Vol. 41, No. 30 Thursday, July 25, 2013 Boom simulator goes online - page 12 Photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro Pictured is the viewpoint from a boom operator’s perspective as he trains in a KC-135 Stratotanker Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer. The BOWST is a fully simulated, large-scale procedural trainer for aerial refueling with replicated aircraft systems, controls, and functions within a complete aircrew boom compartment. Critical Days of Summer, week 10: Trampoline safety - page 18 COMMANDER’S CORNER Sailors and Marines that just arrived from oth- First impressions er bases around the world. This summer I am by Col. Andre Briere one of those new Airmen, and for the remain- 6th Air Mobility Wing vice commander der of this column I’d like to give you my first impressions of MacDill AFB and its’ people. I’d like to thank Col. DeThomas for lending My first day as your new vice happened to me this space to thank all of you incredible coincide with the series of wing “all-calls” Col. Team MacDill Airmen for giving my family and DeThomas held on the topic of sexual assault. I such a warm welcome to this amazing base! One of the key phrases he conveyed that day is Our first month here has definitely given us seared into my memory, and I hope you caught a flavor for how dynamic, busy and wonderful it as well. He said that we as professional Air- the MacDill and the greater Tampa Bay com- men should and must treat each other with munity are to live and work in. We feel very “dignity, trust, and respect.” lucky to be here, as I’m sure all of you do as If you’ll allow me to “geek-out” briefly and well. draw on my academic interest in philosophy One of the great things about military com- and ethics, this concept of basing ethical be- munities is that we get an opportunity to get havior on the dignity of the individual has a fresh eyes on our installations and programs deep history in western philosophy. It is relat- every PCS season. Because so many new folks ed to the notion first espoused by the German move in and out of our bases each summer, it philosopher Immanuel Kant of never using gives us a chance to hear new perspectives and other people as a “means” to an end but instead find out what we look like to Airmen, Soldiers, See CORNER, Page 22 Col. Andre Briere 6th Air Mobility Wing shout-outs enzo for four distinct reasons. First, he was proud of how Larenzo The 99th Air Refueling Squadron “Black Knights” would like to represented the Air Force and how excited and proud he was of recognize Staff Sgt. William “Hammy” Larenzo for his outstanding being a crew chief. Second, the general felt tired trying to keep up work as a dedicated crew chief for the 117th Air Refueling Wing, with Larenzo as he quickly and proudly showed off his work area Sumpter-Smith Air National Guard Base, Birmingham, Ala. Lt. and talked about his love of his job. Third, Larenzo made McDew Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander, recently coined feel old by making him tell stories he hasn’t told in 20 years. Fi- Larenzo for his outstanding work and dedication to the unit’s Total nally, McDew felt respected by how Larenzo intently listened and Force Association. McDew said he would never forget meeting Lar- genuinely cared about every one of his stories. COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE Commander’s vision To view Col. Scott DeThomas’ re- The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air marks on his vision for MacDill AFB, Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. A 24-hour recording go to www.macdill.af.mil and then click service is provided so personnel may submit questions, concerns or com- on “Col. DeThomas’ priorities, mission, ments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or email macdillwingcom- and expectations video” in the upper [email protected]. left corner. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of may be obtained by calling 259-7455. MacDill Thunderbolt the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobility Wing. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted Publisher: Bill Barker The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ- to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Editor: Nick Stubbs ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or call the MacDill by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Thunderbolt staff at 828-2215. Email: [email protected]. Force, 6th Air Mobility Wing or Sunbelt Newspapers, Inc., of Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to the products or service advertised. appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt Newspa- Everything advertised in this publication shall be made deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions pers, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to are considered for publication based on news value and time- Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, liness. publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Display advertising or classified advertising information and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101. NEWS/FEATURES Your T-bolt Today ‘You can’t fly without supply’ Week in photos: page 4 Images from around MacDill Briefs: page 6 News to know News/Features: page 8 Quick-thinking cabbie awarded News/Features: page 12 World-class simulator debuts Photos by Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro (Above) Airman 1st Class Luis Gonzalez Velez, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron, performs an inventory check at MacDill Air Force Base. Members of the 6th LRS provide logistical support News/Features: page 18 to sustain the worldwide mission of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, two war-fighting commands and 38 mission partners. (Below) Airman 1st Class Luis Gonzalez Velez, 6th Logistics Readiness Critical Days of Summer Squadron, stocks equipment at MacDill. Community: page 21 by Airman 1st Class Vernon L. Fowler Jr. 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Events, Chapel, more... n the Air Force, no one job is more impor- tant than another. Each is needed to keep Settlement of estate Ithe Air Force ‘machine’ running smoothly so that the mission can be carried out malfunc- Lt. Col. Jay A. Vietas, commander of tion-free. the 6th Medical Support Squadron, re- Without all the necessary components the grets to announce the death of Senior Air- Air Force possesses the lives of our Airmen, as man Douglas Caldas, formerly assigned to well as the mission, can be placed at risk. 6th Air Base Wing/6th Medical Group/6th The 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Medical Support Squadron/Diagnostic MacDill Air Force Base, specifically supply, is Imaging Flight. Lt. Col. Mark W. Sankey, a crucial component in maintaining the instal- 6th Medical Support Squadron, has been lation’s overall readiness. The unit makes this appointed as the summary court officer evident each time its personnel sound off their to handle the disposition of the personal signature catch-phrase “you can’t fly without property of Caldas. Anyone indebted to or supply!” having a claim against the estate of Cal- Maintaining inventory, among many things, das should contact Lt. Col. Mark Sankey is a very important part of the 6th LRS’s job. at 813-827-9630 or DSN 968-9630. Its personnel must always ensure that equip- See SUPPLY, Page 16 WEEK IN PHOTOS Photo by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell Col. Scott DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, passes the 6th Maintenance Group guidon to Col. Reginald Godbolt, during a change of command ceremony at MacDill July 18. Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz Members of Team MacDill participate in the Personnel Deployment Function line during a mobility exercise at MacDill July 14. The PDF line consists of various base agencies centralized in one location in an ef- fort to streamline the pre-deployment process. Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz Airman 1st Class Sean Brown, a 91st Air Refueling Squadron cargo load team member, provides direction to a Halverson loader during the mo- bility exercise at MacDill July 14. Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz Senior Airman Meagan Rymer, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron lo- Photo by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell gistics technician, loads cargo on a scale during a mobility exercise at Airmen from the 6th Air Mobility Wing stand in formation before the MacDill July 14. The primary objective of the MOBEX was to accomplish Wing Warrior Workout at MacDill July 12. and evaluate MacDill AFB mobility processing procedures. BRIEFS Ceremony honoring military widows designated collection box located in your workplace. Boxes will be picked There will be a ceremony honoring military widows from 10 to 11 a.m. up on July 31 and Aug. 28. For more information contact: 6th AMW staff, at the base chapel July 25. The MacDill community is invited to attend. 2nd Lt. Julian Ireland at 828-4092; 6th MDG, Master Sgt.