Read Dec. 5 edition

18 Pages·2013·1.56 MB·English

Vol. 41, No. 49 Thursday, December 5, 2013
News/Features: page 3
Honorary commanders
News/Features: page 3
Food for those in need
Week in Photos: page 4
Images from MacDill
News/Features: page 6
Meet Airman mommy
Helping hands
- page 10
Community: page 17
Events, Chapel, more...
Photo by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
Airman 1st Class Ermanette Diaz, 6th Medical Support Squadron, prepares roast beef sandwiches during a volunteer opportunity at Metropolitan
Ministries in Tampa, Nov. 23. Diaz, along with other volunteer Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base, prepared food for those in need in the Tampa
Bay community.
COMMANDERS CORNER
Invention versus innovation; there’s a difference
by Gen. Paul J. Selva ciation’s Air and Space Conference, Gen. Welsh
Air Mobility Command commander asked what keeps me up at night. My answer
was simple: “Invention versus Innovation.” My
This past October marked our 12th year of greatest worry is that, after 12 years of con-
sustained combat operations in Afghanistan. tinuous combat operations, some Airmen have
During more than a decade of war, you’ve become accustomed to accepting invention as
proven you are part of the best trained and the approved way of doing business. Mishap in-
equipped Air Force the world has ever known. vestigation boards frequently cite inattention,
You’ve attained that distinction by doing things complacency, and poor judgment as causal fac-
right. Doing things right includes following a tors in accidents. The first two can get you into
disciplined approach to executing your mis- a bind; unfortunately poor judgment often fol-
sion, such as following checklists, established lows as Airmen believe they need to create a
procedures, policies, and guidance. However, as new way out of trouble. Ultimately, executing
your commander, I challenge you not just to do tasks in a non-standard fashion or executing
things right, but to do the right things, a more unapproved or “on-the-fly” techniques presents
difficult, but absolutely essential element of a real risk to our Airmen, our resources, and
military service. our mission.
Doing the right things includes making in- Over the course of the past year, we’ve had
formed, deliberate decisions as we seek ways nine Class A mishaps. As a result, we’ve lost
to improve mission execution. Put another way, nine Airmen—five on-duty and four off-duty. Gen. Paul J. Selva
I challenge you to work with your first line su- These are men and women we will never get
with devastating consequences. So, put simply,
pervisors, non-commissioned officers, senior back. In some of these mishaps, the Airmen in-
I am concerned that we have Airmen “invent-
noncommissioned officers, and commanders volved perceived a sense of urgency not justi-
ing” new, untested procedures, placing them-
to find new, better, more efficient ways to ex- fied by the situation, incorrectly weighed risk
selves and their fellow Airmen at risk when it
ecute our mission. Accept only the risks you are versus reward leading to the acceptance of risk
isn’t necessary.
empowered to accept, but work aggressively to they were not empowered to accept, and ulti-
This year, Gen. Welsh released our Air Force’s
find efficiency and eliminate inefficiency. mately made decisions characterized by devel-
Earlier this fall during the Air Force Asso- opment of new, untested, “on-the-fly” techniques See CORNER, Page 16
Have news? Send it to the MacDill Thunderbolt at [email protected]
MacDill on the web
COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE
Website: www.macdill.af.mil
The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air
Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. A 24-hour record-
ing service is provided so personnel may submit questions, concerns or
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
comments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or email macdillwing-
MacDillAirForceBase
[email protected].
MacDill Thunderbolt government, the Department of Defense, the Department of may be obtained by calling [phone].
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
OG leads the way during MacDill Ques make a difference with food drive
honorary commanders day
Photo by Senior Airman Melissa V. Paradise
A KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator
shows a newly inducted honorary com-
mander how a boom pod works, Nov. 20, at
MacDill Air Force Base. Approximately 30
honorary commanders toured the 6th Op-
erations Group as part one of four immer-
sion days.
by Senior Airman Melissa V. Paradise
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Bright and early Nov. 20, approximately 30
Photo by Airman 1st Class Vernon Fowler
civil leaders met up on MacDill Air Force Base
Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Epsilon Mu Mu chapter, collected food for their
to begin their immersion into the 6th Opera-
annual Food Drive Nov. 25. The MacDill Ques donated more than 700 pounds of food to Metro-
tions Group.
politan Ministries, a non-profit organization specifically targeting homelessness and hunger
The new honorary commanders, who were
in the Tampa Bay area.
inducted in July, spent the day getting to know
the ins and outs of the 6th OG, as the first of
four immersion days they will have over the by Airman 1st Class Vernon L. Fowler Jr. mand and Holiday Food Drive Chair.
next two years. 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs The MacDill Ques, chartered at MacDill Air
“This is an all-star cast of civil leaders Force Base in 2008, represent all Department
throughout Tampa,” said Terry Montrose, 6th Each year, there are individuals and fami- of Defense service members, retired and active
See HONORARY, Page 18 lies in the Tampa community who do not have duty, DoD civilians, and other professionals in
the food or resources to enjoy the Thanksgiving the Tampa Bay area.
Settlement of estate holiday, so members of MacDill Air Force Base Over the past two years, the Ques have part-
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, U.S. Central took it upon themselves to help those families. nered with Metropolitan Ministries to provide
Command Air Force Element command- On Nov. 25, The Epsilon Mu Mu chapter of support to the Tampa community during the
er, regrets to announce the death of Staff Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., also known as holiday season. In 2011, they supported Met-
Sgt. Michael E. Landis, formerly assigned the MacDill Ques, provided a bulk-food deliv- ropolitan Ministries with 665 pounds of food
to CENTCOM J-6. Lt. Col. Maj. Albert C. ery to Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit or- and 150 toys during the months of November
Searfass has been appointed as the sum- ganization specifically targeting homelessness and December. The following year those drives
mary court officer to handle the disposition
and hunger in the Tampa Bay area. increased to 960 pounds of provisions and 210
of the personal property of Landis. Anyone
“Metro Ministries helps our most destitute, toys. In September 2013, they donated 687
indebted to or having a claim against the
they have a solid vetting system and their val- pounds of clothes.
estate of Landis should contact Maj. Sear-
ues are in line with us as an organization,” ex- This year, the food drive reached a total of
fass at 334-782-4266 or albert.searfass@
plained Lt. Col. Wideman, U.S. Central Com-
centcom.mil. See DONATE, Page 18
WEEK IN PHOTOS
Senior Airman Shandresha
Mitchell, 6th Air Mobility
Wing Public Affairs photo-
journalists, gets an ultra-
sound done on her thyroid
Nov. 25 at MacDill Air Force
Base. An ultrasound ma-
chine creates images that
allow various organs in the
body to be examined.
Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
Photo by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Mazzone, 6th Air Mobility Wing com-
Airmen hold up signs for cars entering and leaving the Dale Mabry gate Nov. mand chief, recites the Air Force NCO charge during the month-
26, at MacDill Air Force Base. The event was a reminder to stay safe during the ly recognition ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Nov. 27. The
holiday weekend, and members of Team MacDill volunteered to hold the signs NCO charge is a list of duties and responsibilities the Air Force’s
at each gate for an hour. newest staff sergeants are now accountable for.

NEWS/FEATURES
From Airman to mommy
by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
6 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
It’s 5:15 a.m. and my alarm goes off. I roll out of bed and begin to put
on the U.S. Air Force uniform and prepare for work at 7:30 a.m.
Some may be wondering why so early, well not only do I have to pre-
pare myself for duty, but I have to get my two children ready for their
day—and yes I do it alone.
My Air Force career is different than some, but similar to many.
I wake every morning and put on the uniform like every other Air-
man. I am held to the same expectations, including deployments, tempo-
rary duty assignments, permanent change of station, after-hours duty,
physical fitness and short-notice tasking. I also perform my everyday
duties and uphold the core values of integrity, service before self and
excellence in all we do.
The only difference is that when I hang up that uniform at the end of
Senior Airman Jenay Randolph, 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
the duty day, I turn around and put on another uniform, that of a single
photojournalist, poses for a picture with her children Nov. 25, at Mac-
mother of two children under the age of 2.
Dill Air Force Base. Randolph is the mother of two under the age of 2,
I have a 17-month-old son, Jaylen, and a 4-month-old daughter, Jor-
and finds the balance between single motherhood and active-duty Air
dyn. With them I am expected to fulfill all the duties of a mother, such
Force. Her son, Jaylen Brown, is 17 months and the daughter, Jordyn,
See TWO JOBS, Page 9
is 4 months.

NEWS/FEATURES
Back to basic for MacDill Airman
by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
On Nov. 18, 2012, 19-year-old Carly Thompson left her home town of
Cincinnati, Ohio, to start the next chapter of her life at Lackland Air Force
Base, Texas.
She rushed off a bus at Air Force Basic Military Training, terrified of
what the next two months would have in store for her and the others
around her.
“Going back and visiting, in a different place of my life, was really inter-
esting and I know what’s expected of me now,” said Thompson.
Three days shy of a year later, Airman 1st Class Carly Thompson, 6th
Air Mobility Wing broadcaster, returned to share in her brother, Nathan
Thompson’s, basic training graduation experience.
“We had a lot of similar experiences but we are very different people,”
said Thompson. “I was the emotional type while Nathan is the type where
nothing fazes him.”
Some of the experiences they shared were waking up at 4:45 AM, physi-
cal training six days a week, daily cleaning duties, and marching every-
where they went.
Thompson was able to view basic training through Airman’s eyes in-
stead of as a trainee.
“It was really exciting to see my old squadron in a different light,” said
Thompson. “I saw training instructors as real people that have lives out-
side of their jobs.”
Courtesy photo
After Thompson joined the operational Air Force, it clicked for her that
the Airmen around her are more than just their jobs. Tech. Sgt. Taylor Haas, Airman Nathan Thompson, and Airman 1st Class
“The best part of going back is looking over the past year and everything Carly Thompson at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas Nov. 15. The three
I’ve done. It was gratifying to be back in the place where it all began,” said siblings came together for Nathan’s basic training graduation.
Thompson.
Process from 1950s rolled into Air Force Smart Operations 21st Century
by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz ties in a more effective and efficient way,” said
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Martin. “In addition, AFSO21 helps to deter-
mine what tasks are truly important so that
“Waiting time is wasted time,” said Col.. Scott non-value-added tasks can be eliminated.”
DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, AFSO21 teams train personnel on three dif-
in regard to Air Force Smart Operations for the ferent skill levels: Yellow Belt, Green Belt and
21st Century. Black Belt. Personnel begin training at yellow
In the 1950’s U.S. Air Force Col. John R. Boyd and work up to green, before ending at black.
created the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act loop. MacDill currently has the only team that
The OODA loop describes the decision-making trains the Yellow Belt class. Maxwell Air Force
process to alleviate wasted resources. AFSO21, AFSO21 is an ongoing efficiency and cost-sav- Base, Ala., Is the only base that provides Black
an ongoing Air Force efficiency and cost-savings ings program. Belt training.
program, further breaks down the process into Approximately 600 MacDill personnel have
eight steps. MacDill Air Force Base reduced Aerospace been trained thus far. The AFSO21 team’s goal
“The OODA Loop is the foundation of the Ground Equipment Inspections by 30 percent is to have 20 percent of MacDill green-belt
eight-step process, and is woven into each step. using AFSO21. The solution was placing tools trained by the end of 2013.
This idea makes it easier to replicate the prob- and parts at the point of use to get rid of non- “In a time when Airmen are being asked to
lem-solving method in every work center,” said value added time. do more with less, AFSO21 educates Airmen so
Master Sgt. Steven Martin, 6th Air Mobility “The AFSO21 tools, when properly imple- that they can do less with less and still accom-
Wing NCO in charge of AFSO21 training. mented, will help personnel perform their du- plish the mission.” said Martin.
Chapel seeking Protestant parish coordinator; apply by Dec. 18
The MacDill AFB Chapel is accepting bids for a part-time Protestant in the chapel conference room. Anyone with interest may attend the bid
parish coordinator to be paid by the Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund. opening. The basis for contract award is best value to the government.
The applicant should have four years of experience as a program coor- The
dinator, two years of experience in management, and a working knowl- Protestant parish coordinator is expected to start work on Thursday,
edge of the Protestant faith. Jan. 2. Applicants must be able to secure permission to enter a military
Resumes and sealed bid should be submitted with three references. A installation (no felony convictions/arrests, be drug free, etc.)
copy of the statement of work and bid schedule are available at the base Contract award is contingent upon receiving favorable results from a
chapel, building 355, weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Resumes and criminal history background check for positions involving contact with
sealed bids will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 18. Interviews will children below 18 years of age, as directed by DoDI 1402.5. For addi-
be conducted Thursday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the chapel. tional information, or to place a bid, contact Tech. Sgt. Anthony DeVoile
Bids from qualified applicants will be opened at noon Friday, Dec. 20, at 828-8658.
TWO JOBS
From Page 6
as cooking, cleaning, bath time, play time, bed
time, school and spending quality time. At
times it seems like there are not enough hours
in a day, but somehow I always seem to make
a way to accomplish everything needed to suc-
ceed in both uniforms.
The number one question I am asked is,
“how do you do it all by yourself?” “It has to be
hard.”
My answer is, “how can I not do it?” I’m the
sole provider for my kids, and to see the smiles
on their faces every day makes the hard work
worth it.
Don’t get me wrong, there are hard times
such as preparing to leave them for deploy-
ment, TDY, packing up our lives and moving
all around the world, trusting my military
family to take care of my children when I have
those after-hours duties, and most of all not
being able to spend the amount of time with
them that I want.
However, being a single, active-duty mother
is my life and I wear both uniforms with pride,
character, and excellence.
At the end of the day, this is my life and I
consider myself blessed to be a part of the 1
percent that gets to fight for our country and I
couldn’t imagine my life any other way.
MacDill helping hands
feeding those in need
story and photos by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Having a bed to lie in and a hot meal each day is not a luxury
everyone is able to enjoy.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area has the largest
homeless population in the United States, according to the Na-
tional Alliance to End Homelessness. That need prompted 12 Air-
men from the 6th Air Mobility Wing to volunteer three hours of
their time Nov. 23, giving back to the community at Metropolitan
Ministries, in downtown Tampa.
“It feels great to be able to give back to those less fortunate,”
said Airman 1st Class Takiis Thompson, 6th Comptroller Squad-
ron. “It made me realize that I take so much for granted and be-
cause of that I’m able to appreciate the opportunities I have a lot
more; whenever I think about complaining about something, I will
always remember this experience.”
“To know that what I did helped nourish the
bodies of over 2,000 people is beyond me, and
I am extremely grateful for the experience and
the ability to do that.” — Airman 1st Class Takiis
Thompson
The Airmen were assigned to the kitchen and helped prepare
more than 2,000 meals for those in need in the Tampa Bay com- Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base volunteered for three hours at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, Nov. 23. The Airmen prepared food for
munity. From making sandwiches to dicing vegetables, the Air- those in need in the Tampa Bay community.
men had a helping hand in it all.
“I am extremely passionate about the well-being of the less for-
tunate,” said Thompson. “I wanted to give back in a way that would
mean something of significance and importance to the needy, and
by aiding in the preparation of meals for them I was able to fulfill
that.”
In the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, for every
10,000 residents there are 57 homeless. There are more than
16,000 homeless people in the Tampa area alone, with one in five
of them being children. However, Metropolitan Ministries is doing
something to help the homeless families stay intact.
“Going into it, I had no idea how much Metropolitan Ministries
did for the community in and outside of their facilities,” said Tech.
Sgt. William Correa, 6th Operations Group. “But once I realized
the impact, it felt great helping out in that kitchen and also made
me determined to volunteer again in the near future.”
Correa added that he felt good knowing that at the end of the
day, people who are in need are going to be able to get a few mo-
ments of joy during these holidays, and some good food to eat.
“I will definitely be coordinating more of these (volunteer) op-
Staff Sgt. LaKedrian Guy, 6th Aerospace Medical Squadron, cuts collard greens
portunities, so be on the lookout,” said Thompson. “To know that
during a volunteer opportunity at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, Nov. 23.
what I did helped nourish the bodies of over 2,000 people is be-
Guy was part of a group of Team MacDill members who helped prepare holi-
yond me, and I am extremely grateful for the experience and the
day meals for families and individuals in need.
ability to do that.”