Read Jan. 22 edition - MacDill Thunderbolt

Transcription

Read Jan. 22 edition - MacDill Thunderbolt
Friday, January 22, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 04
www.macdill.af.mil
MacDill steps up to Haiti disaster
- page 12
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
A C-17 from Dover Air Force Base is loaded with supplies from MacDill Air Force Base for a humanitarian mission to Haiti Jan. 15, 2010. The plane
was picking up supplies and personnel from the Joint Communications Support Element, located at MacDill. For the latest information about
MacDill’s response to the Haiti disaster, visit www.macdill.af.mil.
COMMENTARY
Maintaining the human weapons system
by Chief Master Sgt. Rob Tappana
Air Education and Training Command command
chief
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas
(AFNS) -- It all started during a staff meeting when I was at Elmendorf Air Force Base,
Alaska. Seeing a major I didn’t know, I introduced myself. In reply she spoke a sentence
that still echoes in my mind.
“Hello Chief, I’m Maj. Jennifer Halter, I am
a crew chief on the human weapons system,”
she said.
Puzzled, I asked for clarification and she
replied, “I am a crew chief on the human
weapons system. I maintain the critical emotional guidance system of our most valued
asset.”
She was our new mental health officer.
I paused to consider her unique point of
view. Was I a “weapons system?” Did I want
to be one? The answer to that question was a
quick “yes.”
In the Air Force we revere our weapons
systems. When I enlisted there were seldom
pictures of people on the walls but there were
always pictures of our weapons; aircraft, missiles, satellites, etc.
Afterward, I looked out my window and
pondered the F-15 Eagles on the flightline.
Each is a complex system of systems requiring dedicated and skilled maintenance. Each
is assigned a crew chief and assistant crew
chief responsible for ensuring the jet is always
in good repair. No pilot steps to a jet until the
crew chiefs prepare it and verify it is ready to
go.
“Sir/ma’am, the jet is ready,” a crew chief
would say. “All systems are green. If you handle it properly it will take you out and back
and you’ll both be ready for tomorrow’s mission.”
The crew chiefs have access to specialists
in the “back shops” to provide specialized
maintenance beyond their expertise. Avionics,
fuels, weapons, and others help with whatever is needed to ensure the performance and
safety of the jet. On occasion, we will even
take a jet off the line and send it for depotlevel maintenance, an upgrade of its major
systems. This allows us to fly our aircraft for
50 years and more.
I realized there are many parallels between
Airmen and aircraft. I am, we are, complex
structures of systems. We require constant
and competent maintenance. Who is my crew
chief? I believe I am. Basic maintenance -food, rest, exercise and education -- is my responsibility. My supervisor, teammates, wingmen, and chain of command serve as assistant
crew chiefs. Sometimes though, I need more
maintenance than my supervisor and I can
provide. This is where the “back shops” play
their role in maintaining our human weapons
system.
Should my spiritual compass go askew,
our chaplains will help me “re-center” it. The
professionals at the dining facility are here to
ensure I am properly fueled. Should I suffer
a physical breakdown, the medical group is
standing by with specialists for all my physical systems. If I find my thrust-to-weight ratio
off and my performance slowing, I can go to
the health and wellness center and the fitness
center for a fitness tune up. Just as we have
preventative maintenance for aircraft, we also
have preventative maintenance for people including routine performance feedback, proper
diet and exercise and preventative health assessments. We even have depot-level maintenance. After all, what is professional military
education but depot-level maintenance for the
See COMMENTARY Page 18
ACTION LINE
The Action Line provides a two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing
commander and the MacDill community. A 24-hour recording service is provided so personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO
(4636)
MacDill Thunderbolt
Publisher: Denise Palmer
Editor: Nick Stubbs
The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt Newspapers, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air
Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized
publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military
services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are
not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S.
government, the Department of Defense, the Department of
the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobility Wing.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement
by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air
Force, 6th Air Mobility Wing or Sunbelt Newspapers, Inc., of
the products or service advertised.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made
available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit
factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.
Display advertising or classified advertising information
may be obtained by calling 259-7455.
News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted
to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, Bldg. 299, at
8208 Hangar Loop Drive, Suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or
call the MacDill Thunderbolt staff at 828-4586. Email: thunderbolt@MacDill.af.mil.
Deadline for article submissions is noon, Thursdays to
appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after
deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions
are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.
Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity,
brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook
and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.
NEWS/FEATURES
Your T-bolt Today
NEWS/FEATURES: page 4
Team MacDill supporting Haiti recovery
by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
6th AMW Public Affairs
Two awarded Airman’s Medal
YEAR OF AF FAMILY: page 6
New family program
BRIEFS: page 8
PLAY time
NEWS/FEATURES: page 12
MacDill responds to Haiti
NEWS/FEATURES: page 15
FY spending guide
DIAMOND SHARP: page 16
Airman recognized
Thirteen members of MacDill Air Force
Base’s 6th Medical Group deployed to The Republic of Haiti Wednesday in support of Operation Unified Response to provide critical medical to survivors of the massive earthquake that
devastated the country Jan. 12.
“The team consists of personnel whose expertise is in critical care treatment as well as
both administrative and logistical support,”
said Col. Gregory Canney, 6th Medical Group
commander. The members belong to a Mobile
Aeromedical Staging Facility (MASF) team
and contain airman capable of providing crucial medical treatment on site, loading patients
onto aircraft, and stabilizing them while transporting them in the air to a designated medical
location.
The MASF team flying out of MacDill is not
new to real world relief situations. Many of the
members who flew to Haiti responded to a massive humanitarian mission in support of Hurricane Ike and Gustav relief in 2008, where their
skills and training were proven successful. The
MASF team will have to face challenges previously unseen due to the epic circumstances
in Haiti, to include security, logistics, and language barrier issues.
Since the earthquake struck the country,
MacDill AFB, to include the 6th Air Mobility
Wing and other mission partner units on base,
has responded at a vigorous rate. Not only has
MacDill sent out medical relief, it has also
sent out communications teams and equipment from the Joint Communications Support
Element (JCSE), and security provided by the
6th Security Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven
Teams.
In addition, MacDill has provided aroundthe-clock support for more than 21 aircraft,
most of which needed refueling, which have
been actively engaged in humanitarian aid
to Haiti. Most aircraft arriving and departing from the base consist of C-17s and C-130s,
and originate from a variety of Air Force bases
throughout the country to include Dover Air
Force Base, Delware and Dyess Air Force Base,
Texas.
TRAFFIC ALERT: page 17
MacDILL AVE
TRAFFIC DETOUR PLAN
Lane To Be Closed
Thru Early May
ZEMKE AVE
Road work traffic routing
Cones Between
Opposing Traffic
Barricades Along Traffic Side
Rev. Date: 8 Jan 2010
NEWS/FEATURES: page 19
BX grand reopening
COMMUNITY: page 20
Events, movies, more
1051
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert D. Gibson
After American citizens returned from Haiti
aboard a C-130 Jan. 15, 2010. During a Customs and Border check, media documented
the varied stories of survival. MacDill and the
6th AMW are playing a role in supporting the
operation, both with equipment and manpower,
as well as serving as a staging base for other
elements involved in the disaster relief efforts.
NEWS/FEATURES
Two 6th AMW sergeants awarded Airman’s Medal
6th AMW Airmen awarded for their parts in jumper rescue effort a year ago
by Nick Stubbs
Thunderbolt editor
For some accustomed to doing the right thing,
medals signify more of a moment in time than
recognition for doing something extraordinary
– a simple acknowledgment that they were on
hand “and did what anybody would do.”
Staff Sgt. Sean Bowes and Tech Sgt. Patrick
Murphy see it that way, at least. Both were
awarded the Airman’s Medal Tuesday, in a ceremony held at the base medical clinic.
The two Airmen happened to be on hand Jan.
29, 2009, when U.S. Special Operations Command Army Col. James L. Merchant III was
caught in strong winds during a parachute
training jump, landing in Lake Gadsden just
off base opposite of the BX. Both plunged into
the icy water to pull him to safety. Their frantic
searching for the downed jumper was in vain.
Detached from his chute, his helmet floating,
the colonel as nowhere to be found. His body
was recovered later by an emergency diver.
While honored to receive a medal, that a man
should be awarded for “not succeeding” strikes
Sergeant Murphy, of the 6th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, in some ways as counterintuitive – that is until one considers that medals
are about sacrifice more than anything else.
They are awards, not rewards.
Both sergeants risked it all. Neither knew
what snags or hazards were under the murky
water as they swam to the bottom, feeling their
way. Both realized they could become tangled
in parachute rigging, and if they didn’t know it
when they jumped in, both soon knew the risks
of hypothermia as the frigid water stiffened
muscles and sent blood rushing toward their
heads as their bodies struggled to survive the
shock.
But none of that mattered. The task at hand
was searching; a man’s life was in the balance.
Sergeant Murphy was on his way to an Honor
Guard detail, noticing the jumper coming down
in the lake as he was driving off base. He saw
the jumper swimming, and at first assumed all
was OK. But when he went under and he lost
sight of him, it was clear things were going badly. Sergeant Murphy scaled the perimeter fence,
See MEDAL, Page 16
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
Admiral Eric T. Olson, commander, United States Special Operations Command, applauds the
heroism of Staff Sgt. Sean Bowes, 6th Security Forces Squadron, and Tech. Sgt. Patrick Murphy,
6th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, during the presentation of the Airman’s Medal to the pair,
Jan. 19. Sgt. Murphy and Sgt. Bowes distinguished themselves by risking their lives Jan. 29,
2009 in an attempt to save the life of Army Col. James Merchant.
History of the Airman’s Medal
Airman’s Medal. Illustrated by Virginia
Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. The Soldier’s Medal was approved
by Congress on July 2, 1926, and was
amended by Congress on July 6, 1960,
amending Title 10 of the United States
Code to provide the Air Force with authority to present a distinctive version
of the Soldier’s Medal to be known as
the “Airman’s Medal.”
YEAR OF THE AF FAMILY
Heroes at Home, new family program at MacDill
Special to the Thunderbolt
As we all know, life gets busy.
While we want to make sure that
we are doing everything we can to
prepare our children for a lifelong
love of learning, reality is that dinner must be cooked, baths must
be taken, homes must be cleaned,
and jobs must be worked. Heroes
at Home can help you make the
most of those few precious moments that you can spend with
your child.
Heroes at Home, based out of
the 6th Force Support Squadron,
utilizes the latest neuroscience
research to create activities that
will help your child reach their
full potential in language, socialemotional, intellectual, and motor
development. We model for you
fun activities that you can do with
your child to help increase their
school readiness, and instill a lifelong love of learning. In addition,
we provide monthly play groups,
and annual developmental screenings, and support that meets the
unique needs of military families
including: PCS, TDY, deployment,
and reunification. The program is
free to families that have children
ages prenatal to 3, and we come
to you.
If you are interested in more
information or wish to sign up for
the program, please e-mail Christy Taylor christy.taylor@parentsasteachers.org or April Sikalos
april.sikalos@parentsasteachers.
org.
U.S. Air Force photo
Dekota Wood hugs his
father, Master Sgt. Noah Wood, upon arriving home at Elmendorf
Air Force after being
deployed in Southwest
Asia.
NEWS/FEATURES
Deployed families afford the
opportunity to ‘PLAY’
by Dora Mays
6th AMW Airman and Family Readiness Center
Deployed families are some of the most resilient of any. The constant adjustment and
accommodations that are required to support
the mission of the military are a virtual way
of life for these families. This reality and sacrifice is not unnoticed or unappreciated by
the Department of the Air Force, which has
established a year-long initiative called “The
Year of the Air Force Family (YoAFF). This
initiative recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Airmen and their families by
highlighting programs and services that support the Air Force Family. At MacDill, this
celebration is inclusive; all of our Mission
Partners are welcome to participate in all of
the programs and services that are offered
for YoAFF.
As part of the celebration, $100,000 has
been allocated for deployed families to take
time out of their routine to “PLAY.” The pro-
gram is call DePLAYment. It is a “play” on
words to demonstrate the desire for deployed
families to take time to enjoy the sports and
recreational activities available through the
morale, welfare, and recreation agencies on
base. The program will be rolled out at MacDill Jan. 25. Families of deployed members
will be afforded an opportunity to receive
“free” child/youth classes, sports programs,
and hourly childcare during the parent’s deployment. They may also take advantage of
the “free” family programs such as, bowling,
golf, arts and crafts classes, outdoor recreation, and tickets/tours while the member
is deployed and upon the member’s return.
The classes, sports programs, and family programs will be scheduled and advertised.
Deployed families will need a DePLAYment Tag Pass in order to take advantage
of the program. The DePLAYment Tag Pass
looks like a dog tag and will fit on a key ring,
much like the discount or frequent-shopper
tags issued by many stores.
MacDill supporting
Haiti rescue efforts
by 2nd Lt. Adam Gregory
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. — Airmen
from Dover’s 326th Airlift Squadron delivered
the Joint Communications Support Element to
Port-au-Prince, Haiti aboard a C-17 during the
early morning hours Jan. 16.
On the way to Haiti, the aircrew stopped at
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. to load up the JCSE
personnel and equipment.
“We were prepared to do what we needed for
this mission and there are more crews back at
Dover on standby ready to be called upon,” said
Capt. Jim F. McCann, the C-17 aircraft commander. “I have been watching to see if and when
we would be called and I knew that this might
be our mission when I saw it in the system,” said
Captain McCann. “We train to do this and jump
at the chance to help the people of Haiti any way
we can.”
The JCSE deploys ahead to provide early entry communication support for the Regional
Combatant Commands, Special Operations Command, and other agencies back in the U.S. They
See HAITI, Page 11
NEWS/FEATURES
USAF in need of prior service members
Special to the Thunderbolt
The US Air Force has opened
positions on active duty for
prior service (PS) members in
several career fields and will be
filling these jobs by the end of
FY10.
AF Recruiting Service reports that 250 PS Slots in 90 Air
Force Specialty Codes (AFSC)
are in critical need and must be
filled.
Prior service members, regardless of branch, are needed
in the following AFSCs: 1A1X1,
1A2X1, 1C1X1, 1C3X1, 2A6X1,
2T3X1, 2W0X1, 3C0X1, 3E9X1,
3P0X1, 4N0X1, 7S0X1, 8B0X1,
8R0X0, 1C2X1, 1C4X1, 1T0X1,
1T2X1, 2A5X1, 3E8X1.
PS personnel should be prepared to meet several qualifications prior to re-entry, many
specific to the individual applying, such as PS service record,
medical history, and dependency.
General qualifications that
must be met include, but are
not limited to; being less than
28 years of age or less than 28 if
their total active duty time was
subtracted from their current
age.
Those interested in additional information should contact
your local AF recruiter, 1-800423-USAF or http://www.airforce.com
haiti
From Page 9
are set up within 72 hours to provide communication for the full spectrum
of operations.
“In this situation, we will provide communication for both military and
non-governmental organizations,” said Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer
Ralph Johnson, JCSE team lead. “This will give us the hand shake and
reach-back capability to the U.S.”
To meet the expansive mission requirements, JCSE maintains a professional force that is prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice, said Senior
Chief Johnson.
Both active duty and reserve component forces comprise the JCSE these include active duty squadrons, two Air-National Guard Squadrons,
and one Army Reserve Squadron -- exhibiting the model of total force.
The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
provides command and control and coordination of the airlift effort. They
coordinate an average 900 airlifts and air refueling missions each day, and
can seamlessly redirect aircraft to support requirements for contingency or
humanitarian relief operations.
During Pakistan earthquake relief operations in 2005, the 621st Contingency Response Wing supported 273 U.S. missions, and provided 15,294,000
pounds of relief supplies, including more than 93,000 sleeping bags and
292,000 blankets. They also loaded 587 trucks and processed 4,481 pallets.
MacDill re
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
A C-17 from Charleston Air Force Base prepares to take
off from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. for a humanitarian
mission to Haiti on Jan. 15, 2010. The plane was picking
up supplies and personnel from the Joint Communications
Support Element, located at MacDill AFB.
Members from the Joint C
Force Base as it prepares
Haiti on Jan. 15, 2010. Th
Dill AFB.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Swafford
(Above) Major Christopher Joseph, 6th
Medical Group Mobile
Aeromedical Staging Facility team chief,
leaves the clinic before
boarding a bus to the
flight line here at MacDill Air Force Base Jan.
17. The MASF team
was headed to Haiti to
provide medical aide
to the victims of last
weeks earthquake.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Swafford
Members of the 6th Medical Group Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility (MASF) team form a line to build
a pallet for their bags here at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 18. The MASF team was headed to Haiti to
provide medical aide to the victims of last weeks earthquake.
A Join
Charle
Fla. for
supplie
at Mac
esponds in Haiti’s time of need
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
Communications Support Element (JCSE) board a C-17 from Charleston Air
s to take off from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. for a humanitarian mission to
he plane was picking up supplies and personnel from JCSE, located at Mac-
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
nt Communications Support Element (JCSE) soldier boards a C-17 from
eston Air Force Base as it prepares to take off from MacDill Air Force Base,
r a humanitarian mission to Haiti on Jan. 15, 2010. The plane was picking up
es and personnel from the Joint Communications Support Element, located
cDill AFB.
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
A Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) soldier
boards a C-17 from Charleston Air Force Base as it prepares
to take off from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. for a humanitarian
mission to Haiti on Jan. 15, 2010. The plane was picking up
supplies and personnel from the Joint Communications Support Element, located at MacDill AFB.
Background image of Port-au-Prince, Haiti by Airman 1st Class Perry Aston
NEWS/FEATURES
6 CONS Guide to Spending FY10 Funds
by Lt. Michael Kauffman
6th Contracting Squadron
As we near the mid-point of fiscal year 2010, it is vital to note
the following important dates in forecasting your unit’s spending. A
bottleneck effect tends to develop as we near the end of each fiscal
year, Sept. 30. In order to ensure that 6 CONS is able to process your
requirements and complete them in a timely manner, plan your unit’s
FY10 spending now and coordinate anticipated requirements through
6 CONS as early as possible, but not later than the dates below:
April 2
-Construction over $100,000
-Services over $2,000,000
May 28
-Construction under $100,000
-Services $100,000 - $2,000,000
-Commodities/Supplies over $2,000,000
July 1
-Service recurring requirements (rentals and PMAs)
-Commodities/Supplies $100,000 - $2,000,000
-Begin submitting Planning BVJs for GPC
July 30
-Services under $100,000
Aug. 13
-Commodities/Supplies under $100,000
Contracting Squadron Contacts:
-Specialized Flight, CENTCOM/SOCOM/JCSE/SOCCENT, contact
Edward “Jerry” Simmons, 828-4783
-Performance Management Flight, Civil Engineers and Avon Park,
contact Douglas Willard, 828-7454
-Base Support Flight, 6th AMW units and other tenant units, contact Crystal Life, 828-4784
-Government Purchase Card Program, GPC holders, contact Kevin
Nesmith, 828-4095
-Closeout Monitor, general inquiries can be directed to James
“Kirk” Krempasky, 828-7482
Diamond Sharp
Staff Sergeant Kevin Jay Kimmel
6th Logistics Readiness Squadon
Job Title: Fire truck maintenance apprentice
Home town: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Short-term goals: To attain my 7 level certification while at MacDill
Long-term goals: To become a valuable asset to the United States Air Force
and mentor others - to some day retire from the Air Force after giving my
best.
Advice to others: Simply follow directions, give respect where respect is due
and to do your best at any task set before you.
Role model (s): I have had many role models during my life but not a par-
ticular one. Maybe my parents: My dad taught me to work hard, be strong and
to persevere in whatever is set before me. My mom taught me forgiveness,,
compassion and belief in God
medal
From Page 4
dropping into the park, He stripped off his boots and hit
the water, swimming out to the area he last saw the jumper. The water was cold and dark. Sergeant Murphy could
not see his own hands as he dove toward the bottom some
15 feet down, feeling for the lost man.
“I saw the helmet on top of the water and I thought,
‘great, he’s right there,’ ‘’ said Sergeant Murphy, who swam
over to it. “I thought it was still going to be a good outcome
at that point.”
But when he got to the helmet, it was only a helmet.
With the Col. under water for several minutes, “the reality set in.”
Sergeant Bowes, a member of 6th Security Forces, also
had lot of hope when he made the 12-foot drop from the
fence moments before Sergeant Murphy arrived. He was
off duty when he saw the jumper land in the water.
“I was running on adrenaline,” said Sergeant Bowes,
who quickly commandeered a canoe from a couple of paddlers and darted toward the floating parachute.
The water was dark, and about 54 degrees, when Sergeant Bowes went in. Diving so deep was difficult with the
cold sapping his wind.
“It was like looking for a needle in a haystack,” he recalled. “But we had to keep trying; it’s just what you do in
a situation like that.”
Sergeant Bowes said he was “flattered” to learn that he
would be receiving the Airman’s Medal for his efforts that
day, though he was “not sure I was worthy.”
“When someone’s in trouble, the right thing to do is help,
even if there are life risks,” he said.
Reflecting, Sergeant Murphy laments that “the outcome
wasn’t good; it wasn’t a success.”
That makes both sergeants reluctant heroes, they agree,
but their deeds that day stand as examples of the Air Force
Wingman concept, service, sacrifice and duty – all symbolized by the Airman’s Medal, often presented for quick action in life-threatening situations.
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Road construction by the 6th Civil Engineers continues into the
next phase of the repair of the Hillsborough Loop Drive.
The construction along Hillsborough Loop Drive includes the section of roadway from Pink Flamingo Avenue to Florida Keys Avenue
and is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2010.
We appreciate your patience during the construction period.
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Road construction by the 6th Civil Engineers continues into the
final phase of the repair of the Hillsborough Loop Drive.
The construction along Hillsborough Loop Drive adjacent to the
Short Fitness Center will realign the pavement to eliminate the sharp
bend in the roadway pavement. The construction began Nov. 30 and is
scheduled to be completed by mid-February 2010.
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Commentary
From Page 2
leadership guidance module of the human weapons system?
Too often, we treat our equipment like treasure and our people like
labor. We often work our people as hard as we can and then are disappointed when they break down or fail. We don’t do it intentionally but
it still works out that way. I’d like to serve in an Air Force where our
human weapons systems are as revered as our other weapons systems.
One where each member works as hard at maintaining themselves
and their people as the weapons and processes they are responsible for.
One where no Airman is sent on the day’s mission until his/her supervisor checks him/her over and ensures he/she is mission-ready.
“Sir/ma’am, I’ve checked out Airman Snuffy. All systems are green.
If you treat her right she’ll perform well and be ready for tomorrow’s
mission when we need her.”
There is no reason we cannot become more capable as we age. It all
boils down to how well we maintain ourselves and our teams.
I owe Major Halter a great deal. She reshaped how I look at maintaining myself and my team. She was right; we are the Air Force’s
most valued asset. America provides us with her most precious treasure: her sons and daughters. It is up to us to ensure that each reaches
their maximum potential and provides their best to our mission of defending the nation.
I am Chief Master Sgt. Rob Tappana. I am a crew chief on the human weapons system, and so are you.
A cut above
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
(L-R) Rebecca A. Santee, BX General Manager, Capt. John Choi, 6th AMW chaplain, Col. David Cohen, vice commander, 6th AMW, and Sheila
Eveland, Eveland Bros. Construction, cut the ribbon in the Base Exchange Grand Reopening Ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Jan. 13.
Everyone is invited to come by and see the new look in the BX mall area.
MACDILL COMMUNITY
EVENTS
Friday
Youth Center
Family Game Night! 5-8 p.m. Everyone welcome! (parent/guardian
must participate) FREE food, fun &
games!
SeaScapes Beach Club
Beach Bash from 5:30-9 p.m. All
you can eat food buffet & drink specials!
Saturday
Surf’s Edge Club
2nd Annual Soul Food & Jazz
– Dinner buffet from 6-8 p.m. Live
jazz & soul from 8 p.m.-midnight.
Sunday
MacDill Bowling Lanes
OPEN SUNDAYS! 1-8 pm
Sunday Family Special – 2 people
$20.00; 4 people $30.00.
Includes 2 games, shoes, 1 large
pizza and a pitcher of soda (Available from 1-7 p.m).
Tuesday
Surf’s Edge Club
NEW “Meals in Minutes” Lunch
Buffet – Soul Food from 11am – 1
p.m.
Wednesday
Arts & Crafts Center
Lap Quilt Sewing Class from
9am - 3pm. Valentine-themed. Students should be able to finish the
top in class. Kit available for purchase ($40) or pick up a supply list.
Surf’s Edge Club
NEW “Meals in Minutes” Lunch
Buffet – Homestyle from 11 am – 1
pm.
Thursday
Surf’s Edge Club
NEW “Meals in Minutes” Lunch
Buffet – Mexican/Spanish from 11
a.m. – 1 p.m.
SeaScapes Beach Club
Evening Special – All-U-Can-Eat
Spaghetti includes garlic bread,
salad, and small soda $7.95
Big bite
Photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright
Senior Airman Kaylon Pendleton, 6th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrates the aggressiveness
and discipline of a military working dog in front of new Tampa Bay Rays baseball recruits. The team
was given a tour of the base last week to show the military way of life in the MacDill and Tampa Bay
communities.
CHAPEL SCHEDULE
Protestant services
Sunday - 9 a.m., Traditional Service
10:30 a.m., Religious Education, Noon, Gospel Service
& 9 a.m., service, FamCamp Multipurpose Center
Tuesday -Noon, Promise Keepers
Wednesday - 10:30 a.m., Women of the Chapel
Thursday - 11:30 a.m., Officers’ Christian Fellowship
For more information regarding the Chapel or Chapel services, call 828-3621.
AT THE MOVIES
Catholic services
Saturday - Mass, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday - Mass, 10:30 a.m.
Monday to Thursday: Mass, 12:10 p.m.
Saturday - Sacrament of Reconciliation, 4:30 p.m., (or by appointment)
Islamic services
Friday - 1:15 p.m.
Jewish services - Call 828-3621
$4 for adults / $2 for children 828-2780
Friday - 7 p.m.
Saturday - 3 p.m.
Saturday - 7 p.m.
The Blind side (PG-13)
No showing
Everybody’s Fine (PG-13)