Vol. 47, No. 49 Thursday, December 5, 2019 ‘Mobil Tiger’ staged at MacDill - page 8 News/Features: page 2 Native Americans honored News/Features: page 3 No drones within 5 miles Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week News/Features: page 11 Airman awarded silver star Photo by Staff Sgt. Brad Tipton Airmen assigned to the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., load munitions on an A-10 Thun- Community: page 14 derbolt II aircraft assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron Moody AFB during exercise Mobil Tiger on MacDill Air Force Base Events, Chapel, more... Nov. 20. The exercise allowed Moody Airmen to practice their ability to deliver combat air power from an austere environ- ment with no installation support. NEWS/FEATURES MacDill celebrates Native American Heritage Month by Airman 1st Class Shannon Bowman 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ameri- can Indians constitute less than 2 percent of the nation’s population. Despite their small number, the Department of Defense acknowledges that today’s military successes depend heavily on Native Americans, with 31,000 serving on active duty and 140,000 living veterans. To commemorate the military service of American Indians and celebrate their contribu- tion to the U.S., MacDill Air Force Base hosted a Native American Heritage Month celebration Nov. 21. The event showcased Navajo art, tradition- al Cherokee dances and traditional Pow Wow Songs from the Kiowa and Cherokee Nations. Members of Team MacDill filled the chapel annex, sampled traditional native foods partici- pated in traditional dances. “Just look around the room, and you can see how diverse our organization is,” said Col. Steve Snelson, the 6th Air Refueling Wing com- mander. “Embracing diversity makes us better Photo by Airman 1st Class Shannon Bowman as a nation, and it makes us better as a mili- Brian “Blue Jay” Littlejohn, of the Cherokee nation, plays a drum with his grandson Kyler during tary.” a Native American Heritage Month Celebration at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 21. Littlejohn per- According to Eric Vichich, the 6th Civil Engi- formed traditional Cherokee dances during the celebration. neer Squadron cultural resources program man- ager, even after everything American Indians “They have a warrior tradition, this is their was designated in 1990, and is celebrated every have endured throughout history, they continue home, and they are going to continue to defend November as a way to recognize the contribu- to serve in the armed forces at a higher rate it,” said Vichich. tions of American Indians to the establishment than any other demographic in the U.S. National Native American Heritage Month and growth of the nation. 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 Refueling Wing commander and the MacDill community. Per- sonnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to MacDillAirForceBase [email protected] or Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb MacDill Thunderbolt U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling 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 Refueling 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 Refueling Wing or the TImes Publishing Company of the Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to 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 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 affiliation or any other non-merit and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101. NEWS/FEATURES No drone zone at MacDill by 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Commercial, off-the-shelf remotely piloted aircraft, or drones, continue to be an item of in- terest for gift-giving during the holiday season. As a result, a policy has been established to ensure the public is aware of Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense reg- ulations regarding the safety and security of re- sources and personnel on military installations. “Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems or drone flying is prohibited at MacDill Air Force Base,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Heather Dixon, sUAS program manager assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron. “Drone enthusiasts are re- minded that, per the Federal Aviation Admin- istration, drones can’t be flown within a 5-mile radius of military airfields or commercial air- ports.” Further, according to the FAA, all drones are aircraft—even the ones bought at the toy store. What that means is operators of a drone have the same responsibilities as a pilot of a passen- Photo by Senior Airman Ryan Lackey ger airplane. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drone flying is prohibited at MacDill Air Force Base. “The safety and security of the mission and Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), drones can’t be flown within a 5-mile radius of mili- individuals vital to the mission is crucial to the tary airfields or commercial airports. The FAA and Department of Defense (DoD) instituted the ban completion of our objectives, and a clear air- on sUAS, or drones, in response to the rising popularity of private sUAS and the possible security See DRONES, Page 13 risk they pose, along with the potential physical danger to aircraft. An introduction – Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—In her first formal interview since be- coming Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara M. Barrett told Air Force Tele- vision about her youth, her life’s journey and how those experiences make the Air Force a good match. “Aviation is a big part of my life and space is, too. For me, the Air Force is a very comfortable home and a place that feels like the right fit,” she says. Barrett is a lawyer, a rancher and instrument-rated pilot with a long history of corporate and federal service, including serving as ambassador to Finland and in senior positions with the Federal Aviation Administra- tion and Civil Aeronautics Board. Before she was 30, she was an execu- tive with two global Fortune 500 companies. Informed by those experiences, she says serving as the Secretary of the Air Force is “an extraordinary privilege” but clearly places her emphasis on “the depth of the responsibility that this job carries.” At the same time, she understands a larger truth: “I also know that every Airman, when they raise their hand to defend the country and the Constitution, is making a bigger commitment than I am,” she says. “My job will be to give them the tools, give them the re- Photo by Wayne Clark sources, give them the support and get out of the way.” Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett conducts her first Air See SECRETARY, Page 15 Force TV interview with Airmen at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Oct. 24. WEEK IN PHOTOS Photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Snider U.S. Air Force KC-135 aircrew with the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron perform preflight briefings, Nov. 24, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The 28th EARS, part of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, is responsible for delivering fuel to U.S. and coalition forces, enabling a constant presence in the area of responsibility. Photo courtesy of United States Special Operations Command Photo by Senior Airman Daniel Garcia U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Aaron Figel, a mem- Gen. Maryanne Miller, Air Mobility Command commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Terrence ber of United States Special Operations Command Greene, AMC command chief, observe as members of the 375th Aeromedical Squadron treat (USSOCOM), puts a parachute on a Farnell Middle a simulated patient suffering from ventricular tachycardia without pulse on board the Fuselage School student. More than 20 USSOCOM service Trainer (FuT) at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Nov. 18. The FuT allows AES Airmen to accomplish members and civilian employees participated in standardized training requirements without having to depart from Scott AFB and offers both the Great American Teach-In for Hillsborough and medics and ground support personnel a training platform with respect to aircraft configuration Pinellas counties Nov. 22. familiarization. NEWS/FEATURES Hill AFB, DoD bases to serve as 5G test bed by Kendahl Johnson 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS)—In an effort to demonstrate innovative prototypes that use commercial 5G technologies as a way to augment future military capabilities, the Department of Defense chose Hill Air Force Base and three other U.S.