y]p]l 6wlyh[lmacdillthunderbolt.com/020818/mcnews020818.pdfair-to-air refueling for a-10 thunderbolt...

Thursday, February 8, 2018

2 WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM Thursday, February 8, 2018 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS — U.S. Transportation Com-mand, in partnership with the Air Force Digital Service, recently launched a modernized version of the Move.mil website, the Department of De-fense’s official portal to prepare for service members’ upcoming household goods move.

The goal of the improved site is to provide a significantly better user experience to customers during relocations across the globe.

“Improvements to Move.mil are an important step in our efforts to build a more efficient and effective process for relocating the Department of De-fense’s most precious resource, our military and civilian personnel and their families,” said Army Col. Ralph A. Lounsbrough, U.S.TRANSCOM chief, personal property program. “Enhancing the customer experience is

our top priority.”According to Lounsbrough, Move.mil was built and designed in close

collaboration with military members, civilian employees, and their fami-lies to ensure the site provides the most up-to-date information and re-sources to assist with their moves.

“The new site features multiple new tools to help members and their families plan for their next move,” said Lounsbrough. “You can estimate the weight of your household goods to avoid overage charges, there is a personally procured or do-it-yourself move calculator to help families take advantage of government incentives to plan your own move, current service-specific information, and a comprehensive list of top tips and an-swers to frequent questions from experienced movers.”

These new tools are the first of many that will roll out onto the site throughout the rest of 2018. Visit the website at https://www.move.mil/ for more information.

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE

The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. Per-sonnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to [email protected].

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/

MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

NEWS/FEATURES

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, February 8, 2018 WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM 3

Aircrew from the 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, N.Y., capitalized on their mission to MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 19 to Feb. 2, in support of Operation Guardian Blitz.

During the two-week-long exercise, aircrew from the 914th ARW provided air-to-air refueling for A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the Indiana Air National Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and fulfilled their training requirements alongside their Air Force Reserve counterparts from the 927th Air Refueling Wing.

“Starting the first day we arrived, we scheduled our commanders to fly with instructor pilots from the 927th in regular formation and large forma-tions, which is a formation involving more than three aircraft,” said Maj. Justin Fadem, director of operations assigned to the 328th Air Refueling Squadron. “Our goal (328th ARS) is to be fully mission capable when we get back to Niagara.”

In June 2017 the 914th ARW converted from an airlift wing flying C-130 Hurcules aircraft to flying the KC-135 Stratotanker, the workhorse of the Air Force’s air refueling capability. With a new aircraft and new mission, the Citizen Airmen through-

The city of Tampa has the third largest population in Florida, with ap-proximately 400,000 residents. With MacDill Air Force Base contributing more than 133,000 military personnel, retirees and their families to that figure, it is important to foster an environment of mutual support to allow for great working relationships and trust.

In an effort to convey MacDill’s continuous involvement with the local community, Airmen from different squadrons came together to host Com-munity Day at MacDill Jan. 29.

Community Day included a military working dog demonstration along with various stations showcasing MacDill’s mission, including a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft static display for the veterans and retirees in atten-dance.

“This was my first time participating in an event like this,” said Jim Be-lesky, a former Army flight engineer during the Vietnam War. “It was really cool to talk with current service members and learn about what they do here.”

This unique opportunity for the Tampa community to interact with Air-men is valued by both the community and the service members who par-ticipate in such events.

“I enjoy demonstrating my job to the Tampa community and I usu-ally take every chance I can to do so,” said Senior Airman Alexander Thibodeaux, an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron. “It’s very rewarding educating others on our job because it bridges the gap between the military and civilians.”

Tampa has served as a strategic stronghold for various missions dur-ing the 76 years that MacDill has provided vital support to major military engagements across the globe. For this reason, it is essential to provide the Tampa community opportunities, like Community Day, to communicate that its support is valued

See BLITZ, Page 11

NEWS/FEATURES


WEEK IN PHOTOS


AGADEZ, Niger (AFNS) — Recently, an 822nd Expeditionary Base Defense Squadron Security Forces patrol team collaborated with local mili-tary members to rescue a 2-year-old girl, after being notified by local villag-ers that she was lost near Nigerien Air Base 201.

“She simply wandered away from the village in the late evening hours,” said Chief Master Sgt. Rick A. Schlachter, 822nd EBDS Security Forces manager. “By village we’re literally talking mud and stick huts in the mid-dle of the desert.”

The 822nd EBDS has complex and multi-layered duties in Africa. Sus-taining positive relations with their host-nation partners is part of a unique mission that promotes regional stability and prosperity.

“Being available at the right time and the right place to help find their daughter was nothing short of a divine intervention,” said Lt. Col. Julia Jefferson, 822nd Expeditionary Base Defense Squadron commander. “We are so thankful for the opportunity to help the child make it home safely into her mother’s arms; that is what neighbors do for each other.”

The patrol team consisted of 14 security forces members, all of whom were prepared to assist, regardless of the situation.

NEWS/FEATURES

See LOST GIRL, Page 12


TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Members from the 821st Con-tingency Response Group partnered with the 60th Air Mobility Wing, dur-ing a readiness exercise at the Amedee Army Airfield, California, Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.

The exercise highlighted the importance of contingency response forces’ ability to support combatant commanders around the world during contin-gency operations by establishing air mobility operations at austere loca-tions or during rapidly developing crises.

“It facilitates our shared mobility mission here at Travis AFB; as a team, we can learn, practice, test and improve the very processes that we would execute in response to real-world events,” said Lt. Col. Robert Kline, 821st Contingency Response Squadron operations officer. “The exercise also af-fords us the opportunity to train new CR Airmen and allow others to in-crease their proficiency and focus on full spectrum readiness as it pertains to future operating environments.”

During the exercise, a 50-member contingency response element per-formed 24-hour operations to facilitate C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft operations.

Airmen trained throughout the day on skills necessary to establish a

NEWS/FEATURES

See READINESS, Page 10


Airmen assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing attended an Ability to Survive and Oper-ate training on Jan. 26 and 27 at MacDill Air Force Base.

The training consisted of replicated environments to assess Airmen’s ability to op-erate under extreme conditions.

“Any personnel who are tasked to deploy or will possibly deploy are required to have the training,” said Senior Airman Kayla Faver, a training instructor assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron. “We transitioned from the ‘Just in Time’ training to ATSO, which allows Airmen to be ready to deploy at all times.”

The 6th SFS focused on integrated base defense, where they discussed the role of every Airman in protecting the base and its assets.

“We talked about passive and active measures that we need to take every day, how to react to indirect fire, how to respond to near and far ambushes, some weapons familiarization with the M4 and M9,” said Faver. “We also hit on how to fix your weapon if it jams and some of the different types of reports an individual would use in the field.”

The training also focused on being able to perform under stress to ensure the safety of all Airmen.

“I just hope that the Airmen took the training seriously, and they understand that they could be put into these types of situations,” said Faver. “Also, I hope that if they are ever put into these situations that they retained the training and are able to react accordingly to get

them and their wingmen home safe.” As well as integrated base defense, Airmen learned when t

tive posture (MOPP) gear, how to identify unexploded ordnanteams, and contamination avoidance when transitioning betwwear their MOPP gear during all of this training to reinforce tsaid Tech. Sgt. Roderick Gilmore, flight chief of readiness ansigned to the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron. “It also helps to maing the gear and ensuring Airmen are comfortable with how to

The last part of the training consisted of hands-on first apracticed on training manikins.

“During the self-aid buddy care portion of the training, Aitourniquets and airway management,” said Gilmore. “Airmenquet to stop blood flow on a training dummy.”

The ATSO training allowed Airmen to get hands-on trainingsimulated scenarios.

“Readiness is directly tied to our ability to win the fight,” a unit deployment manager assigned to the 6th SFS. “We neesurvive and operate in the environment being replicated so wther training or not.”

Through training, like ATSO, Airmen are given the opportenvironments that require them to think on their feet and active as wingmen.


to use mission oriented protec-nce, post attack reconnaissance ween different zones. “Airmen the training they already have,” nd emergency management as-anage expectations when wear-o don and doff the equipment.” aid training where instructors

irmen focused on how to apply actually got to apply a tourni-

g for deployments by practicing

said Tech. Sgt. Robert Vickers, ed to see that they are ready to we know if we need to add fur-

tunity to experience simulated ct fast to ensure they are effec-


forward operating base. The training focused on engine running offload for quick-turn cargo transfers, as well as night vision equipment op-erations.

“Ultimately, we are looking to prepare our Airmen and hone our mission effectiveness by executing specific scenarios that challenge our mental and physical toughness on the battle-field,” Kline said. “This exercise will help us increase our individual and unit readiness to meet future challenges.”

According to Air Mobility Command officials, the command is laser-focused on ensuring mo-bility Airmen are trained, prepared and ready for any contingency. Scenario-based training and mission-ready Airmen ensure a first-in, last-out capability to combatant commanders and extend the reach and persistence of joint forces in all environments.

“Environments tested in the exercise scenar-io will likely challenge the tactics, techniques and procedures that we have developed and be-come comfortable with during the last 16 years of conflict,” Kline added. “It also provides us with a terrific venue to incorporate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense sce-narios and learn from added challenges inher-ent in these operating environments.”


out the 914th ARW were required to train on the newly assigned airframe. Depending on their role, training for aircrew personnel can take up to four to six months at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, followed by two to three months of on-the-job training under the guidance of a certified instructor.

“The experience that we received here is completely invaluable, the corporate knowledge that you (927th ARW) have here is completely untouched,” said Fa-dem. “You have IPs (Instructor pilots) of all ranks that came in and instructed us on what they do in the plane and how they do it; that is invaluable.”

Qualification for formation flying involves much more than flying within feet of another aircraft. All formation flights start with a complete mission brief by the lead pilot and include all aspects of the flight profile, such as takeoff, flight pattern and emergency procedures. In addition to the 914th ARW pilots receiving their formation certifications, boom operators also com-

pleted mission capable requirements. “This mission is very important; we came down here and refueled about

eight A-10s per flight, and we received some great training during the day and night,” said Master Sgt. Maurice Shivers, a boom operator assigned to the 328th ARS. “The transition has been good but it has been tough at times; its a lot to embrace and a lot of training.

“Once qualified, we’ll be able to extend our global reach anywhere in the world at any time.”

Operation Guardian Blitz, was an exercise centralized at Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range, Avon Park, Florida, and integrated numerous mili-tary units throughout the region. They included KC-135s, rotary assets, Joint Terminal Air Controllers, and the Indiana Air National Guard’s A-10 unit, the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana.


“We all felt the urgency to help and we tried to put ourselves in the fam-ily’s shoes, so to speak, and use that emotion to put a search into action,” said Tech. Sgt. Douglas N. Spangler, 822nd EBDS Security Forces squad leader.

The patrol team’s linguist met with the villagers outside of the base, where they found evidence that could lead to the child’s whereabouts.

“The linguist was on patrol with security forces when we made contact with the locals,” Spangler said.

In the black of the night, hundreds of tiny footprints scattered through-out multiple directions across a span of roughly 2 miles.

“When we found the footprints, we knew we had a chance to find the missing girl,” Spangler explained. “The squad’s feelings toward the possi-bility of finding the missing girl was to ensure we did everything we could to help the parents; we were just trying to help people in a time of need.”

The locals took the patrol team to the last known location of the foot-prints, where an organized search began.

“Much of the credit for finding the tracks and staying on course goes to our linguist.” Spangler said. “Without his help and knowledge, we wouldn’t have been able to locate the girl as fast as we did, if at all.”

In addition to the host nation military members, more than 40 villag-ers from the local area accompanied the Airmen during the search.

“It’s nice to be able to count on the host nation to support their local communities during times like these,” Spangler said. “The support they provided helps portray a positive image of the Forces Armées Nigeriennes to local nationals.”

The Airmen eventually found the child after 2 hours of rummaging through the night in sandy desert terrain. It was so dark that they could only use flashlights to search through hard packed sand, slate rock for-mations and gravel.

“Our first thoughts when finding the girl alive were feelings of joy and happiness, knowing that we were able to help the parents during their time of panic and need,” Spangler said.

Immediately, Spangler assessed the child for injuries, bites and wounds. The child appeared to be in good health when the team found her, but she was tired, scared and cold.

“She was dressed in just a T-shirt and flip flops,” Spangler said. “When we found her, she was very dusty from the wind and appeared distraught.”

The temperature that night was somewhere around 50 degrees Fahren-heit. Spangler wrapped the girl in a blanket to keep her warm and prevent hypothermia.

“The potential for hypothermia existed because the girl had been miss-ing for 6 hours before she was found,” Spangler said. “Fortunately, she sus-tained no injuries.”

Both parents shed tears when their daughter was returned.“The parents stated, ‘the ultimate sign of friendship is dropping every-

thing to help someone in need,’” Spangler said. “The villagers said they are very happy U.S. forces are in their country helping and they truly believe U.S. forces are here doing good things for the people in the local area.”

The Airmen not only showcased their capabilities that night, but also demonstrated the U.S. Air Force’s effectiveness in working alongside host nation security forces to build interoperability as a team.

“If you can rapidly locate a small child hidden by the cover of dark-ness somewhere within three kilometers of your base security zone, then you can identify and intercept any threat approaching your installation,” Schlachter said. “By quickly finding and returning the child to her village, the security team cemented a trust and goodwill that extends well beyond the base perimeter for years to come.”


COMMUNITY

For all other faith groups or for any questions, please contact the Chapel by visiting http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel or calling 828-3621

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bldg. 2017. Shop for yourself, a friend, or buy your Valen-tine a gift. Call 840-6919.

11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Independence Park at Harbor Bay. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y9rg6blt

UFC 221 Fight Night Whittaker vs. Rockhold. Doors Open at 9 p.m. Fights begin at 10 p.m. Free entry. Food specials. Club member exclusive deals. Call 828-4005.

Free movie: “Thor: Ragnarok” (PG-13). Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. Overflow parking available in the SOCOM parking ga-rage.

Valentine’s Dinner Special from 5-8 p.m. club members: $20.95 • family member: $22.95 • all others: $24.95. Featuring steak loin topped with pep-percorn, cognac and red wine glaze, linguine tossed with shrimp, garlic and lemon sauce, all the sides and desserts. For more information call 840-2020

Post Valentine’s Luncheon from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Free for members; $11.50 family member; $12.50 all oth-ers. Featuring a pasta action station, chicken parmesan, sides and salads and desserts.

Free movie: “Murder on the Orient Express” (PG-13). Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Movie starts at 7 p.m.

www.macdillfss.com

y]p]l 6wlyh[lmacdillthunderbolt.com/020818/mcnews020818.pdfair-to-air refueling for a-10 thunderbolt...

Documents