Vol. 42, No. 13 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Photos by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchel and Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon

Army Lt. Col. Ken Ates, United States Special Operations Command paracommando, displays the flag during the national anthem at the open-ing of MacDill AirFest 2014. AirFest offers the public an opportunity to meet the men and women of the armed forces and see military equip-ment through the efforts of active duty, guard and reserve service members, as well as civilian employees, retirees and family members.

AirFest 2014 big success!

by Col. Scott DeThomas6th Air Mobility Wing commander

YOU DID IT! Over the last month we have

asked a lot from you, and you have performed with incredible energy and a positive attitude. I have been inundated with hun-dreds, if not thousands of positive comments about your profession-alism and can-do spirit.

A month ago, you facilitated one of the largest and most in-fluential conferences in the Air Force while hosting 34 general officers at Corona, and then you followed that up with a week-long exercise that tested your ability to perform the mission. Next, you flawlessly welcomed the 18th Air Force commander, who was im-pressed with your professinalism,

followed closely by a visit from the governor. Last, but certainly not least you hosted thousands of our closest friends from the com-munity at AirFest, and you were magnificent.

At any other base, any one of those events would have tested their fortitude, but here at Mac-Dill we are different. Where oth-ers see challenges, we see oppor-tunities.

Recently while being inter-viewed a reporter asked me, “How will you face all of these chal-lenges?” I told him that we don’t see challenges, we see opportuni-ties. We see opportunities to excel in front of leaders at the highest level, as well as the entire Tampa Bay community. Over the last month you seized these opportu-nities to its fullest, and I want to

say “Thank you.” I also want to thank each of your family mem-bers that sacrificed time away from you while you took advan-tage of each opportunity to show that we are the preeminent wing within Air Mobility Command.

I encourage you to find a little extra time for your family this weekend. While we can take pride in a job well done over the last month, we must keep our eyes to the future. Be safe, and take care of each other!

MacDill ThunderboltPublisher: Bill BarkerEditor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt Newspa-pers, 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, includ-ing 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 (813) 259-7455. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted

to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or call the MacDill Thunderbolt staff at 828-2215. Email: thunder.bolt@us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays 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 time-liness.

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.

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE

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 comments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or email macdillwing-commander@us.af.mil.

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MacDillAirForceBase

MacDill on the web

Congratulations on a job well doneCOMMANDER’S CORNER

Col. Scott DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, autographs Tampa Bay AirFest 2014 posters for attendees Saturday at MacDill Air Force Base.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon

NEWS/FEATURES

by Airman 1st Class Schultz6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Team MacDill Airmen were treated to se-nior leader perspectives on leadership, com-munication, and the challenges facing the Air Force firsthand during a March 10-12 visit by Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander.

McDew met with officials of United States Central Command, Special Operations Com-mand, and 6th Air Mobility Wing Airmen and families. He also took time during the visit to hear Airmen’s concerns and share his thoughts on a variety of key topics during a base-wide “all call.”

McDew stressed the value of empower-ment, communication, and job proficiency, noting their importance to ensuring a strong Air Force.

“Many leaders are afraid to step in front

of their Airmen when they don’t have all of the answers, but many times just getting in front of them and saying things are going to be okay will keep the Air Force as strong to-morrow as it is today,” said McDew.

When asked about major obstacles throughout his career, McDew said, “I have faced nothing more than many Airmen have faced; I’ve had supervisors who challenged me and gave me tools to be better than I thought I could be.”

In closing, McDew thanked Airmen for their service to the Nation, noting that they were well suited to help the Air Force suc-ceed despite the multitude of challenges it faces.

“This is the best Air Force there has ever been; we have smart, talented, war-hardened veterans. Our Air Force is going to be great for years and years, and decades to come,” he said.

18th Air Force commander shares leadership perspectives

Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz

Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force com-mander, and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Rode-wald, 18th Air Force command chief, receive a brief from Lt. Col. Collin Gilbert, 6th Lo-gistics Readiness Squadron commander, at MacDill Air Force Base, March 12.The brief covered renovations vehicle maintenance has made to improve its work environment.

by Staff Sgt. Jieun Yi 6th Force Support Squadron

Some may say being a personnelist isn’t the most glorious job in the Air Force. It’s not a job that is praised for being particularly vigorous or demanding, which is perhaps one of the rea-sons why our specialty seems obscure to others.

Although our work isn’t always visible to oth-ers, we certainly don’t take lightly the reward that comes with being able to make a difference in someone’s career. Whether it is through eval-uations, assignments, reenlistments, promo-tions, etc., no matter how minor our influences may be, we will be ready and willing to assist.

My six-year career as a personnelist, with deployments to Al Udeid, Qatar, Combined Air and Space Operations Center, has taught me more than just the technical understanding of why we put on our uniforms each day.

More often than not, with knowledge, also comes cautiousness. This was undeniably accu-rate for me when it came to deployments. De-spite the excitement, I was struck with consid-erable nervousness each time. As foreign as the 130 degree heat with 100 percent humidity, 12

hour shifts, and no days off was, I got to experi-ence what our brothers and sisters in all ser-vices go through day in and day out, so others may sleep soundly each night.

I’ve had the honor of being the awards and

decorations technician as well as the evalua-tions technician for 365 and permanent party members. Reading their accomplishments and being able to process their awards and decora-

‘There I was...’

Courtesy photo

Staff Sgt. Jieun Yi says her specialty is a little obscure to most, but adds that her job as a person-nelist is both challenging and rewarding.

See ‘THERE I WAS’, Page 6

AIRFEST 2014

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon

The Tampa Bay area community came out in big numbers for MacDill AirFest 2014. Spectators were treated to displays of varied aircraft, aerial shows with lots of thrills, got to meet pilots and service members, all while enjoying made-to-order weather.

Photo by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell

(Top) The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunder-birds form mirror images during an aerial demonstration for Tampa Bay AirFest 2014 Saturday. (Above) The 1945 F4U-F, “Ko-rean War Hero” and Scott Yoak in his P-51 Mustang ‘Quicksil-ver” perform in the “Heritage Flight.”

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro

Photos by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell

(Above) Gen, Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force chief of staff, meets with Major Tyler Ellison, pilot #7 for the Thunderibirds and the team’s opera-tions officer. (Right) Army Lt. Col. Ken Ates, United States Special Operations Command paracommando, sails in from above with the American flag during the playing of the nation-al anthem at the opening of AirFest 2014.

tions was humbling. These members spent an entire year at a deployed location, performing duties frequently outside the wire, without the accessibility to the entities and amenities we take advantage of in the states. Not only did I get the chance to assist these members with all personnel actions, I was able to help ensure their hard work was property documented and processed so their time away from their loved ones in a foreign country did not go unnoticed.

During my most recent deployment, I worked as the NCO in charge of personnel actions under the A1 staff, assisting with rest and recovery, leave, evaluations, and promotions. Our main purpose was to assist with officer promotion board packages. Being given this responsibility and opportunity was intimidating, but it turned out to be a great learning experience. The efforts of the members and various aspects that go into making the officer promotion boards take place are rather incredible.

Not only was this program out of my comfort zone, it helped me truly realize that every piece of our work is a significant turning point in our career. They become the definition of who we are as Airmen. It became more apparent to me the influence each performance report, decora-tion, and self-improvement have on us. As Air-men, we are constantly encouraged to strive for the “whole-person concept”. Needless to say, the months spent deployed, being able to support these great men and women has taught me the value and meaning of this concept.

The remarks I get from others regarding my deployments are often similar: “cupcake deploy-ment.” Especially being a personnelist, where we’re more than likely sitting in an office all day long, comments such as this are not atypical. Granted we’re not placed in imminent danger with each step we take, nor physically tested to beat the odds, what I can proudly say, is that these deployments are undoubtedly some of my most prized life experiences I am honored to have been a part of. They have helped me grow significantly as a person as well as an Air-man, and I would go through each of them all over again in a heartbeat. It’s not always about where we are laying our heads down at night or how immense our influences may seem from the outside. The importance is that we are all invaluable in our own ways, there to achieve something greater together, striving to make a difference for our men and women past, present, and future.

‘THERE I WAS’From Page 3

TRICARE® Service Center

Walk-in Service No Longer Provided as of April 1

The “I want to … ” section at www.tricare.mil is your gateway to:

Enroll in or Purchase a Plan

File or Check a Claim

View Referrals and Prior Authorizations

Find a Doctor

Change Your Primary Care Manager

See What’s Covered

Compare Plans

Manage Prescriptions

Contact InformationTRICARE Regional ContractorsGet enrollment assistance and answers to questions through your regional contractor’s Web site or toll-free call center.

North RegionHealth Net Federal Services, LLC 1-877-TRICARE (1-877-874-2273) www.hnfs.com

South Region Humana Military, a division of Humana Government Business 1-800-444-5445 Humana-Military.com

West Region UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans 1-877-988-WEST (1-877-988-9378) www.uhcmilitarywest.com

http://milconnect.dmdc.milUpdate your e-mail and mailing addresses in DEERS and view eligibility, enrollment information, enrollment cards, and important correspondence about your bene�ts.

Start UsingTRICARE’s Convenient Self-Service Options

Today!

TRICARE is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. All rights reserved. BR961BEC01144W

by Capt. Erika Yepsen Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

By Dec. 31, every Airman will be required to provide their servicing finance office with documentation for all dependents as part of Air Force audit readiness efforts.

This one-time, Air Force-wide recertification process will allow the Air Force to validate Airmen’s basic allowance for housing entitlements, en-suring every dollar of the $5.4 billion the Air Force spends annually on BAH is fully auditable.

“When we say the Air Force is not audit compliant, that doesn’t mean that money is missing or being misspent,” said Doug Bennett, the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial operations. “Generally, it means that we lack the required documentation for our spending to be considered auditable. In the case of BAH, we need Airmen’s marriage certificates, birth certificates for children and divorce decrees that require child support properly documented by our finance offices to ensure we can audit $5.4 billion in Air Force spending.”

Airmen must revalidate dependents this year

See DEPENDENTS, Page 15

NEWS/FEATURES

1. The Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team passes over the landmark water tow-er at MacDill Air Force Base during one of their two perfor-mances over the weekend.

2. Spectators line up to tour a Hurricane Hunter aircraft, one of many static displays set up for public inspection during AirFest 2014.

3. The AeroShell Acrobatic Team performs an aerial dem-onstration Saturday at MacDill Air Force Base.

4. One of the AeroShell Acro-batic Team pilots waves at the crowd following his the aerial performance Saturday.

5. A jumper from the United States Special Operations Command soars above the crowd for the initial “jump” during the 2014 AirFest.

6. Jerry “Jive” Kerby steaks across the blue skies over MacDill Saturday. The RV-8A, known affectionately as “Wild Blue,” is unique in that it’s a regular on the air show circuit yet can be built in a general aviation pilot’s garage.

7. Bob Buckhorn, Tampa mayor, does an interview with ABC Action News before his flight with the Geico Skytyp-ers March 20 at MacDill Air Force Base.

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

Photo by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell

Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph

Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph

Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph

Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph

AirFest 2014

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon

There’s a lot more to the Air Force Thunderbirds than just the pilots. It take a dedicated crew of support members to make the spectacular demonstrations happen. Here members of the Thunderbirds who work behind the scenes step up for a group photo in front of one of the team’s F-16 fighters.

Beginning this month and continuing through December, Air Force fi-nance offices will contact Airmen across the total force by email to notify them of their responsibility to provide dependent documentation. Their finance office will tell them exactly which documents are required. Ad-ditionally, Airmen who recently provided documentation may not be re-quired to do so again. Airmen should wait to be notified by their finance offices rather than bringing in documentation unsolicited, Bennett said. Waiting to receive notification will eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort for some Airmen.

Once notified, Airmen will have 30 days to provide the required docu-ments to their servicing finance office or have their housing allowance status reduced to single-rate. Deployed Airmen and those on extended leave or temporary duty will be given special consideration in meeting the 30-day deadline.

The push for revalidation of dependent documentation comes as the Air Force prepares to meet financial improvement and audit readiness re-quirements laid out in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. The Air Force currently retains dependent documentation for six years, which

is insufficient to meet audit readiness requirements. This revalidation will ensure Air Force compliance with audit requirements, Bennett said.

“America entrusts the Air Force not only to spend taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently, but also to account and justify that expenditure,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III in a recent memo. “Preparation for this important and legislatively-mandated effort rests in the hands of every Airman, not just the financial community.”

Although revalidation of Airmen’s dependents will be a one-time recer-tification, Airmen will continue to play a vital role in the Air Force’s audit readiness. Starting in 2015, independent auditors will visit work stations for Airmen to review processes, procedures and transactions that impact the Air Force’s financial statements.

“Ensuring we have the proper documentation to account for every ex-penditure in a very large budget is a difficult but essential effort,” said Dr. Jamie Morin, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. “Becoming audit ready will help us dem-onstrate to the American public that we are responsible stewards of tax-payer money at a time when we must make every dollar count.”

DEPENDENTSFrom Page 10

4-star wingmanGen. Mark A. Welsh III visits with Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Vincent Jackson prior to Jackson going for a ride in an Air Force Thunderbird F-16.

MacDill AFB Campaign 2014:March 24th – May 2nd

Airmen Helping Airmen

MACDILL COMMUNITY

Protestant serviceSunday - 11 a.m. - Contemporary Service Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - FAMCAMP Service

Islamic serviceFriday - 1:30 p.m. - Muslim Prayer Service

Catholic servicesSaturday - 5:30 p.m. - Mass

Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass

Monday-Thursday - 12:10 p.m. Mass

Call the chapel at 828-3621 for more information or visit the chapel web siteat http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE

What a show!MacDill Air Force Base put on quite a show over the weekend, drawing thousands from the Tampa Bay community for AirFest 2014. Spectators couldn’t get enough of the many aircraft displays or the aerial shows, headlined by the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz

Be sure to visit the official MacDill Air Force Base web site at www.macdill.af.mil

EVENTSFridaySeaScapes Beach House

Crab Night! 3-8 p.m. The ev-eryday bar menu is also available from 4 p.m. until close. Buckets of... •1lb. Snow Crab Legs, 1lb. Shrimp $17.50 • 1lb. Snow Crab legs, 1/2lb. Shrimp $13.65 • 1lb. Snow Crab Legs $9.75 • 1lb. Shrimp $9.50 • 1/2lb. Shrimp $6.50 *All portions are served with Old Bay Potatoes & Corn, melted butter • Pitchers of Beer $4.00

SaturdayOperation Bayfest

Fishing fun starts at 6 a.m. and lasts all day! Exclusion Zone Open. Call 840-6919.

Opening Ceremonies for Youth Baseball

9 a.m. at youth baseball fields. Meet the Tampa Bay Rays!

WednesdaySeaScapes Beach House

Wednesday BASH from 4-8 p.m. FREE bar snacks, drink specials, bar bingo ($2 a card/cash), trivia, and a DJ. Call 840-1451.

ThursdayMonth of the Military Child Parade

Kick-off ceremony is 9 a.m. in front of CDC 1 and 3.

Make your reservations today! Easter Buffet at the Surf ’s Edge Club

Sunday, April 20 • 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. With 2 Seating Times: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. *RESERVATIONS REQUIRED* Members: $21.95 • Spouse: $23.95 • Non-Members: $25.95 • Children 6-12 yrs: $10.95 • Children 5 yrs & under: FREE. Reservation Line: (813) 840-2020.

See the thunder!Visitors to MacDill Air Force Base stand in line to see the A-10 Thun-derbolt II during Tampa Bay’s AirFest, Sunday. The A-10 Thunder-bolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon