Vol. 41, No. 5 Thursday, February 2, 2012
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 41, No. 5 Thursday, February 2, 2012 Graphic by Tech. Sgt. Tanika Belfield COMMANDER’s CORNER Mission accomplished with perfect precision; global reach proven by Col. Matt Molineux 6th Operations Group commander Recently the 6th Air Mobility Wing and 927th Air Refueling Wing launched eight KC-135 stratotanker aircraft with minimum interval timing and perfect precision for the first time in over a decade. The wings continuously practice three-ship formation flights, but rarely set out to execute an event of this magnitude, so it is particularly noteworthy. The obvious question is why is this signifi- cant? Who cares? The simple answer is “Global Reach.” This exercise of putting a lot of air refueling assets and hundreds of thousands of pounds of fuel in the air in a very short time- Photo by Tech. Sgt. Tanika Belfield frame demonstrates a unique capability that KC-135 Stratotankers lined up and ready to go during the recent “Elephant Walk” exercise. Col. only the United States has—the ability to Matt Molineux, inset. project airpower anytime and anywhere in the world. No other nation can do this. We have this for routine repairs on Jan. 31. Since our as- quickly and efficiently to ensure mission suc- capability because of our tankers—gas stations signed aircraft are required to fulfill worldwide cess in demonstrating this critical Air Force in the sky—that deliver fuel to airlift, fighter, higher headquarters missions even during the capability. Do you realize the venerable KC-135 and bomber assets continuously and at will. runway closure period, we chose this time to aircraft are over 50 years old? The maintenance U.S. forces must provide a rapid, tailored disburse our jets to other operating locations. professionals in both wings continued to work response with a capability to intervene against After this momentous large formation takeoff, their magic and accomplished a significant a well-equipped foe, hit hard and terminate most of the aircraft conducted missions over the MacDill milestone. I’d say it was a good return quickly. Rapid global mobility lies at the heart southeastern United States then recovered else- on our tax dollars! of U.S. strategy in this environment—without where. Runway repairs will take approximately Additionally, this exercise demonstrated the the capability to project forces, there is no con- a month and then we’ll have the majority of our excellent relationship we share with the Tampa ventional deterrent. Air refuelers are the life- aircraft back on station. air traffic controllers and the Federal Aviation line of global reach—increasing range, payloads Executing a large mission such as this takes Administration. In conjunction with the Tampa and flexibility. teamwork. I’m proud of the active duty and re- controllers, 6th Operations Group air traffic As you may know, MacDill closed its runway serve operators and maintainers who worked See COMMENT, Page 12 COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE The Action Line provides a two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. A 24-hour recording service is provided so personnel may submit questions, concerns or com- ments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or e-mail macdillwingcom- [email protected] fense, the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobil- may be obtained by calling 259-7455. MacDill Thunderbolt ity Wing. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submit- Publisher: Terry Jamerson The appearance of advertising in this publication, in- ted to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, Bldg. Editor: Nick Stubbs cluding inserts or supplements, does not constitute en- 25, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or call the MacDill Thunderbolt dorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department staff at 828-2215. Email: [email protected]. of the Air Force, 6th Air Mobility Wing or Sunbelt Newspa- Deadline for article submissions is noon, Thursdays to The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt News- pers, Inc., of the products or service advertised. appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received af- papers, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the Everything advertised in this publication shall be made ter deadline may be considered for future use. All submis- U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to sions are considered for publication based on news value authorized publication for distribution to members of the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, and timeliness. U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-mer- Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clar- Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or it factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. ity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Style- endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of De- Display advertising or classified advertising information book and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101. NEWS/FEATURES Your T-bolt Today Safety is the goal; complacency is the enemy by Nick Stubbs in a letter to the command’s leaders. News/Features: page 4 Thunderbolt editor To allow for maximum participation and to the maximum extent possible, Johns directed 927th ARW Col. key player Speed may kill, but complacency is right up that AMC operations and training be limited there and is responsible for a major portion of on safety focus day. This will afford Airmen the injuries and deaths of service members. time to focus on mishap trends and the need to News/Features: page 6 Reminding everyone not to let complacen- constantly maintain our safety focus in day-to- cy creep into their lives and to practice good day air mobility operations. Black History Month safety habits was the aim of a series of safety Held at the base theater for all members of briefings Jan. 27, said Tech. Sgt. Tanisha Wil- Team MacDill, the briefings were designed to, News/Features: page 10 liams, 6th Air Mobility Wing NCOIC of ground “give everyone a snapshot of what (tragedies) safety. can happen,” said Williams. The message was The event was part of Air Mobility Com- punctuated with stories of actual accidents, Annual award winners mand’s safety focus day. their consequences. Pictures helped drive the “This is an opportune time as we come off point home further. News/Features: page 13 the holiday ‘slow’ period to refocus our atten- “We want everyone to avoid complacency,” tion and reinvigorate a safety mindset,” said Williams said. “When you do the same job day Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., AMC commander, Space A goes Facebook See SAFETY, Page 12 Get children to school on time! life. Our nation is as grateful for their sacri- Sports: page 16 Parents of Tinker Elementary students, fices as for those of our service members. our student tardiness rates are high. A tardy We can and must do better. Let’s treat Tin- student disrupts the classroom and deters ker with the special respect it deserves. We Pigskin Picker the rest of the students from learning. This is must all do our part to ensure these great cause for concern at any school, but especially children have the best learning environment Community: page 17 troubling at a predominately military family we can give them. school. These children are special. They en- Thank you, Col. Dave Almand, 6th Air Mo- dure hardships to include family separation, bility Wing vice commander, and proud Tin- Event, movies, more... frequents moves, and interruptions to family ker parent Mich. man, Ariz. MacDill welcomes new u Airman 1st Class Jonathan Kissee: Lacon, Ill. u Airman 1st Class Cody Whiting: Enoch, Utah Airmen to the team 6th Medical Operations Squadron 6th Operations Support Squadron The following first term Airmen have arrived u Airman 1st Class Jacob Burgess: Grand Rap- u Airman 1st Class Michael Shambo: Las Vegas, to MacDill directly out of technical school be- ids, Mich. Nev. coming the newest addition to our team. We are u Airman 1st Class Rachel Parker: Bethel, Ohio excited to have them at “America’s Best Wing” u Airman 1st Class Natasha Price: Murfrees- 6th Security Forces Squadron and wish them the best of success on MacDill! boro, Tenn. u Airman 1st Class Zade Becker: Sheridan, u Airman 1st Class Cecilia Schonian: Modesto, Wyo. 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Calif. u Airman 1st Class Rudy Dominguez: Phoenix, u Airman 1st Class Jordan Johnson: Poulsvo, u Airman 1st Class Lee Speight: Davenport, Ariz. Wash. Fla. u Airman 1st Class Jennifer Foerman: Lake- land, Fla. 6th Communications Squadron 6th Medical Support Squadron u Airman 1st Class Alexander Rodriguez: Fort u Airman 1st Class Brent Harmor: Mukilteo, u Airman 1st Class Alysia Bosier: Bronx, N.Y. Smith, Ark. Wash. u Airman 1st Class Jasmin Muniz: Lawton, u Airman 1st Class Felecia Rodriguez: Williams- Okla. burg, Penn. 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron u Airman Scott Thompson: Mays Landing, N.J. u Airman 1st Class Randy Felch: El Paso, Texas 6th Maintenance Squadron u Airman 1st Class Sierra Westmark: Olympia, u Airman 1st Class Seth Greene: Fitchburg, u Airman 1st Class Jonathan Prather: King- Wash. 927th ARW NEWS The last way station of the war: 927th ARW colonel plays key role in Iraq drawdown Photo by Airman 1st Class Shandresha Mitchell As a hometown hero, Col. Ted Matthews, vice wing commander of the 927th Air Refueling Wing, based out of MacDill Air Force Base, greeted news crews and friends after nearly nine months in Iraq. While in Iraq, Mathews commanded the 407 Air Expeditionary Group, a unit charged with runway operations for the last military airport to close with the drawdown efforts.