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Vol. 47, No. 2 Thursday, January 10, 2019 News/Features: page 2 Lifesavers recognized News/Features: page 3 CAP cadets visit MacDill News/Features: page 3 A little lunch; a little learning Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week AMX innovation on display - page 10 Photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag (Left to right) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Vernoy, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (6th AMX) fuel systems crafts- man; Tech. Sgt. Steven Parina, 6th AMXS fuels NCOIC; and Staff Sgt. Vince Williams, 927th Maintenance Group fuels me- Community: page 18 chanic, pause for a photo at the 2018 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium at the Tampa Convention Center Events, Chapel, more... Dec. 19. The symposium, held at the Tampa Convention Center, hosted industry leaders in aerospace, weapons systems, and maintenance technology. MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u Thursday, January 10, 2019 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u 1 COMMENTARY MacDill Airmen jump into action, save life of parachutist by Airman 1st Class Caleb Nunez 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs “When I heard my name being called, I knew it was go time,” said Air- man 1st Class Amari Alexander, one of two first responders after the accident. “I thought to myself, brush off this nervousness because some- one’s life is in your hands.” On Nov. 1 a civilian skydiver was critically injured at an airdrop zone in Zephyrhills, Florida, when his parachute didn’t deploy correctly. Luck- ily,Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base were watching over U.S. Special Operations Command airborne personnel during their requalifying jump training in the area. “My initial thought was, I know what to do… I just have to do it.” said Senior Airman Ralecia Ogburn, recounting how she remained calm under pressure.“All of my training has prepared me for this moment.” After the skydiver impacted the ground, Ogburn and Alexander, aero- space medical technicians assigned to the 6th Medical Operations Squad- ron, immediately rushed to the scene and provided urgent, life-saving medical aid. The patient, an England native, sustained a broken neck and back and was stabilized by the two Airmen until an ambulance ar- Photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Nunez rived to transport him for follow-on care. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ralecia Ogburn and Airman 1st Class “Once he verbally responded, Airman Alexander and I performed our Amari Alexander, 6th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medi- rapid trauma assessment, which is basically a head-to-toe examination cal technicians, display their Joint Service Commendation honors at to figure out possible injuries,” Ogburn said. “After the assessment we MacDill Air Force Base Dec. 20. Ogburn and Alexander distinguished decided to maintain cervical spine stabilization with a c-collar to prevent themselves by providing urgent medical treatment and life-saving aid further injuries.” to a critically wounded civilian at a parachute airdrop zone. Because of their quick response and selfless actions, Senior Airman Ra- lecia Ogburn and Airman 1st Class Amari Alexander received the Joint Service Commendation for distinguishing themselves by meritorious “One thing the military teaches is one team, one fight,” Ogburn. “We achievement award. It was presented by Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III, treated him just the same as we would anyone else, whether he wore a commander of United States Special Operations Command on MacDill. uniform or not.” 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, concerns or comments via email to 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, or patron. 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 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, January 10, 2019 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT NEWS/FEATURES Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol visits MacDill AFB by Senior Airman Alexis Suarez 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs The 927th Air Refueling Wing hosted a refueling mission for more than a dozen Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Cadets from squadrons across the Tampa Bay area Jan. 5 to experience MacDill Air Force Base. The Civil Air Patrol program allows young people to experience mili- tary life and go through a 16-step program that they are able to progress at their own pace. It includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership. On arrival here, the cadets were greeted by Col. Doug Stouffer, 927th Air Refueling Wing commander, who gave a presentation about the mis- Photo by Senior Airman Alexis Suarez sion, aircraft, and history here at MacDill AFB. A group of cadets and staff from the Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol prepare “My first flying experience was with the Civil Air Patrol glider program to board a KC-135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base. The group when I was 14-years old,” said Col. Mike “Tiger” Greiger, former CAP- went on a refueling mission allowing them to learn more about the overall USAF Southeast Region Liaison. “Through the Civil Air Patrol program mission at MacDill. I was able to enlist as an E-3 in the Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol influ- enced my entire Air Force career of 36 years.” “Being able to go down and watch the job of a boom operator was such The group of cadets who visited MacDill AFB ranged from ages 12 to 17, an amazing experience,” said Cadet Tech. Sergeant Barbara vonKlock, many who have been in the program for two to three years and this was element leader and public affairs officer.“It’s not every day you get the their first military flight. The CAP program accepts young people 12 to 21. See CADETS, Page 12 Lunch and Learn educates Airmen on credit, spending by Staff Sgt. Xavier Lockley 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Members from across the wing gathered for a Lunch and Learn during the unit training assembly at the 927th Air Refueling Wing Headquarters on MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 5. Tom Valeri, a branch manager with a local financial service, served as the guest speaker for the event, which educated Airmen about how to bet- ter their credit so that their finances won’t hinder their opportunities for houses, cars and other purchases that require exceptional credit ratings. Throughout lunch, members learned about managing credit, how to properly pay off debts and how to better utilize credit. Valeri said there is a plethora of ways people can get into problems with their credit; in fact, just a credit inquiry can lower a credit score by a few points. Photo by Staff Sgt. Xavier Lockley “It’s important whenever you’re going to purchase anything that re- A member of the 927th Air Refueling Wing looks through a credit pam- quires a credit check especially cars,” Valeri said. “Always ensure that you phlet during the Lunch and Learn held at MacDill Air Forde Base Jan. 5. get a soft credit check so that won’t penalize your score, if you get a hard Throughout lunch, members learned about managing credit, how to prop- check then you’ll likely lose points off of your score. erly pay off debts, and how to better utilize credit. “Most people wouldn’t know that but that’s why this course is so valu- able.” mand support staff journeyman. “Even if you have good credit or bad Many Airmen were pleased to learn information from the course and credit, you can still have a benefit from this learning opportunity.” shared how much they would like this to be offered later on. The 927 ARW provides endless opportunities and outlets for service “The course was outstanding; I felt as though I learned a lot more than members.This lunch and learn was just another opportunity to showcase before,” said Staff Sgt.