Read April 4 edition

21 Pages·2013·1.08 MB·English

Vol. 41, No. 14 Thursday, April 4, 2013
The boys and girls of summer Photo by Senior Airman Adam Grant
Memphis Hammonds, 7, practices his swing before a game in the batting cages after the opening ceremony for the start of youth baseball sea-
son at MacDill Air Force Base, March 23. After the ceremony, members from the Youth Baseball League posed for photos with Tampa Bay Ray’s
mascot Raymond, as well as participated in events held by the Ray’s Street Team.
COMMANDER’S CORNER
Looking ahead, beware the enemy of complacency
by Col. Thom Pemberton flying evaluation every year that we call a
927th Operations Group commander “checkride.” Lt Col. Guenther would always
tell us to treat every flight like a checkride, so
Now that the Combined Unit Inspection is when the actual checkride does happen, they
behind us and we proved that we were compli- would be prepared. Sounds simple, right?
ant in our regulatory requirements, we must What it really means is following all the
be prepared for a new enemy: complacency. checklist steps in order and not taking any
It is easy to sit back and pat yourself on the shortcuts. This can be difficult to put into
shoulder for the hard work that was complet- practice, however.
ed for the inspection, as it is well deserved. “Have I treated every flight like a checkride
Now, however, we must all resist the tendency and avoided shortcuts?” I can honestly say I
to become complacent and fall back into routine. haven’t, but I do mentally prepare each and
I’m reminded of my first Squadron Com- every time I fly. In the same way, we have to
mander, Lt. Col. Lynn Guenther. He was a keep focused on maintaining compliance with
true patriot and excellent leader. As a former our regulations and guidance. Tell yourself,
prisoner of war, he presented unique perspec- “the next CUI is right around the corner,” be-
tives that were heeded by all. The colloquial- cause before you know it, it will be.
isms and sayings he had would easily fill a By keeping our attention on doing it the
book, but that is another story. right way and avoiding shortcuts, we will be
Understand that all aircrews receive a prepared for that next CUI checkride. Col. Thomas Pemberton
6th Air Mobility Wing shout-outs
Master Sgt. Erik Johanson is an evaluator flight attendant in the ent Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry.
310th Airlift Squadron. He recently partnered with SOCOM Proto- McRaven personally recognized Johanson before his guests. Addi-
col to host a Medal of Honor recognition dinner at Admiral William tionally, as the squadron’s private organization president, Johanson
McRaven’s private residence. has coordinated fundraisers, social events, and has coordinated with
This DV flight attendant professionally purchased, prepared and squadron spouses to ensure successful homecoming events for our
served meals for 22 guests, including recent Medal of Honor recipi- deployed crews and aircraft.
Commander’s vision
COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE
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.
MacDill Thunderbolt government, the Department of Defense, the Department of may be obtained by calling 259-7455.
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].
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NEWS/FEATURES
Commentary
Your T-bolt Today
Vietnam vets support current service members
Week in photos: page 4
by Lt. Col. Devin Statham planes so I was pretty groggy too.
chief of Senior Officers Matters, U.S. Central Command The crowd, however, was bright and vi-
Scenes from MacDill
brant. These supporters lined the side of the
I returned from walkway. There were Boy Scouts, elderly
927th ARW News: page 10
deployment to a couples, other military members, full families
Baltimore airport and people with snack bags. It was an over-
Changes of command at about 8 p.m. on the-top, generous display.
a weeknight after First in line was a Boy Scout troop all in
traveling for about uniform. Some waved flags and some clapped
News/Features: page 12
30 hours with sev- while others had their hands out ready to

eral overseas lay- shake. I went down the line shaking hands
‘Eggciting’ times
overs. and thanking them as they said “welcome
I only had one home” and “thank you for your service.”
Diamond Sharp: page 14 checked item that I made my way past dozens of well-wishers
came off the plane but almost the last person in line was a three
right away. Out of Lt. Col. Devin Statham or four year old girl with her family standing
This week’s standout
a plane of several behind her. She had a Hawaiian lei and was
hundred people, I was the actual first person holding it out for me. I got down on one knee
Sister Services: page 18 to leave baggage claim. When leaving bag- and lowered my head. After she adorned me
gage claim in Baltimore, you depart through with flowers, I hugged her, thanked her and
opaque doors. As those doors slid open, I saw a moved on.
Medals of Honor
huge, overwhelming yellow-ribbon welcoming Officially taking the last place in line was
party. a brigadier general and his wife. They were of
Community: page 21
I looked horrible. My uniform was two or course, very nice, welcoming and supportive.
three days old, I was about 18 hours past a
Events, Chapel, more... 5 o’clock shadow. Plus, I don’t sleep well on See COMMENTARY, Page 20
Team MacDill Airman named tops in AMC
by Airman 1st Class Vernon Fowler Jr. ty performance and the way he carries himself is
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs commensurate with the NCO tiers rather than
that of an Airman.”
Airmen on MacDill Air Force Base have the As a Phoenix Raven, Jaggers is continually
pleasure of congratulating one of their very own called upon to perform fly-away security mis-
on becoming the 2012 Air Mobility Command sions across the globe, where often times he is
Airman of the Year. making decisions as the highest ranking secu-
Senior Airman Devin Jaggers, 6th Security rity professional on the ground.
Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven team member, “There is no one more deserving of AMC Air-
has proven himself worthy of the title. man of the Year than Senior Airman Jaggers,”
Each year, packages are submitted for nomi- said Reynolds.
nees that display the characteristics of a well- Jaggers showed his selflessness and sense of
rounded Airman. These include job performance, duty throughout 2012 with accomplishments
base and community involvement, and strides that include, but aren’t limited to, leading distin-
made for significant self-improvement from the guished visitor security in the protection of Pol-
beginning to the end of the year. ish delegates for a U.S. Central Command visit,
“Senior Airman Jaggers epitomizes profes- rallying 95 warriors for the 2012 Special Olym-
sionalism and the leadership traits we have pics torch run which helped raise over $43,000
Photo by Airman 1st Class Vernon Fowler Jr.
come to expect from our Airmen,” said Capt. Tay- and dedicating 20 hours to off-base crime pre-
Senior Airman Devin Jaggers was named AMC
lor Reynolds, 6th SFS operations officer. “His du-
Airman of the Year. See AWARD, Page 14
WEEK IN PHOTOS
Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz
Members of the 6th Communications Squadron performs open-ranks prior to
the duty day at MacDill Air Force Base, Friday.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Vernon Fowler Photo by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly
Senior Airman Daryl Teague, Airman 1st Class Cedric Chandler, and 6th Civil Students of the Chief Master Sgt. Aubert E. Dozier Airman
Engineer Squadron firefighters, demonstrate how to put on fire-protective gear Leadership School render salute as the American flag is low-
for teenagers from the Museum of Science Institute at MacDill Air Force Base, ered during a retreat ceremony, March 28 at MacDill Air Force
March 29. Base.

NEWS/FEATURES
MacDill service members Staff Sgt. Alexander Wheeler Senior Airman Frank Metivier
Staff Sgt. Christopher Rodriguez
graduate from ALS 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron Staff Sgt. Patricia Zema
Staff Sgt. Richard Harris III (“B” Flight Com-
Congratulations to the latest graduating mander) 6th Operations Support Squadron
class of Airman Leadership School! The class Staff Sgt. Robert Lugo
graduated on March 28. The following are the 6th Communications Squadron
graduates: Staff Sgt. Jesse Gray United States Coast Guard
Staff Sgt. John Gunn Petty Officer Third Class Zachary Stephen Cooke
290th Joint Communications Support Element
Senior Airman Calvin Robinson Jr 6th Joint Communications Support Element Awards:
Senior Airman Tam Phan Commandant Award
6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Staff Sgt. John Gunn
Staff Sgt. Shanell Caddell 6th Dental Squadron
Staff Sgt. Anthony McDowel Staff Sgt. Velette Webb (“A” Flight Commander) Academic Achievement Award
Staff Sgt. Brianna McGuffie Staff Sgt. Christopher Johnson
6th Security Forces Squadron
6th Maintenance Squadron Staff Sgt. Francis Feeley (Class Commander) Distinguished Graduate Award
Senior Airman Matthew Smith Staff Sgt. Jaime Gallegos Jr Staff Sgt. Jarod Jarrell
Staff Sgt. Justin Glass Staff Sgt. Christopher Johnson
Staff Sgt. Jarod Jarrell Staff Sgt. Billy Johnson John L. Levitow Award
Staff Sgt. Jason Patino Staff Sgt. Alex Lazala (Class First Sergeant) Staff Sgt. Brianna McGuffie

NEWS/FEATURES
Welcome, Airmen
6th Communications Squadron
Airman 1st Class Travis Creek-Copperas Cove, Texas
New Airman have joined Team MacDill and have completed the First Airman 1st Class Alan Hills-Indianapolis, Ind.
Term Airman Course. MacDill Air Force Base would like to welcome all Airman 1st Class Geovanni Lee-Fresno, Calif.
of the new Airman and congratulate them on beginning their journey. Airman 1st Class Spencer Marks-Farmington, Conn.
Airman 1st Class Andrew Medeiros-Warwich, R.I.
6th Aerospace Medical Squadron Airman 1st Class Ian Moore-Idaho Falls, Idaho
Airman 1st Class Herbert Hart-Wellsville, Ohio Airman 1st Class Kayla Stephens-Russellville, Ala.
6th Air Mobility Wing 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz-Gillette, Wyo. Airman 1st Class Clarence Black-Little Rock, Ark.
Airman Basic Ronald Gleaton 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron Jack-
6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron sonville, Fla.
Airman 1st Class Joshua Dobrowski-Pittsburgh, Pa.
Airman 1st Class Matthew Potter-Yigo, Guam 6th Maintenance Squadron
Airman 1st Class Chad Price-Amarillo, Texas Airman 1st Class Justin Allan-Panama City, Fla.
Airman 1st Class Seth Bova-Ventura, Calif.
6th Contracting Squadron Airman 1st Class Jose Gonzalez-Miami, Fla.
Airman 1st Class Nia Holloway-Vienna, Va. Airman 1st Class Allen Kilpatrick-Orlando, Fla.
Airman 1st Class John Potts-Kansas City, Mo Airman 1st Class Eric Martinez-San Antonio, Texas
Airman 1st Class Yenshim Watanabe-Gloucester, Mass. Airman 1st Class Michael Turaniczo-West Palm Beach, Fla.
6th Dental Squadron 91st Air Refueling Squadron
Airman 1st Class Shiermaine Francisco-Mission Viejo, Calif. Airman 1st Class Kyle Sinkler-Ashtabula, Ohio

927th ARW NEWS/FEATURES
Assumption and change of command ceremonies for 927th units
by Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
927th Air Refueling Wing
On a busy Unit Training Assembly weekend, every second counts.
For that reason, on March 2, the 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
and the 927th Maintenance Operations Flight hosted change of com-
mand and assumption of command ceremonies, respectively.
Maj. Albert Knapp took command of the 927th AMXS from Lt. Col.
David Farmer, who assumed command of the 927th MOF.
After the colors were posted and invocation read, Lt. Col. Dorneen
Shipp, the commander of the 927th Maintenance Group, spoke a few
words about each of the units under her command.
“I’d be willing to bet our Maintenance Operations Flight has the
highest level of readiness of any MOF in the Air Force Reserve,” said
Shipp. Photo Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
She then mentioned the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s outgoing Lt. Col. David Farmer assumed command of the 927th Maintenance
commander. Operations Flight from Lt. Col. Dorneen Shipp, commander of the 927th
“Farmer consistently gives me one message about the maintenance Maintenance Group, during a ceremony March 2.
squadron here, and that is how proud he is of you,” Shipp said. “He con-
tinues to take an immense amount of pride in what you do and in each
other.”
Knapp, who joins the 927th AMXS from the 752nd Aircraft Main-
tenance Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., was next to rise
and speak to the maintenance squadron about his expectations of his
Airmen.
“First, know that I’m going to work for you,” Knapp said. “Next know
that I need you to do three things for me: Stay current, stay qualified,
and be ready to fight. Do that and we’ll succeed.”
Farmer rose next and addressed his former unit and his new flight.
“I’m sad to be leaving, but I know I’m leaving the maintenance squad-
ron in the hands of a talented officer,” Farmer said. “No matter where
you go in maintenance, you’ll find the same caliber of people.” Photo Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
Maj. Albert Knapp took command of the 927th Aircraft Maintenance
Squadron during a ceremony at MacDill March 2.