Vol. 44, No. 33 Thursday, August 18, 2016

News/Features: page 3 MPS moving

News/Features: page 3 KC-135 milestone

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

News/Features: page 14 Soccer team readies for tourney

Airmen’s Time - page 10 Photo by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams Community: page 18 Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, talks to Senior Airman Andrew Flanagan, right, an aircraft Events, Chapel, more... metals technology technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, about his job, during Airmen’s Time, Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Airmen’s Time is an opportunity for the commander to get to know Airmen and their respective organizations. COMMENTARY NEWS/FEATURES Back to school shopping on an NCO’s budget MPS relocates to new, improved building; services interrupted these days hi-fashion apparently incudes emo- grade this year, but it is never too early to start by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr. by Master Sgt. Randy Redman 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs jis, Chuck Taylors and velvet-coated sunglasses. grooming her for the demanding rigors of col- Whatever happened to jorts? They were cool lege. After all, somewhere out there is another During the week of Aug. 22-26 the Pass and It is time for school again, which is a bit of a once, right? 6th grader who has been using college-ruled ID card office will be relocating from building double-edged sword. I certainly appreciate the fact that I don’t paper since she was in diapers. Some day they 373 to building 411 at MacDill Air Force Base. On the one hand, it means the lazy days of have to waste a single brain cell on deciding might be competing for scholarships to an Located directly across the street from the old summer are sadly behind us. Instead of sleep- what I wear to work every day. The Airman overpriced institute of higher learning. I need building, the new location boasts improvements ing late and arguing about who gets the last Battle Uniform might not be on the cover of to make sure my kids have every advantage to enhance services provided to ID card cus- Klondike bar, kids in kindergarten through Vanity Fair, but at least I don’t have to schlep they can possibly get, even if it means I have to tomers. Improvements include a larger waiting high school will be making the daily commute, my way through the mall to pick out my fall en- spend a few hundred dollars on pencils. area, better ventilation, added privacy for han- on foot or otherwise, to their particular educa- semble. My son, on the other hand, is a sopho- The first few weeks of school are always a dling personal matters, and easier accessibility tional facility. more in high school, which means unless his challenge for the kids. Getting back into the for handicapped patrons. On the other hand, it also means there are sneakers look like Technicolor marshmallows, morning routines, picking who to sit with on “We’re moving to serve people better; that’s plenty of stay-at-home moms here on base that he will be sitting with the outcasts at lunch the bus and the loads of homework on challeng- our catchphrase,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joey might actually get to enjoy 10 or 15 minutes while the cool kids giggle over the latest memes ing new topics are practically unbearable after Williams, manpower and personnel flight su- of quiet in the house once the kids are gone to on their color-coordinated smart phones. a full summer of action movies, pool parties and perintendent assigned to the 6th Force Support school. Military spouses face a cornucopia of Some enjoy this annual shopping ritual, binging on video games. I don’t know if I’ll be Squadron (FSS). “Plus we’re conveniently locat- problems compared to their civilian counter- and don’t seem to mind battling the crowds. able to handle it, much less my kids. We may ed across the street.” parts, not the least of which is acting as the Personally, I believe it is much easier to order have to cut back to only two or three zombie The 6th FSS leadership has asked that cus- head of the household when the active-duty everything online. Why wait in line for an hour shows a night, and keep gaming to weekends. tomers remain patient during the move. The of- member is deployed downrange or temporarily and pay retail prices when you can order every- It will all be worth it someday, I hope. One fice will resume normal operations Aug. 29. away for training. It takes a level head to make thing at a discount online and have it shipped day they will head off to college leaving my “This will be a huge improvement; overall it’s sure the kids are healthy, safe and emotion- directly to your door for free? Of course, my wife wife and I to the luxurious sounds of silence. Photo by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr. a nicer facility and a definite upgrade,” said Wil- ally secure when the family moves every two or prefers the battle-royal of families crowding the Maybe I’ll be able to finish that novel I started Building 411 will be the new location for the Pass and ID card office at MacDill Air Force Base. The three years. two aisles of school supplies during the annual writing when I was in college a million years See MOVE, Page 15 move is scheduled to take place Aug. 22-26. By now, most parents have made the annual tax-free weekend. This in turn, means I am ago. Perhaps we’ll be able to take a vacation trek to the nearest multinational retail corpo- required to join the fray; frantically snatching that doesn’t include theme parks or $15 dollar ration to get the eight school-mandated multi- mechanical pencils and reams of college-ruled stuffed animals. topic notebooks, 17 pens, and 78 bottles of hand filler paper…not the wide-ruled for heaven’s sake! Maybe, just maybe, we can enjoy a night out KC-135 Stratotanker reaches historic milestone sanitizer. Not to mention going to the trouble of Silly me…college-ruled paper is far supe- without having to worry about who is going to by Capt. Joseph Simms making sure each child is smartly attired with rior to wide-ruled, and will certainly stimulate make sure everyone’s homework is done. For 927th Air Refueling Wing pricey ripped jeans lovingly shredded by caged the mind of my daughter to new heights of now though, I need to go see if there are any lions, tigers and bears. Trends come and go, and academic superiority. She may be starting 6th Klondike bars left. When the first Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker took to the sky on Aug. 31,1956, no one at the time could have expected it would still be flying 60 years later. But for the past six decades, this modified Boeing 707 has established Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil itself as one of the workhorses of the Air Force’s inventory, providing air-to- air refueling, personnel and cargo transport, and aeromedical evacuation capabilities throughout the world. MacDill on the web In the mid-1950s, , under the direction of Gen. COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE Curtis Lemay, needed an air refueler that could keep up with the fighter Website: www.macdill.af.mil and bomber aircraft of the day. At the time, B-52 crews often had to lower The Action Line provides two-way communication between the Facebook: www.facebook.com/ their landing gear to create enough drag to match the speed of the propel- 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. Per- sonnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via Emailing MacDillAirForceBase ler driven KC-97 in flight, causing stress on the gear and burning many [email protected]. Instagram: macdill_afb pounds of valuable fuel. The introduction of the KC-135 eliminated this problem with its ability Twitter: @macdill_afb MacDill Air Force Base is home to 16 KC-135 Stratotankers, operated and to reach speeds exceeding 450 mph while carrying more than double the maintained by both the 927th Air Refueling Wing and the 6th Air Mobility off-loadable fuel of the KC-97. Wing. MacDill Thunderbolt U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. Soon after the KC-135A arrived at the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Force’s air refueling capability for six decades and there are no signs of it of the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobility Wing. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted , , in 1957, the Air Force began to phase out slowing down.” Publisher: Joe DeLuca The appearance of advertising in this publication, including to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt the KC-97s, paving the way for a new area in rapid global mobility. In 1976, In fact, it is often said throughout the tanker community that the last Editor: Nick Stubbs the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, at 828-2215. Email: [email protected]. the Air Force Reserve received their first KC-135 and Citizen Airmen of the mother of the last pilot of the KC-135 has not been born yet, which is a tes- 6th Air Mobility Wing or the TImes Publishing Company of the Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to 63rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS), MacDill Air Force Base, continue to fly tament to the experience and professionalism of the maintenance person- The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publish- products or service advertised. appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after ing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3318. deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are them today. nel that work on the aircraft. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an autho- Everything advertised in this publication shall be made considered for publication based on news value and timeliness. “It’s a privilege to be associated with such a historic aircraft and know- “No one drives a car every day for 60 years but we put the KC-135 rized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. mili- available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clar- ing what we do has a direct effect on the friendly forces on the ground and through its paces daily and yet it continues to deliver because of the work tary services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, ity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook ensuring our aircrews make it home safely,” said Lt. Col. Adam McLean, are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101. 63rd ARS commander. “The KC-135 has served as the backbone of the Air See MILESTONE, Page 19 WEEK IN PHOTOS Tech. Sgt. Ruben Alfonso, dental lab flight chief assigned to the 6th Dental Squadron, uses an oxygen torch to melt dental gold at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 15. After the gold is melted, the machine is spun at high speeds in order to push the molten metal into a mold. The metal is then cooled, creating a crown for use on a patient.

Photo by Airman Adam R. Shanks

Photo by Airman 1st Class Rito Smith Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Photo by Airman Adam R. Shanks Wing (AMW); Bob Buckhorn, center, mayor of Tampa; and Staff Sgt. Branden Warren, a Combat Arms instructor assigned to the 6th Security Forces Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, command chief of the Squadron, teaches an Airman firing procedures during security forces augmentee training 6th AMW, pause for a photo Aug. 11 in Tampa. Buckhorn at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 15. The augmentees were required to fire 45 rounds at a invited Vogel and Noel to his office to welcome MacDill Air target at varying distances in order to qualify with the pistol. Force Base’s newest leaders. NEWS/FEATURES MacDill immunizations technicians strive to build a healthier force by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Air Force medical officials are encouraging Airmen, their families and all beneficiaries to raise their personal awareness of immunization health during National Immunization Awareness Month in August. Due to the back-to-school season, August is al- so the busiest month for Airmen assigned to the 6th Medical Operations Squadron (MDOS) im- munizations clinic at MacDill Air Force Base. MacDill immunization technicians administer approximately 2,500 vaccines during the month of August, in addition to seeing an average 1,500 patients a month and administering an estimat- ed 1,750 vaccinations a month. “Vaccinations are incredibly important to both children and adults,” explained Tech. Sgt. Kim- burly Davis, NCO in charge of immunizations assigned to 6th MDOS. “Vaccinations help pro- tect us from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases.” The Immunization clinic currently has two Airmen assigned to the clinic. So in order to ef- fectively take care of the high influx of patients, there are other medics and reservists who rotate in the clinic on a monthly basis to assist. Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph “We not only service the 6th Air Mobility Wing, Staff Sgt. Arquilla Price, an immunizations technician assigned to 6th Medical Operations Squadron, but also U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Op- administers a vaccine to a patient Aug. 10 at MacDill Air Force Base. Approximately 2,500 erations Command, Joint Communications Sup- immunizations will be administered for the month of August due to the back-to-school season. port Element, along with the other 38 other ten- ant units on base,” explained Staff Sgt. Arquilla mumps, chickenpox and whooping cough. These “We have an incredible impact on the overall Price, immunizations technician assigned to 6th diseases continue to affect children, resulting in mission of Rapid Global Mobility because it is our MDOS. “Our members travel to almost every hospitalizations and deaths every year. responsibility to ensure awareness and readiness country in the world, and have to be deployment Fortunately, vaccinations have significantly at all times,” Davis said. “We work diligently to ready’ some countries do not allow members if aided the decline of several infectious diseases in provide you with the proper healthcare needed certain vaccines are not given prior to entry.” the United States. All vaccines undergo long and to complete the mission from anywhere at any It is important for Airmen, their families and meticulous reviews by scientists, doctors, and the time.” all beneficiaries to be aware of the various vac- federal government to ensure safety and effec- For more information, contact the immuniza- cines offered to prevent diseases such as measles, tiveness. tions clinic at 827-9377. NEWS/FEATURES Paying it forward: command chief’s goal of leaving an impact by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams four years and separating. 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Then plans changed again. She married and had two children and decided to continue her Air Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel grew up in a Force career. As a new mom and looking for more small town in southern Indiana on the border of stability, Noel chose to cross-train into the per- Illinois, where there wasn’t a big military popula- sonnel career field. tion. Although there was some influence in the “There is a point and time in your career where community, it was different in Noel’s family. a light bulb goes off and you realize that we wear The current 6th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) the fabric of the nation; it’s not just about having command chief, Noel was influenced from a a job that pays your bills; it’s not about coming to young age. She recently recalled one of the de- work Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 fining moments of her childhood was when she p.m. and going home,” said Noel. “You start to re- noticed a triangular box with a flag in her home, alize this is truly my extended family and there commonly called a shadow box. are people here that really care about me. Full of curiosity, she learned that her mother, “That ‘care about me’ piece was reinforced by Marilyn Brady, was an Army widow. Marilyn was people I had the opportunity to serve alongside eight months pregnant with Noel’s older sister and certainly people who were in leadership posi- when she received the news about her husband’s tions above me—specifically my first sergeant at death. my second base.” Her mother didn’t talk much about his service, When her hard work was recognized by her but did express the gratitude she held for the Ar- first sergeant, it lit a spark in her that still burns my and how her husband’s military funeral left a fiercely. lasting impression on her. “Once people start to take note that you are do- “That planted a seed in me at an early age be- ing something good…and they voice that to you cause I could sense the feeling my mom had and start to realize people really do care,” said Noel. felt I needed to pay that back somehow,” said No- “I couldn’t get enough of it; I wanted to keep do- el. “Joining the military was a way of paying back ing great things for the Air Force, not because of Photo by Staff Sgt. Shandresha Mitchell the services my mom received as an Army widow.” the recognition, but simply because I thought I She goes on to say that it was the best decision was making a difference and wanted to continue Chief Master Sgt. Melanie K. Noel is the she had ever made. that.” command chief for the 6th Air Mobility Wing, At 17, Noel joined the Air Force as a security Throughout her 24 years of service, she has MacDill Air Force Base. forces member with the hopes of becoming a mili- had many opportunities from being a first ser- ward to anybody and everybody that I could pos- tary working dog handler. Her plan was to serve geant at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, train- sibly positively impact directly or indirectly. her four-year term, then separate to become a ing squadron, to being a senior enlisted advisor “I continue to do what I do, hoping I can have park ranger. for the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and the same type of impact on someone like my first During technical training school, she found out Response Office. Noel wants to continue to serve sergeant had on me.” becoming a dog handler was not a possibility. At and give back. For Tech. Sgt. Candice Wegehaupt, the com- the time, security forces fell under two jobs: se- “Over time, I have had the opportunity to do mand chief’s executive assistant assigned to the curity and law enforcement. Her job in security many great things within the Air Force that have 6th AMW, Noel’s influence has already had a ma- meant she couldn’t become a dog handler. Goals had a positive impact on my life,” explained Noel. jor impact on her. shattered, Noel again considered completing her “I feel a huge sense of obligation to pay that for- See CHIEF, Page 19

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, welds a stainless steel plate with the assistance of Senior Airmen’s Time in the metal shop Airman Tyler Treadaway, right, an aircraft metals technology technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, during Airmen’s Time Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Vogel practiced gas tungsten arc welding on a stainless steel plate. Photos by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, learns how to weld from Senior Airman Tyler Treadaway, right, an aircraft metals technology technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron Aug. 11 during Airmen’s Time at MacDill Air Force Base. Vogel practiced gas tungsten arc welding on a stainless steel plate.

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, shakes the hand of Senior Airman Tyler Treadaway, right, an aircraft metals technol- ogy technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, during Airmen’s Time Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Airmen’s Time is an opportunity for the com- mander to get to know Airmen and their respective organizations.

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, welds a mild steel plate during Airmen’s time Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Vogel practiced gas metal arc welding on the steel plate. NEWS/FEATURES move From Page 3 liams. “People are really excited.” Manpower During the move, various offices located in the original building will not Closed for relocation Monday through Friday, Aug.22-26. Preparing for the Defender’s Cup operate at full mission capacity. The following services will have modified Contact Tech. Sgt. Franco Fox at (813) 828-3711 or for emergencies story and photos by Airman Adam R. Shanks hours and will be available primarily for mission essential emergencies: 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Air Force Reserve recruiter Casualty Affairs/Survivor Benefits It all began with a group of people wanting to play soccer after work. Ser- Minimal delays in appointments; Available by phone Monday through Friday, Aug. 22-26, at (813) 310- vice members from all branches joined in and soon a team started to form. Palace Chase/Front briefings will not be impacted 7530 Eventually, the team showed promise to become very competitive. Contact Master Sgt. Christopher Flynn at (813) 781-0565 or christo- “It’s all about every branch coming together to be successful,” said Senior [email protected] for emergencies Civilian Personnel Airman Fabian Delgado, a cargo movement specialist assigned to the 6th Open Monday through Tuesday, Aug. 22-23, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Logistics Readiness Squadron. Air National Guard recruiter Building 373 Delgado is one of the team Minimal delays in appointments; Minimally manned for relocation Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26. captains for a new soccer team, Palace Chase/Front briefings will not be impacted MacDill Football Club, located Contact Master Sgt. Kyle Mack at (813) 476-4035 or [email protected]. Military Personnel at MacDill Air Force Base. mil for emergencies Closed Monday through Friday, Aug. 22-26. Much like MacDill, mem- Front desk personnel at Building 373 are available for emergencies. bers on the team represent all NAF Human Resources branches of service and several Airman and Family Services flight chief Open Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22-23, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in units on base, to include the 6th Limited availability Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26 Building 373 Air Mobility Wing, U.S. Central Contact CDC2 at (813) 828-2244 or for emergencies Will be minimally manned Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26. Command and U.S. Special Op- erations Command. Although the team is still Senior Airman Matthew Potter, a young, it has already proven KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief to be a strong group of players assigned to the 6th Maintenance Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Devin Walker, an advance communicator by winning a local tournament. Squadron, passes a soccer ball during a assigned to U.S. Central Command, prepares to block a shot during Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil The tournament lasted three practice session at MacDill Air Force MacDill Football Club team practice at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 3. The days, with two games per day Base Aug. 3. for a total of six games. team has a member from each armed forces branch. “It was the first time the team came together to play a tournament,” said Delgado. With morale high from winning the local tournament, the team began holding more practices, and now train at least twice a week. “Right now chemistry isn’t quite there yet,” said Senior Airman Albert Preli, an airborne mission systems operator assigned to the 310th Airlift Squadron and team member. “But we’re a very new team and with every practice we continue to get better and better.” These practices are in preparation for a much larger tournament, the De- fender’s Cup National Military Soccer Tournament, schedule to be held Sept. 2 at Lackland AFB, Texas. “This is a good opportunity to not only get MacDill’s name out there, but also for the players to be seen by coaches of military teams and possibly be chosen to compete in the Armed Forces soccer tournaments,” said Delgado. Preli, who recently moved to MacDill, has competed in the tournament four times and is able to offer his insight to the team. “The Defender’s Cup is a completely different experience compared to these local tournaments…every team is high speed,” Preli said. “It’s pretty brutal giving 110 percent in two to three games a day; it’s draining, but we train hard now to bring that mentality to the actual game.” The team began as a group of players casually playing after work. Now it has become an organized team with a drive to win. The players’ drive is strong enough to pay for the trip to Lackland AFB themselves. “Since we’re not sponsored, we’ll have to pay for transportation, hotels, food and all our equipment for the Defender’s Cup,” said Preli. But the team pushes on, determined to play hard in the national tourna- ment and bring home the cup. “When we won the local tournament, it caught everyone by surprise,” said Delgado. “The team was extremely tired since we were playing multiple games a day. Members of MacDill Football Club, run sprints during team training at “We were out of gas, but we kept going; it was all heart. If we can take that MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 3. Practice begins with warm-up runs and mindset to the Defender’s Cup, who knows what will happen?” sprints to condition the team members. Developing leaders! Photo by Tech. Sgt. Pete Dean Facilitators and graduates of the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Course (NCOLDC) gathered at the Base Chapel to commemorate their completion of the five-day course Aug. 5. The NCOLDC is held annually and targeted to Air Reserve Component and Active Guard Reserve members with the ranks of staff sergeant and technical sergeant. COMMUNITY chief From Page 8 “Chief Noel inspires me every day, because she is not only EVENTS an incredible leader but a phenomenal woman, wife and mother,” said Wegehaupt. Friday Noel not only mentors Wegehaupt, but also inspires her Airman & Family Readiness Center career goals. LinkedIn from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. “Although she is one of the busiest people I know, every Unlock the secrets of LinkedIn day she makes time to mentor me, explain things to me and by building and maximizing your answers my questions,” said Wegehaupt. “She genuinely profile, turbo charge your job cares about me and my development. search and learn how to network “She takes time to get to know every Airman she meets effectively through the top profes- and she is invested in her conversation with Airmen wheth- sional networking social media er it’s me or someone in the hall way.” site. Call 828-0145. Wegehaupt hopes that if one day she makes it to the com- mand chief position, she can lead like Noel. “If I am fortunate enough to get to the rank of command Friday-Thursday Bay Palms Golf Complex chief, I would want to be the type of role model and mentor Kids Drive Free program with she is to me and those around her,” said Wegehaupt. free driving range balls from Throughout her life, Noel has lived by the idea of paying 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Golf clubs it forward and giving back. Her goal for Team MacDill is to are available for check-out at no continue to become stronger moving forward. She believes a charge. Both clubs and balls can team is only as strong as its weakest link, and that every- be picked up at the Pro Shop one must actively work together to be better. counter. Call 840-6904. “I am an Airman; I just happen to be in this position,” ex- plained Noel. “It doesn’t make me any different; it doesn’t make me special; it gives me the ability to meet legitimate needs of Saturday our Airmen, but I want them to know I am an Airman first. MacDill Lanes “This position gives me added duties and responsibilities UFC 202 Fight Night, with Di- which I take very seriously, but it also affords me opportu- az vs. McGregor 2 at 10 p.m. Free nities to make our team stronger…and I have additional admission. Specials: 75-cent wings opportunities to help people that may have a time of need,” and $5 pitchers of domestic beer. Noel added. “But at the end of the day, I’m an Airman and ESM Meal Cards welcome. For that is the most important thing.” more information call 828-4005. Master blast! Photo by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams Arts & Crafts Center Col. April Vogel, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, provides remarks during the Senior Non- milestone From Page 3 Kids craft classes every Satur- Commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony in Tampa Aug. 12. The ceremony was held to congratu- of the maintenance community,” said Maj. Mary Lent, 927th day 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Arts & late those who are promoting to the rank of master sergeant. Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “Our main- Crafts Center offers Summer Sat- tainers are constantly reminded how important their job is urday craft fun. Come with your because of the aircrews that entrust their lives to the work child and choose a craft such as of our Airmen to keep this jet airworthy.” painting, birdhouse making, jew- CHAPEL SCHEDULE The Stratotanker’s capabilities go beyond those of just elry, Popsicle stick fun and much Protestant service Catholic Mass aerial refueling. As an airlift platform, the KC-135 can car- more. Cost is $5-$15 depending Sunday - 9 a.m. FAMCAMP Traditional ry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo and almost 40 passengers. on craft chosen. DIY Frame Shop Saturday - 5:30 p.m. - Mass (Bldg 2017-Raccoon Creek) 11 a.m. Contemporary It can also perform in an aeromedical evacuation role, ca- now open. Call 828-4413 or stop Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass Thursday - 11 a.m. Liturgical Communion pable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using by for info. Monday-Thursday - 12:10 p.m. patient support pallets and a medial crew of flight nurses Islamic service (Blessed Sacrament Room) and medical technicians. Friday - 1:30 p.m. Prayer Sunday Even with the recent introduction of the next generation Bay Palms Golf Complex air refueling aircraft, the KC-46 Pegasus, Air Mobility Com- For all other faith groups or for any questions, please contact the Chapel by visiting Club Member Appreciation – mand has continued to invest in upgrades and life-exten- http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel or calling 828-3621 Free golf and cart to AF Club card sion projects for the KC-135. Reconfirming its status as a members. Call 840-6904 to make vital part of the nation’s air refueling capability according your tee time today. Must show to Stephen Ove, historian assigned to the 6th Air Mobility valid Club card when checking in Wing, MacDill AFB. at the Pro Shop. “Wherever U.S. airpower has been since the late 1950s, you can expect to find a KC-135 involved in ensuring that www.macdillfss.com mission’s success,” Ove said. “From Operation Linebacker II, to El Dorado Canyon, to Inherent Resolve, nowhere will you find a vehicle with the breath of impact across so many of our nation’s conflicts than you will find with the KC-135 Stratotanker.”