecond-largestemployerinNew Jersey andcontributingnearly$7billiontoNew Jersey’sannual economic output.

“AfteryearsofadvocatinginCongresswewereabletorealizethisMILCON,” saidChrisSmith,New Jersey4thDistrictcongressman.“I wanted thisfacilityatthe Joint Basebecauseof theimmensestrategicvalueit bringstotheNortheastandourAlliesabroad.”

Thestate-of-the-artfacilitymeasuresover90,000squarefeet,representinga50%increaseinhangarspacefortheKC-46.Itsfabricdoorsare designedtowithstandwindsupto120mphandisalsoequippedwith a firepump capableofpumping 2,500 gpm.

“TheKC-46affordsunprecedentedconnectivityasa Joint Force-multiplierandthisHangarwillbeinstrumentaltotheglobal employmentofour Pegasusfleet,” said U.S. Air ForceColElizabethHanson,305thAirMobility Wingcommander. “Wethankeveryonewhohelpedmakethisproject notonlyareality, butafoundationtolaunchour air refuelingmissionfor tomorrow.”

U.S.AirForcephoto JointBaseLeadershipandpersonnelattend aribboncuttingceremony fortheopeningofthe305th AirMobilityWing’sDock46 Two-BayHan-

CMSAF

FromPage 3 stressedtheneedfordominanceinemerging warfightingdomainssuch as space, cyberand information.

“If weloseinanyofthosedomains,welose,period,”Bassemphasized.

Afterdetailing challengesoccurringontheglobalstageandstrategies tosurmountthem,sheconveyedherenthusiasmandconfidenceinservicemembersandexpressedhergratitudefortheirserviceduringthis pivotal juncture.

“Itwillbeourstaffsergeants, tech.sergeants, captainsandmajors whowillshapethefutureofourforcein2030,2035,andbeyond,” Bass affirmed.

TransitioningtotheQ&Asession,BassaddressedquestionsfromAirmenregardingpromotions, tuitionassistance, themulti-capableairman concept,andothertopics. Shetiedheranswerstothefouractionorders –Airmen, Bureaucracy, Competition, and Design– outlinedbyAir Force ChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown, Jr., withastrongemphasisonthe “Airmen” aspect.

“Iinvestmostofmytimeinthe ‘Airmen’piece,” Bassexplained.“How doweensurethatourAirmenoftoday, aswellasthoseinfiveand10 years, are well takencareof?”

ReflectingonherparticipationintherecentAir ForceSeniorEnlisted LeaderInternationalSummit, Basshighlighteddiscussions withmore than60ofhertopenlistedpeers. Theyagreedthecompetitiveadvantage ultimatelyresides in peopleandnoncommissionedofficerdevelopment.

Shethenspotlightedthetangibleresultsofthisapproachthroughthe collaborationwiththeCaliforniaAirNationalGuardandUkrainianmili-

tarysince1993 –apartnershipthathas provensuccessfulinstrengtheningtheircapabilitiessincetheinvasionofmorethan150,000Russian troopsintoUkrainelastyear.

Inher closingstatement,BasssharedaremarkfromtheChiefMaster Sgt. oftheAir ForceoftheArmed ForcesofUkraine KostiantynStanislavchuk,abouttheongoingconflictasafinalwordofencouragementfor theAir Force’sfirst-linesupervisors:“Wewillwin this warbecauseofthe strengthofoursergeants.”

PhotobyAirman1stClassGianlucaCiccopiedi

ChiefMasterSgt.of theAirForce JoAnneS.Basstakesaphotoof Tech. Sgt.JenniferThacker,316thSecurityForcesSquadron,atJointBase Andrews, Md., Aug.30.

Theprogram wasinitiallylaunchedaspartoftheAir ForceAircrew Crisis Task Force with thestatedgoalsofrestoringthelusterof aviation to high school students byincreasingthepool of pilotsforboth themilitary andcivilian aviationcommunities, each facingseverepilotshortages and increasediversityin the cockpit.

TheAFJROTCFlightAcademy acceptedthe challengeand the program hasgrownsignificantlysincetheinitial classof120cadetstooktothe skiesin2018.The COVID-19 pandemicforcedthecancellation oftheprogramin 2020.

“All cadets areencouragedtoapplyforFlightAcademyandto consider aviation asa profession,” saidBenCaro, HeadquartersAFJROTCProgram Developmentdivision chief. “It’s fantastictosee thediversityofthecadets interestedin the program.”

In 2018, thepercentage ofunderrepresentedcadetsparticipatinginthe FlightAcademy was41%.Thatnumberincreased each year, withthe years 2022and2023eachboasting 60%underrepresentedgroups. Ofthe301 AFJROTCcadetparticipantsin2023,40%wereminoritiesand37%female, with 239 receivingtheirpilot certificate.

“TheFlight Academy hasgenerated tremendousinterestamong ourAFJROTCcadet corps withover9,000applicants expressingtheirdesireto fly,” saidCol. JohnnyMcGonigal,HeadquartersAFJROTCdirector. “We believethis program meetstheAir Force chief ofstaff’s desireto increase interestin aviation.Italsoprovidesanenduringsolution for pilot production,whilealsoimpactingthediversity challengefacingboththemilitary andcivilian aviation communities.”

WhiletheAir Forcefullyfundstheextensiveeight-weeksummerprogram, thereis no requirementforgraduatestopursue amilitarycommitment.However, this program hasinspiredmanycadetstotakethe next steptoward becomingamilitarypilot. Ofapproximately591FlightAcademyattendees whohavealso graduatedhighschoolbyApril2023,47% enrolledinthe Air ForceROTCprogramincollegetofurthertheirgoalof becoming anAir Force pilot.

Evenforthosenotpursuingacareerin aviation, theacademy was a verymemorable andvaluable experience.

“Ihighlyrecommendtheflight academytoanyonewho isconsideringit. It wasoneofthebestexperiencesIhaveeverhadandwouldn’ttradeitfor

Sincethesummerof2018,1,089cadetshaveparticipatedintheAir ForceJuniorReserveOfficers’ TrainingCorpsFlightAcademyprogram,suchasthosepicturedatPurdueUniversity, WestLafayette, Ind.,thissummer.Ofthe1,089cadets,861succeededinearningtheir private pilotcertificate throughtheprogram.

anything,” said2ndLt.AdamLandry, whocompleted the FlightAcademy programatDelaware StateUniversity in 2019 “Imadeamazing connectionsand wasgratefulfortheopportunitytolearnhow tofly. Thanksfor the opportunity to attendtheacademy, Istillthinkback onthememories quite often eventhough it wasfour yearsago.”

LandrygraduatedfromSyracuseUniversity’sROTCprogramin 2023 withadegree incivilengineering.

I’ve beenextremelyimpressedwiththeFlightAcademy cadetsI’ve met and withtheoutstanding quality ofthe program overall.”

Brig. Gen.HoustonCantwell, JeanneM. HolmCenterforOfficer Accessionsand Citizen Development commander

“Ourintentistohelpregenerateinterestandinspirationinournation’s youthtopursuecareersin aviationandtodiversifythe industryas a whole,” saidBrig. Gen.HoustonCantwell, JeanneM.HolmCenterfor Officer Accessions andCitizen Developmentcommander. “Withthisprogram, we believe weare changingthe face of aviationone cadet ata time.”

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Air Force Birthday Celebration

StopbyBoomersfrom4 p.m.- 6 p.m.on Friday, Sept.15tocelebrate theUSAir Force’s76thbirthday. Therewillbefreeappetizers, cupcakes, and aDJ. For more details onthiseventandotherspecials visitmacdillfss.com/afbday_23/.

Golf Tournament

TheBay PalmsGolfCourse is hostinganAir Force76thBirthday Golf Tournament,onSept.16with a8a.m.shotgunstartonSouth Course. Two personteams, 6-hole mixup, non-handicappedevent. Greatdoorprizesandprizesfor winningteamsfollowedbylunch. Advancedgreenfees$30/E1-E4 $30/E5-up$50/civilians$60.Stop bytheProShoptosignuptoday. DeadlinetoregisterisSept.14. For moredetails, visitbit.ly/AFBdayGolf.

Friday StampedeatBoomers

JointheBoomersStampedeevery Fridayfrom3 p.m.–8 p.m. Boomer’s islocatedinsidethe BreakawayEventCenterwith a fullbar, multiplescreen’s, music, andpooltables. Enjoycomplimentarysnacksanddrinkspecialsevery Friday. Visitmacdillfss.com/ boomers/formoredetails.

U.S. Air ForceBirthdaySpecials

EnjoyfoodandbeveragespecialsSept.15–18at8IronGrill, Hanger6and FitStop. Formoreinformationonspecials, visitbit.ly/ AFbdaySpecials.

Find more eventsat:macdillfss.com

TheChamp!

U.S.Air ForceSeniorAirmanAdrianCatangal, 6thAircraftMaintenance Squadroncrewchief,is recognized as Champ of the Weekbythe6thAir RefuelingWingleadershipteamatMacDillAirForce BaseSept.5.CatangalwasinstrumentalinimplementationofAFWERXREFINERY,aprojectaccelerator forthedevelopmentand refinementofprojectprototypes,anddevelopedvirtual realityclasses formaintenance Airmentolessenthe strain on resourcesandAirmen.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday - 9a.m.to3p.m.After hourschaplain, callthe CommandPostat828-4362/4361.

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

IslamicService - Friday1:30p.m.(spacereserved)

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

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole