Vol. 47, No. 46 Thursday, November 14, 2019

New AI medical tech at MacDill - page 8

News/Features: page 3 Candy bomber remembers

News/Features: page 3 Height no barrier

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

News/Features: page 11 Teamwork works

Photo by Senior Airman Adam R. Shanks Community: page 14 Maj. Thomas Beachkofsky, 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron dermatologist, uses a body scanner microscope to take Events, Chapel, more... a picture of a spot on his arm at MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 30. A new software upgrade allows a complex algorithm to analyze an image captured with a camera and rate the severity of the spot for a dermatologist to review.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 1 NEWS/FEATURES AMC announces 2019 Phoenix Spark Tank winners Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.—The AMC Phoenix Spark Tank competition was held Oct. 25, at the /Tanker Association convention. There were 64 submissions for the competition and five finalists competed, making their pitch to the judges. Those finalists are: u First Place: Tech. Sgt. Sharif Abouomar, Air Mobility Command HQ A4 u Second Place: Tech. Sgt. Brett Kiser, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing Runner ups: u Staff Sgt. Timothy Miller, 621st Contingency Response Wing u Master Sgt. Jacob Hamilton, u Senior Airman John Cuttito, 6th Air Mobility Wing Abouomar and Kiser will compete at the Air Force level to be considered as one of the finalists for the U.S. Air Force Spark Tank competition in February. The runner-ups will be considered for implementation by AMC. The additional 59 submissions have been forwarded into the API program for consideration to be implemented at various command levels. AMC is also opening an innovation campaign that will be available 365 days a year and can be accessed athttps://usaf.ideascalegov.com/. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail Airmen can support this year’s winners by go- Staff. Sgt. Peter Cannizzaro, 9th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, uses a virtual reality headset to work ing to the site and vote for the semi-finalist. The on a brain as a demonstration of what you can do with VR at , Del., Oct. 25. Air Force uses these votes to consider who will Working on a brain is one of many options Bedrock, a Phoenix Spark Tank development hub at Do- present at the Air Force Spark Tank level. ver AFB, is looking into for VR educational training.

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/ 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.

2 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT NEWS/FEATURES Chance encounter at A/TA reveals impact of Berlin ‘candy bomber’ by Col. Damien Pickart Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.—As Air Force 1st Lt. Gail Halvorsen and his crewmates lobbed handkerchief-wrapped chocolate bars out the window of his C-54 Skymaster over a war-shattered Berlin, he had no way of knowing a chance encounter 71 years later would reveal the true impact of his actions to help those in need. As a special guest speaker and attendee at the 51st annual Airlift/Tanker Association Con- ference in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 23-26, Halvors- en shared his personal memories flying many of the Berlin Airlift’s 278,000 flights into the blockaded city between June 1948 and Septem- ber 1949, recounting how he - without permis- sion - started Operation Little Vittles, an effort to raise morale in Berlin by dropping candy via miniature parachutes to the city’s residents be- low. Among the hundreds of Air Mobility Com- Photo by Col. Damien Pickart mand Airmen who met and thanked Halvorsen Col. Gail Halvorsen, the Berlin Airlift “Candy Bomber,” greets Senior Airman Andreas Gehde, a for his contributions as a mobility legend, it was client systems technician from the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, during the 2019 Airlift/ a very personal thank you from Senior Airman Tanker Association conference in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 24. During their conversation, Gehde related Andreas Gehde that caused the 99-year-old avi- to Halvorsen that his relief helped save the lives of his grandparents, who were trapped See CANDY, Page 6 without aid during the Soviet Blockade of Berlin in 1948-49. Aspiring Air Force pilots: Don’t let height standards get in the way by Jennifer Gonzalez Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS)—Those who aspire to one day become a U.S. Air Force aviator must first meet several requirements, including height, before they are considered for pilot training. For those who fall outside of the Air Force’s height require- ments, height waivers are available. “Don’t automatically assume you don’t qualify because of your height,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander. “We have an in- credibly thorough process for determining whether you can safely operate our assigned aircraft. Don’t let a number on a website stop you from pur- suing a career with the best Air Force in the world.” The current height requirement to become an Air Force pilot is a stand- ing height of 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 5 inches and a sitting height of 34- 40 inches. These standard height requirements have been used for years to ensure candidates will safely fit into an operational aircraft and each of the prerequisite training aircraft. “We’re rewriting these rules to better capture the fact that no two people are the exact same, even if they are

the same overall height,” Wills said. Courtesy photo “Height restrictions are an operational limitation, not a medical one, Two instructor pilots from the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus but the majority of our aircraft can accommodate pilots from across the Air Force Base, Miss., stand side-by-side to illustrate the varying stand- height spectrum,” Wills said. “The bottom line is that the vast majority of ing heights of Air Force pilots to dispel the myth that there is one height See HEIGHT, Page 10 standard for all Air Force pilots.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 3 WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag Aircrew prepare to unload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., from a C-5 Super Galaxy assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 6. The helicopters and support equipment were delivered to MacDill as part of an upcoming exercise.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Shannon Bowman Photo by Airman 1st Class Shannon Bowman U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Costine, a 63rd Air Refueling A B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., approaches a Squadron evaluator boom operator refuels a B-52 Stratofortress, Nov. KC-135 Stratotanker from MacDill AFB for refueling support Nov. 4. The 4. The KC-135 crew from MacDill Air Force Base delivered air refueling KC-135 delivers rapid global mobility and air refueling to extend the capa- support to bolster the global strike capabilities of the B-52 assigned to bilities for global strike and strategic deterrence missions. Barksdale AFB, La.

4 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT NEWS/FEATURES Air Force Academy names airfield in honor of Tuskegee hero by Jennifer Spradlin U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS)—Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the first African American general in the Air Force, once said, “I could have been a teacher. I could have been a doctor or a lawyer, if I wanted to, but I didn’t – I wanted to be a pilot.” His journey, marked by excellence and overcoming institutionalized ra- cial barriers, was celebrated at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Nov. 1, during a ceremony to name its airfield in his honor. A mock-up of the new airfield sign was unveiled in front of an audience that included Davis’ extended family, documented original Tuskegee Air- men and high-ranking military members, civil servants and cadets. “His story and legacy of indomitable spirit will forever be enshrined on this airfield and is going to serve as an inspiration for generations of ca- dets,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. Davis is most widely known for commanding the 332nd Fighter Group Photo by Trevor Cokely and the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, earning a reputation for their skill while protecting American bombers. Prior to the war, Davis and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein (far right), Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett (second from right), relatives of Gen. Benja- his father were the only African American line officers in the Army. Nei- min O. Davis Jr., Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright (far ther were allowed to command or lead white service members. left), Jay B. Silveria, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent and other His service, and the service of the Tuskegee Airmen, are linked to Pres- staff members unveil a mock-up of the Academy’s new airfield sign Nov. ident Harry Truman’s decision to desegregate the armed forces. 1, 2019. The Academy officially named its airfield in honor of Gen. Davis, See TUSKEGEE, Page 10 an original Tuskegee Airman.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 5 CANDY From Page 3 ator to pause and smile. “If you hadn’t done what you did, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you,” said Gehde, a client systems technician in the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group at Naval Station Rota, Spain. “Your airdrops fed my grandparents, Helga Deibrich and Joachim Gehde.” Somewhat astonished, Halvorsen chuckled softly. “Yeah, it (the Berlin Airlift) was a big morale builder,” he said. “It sure is something that your grandparents remember it.” Gehde went onto share with Halvorsen that Joachim and Helga, who were orphaned by the war, went onto marry in 1960, and that one of their children, his father Joerg, married an Air Force intelligence Airman, Dawn Gehde, in the late 1980s before moving to the while he was an employee of Delta Airlines. Gehde, who is slated to sew on Staff Sergeant Nov. 1, later told Halvors- en he was born in Orlando just a few miles from where they were sitting, and that after his first encounter with the colonel at the A/TA conference, he called and shared with his grandparents in Germany the news of who he’d met. Gehde, who learned German when his parents briefly returned to the family’s home country in the early 1990s, smiled broadly as he shared with Halvorsen the highlights of that call. “My grandparents were astonished that I just met you and asked me to thank you for saving them,” said Gehde. “If you hadn’t done what you did, they said I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you, so thank you.” Gehde remarked that his grandmother recalled being ‘adopted’ by U.S. Soldiers during the Christmas of 1948, who cared for them while away from their own children back in the United States. He added they still had vivid memories of the loud planes flying overhead and how all the orphans at St. Mary’s would run out to catch the candy bars parachuting from the C-54s and C-47 Skytrains flying overhead. “They’d try to run to get the candy, but were too small and slow to get any,” said Gehde of his grandparents. Over the course of the 16-month airlift, Halvorsen and his fellow crew members purchased with their own pay approximately 23 tons of choco- late bars, which they air dropped to thousands of children across both West and East Berlin as they flew in and out of Berlin’s Templehof Air- port. By the time the Soviet Union relinquished its ground blockade of West Berlin, Operation Vittles had airlifted approximately 2.3 million Courtesy photo pounds of coal and food staples to the city’s 2.4 million starving and cold Senior Airman Andrea Gehde, a client systems technician from the 521st residents. Air Mobility Operations Group, poses for a photo with his grandparents, “People are on this planet because of you,” said Gehde as he showed Helga and Joachim Gehde, who say that relief supplies dropped over pictures of his grandparents to a man his family regards as a savior. Berlin by Col Gail Halvorsen and his crewmates during Operation Vittles, “I’m glad you’re here,” noted Halvorsen. “And I’m glad you’re free.” helped save their lives.

6 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 7 Artificial intelligence makes its way to MacDill dermatology clinic

story and photos by Senior Airman Adam R. Shanks 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

he dermatology clinic at MacDill Air Force Base boasts a ma- chine that can help patients log and track various skin condi- Ttions over time. It’s ability to use high-resolution photos of a patient’s body and intelligently detect when new marks appear and grow larger allows Maj. Thomas Beachkofsky, the 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron dermatologist, to easily monitor areas of concern with his patients. However, a new software upgrade that takes advantage of machine learning has opened up new opportunities to use this machine, which is one of two in the Air Force. “Our new software that works with our body scanner uses artifi- U.S. Air Force Maj. Thomas Beachkofsky, 6th Healthcare Operations cial intelligence and machine learning to analyze a lesion or mark on Squadron (HCOS) dermatologist and Staff Sgt. Dalton Mace, 6th the skin and uses an algorithm to rate the likelihood that the spot is HCOS aerospace medical technician, prepare Lt. Col. Kurtis Kobes, harmful,” said Beachkofsky. “With training, our dermatology techni- a patient, for a procedure at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 5. With the cians can use this program to efficiently scan and process question- help of a new dermatological analyzing software, Beachkofsky was able spots.” able to diagnose a spot as an early stage of melanoma on Kobes Beachkofsky explained that although the machine makes an edu- and remove the area of skin before it could develop into deeper lay cated guess on the severity of the lesion, it is up to a fully-trained ers of skin. dermatologist to make a diagnosis, and recommend treatment. So far, Lt. Col. Kurtis Kobes, the 6th Operational Medical Readi- ness Squadron dental flight commander, was among the first to ben- efit from the new software, after seeking a second glance at MacDill’s clinic for a spot on his forearm. “Based on how it looked, and the results from the scan, I ordered a biopsy which came back as melanoma in situ,” remarked Beachkofsky. Melanoma in situ, also called stage zero melanoma is a very early stage of cancer where the cancerous cells only affect the epidermis and haven’t spread to deeper layers of the skin. “It’s very fortunate that something like this was caught in as early of a stage as it did,” said Beachkofsky. “Melanoma can be deadly if left to spread, so treating it while it’s in situ allows a simple procedure with a fast recovery.” With the new software upgrade, the dermatology office hopes to give its patients the peace of mind that their questionable spots can be checked accurately and efficiently. “I’m very grateful for the dermatology clinic quickly verifying and handling the suspicious area on my forearm,” said Kobes. “I’ve had this spot for over a year, and after having it looked at by other clinics, Maj. Thomas Beachkofsky, 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron der I was only told it could be monitored, but it didn’t look alarming.” matologist, demonstrates how a body scanner microscope works at In a study named “Man against machine,” the deep-learning algo- MacDill Air Force Base Oct. 30. A new software upgrade allows a rithm used by the analyzing software was able to correctly identify 95 complex algorithm to scan an image captured with the camera and percent of malignant skin tumors. This data was compared to 58 der- rate the severity of the spot for a dermatologist to review. matologists across 17 nations, who were able to successfully identify 86.6 percent of the same tumors. “It’s definitely not a replacement for doctors, nor is AI taking over healthcare,” said Beachkofsky, laughing. “It’s mostly a tool for a der- matologist to get a second opinion from a system that has analyzed tens of thousands of lesions and is constantly learning.”

8 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT U.S. Air Force Maj. Thom- as Beachkofsky, 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron dermatolo- gist, applies sutures to Lt. Col. Kurtis Kobes, a pa- tient, during a procedure at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 5. With the help of a new dermatological ana- lyzing software, Beachkof- sky was able to diagnose e Operations a spot as an early stage of f Sgt. Dalton Mace, 6th melanoma on Kobes and e Lt. Col. Kurtis Kobes, remove the area of skin . 5. With the before it could develop e, Beachkofsky was into deeper layers of skin. able to diagnose a spot as an early stage of melanoma on Kobes e it could develop into deeper lay-

on der- oscope works at e upgrade allows a ed with the camera and

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 9 TUAKEGEE From Page 5 Davis’ nephew, L. Scott Melville, said his famous un- cle realized early in his career that protesting the system wouldn’t get him far, so he took a rather radical approach to the era’s rampant discrimination. “His strategy would be to lead by example and eventu- ally the others would follow,” Melville said. “It was a strat- egy that required a lot of determination and patience (but it worked).” Melville said Davis adopted the strategy while still a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he finished in the top 15% of his class despite being ostracized by other cadets. He carried it with him throughout his 30-year career. One guest speaker, Gen. Charles Brown, commander, said his career success is the direct result of Davis’ achievements. “I would not be standing here today if not for Gen. Ben- jamin O. Davis Jr. and the Tuskegee Airmen,” Brown said.

Mark Yo ur Calendar DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION 14 & 15 Nov Sports Day 8am-3pm Various Around Base 15 Nov 16th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta 8am-3pm Base Beach 15 Nov Family Fun Night Turkingo 6-8pm Youth Center november 17 Nov Club Member Appreciation Day All Day Bay Palms Golf Course 21 Nov Membership Luncheon 11am-1:30pm Surf’s Edge Club 23 Nov The GIs of Comedy 2019 USAF Tour 7pm Surf’s Edge Club 28 Nov Thanksgiving Buffet 11am & 1pm Surf’s Edge Club 1-31 Dec Youth Soccer Registration Youth Center 3 Dec Bundles for Babies 8am-12pm M&FRC 4 Dec Membership Breakfast 6:30-9am Surf’s Edge Club 5 Dec Newcomers Information Fair 11am-12pm Surf’s Edge Club 6 Dec MacWonderland Winter Festival & Tree Lighting 5-9pm Surf’s Edge Club 12 Dec Trees for Troops* 11am Across from Golf Course 13 Dec Santa Fun Run 7am Golf Course 13 Dec Club Member Appreciation 6-8pm MacDill Lanes 14 Dec UFC Fight Night #245 10pm MacDill Lanes december 15 Dec Club Member Appreciation Day All Day Bay Palms Golf Course 19 Dec Membership Luncheon 11am-1:30pm Surf’s Edge Club 31 Dec New Years Eve Dinner & Party 6pm-1am Surf’s Edge Club Special Observances November – Native American Month *Subject to change www.macdillfss.com

10 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT NEWS/FEATURES AFCENT Airmen, coalition forces work together to defend region by Senior Airman Hope Geiger Air Forces Central Command

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar—Thousands of U.S. service members continually train here with regional partners to strengthen and rein- force the coalition’s defensive posture and abil- ity to defend against regional threats. Over the summer, U.S. Air Forces Central Command focused on adaptive basing, increas- ing and improving redundancy and resilience in its operational depth, relationship building with coalition, joint and partner nations, and improv- ing interoperability across the command. Training scenarios tested the transition of participating forces from steady-state opera- tions to active combined defense of the region. Various command and control, combined and joint interoperability, as well as communication processes, were tested. “The Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors show- cased their capabilities and flexibility adapting Photo by Sgt. Christopher J. Gallagher to a complex scenario,” said James D. Jackson, U.S. Army Pfc. Maya Richardson, a Patriot Launching Station Enhanced Operator-Maintainer as- a planner for training conducted the past two signed to Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, See AFCENT, Page 12 inspects the cables to her assigned MIM-104 Patriot missile system.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 11 AFCENT From Page 11 weeks. “Today’s security environment is complex, and it takes joint capa- bilities to achieve U.S. objectives in the region. Exercising those capabili- ties together is essential to operational cohesion.” “This training ensures we don’t fall into a repetitive nature of opera- tions and ensures that we are always showing a different picture, a dif- ferent form of our operational capabilities to our adversaries,” said Cana- dian Brig. Gen. Alex Day, AFCENT Combined Air and Space Operations Center director. One specific focus area was integrated air and missile defense, a criti- cal element of being able to continue to operate and respond if an adver- sary attacks bases and coalition personnel and assets in the Middle East region. “This exercise provides the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Com- mand staff and regional Air Defense forces training in a joint and coali- tion integrated Air and Missile Defense environment.” The training allowed multiple partner nations to continue to work to- gether, as they do in daily operations, with an emphasis on improving tac- tical air operations and strengthening military-to-military relationships. “Our combined force is the absolute best at planning and executing a response to any malign or aggressive actions across every single domain,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, Combined Forces Air Component Com- mander. “This exercise demonstrated our ability to work together, react with amazing speed, and bring decisive combat power to our enemies as

a coalition.” Photo by Sgt. Christopher J. Gallagher While this focused training event successfully finished, these collab- A soldier from Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, 69th orative efforts continue with daily execution of combined air, ground and Air Defense Artillery Brigade works with his team removes missiles from a sea operations to promote regional stability across the 20-nation area of trailer in preparation to reload their Patriot Launching Station. responsibility.

12 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT HEIGHT From Page 3 the folks who are below 5 feet, 4 inches and have through a partnership between the Air Educa- applied for a waiver in the past five years have tion Training Command surgeon general and been approved.” officials, who are respon- The waiver process begins at each of the com- sible for all of the Air Force’s initial flying train- missioning sources for pilot candidates, whether ing. the U.S. Air Force Academy, Officer Training “As part of the waiver process, we have a School or Reserve Officer Training Corps. For team of experts who objectively determine if a those who do not meet the standard height re- candidate’s measurements are acceptable,” said quirements, anthropometric measurements are Col. Gianna Zeh, AETC surgeon general. “Let us completed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, make the determination if your measures are Ohio, or at the U.S. Air Force Academy. truly an eliminating issue.” “We have a great process in place to evaluate The pilot waiver system is in place to deter- and accommodate those who fall outside our pub- mine whether pilot applicants of all sizes can lished standards,” Wills said. “If an applicant is safely operate assigned aircraft and applicants over 5 feet, 2 inches tall, historically they have a who are significantly taller or shorter than av- greater than 95% chance of qualifying for service erage may require special screening. as a pilot. Applicants as short as 4 feet, 11 inches “Some people may still not qualify,” Wills said. have received waivers in the past five years.” “But, the Air Force is doing everything that we Courtesy photo Anthropometric measurements include sit- can to make a career in aviation an option for as Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, Nineteenth Air Force com- ting eye height, buttocks to knee length and arm many people as possible. The waiver process is mander, stands side-by-side with a Nineteenth span. The anthropometric device at Wright Pat- another example of how we can expand the pool Air Force pilot to illustrate the varying standing terson AFB is the only device accepted by the of eligible pilot candidates.” heights of Air Force pilots to dispel the myth Air Force when determining waiver eligibility. If you are interested in learning more about that there is one height standard for all Air Force A specialty team conducts the measurements at height waivers, work with your commission pilots. Height waivers are available for candi- U.S. Air Force Academy. source or contact the Air Force Call Center at dates that do not meet Air Force Instruction 48- Waiver packages are then coordinated 1-800-423-USAF. 123 standards.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 13 COMMUNITY EVENTS Friday Marina/Beach Area Cardboard Boat Regatta & Sports Day. Cheer the teams on at the boat races at 1 p.m. For more information call 15-3704.

Sunday Bay Palms Golf Complex Club Member Appreciatio. Free golf and cart to AF Club card mem- bers. Call 840-6904 to reserve your tee time today. Must show valid Club card when checking in at the Pro Shop.

Wednesday Boomer’s Bar & Grill Wednesday Bash BINGO is back – Win up to $1,000. Wingman Wednesdays 75-cent wings. Bingo begins at 5 p.m. Bingo cards: Mem- bers: $2 per card. Non-Members: $2.50 per card. Call 512-8441. Virtual jump! Photo by Staff Sgt. Rito Smith Thursday U.S. Army Sgt. Isaac Herrera, a parachute rigger assigned to United States Special Operations Command, Surf’s Edge Club teaches Zach Triner, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers long-snapper, how to perform a jump in a simulation during Home-Style Luncheon; 11 a.m. - a tour at MacDill Air Force Base Nov. 5. Players learned about the mission of the parachute riggers as well as 1:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. Fea- other various units around the base. turing honey baked ham carvery, turkey pot pie, mixed greens, as- sorted sides, rolls and butter, des- sert bar. Club members are free. CHAPEL SCHEDULE For info and pricing call 840-2020. Protestant service Catholic Mass Reservations required for parties Sunday - 11 a.m. - combined worship Saturday - 5:30 p.m. - Mass 6 p.m. Thrive (contemporary worship) of 10 or more. Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass Monday-Thursday - 12:10 p.m. Mark your calendar Islamic service • Nov. 22 – Outdoor Recreation Friday - 1:30 p.m. Prayer (Blessed Sacrament Room) Christmas Bazaar • Nov. 23 – The GI’s of Comedy For all other faith groups or for any questions, please contact the Chapel by visiting 2019 USAF Tour free comedy show. http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel or calling 828-3621 Surf’s Edge Club; doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m. Come- dians and veterans still serving their country one joke at a time. Featured on ABC, Netflix, Comedy Central and HBO. Food and bev- erages available for purchase. For more info call 828-3055 • Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving buffet • Dec. 4 – Club Membership Break- fast • Dec. 5 – Newcomers Information Fair • Dec. 6 – MacWonderland Winter Festival and tree lighting Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

14 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT ay/R s D ega t tt Sports Day/ or a p Boat Regatta S 14 & 15 Nov Golf Course, Bowling Center Fitness Center, Marina/Beach Area M B F a A cDill Sports Day Cardboard Boat Regatta Thursday, 14 Nov: Friday, 15 Nov: • 8 am Golf (Bay Palms Golf Course) • 8 am-3 pm: Marina/Beach Area • 9 am Bowling (MacDill Lanes) Trophy to Best Unit! 1st Place Wins $500 FSS Gift Card! Friday, 15 Nov: • Open to all squadrons and mission partners • 8 am Volleyball and Cornhole (Beach) Track & Field Team Relay (SouthTrack) • Maximum 5 persons per team Basketball (Fitness Center) (All Active Duty, DoD & ROTC Teams Welcome) Football & Soccer • Sign up early – limited number of teams (Fitness Center NorthTrack) Register your team 14 Oct through 8 Nov at • 2:30 pm Awards Presentation (Beach) Outdoor Recreation (813) 515-3704. Register your unit’s team by Friday, 8 Nov by calling your Unit Sports Rep. Call the Short Fitness Center For complete list of rules and registration form, at 828-4493 for more information. go to: www.macdillfss.com Sponsored by*

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 15 16 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u Thursday, November 14, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT