Vol. 46, No. 49 Thursday,December 6, 2018

News/Features: page 2 MacDillAirmantop in AMC

News/Features: page 3 Hurricane Hunterswrap up

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

News/Features: page 7 Next generationmasks

Readiness showcased - page 10

Photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Snelson, 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander,spends time with military working dog handlers Community:page 16 at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.26. Snelson donned abite-suit and attempted to outrun amilitary working dog during a Events, Chapel, more... demonstration by the 6th Security Forces Squadron, showcasing that this SFS team and their canines areready to re- spond at amoment’snotice. NEWS/FEATURES ‘She’sincredible, must be medical’

by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Senior Airman Amber Durrence,a6th Medi- cal Operations Squadron mental health techni- cian at MacDill Air Force Base,was named Air Mobility Command’s2018 Mental Health Air- man of the Year. MacDill’s6th MDOS leadership nominated Durrence because she reflected Air Force core values and demonstrated not only expertise in her career field, but leadership above her grade and overall commitment to the Mental Health clinic mission. “Airman Durrence alwayshas agreat atti- tude,” said Staff Sgt. PatrickAllen, Durrence’s Photo by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner supervisor and the 6th MDOS NCO in charge of the behavior health optimization program. “She U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Amber Durrence, right, a6th Medical Operations Squadron men- continually exceeds expectations,leads by ex- tal health technician, shows another Airman how to complete the mental health examination of ample and is consistently hungry to help.” their pre-deployment process at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.29. Durrence won Air Mobility Com- Afew of Durrence’saccomplishments include mands’ 2018 Mental Health Airman of the Year for excelling in her field, including her work in the managing aDepartment of Defense neurologi- neurological testing program. cal testing program, in whichshe prepared and examined approximately 1,100 members.By and treatment program, and developed aflight “She takes initiative and stays late to help doing so,Durrence saved MacDill providers ap- tracking system to clear up months of backlog. out the office while making her demanding work proximately 550 hours and $28,000. She managed all of these duties while volunteer- load look effortless,” said Allen. “She is willing She also wasaleader in the Air Force’sopioid- ing as a6th Security Forces Squadron augmentee to take on any role,whichisreally abig under- free pain management program, played avital member and led a“BacktoSchool” event, which statement.” role in the alcohol drug and abuse prevention helped approximately 1,900 attendees. See AWARD, Page 18

For information about base operations during emergencies or natural disasters, call the Straight Talk Line at 828-4163

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil The Action Line provides two-way communication between the Facebook: www.facebook.com/ 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community.Per- sonnel may submit questions,concernsorcomments viaemailto MacDillAirForceBase [email protected] or Facebook @6thAirMobilityWing- Instagram: macdill_afb CommandTeam Twitter: @macdill_afb

MacDill Thunderbolt U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department factor of the purchaser,user,orpatron. of the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobility Wing. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted 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 Editor: Nick Stubbs the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, at 828-2215. Email: [email protected]. 6th Air Mobility Wing or the TImes Publishing Company of the Deadline forarticle submissions is noon,Wednesdays to The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publish- products or serviceadvertised. DSSHDU LQ WKH QH[W ZHHN·VSXEOLFDWLRQ $UWLFOHV UHFHLYHG DIWHU ing Company,aprivate firm in no way connected with the U.S. For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3318. deadline maybeconsideredfor future use. Allsubmissions are 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. 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- 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 are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the physical handicap,political affiliationorany othernon-merit and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

2 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT NEWS/FEATURES Hurricane Hunters close out active 2018 hurricane season by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo 403rd Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS)—The 2018 hurricane season, whichended Nov.30, wasanactive one for the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters,who flew more than 655 hours and 83 missions into 12 named storms over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force,Mississippi, is the only De- partment of Defense unit that conducts aircraft reconnaissance missions into severe tropical weather during the hurricane season June 1through Nov.30. These missions are flown to gather data for the National Hurricane Center to improve their forecasts and storm warnings. “It wasavery challenging season due to the Atlantic and Pacific ba- sins being so active,stretching 53rd WRS capabilities across their area of responsibility,” said Maj. JonBrady,53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer.“In September alone,weevacuated aircraft from Keesler to Ellington Field, Texas,asTropical Storm Gordon made its waytoward the Gulf Coast. The squadron wasoperating out of Ellington for the final

missions into Gordon. At the same time,the squadron wasalso preparing Photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek to deploy to for both Hurricanes Norman and Olivia. While the Maj. Jeremy DeHart, a53rdWeather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial squadron never flew Norman, due to its course veering to the north of reconnaissance weather officer,reviews data prior to sending the data to Hawaii, they did perform reconnaissance operations for the National Hurricane Center for Hurricane Michael, aCategory 4storm, See HUNTERS, Page 19 which made at Mexico Beach, Fla. Veteran, 94, recalls Pearl Harbor,Pacific service by Nick Stubbs Manlove,anEvarts-class destroyer escort. His Thunderbolt editor station wasinthe engine room, deep in the bow- els of the ship.Hewould soon arrive in Pearl “When Iwas 14, Iremember going to the li- Harbor,where he found the destruction still brary and looking at books about WWI,”George fresh and the tragedy of the attackpalpable. Jamison said, recalling the horrific photos on “It (the harbor) wasthat deep in oil,”hesaid, the pages.“Ithought, I’m never going to go to holding his palm four feet off the floor of the war.” Hudson, Florida, home he built himself.Engi- neers had opened an additional pass to allow Then, on the oil to flow out to sea, but it wasaslow pro- Dec.7,1941, cess,the 94-year-old former Sailor added. Japan’ssur- Jamison and his crew ran several training prise attack missions from Pearl Harbor before voyaging to on Pearl Har- Majuro,inthe Marshall Islands.Itwas his first bor changed extended time at sea. He recalled “hitting the his mind. sack” as they neared the Marshals,waking in Problem was, Photo courtesy George Jamison the morning to astunning site. he wason- The U.S.S. Manlove, adestroyer “I got up and there must have been 2,000 ly 16—two escort that served in the Pa- (U.S.) ships there,” Jamison said. “I couldn’t be- years too cific during WWII. Area resident lieve it.” young to join It wasthe first of many firsts for the teenage George Jamison was adiesel Photo by Nick Stubbs the service— mechanic aboardthe ship. Sailor.After returning to Pearl Harbor for about but two years amonth, it wasbacktothe Marshalls by the George Jamison, now 94, displays some of later the warwas still raging and he joined the end of Feb. 1944. This time,the Manlove ran an- his memorabilia from his time in the U.S. Navy U.S. Navy. ti-submarine patrols and hunter-killer missions during WWII. Jamison lives in Hudson, where Jamison wastrained as adiesel mechanic around the islands.Thanks to cracking Japa- until the 1980s he regularly hosted reunions afterenlisting,and wasassignedtothe U.S.S. See PACIFIC, Page 17 for the crew of the U.S.S. Manlove.

MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 3 WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Senior Airman Gracie I. Lee Frecce Tricolori, an aerial demonstration aircraft, flies over Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain, during the Bahrain International Airshow 2018, Nov.14. BIAS is a biennial, three-day aviation and aerospace industry event that provides the U.S. military an opportunity to highlight Department of Defense aviation’s flexibility,speed and agility.

Photo by Senior Airman Heather Fejerang Photo by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 6th Air Mobility Wing compete in Sports Day U.S. Air Force 6th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters train on the lad- Nov.16atMacDill Air Force Base. Sports Day is held annually with multiple der at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.20. The firefighters practiced safety activities for squadrons to compete in. procedures for ascending and descending the ladder while conducting firerescue operations.

4 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 5 NEWS/FEATURES Deploying mental health caredownrange by Shireen Bedi Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs

FALLS CHURCH, Va.(AFNS)—Deployed mental health provid- ers playavital role in delivering medical care downrange,ensuring the health of the warfighter and the mission. Even though service members who deploy are medically ready,both physically and mentally,the rigors of deployment can take atoll. “Deployments can be stressful and service members are away from their normal coping mechanisms,” said Capt. Karen Schaefer,aforensic psychology postdoctoral fellow at the Air Force Office of Special Investiga- tions,Quantico,Virginia, who deployed in April 2017 for seven months. “When those stressors become too much, deployed service members must have access to care.” According to Maj. Michael Ann Glotfelter,director of clinical health

psychology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,deployed mental U.S. Air Force illustration by Josh Mahler health providers fulfill different capacities than they do in garrison. One While service members aremedically ready to deploy,both physically and of the reasons for this is that Airmen who deploy are stable from amental mentally,the rigors of deployment can take atoll. Mental health providers health perspective,meaning there is less need for prolonged care. in deployed settings play avital role in providing the necessary support to “In adeployed location, we mainly focus on prevention and early inter- ensurethe health of the warfighter and the mission. vention,”said Glotfelter.“We use channels suchasbriefs about normal adjustment on arrival, and base-wide events to shift service members’ agement, being available for individual, one-on-one counseling for more perspectives toward the positives in our daily lives” elevated issues or concerns,and setting up programs for targeted inter- Muchofwhat mental health providers do downrange involves things ventions. like classes on sleep or resiliency,working with units on basic stress man- See MENTAL HEALTH, Page 15

6 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT NEWS/FEATURES Air Force fields next generation CBRN protective masks

by Kevin O’Neal, Jennifer Farrell, Lt. Col. nation’sability to effectively fight and win in an Jeffrey Hamblin, Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan environment that involves weapons of mass de- Redfern, Brian Brackens struction has become more and more important,” Air Force Life Cycle Management Center said Dr.Mohamed Mughal, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’sCBRN Defense Systems ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND,Md. (AF- Branchchief engineer.“So far,the Air Force has NS)—In November 2018, the Air Force will com- already delivered JSAM RW masks to almost a plete fielding of an improved chemical, biological, dozen airbases around the world.” radiological and nuclear protective mask for aircrew Fielding teams from the joint program execu- on rotary wing aircraft, allowing operational units to tive office for chemical, biological, radiological achieve full operational capability. and nuclear defense and Air Combat Command This next-generation mask, also known as the have trained aircrew flight equipment personnel Joint Service Aircrew Mask –Rotary Wing,re- on sizing,fitting and preventative maintenance places the Aircrew and Respiratory Protec- checks and services for the JSAM RW mask. tion system on HH-60G Pave Hawk and UH-1N Theyhavealso trainedaircrew in theproper Huey aircraft. wear and use of the mask. To date,the fielding The new mask provides aircrew vastly im- teams have trained approximately 100 AFE per- proved ocular,percutaneous and respiratory pro- sonnel and about 75 aircrew. tection and integrates with night vision goggles, “Fielding the new masks is significant because requires no aircraft modification, and has joint they are replacing equipment that limits the service commonality,afive-fold increase in fit capability of aircrew to perform their mission,” factor,asix-fold increase in battery life,and a said Lt. Col. William Holl, AFLCMC’sCBRN de- Courtesy photo removable faceplate. fense systems materiel leader at Aberdeen Prov- An Airman demonstrates the use of the next- In addition, the mask gives aircrew an en- ing Ground, Maryland. “The feedbackI’m getting generation chemical, biological, radiological hanced field of view so they can better conduct from aircrew is that they love the system and are andnuclearprotectivemask knownasthe combat missions in aCBRN environment. excited about getting this new capability.” Joint Service Aircrew Mask -Rotary Wing dur- “With recent and continuing world events,our See MASKS Page 19 ing atest and fielding event.

MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 7 8 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 9 Military Working Dog Lleonard, rolls in the grass at MacDill Air Force U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Snelson, 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander,and Lt. Col. Robert Base Nov.26. The 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dogs Moore, 6th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) Commander,talk with Tech. Sgt. James Himes, and handlers demonstrated suspect apprehension procedures for 6th the NCO in charge of the 6th SFS Marine Patrol, at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.26. Marine Air Mobility Wing leadership, showing their ability to defend the installa- Patrol guided the 6th AMW leadership team around MacDill’scoastline and demonstrated tion when called upon. tactical maneuvers to show how the 6th SFS protects the base on land and sea. U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Snelson, the 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander,runs from 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, Lleonard, at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.26. Snelson experienced afirsthand glimpse of the rigorous training that keeps the MWD team ready to defend MacDill.

6th SFS, EOD showcase readiness during immersion story and photos by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag have to maintain our security,integrity and excellence.” 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs The EOD flight members demonstrated their skills by giving Snel- son achance to operate the remote ordnance disposal robot. Through he 6th Security Forces Squadron and 6th Civil Engineer rigoroustraining, EOD Airmen specialize in disposal of dangerous Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight flexed their base materials that maypose athreat to the base. Tsecurity muscles during aleadership immersion at MacDill Air “Weshowed that our team is well-trained and capable of mitigat- Force Base Nov.26. ing any situation to protect MacDill,”said Master Sgt. Timothy Lin- Col. Stephen Snelson, 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander,joined by coln, EOD resources section chief. the 6th AMW Vice-Commander Troy Pananon and Command Chief Since the 6th SFS often works hand-in-hand with local lawen- Master Sgt. Sarah Sparks,traveled MacDill’s7-mile coastline,at- forcement, leadership joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office tempted to outrun military working dogs,fired 50,000 volts of power for ahelicopter ride,ending the daywith abird’s-eye view of the in- from apolice Taser,and detonated explosives with EOD. stallation these Airmen work around the clocktoprotect. “Assecurity forces for the entire installation, we deter,detect and “Spending time with these Airmen really opened my eyes to the 6th Air Mobility Wing leadership receives asafety briefing from Tech. Sgt. James U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Snelson, 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander,operates a defend the base on water and land,”said Staff Sgt. Trisha Eddy,6th sheer scale of responsibilities they take on in providing care for our SFS noncommissioned officer in charge of police services.“We showed Joint Force,” said Snelson. “It’sclear they are ready and willing to Himes, 6th Security Forces Squadron Marine Patrol noncommissioned officer in remote control explosive ordnance disposal robot at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. Col. Snelson firsthand the training expertise and various tactics we protect the warfighter anytime,anywhere.” charge, at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.26. Marine Patrol briefs all passengers on 26. The robot is used for training by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight to han- safety procedures beforethey accompany the team on apatrol. dle dangerous materials.

10 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLTMACDILL THUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 11 12 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 13 14 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT MENTAL HEALTH From Page 6 “One targeted intervention is the Combat Operational Stress Control program, only offered to deployed service members,” said Schaefer.“That program delivers educational materials and gives first responders achance to speak specifically about combat opera- tional stress,over the course of four sessions.” In adeployed setting,these types of interventions helps service members stayinthe fight and support the mission. “Wesaw people for insomnia and other sleep-related issues and within two to three visits,wewere able to address those issues to improve their sleep quality,” said Maj. Adam Dell, the 71st Flying Training Wing flight commander and director of psychological health at Vance AFB,Oklahoma. Schaefer explains the mental health in adeployed setting reduces the number of aero- medical evacuations for mental health reasons,because they provided the necessary sup- port for service members. “Wehad people who were not quite sure where to go next and felt that the only way they could get better wastogohome,” said Schaefer.“With treatment and facilitating slight changes,people overcame those stressors and continued doing their job.” As Dell explains,deployment is stressful and many service members mayhavenormal reactions to possibly stressful situations.Deployed mental health providers provide criti- cal support for the warfighter,ensuring their resiliency,maintaining readiness,and safe- guarding their ability to perform downrange. “I believe that our best men and women are still men and women at best, and deploy- ment can take atoll on their mental health,”said Dell. “Our goal (as mental health providers) is to foster that strong sense of belonging among our brothers and sisters in armed services,providing any support and interventions that keep them healthy and in the fight.”

MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 15 COMMUNITY EVENTS Friday Outdoor Recreation Christmas Craft Bazaar from 10 a.m. -2p.m. This homemade crafts bazaar will be held in Bldg.2017 by FamCamp.Come one,come all to see all the beautiful items you can purchase as gifts for you, your friends and loved ones.Just in time for Christmas.For more informa- tion call (813) 515-3704.

Sunday Base Theater Free movie: “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” (PG). Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. Overflow parking available in the SOCOM parking garage.

Wednesday Trees for Troops Bldg 72 Parking Lot (Across Photo by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner from the golf course). Everyone Gearing up! U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Charles Nettles, afirefighter assigned to the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron, with base access is Invited to pick grabs his helmet at MacDill Air Force Base Nov.20. Nettles grabbed safety gear beforeclimbing the ladder up afree,fresh-cut Christmas tree of the firetruck, which can extend up to 75 feet in the air. courtesy of *FedEx and the Christ- mas Spirit Foundation 11 a.m. -1 p.m. (for active duty military/their families) 1-3 p.m. (everyone else). Formore info,call FSS Marketing CHAPEL SCHEDULE at 828-3055. *Nofederal endorse- Protestant service CatholicMass ment implied Sunday -8a.m. -traditionalworship Saturday -5:30 p.m. -Mass 11 a.m. -contemporary worship Sunday -9:30 a.m. -Mass Thursday Monday-Thursday -12:10 p.m. DFAC food show Islamicservice The Diner’sReef food vendors Friday - 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Prayer (Blessed Sacrament Room) are hosting aquarterly food show featuring new product offerings. Forall other faith groups or for any questions,please contact the Chapel by visiting Individuals partaking in this free http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel or calling 828-3621 event will be required to fill out a survey once they’ve taste-tested the products offered. This feedback provides valuable insight ensuring customer choices will be offered in future menu selections.For more info call 828-1995.

Base Theater Free movie: “Unfriended: Dark Web” (R). Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Movie starts at 7p.m.

Mark your calendar Be suretovisit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing Festival &Tree Lighting website at www.macdill.af.mil

16 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT PACIFIC From Page 3 nese codes,onMarch24the Manlove located a Jamison left the service when the warended Japanese sub attempting to re-supply an enemy and went to work for aconstruction firm, later garrison at Wotje.Inacoordinated attackwith starting his own building business. companion ship PC-1135, the sub wassunk. These days he has oldpictures,memories, Asked if he felt vulnerable to atorpedo at- and despite the dangers and hardships during tackathis station deep in the ship,Jamison waryears,helaughs alot about those days. saidhedidn’tthink about it much until years As for the waritself,Jamison thinks the war later,atone of the crew reunions he hosted. A withJapan possiblycould have beenavoided former captain of the ship attending the gather- with diplomacy,but given the Pearl Harbor at- ing called the Manlove a“tin can,”Jamison said. tack, the U.S. had no choice. “He said if we’dbeen hit by atorpedo,itwould “Wehad to retaliate,” he said, adding that he have been all over for us.” has no ill feelings toward Japan. The Manlove would later become part of the Of the many reunions between former Jap- invasion fleet in the Okinawa campaign, but anese and U.S. troops after the war, Jamison by then Jamison had been assigned to acivil- said they were important events for many who ian ship attached to the Navy.Hesailed on it needed to make peace with themselves and the through the Panama Canal directly into ahur- enemy. ricane in the Pacific.Herecalls it wasnofun. “You can’t hate forever,” he said.

Even without the pounding of the storm, Pacific Photo courtesy of George Jamison passages were tough. Some dates and other details in this story George Jamison, right, along with best bud “That Pacific Ocean is long and wide,” were sourced on the U.S. Navy’sNaval History Mike Barsa, left, and an unidentified man Jamison said. and Heritage Command website. during the war years.

Be suretovisit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 17 AWARD From Page 2 One of those roles wasleading aPain and Well-being Group (PAWG), “I am really grateful andhonoredtobereceiving thisaward,” said whichwas previously led by anon-commissioned officer. Durrence.“Icouldn’t have done it without the help of my mental health “Weuse to have atechnical sergeant that led the PAWG meetings, team and leadership.” but Senior Airman Durrence has filled in wonderfully,” said Dr.Mary No matter the job,Durrence consistently has shown she is up to the Ann McGrath, a6th Medical Group behavior health consultant. “She is task and it has earned the admiration of her coworkers. alwaysprofessional, attendant, prepared and incredibly efficient.” “I love working with her,” said McGrath. “I couldn’t ask for anyone Despite all the recognition, Durrence remains humble. better.”

Be suretovisit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

18 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT HUNTERS From Page 3 four days later,whichcaused wind and flood damage to and . On top of all that, the squadron wasalso preparing for Hurricane Florence,whichwas flown out of Savannah, Georgia.” The 53rd WRS’soperations area is immense,ranging from the mid-Atlantic to just west of Hawaii. Through an interagency agreement, tropical weather reconnaissance is governed by the National Hurricane Operations Plan, whichrequires the squadron to support 24-hour-a-daycontinuous operations,with the ability to fly up to three storms simultaneously with response times of 16 hours.Toprovide this quickreaction aircrew and aircraft maintenance force,the squadron has 10 full-time Reserve aircrews and 10 traditional Reserve part-time crews available to fly the 10 WC-130J Hercules aircraft designated to accomplish the mission. The number of named storms exceeded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- istration’sprediction of 13 for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. There were 15 named storms—eight hurricanes of whichtwo were major hurricanes,meaning they were aCat- egory 3, 4or5storm and six tropical storms. The squadron kicked off the Atlantic season flying into Tropical Storm Alberto,which formed May25and made landfall in northern Florida. The unit also flew Beryl, Chris, Gordon,Kirkand theseason’smostdestructivestormsHurricanesFlorence andMi- chael, whichcaused significant damage to the southeastern United States. The first major hurricane of the season wasHurricane Florence.Atits peak, it was aCategory 4hurricane but weakened to aCategory 1when it made landfall in North Carolina Sept. 14, bringing catastrophic flooding to the area. Amonth later,Hurricane Michael rapidly intensified into aCategory 4storm and made landfall Oct. 10 along the Florida Panhandle causing extensive damage to the Panama City including Tyndall Air Force Base,Florida. Winds speeds up to 155 mph, 1mph short of Category 5status,were documented with Hurricane Michael. The Hurricane Hunters were inside the storm center as it made landfall. Michael wasthe fourth-strongest storm to hit the continental United States,according to NOAA. Florence and Michael caused billions of dollars in damages and there were over 50 fatalities from Florence and 40 more from Michael. While this year’sAtlantic hurricane season wasn’t as active as 2017, the hurricane season in the eastern Pacific Ocean wasone of the most active season’srecorded, accord- ing to Colorado State University’sTropical Meteorologist Phil Klotzbach. There were 22 named storms,12ofwhichbecame hurricanes and nine of those were major hurricanes. According to NHC,interms of Accumulated Cyclone Energy,whichmeasures the strength and duration of tropical storms and hurricanes,activity in the basin in 2018 wasthe third highest on record, behind 1990 and 1992. The 53rd WRS deployed to Hawaii three times to fly Hurricanes Hector,Lane and Ol- ivia. They also flew Hurricanes Rosa and Willa in the eastern Pacific,both of whichmade landfall in Mexico. While the 2018 hurricane season has ended, the mission of the 53rd WRS has not. From Nov.1to March31, the squadron flies winter storms off the East and West Coast of the U.S. and in the Gulf of Mexico.They will also conduct atmospheric river reconnais- sance missions in early 2019, to collect data to determine atmospheric moisture content that pushes into the West Coast of the U.S. eachwinter season, whichassists flooding forecasts.Inbetween flying winter storms,atmospheric river missions,and training mis- sions,the squadron will be preparing for the 2019 hurricane season, calibrating their weather instruments to ensure they are ready for Mother Nature’snext meteorological show of force.

MASKS From Page 7 “This next generation mask is agood news story all the wayaround,”added Mughal. “Most importantly,itprovides our warfighter added protections and combat capabilities. But it also highlights the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’smission to partner with organizations outside the Air Force.This joint service program required us to team with our counterparts in the Army,the Navy and the Marines to derive and balance sys- tem requirements that met all services’ mission profiles.Despite the challenges,wesuc- ceeded. System acquisition truly is ateam sport.”

MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 19 20 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ Thursday,December 6, 2018 ◆ MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT