Vol. 44, No. 33 Thursday, August 18, 2016

News/Features: page 3MPS moving

Airmen’s Time - page 10

News/Features: page 14Soccer team readies for tourney

Week in photos: page 4Images from the week

News/Features: page 3KC-135 milestone

Community: page 18Events, Chapel, more...

Photo by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, talks to Senior Airman Andrew Flanagan, right, an aircraft metals technology technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, about his job, during Airmen’s Time, Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Airmen’s Time is an opportunity for the commander to get to know Airmen and their respective organizations.

by Capt. Joseph Simms927th Air Refueling Wing

When the first Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker took to the sky on Aug. 31,1956, no one at the time could have expected it would still be flying 60 years later.

But for the past six decades, this modified Boeing 707 has established itself as one of the workhorses of the Air Force’s inventory, providing air-to-air refueling, personnel and cargo transport, and aeromedical evacuation capabilities throughout the world.

In the mid-1950s, Strategic Air Command, under the direction of Gen. Curtis Lemay, needed an air refueler that could keep up with the fighter and bomber aircraft of the day. At the time, B-52 crews often had to lower their landing gear to create enough drag to match the speed of the propel-ler driven KC-97 in flight, causing stress on the gear and burning many pounds of valuable fuel.

The introduction of the KC-135 eliminated this problem with its ability to reach speeds exceeding 450 mph while carrying more than double the off-loadable fuel of the KC-97.

Soon after the KC-135A arrived at the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Castle Air Force Base, California, in 1957, the Air Force began to phase out the KC-97s, paving the way for a new area in rapid global mobility. In 1976, the Air Force Reserve received their first KC-135 and Citizen Airmen of the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS), MacDill Air Force Base, continue to fly them today.

“It’s a privilege to be associated with such a historic aircraft and know-ing what we do has a direct effect on the friendly forces on the ground and ensuring our aircrews make it home safely,” said Lt. Col. Adam McLean, 63rd ARS commander. “The KC-135 has served as the backbone of the Air

Force’s air refueling capability for six decades and there are no signs of it slowing down.”

In fact, it is often said throughout the tanker community that the last mother of the last pilot of the KC-135 has not been born yet, which is a tes-tament to the experience and professionalism of the maintenance person-nel that work on the aircraft.

“No one drives a car every day for 60 years but we put the KC-135 through its paces daily and yet it continues to deliver because of the work

KC-135 Stratotanker reaches historic milestone

MacDill Air Force Base is home to 16 KC-135 Stratotankers, operated and maintained by both the 927th Air Refueling Wing and the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

See MILESTONE, Page 19

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr. 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

During the week of Aug. 22-26 the Pass and

ID card office will be relocating from building 373 to building 411 at MacDill Air Force Base.

Located directly across the street from the old building, the new location boasts improvements to enhance services provided to ID card cus-tomers. Improvements include a larger waiting area, better ventilation, added privacy for han-dling personal matters, and easier accessibility for handicapped patrons.

“We’re moving to serve people better; that’s our catchphrase,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joey Williams, manpower and personnel flight su-perintendent assigned to the 6th Force Support Squadron (FSS). “Plus we’re conveniently locat-ed across the street.”

The 6th FSS leadership has asked that cus-tomers remain patient during the move. The of-fice will resume normal operations Aug. 29.

“This will be a huge improvement; overall it’s a nicer facility and a definite upgrade,” said Wil-

by Master Sgt. Randy Redman6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

It is time for school again, which is a bit of a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, it means the lazy days of summer are sadly behind us. Instead of sleep-ing late and arguing about who gets the last Klondike bar, kids in kindergarten through high school will be making the daily commute, on foot or otherwise, to their particular educa-tional facility.

On the other hand, it also means there are plenty of stay-at-home moms here on base that might actually get to enjoy 10 or 15 minutes of quiet in the house once the kids are gone to school. Military spouses face a cornucopia of problems compared to their civilian counter-parts, not the least of which is acting as the head of the household when the active-duty member is deployed downrange or temporarily away for training. It takes a level head to make sure the kids are healthy, safe and emotion-ally secure when the family moves every two or three years.

By now, most parents have made the annual trek to the nearest multinational retail corpo-ration to get the eight school-mandated multi-topic notebooks, 17 pens, and 78 bottles of hand sanitizer. Not to mention going to the trouble of making sure each child is smartly attired with pricey ripped jeans lovingly shredded by caged lions, tigers and bears. Trends come and go, and

these days hi-fashion apparently incudes emo-jis, Chuck Taylors and velvet-coated sunglasses. Whatever happened to jorts? They were cool once, right?

I certainly appreciate the fact that I don’t have to waste a single brain cell on deciding what I wear to work every day. The Airman Battle Uniform might not be on the cover of Vanity Fair, but at least I don’t have to schlep my way through the mall to pick out my fall en-semble. My son, on the other hand, is a sopho-more in high school, which means unless his sneakers look like Technicolor marshmallows, he will be sitting with the outcasts at lunch while the cool kids giggle over the latest memes on their color-coordinated smart phones.

Some enjoy this annual shopping ritual, and don’t seem to mind battling the crowds. Personally, I believe it is much easier to order everything online. Why wait in line for an hour and pay retail prices when you can order every-thing at a discount online and have it shipped directly to your door for free? Of course, my wife prefers the battle-royal of families crowding the two aisles of school supplies during the annual tax-free weekend. This in turn, means I am required to join the fray; frantically snatching mechanical pencils and reams of college-ruled filler paper…not the wide-ruled for heaven’s sake!

Silly me…college-ruled paper is far supe-rior to wide-ruled, and will certainly stimulate the mind of my daughter to new heights of academic superiority. She may be starting 6th

grade this year, but it is never too early to start grooming her for the demanding rigors of col-lege. After all, somewhere out there is another 6th grader who has been using college-ruled paper since she was in diapers. Some day they might be competing for scholarships to an overpriced institute of higher learning. I need to make sure my kids have every advantage they can possibly get, even if it means I have to spend a few hundred dollars on pencils.

The first few weeks of school are always a challenge for the kids. Getting back into the morning routines, picking who to sit with on the bus and the loads of homework on challeng-ing new topics are practically unbearable after a full summer of action movies, pool parties and binging on video games. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle it, much less my kids. We may have to cut back to only two or three zombie shows a night, and keep gaming to weekends.

It will all be worth it someday, I hope. One day they will head off to college leaving my wife and I to the luxurious sounds of silence. Maybe I’ll be able to finish that novel I started writing when I was in college a million years ago. Perhaps we’ll be able to take a vacation that doesn’t include theme parks or $15 dollar stuffed animals.

Maybe, just maybe, we can enjoy a night out without having to worry about who is going to make sure everyone’s homework is done. For now though, I need to go see if there are any Klondike bars left.

MacDill ThunderboltPublisher: Joe DeLuca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publish-ing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an autho-rized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. mili-tary 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 the TImes Publishing Company of the products or service advertised.

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to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6amw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@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 timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clar-ity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

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The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. Per-sonnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via Emailing macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil.

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COMMENTARY NEWS/FEATURESBack to school shopping on an NCO’s budget MPS relocates to new, improved building; services interrupted

Photo by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr.

Building 411 will be the new location for the Pass and ID card office at MacDill Air Force Base. The move is scheduled to take place Aug. 22-26. See MOVE, Page 15

Tech. Sgt. Ruben Alfonso, dental lab flight chief assigned to the 6th Dental Squadron, uses an oxygen torch to melt dental gold at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 15. After the gold is melted, the machine is spun at high speeds in order to push the molten metal into a mold. The metal is then cooled, creating a crown for use on a patient.

WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman Adam R. Shanks

Staff Sgt. Branden Warren, a Combat Arms instructor assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, teaches an Airman firing procedures during security forces augmentee training at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 15. The augmentees were required to fire 45 rounds at a target at varying distances in order to qualify with the pistol.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Rito Smith

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing (AMW); Bob Buckhorn, center, mayor of Tampa; and Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, command chief of the 6th AMW, pause for a photo Aug. 11 in Tampa. Buckhorn invited Vogel and Noel to his office to welcome MacDill Air Force Base’s newest leaders.

Photo by Airman Adam R. Shanks

NEWS/FEATURESby Senior Airman Jenay Randolph6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Air Force medical officials are encouraging Airmen, their families and all beneficiaries to raise their personal awareness of immunization health during National Immunization Awareness Month in August.

Due to the back-to-school season, August is al-so the busiest month for Airmen assigned to the 6th Medical Operations Squadron (MDOS) im-munizations clinic at MacDill Air Force Base.

MacDill immunization technicians administer approximately 2,500 vaccines during the month of August, in addition to seeing an average 1,500 patients a month and administering an estimat-ed 1,750 vaccinations a month.

“Vaccinations are incredibly important to both children and adults,” explained Tech. Sgt. Kim-burly Davis, NCO in charge of immunizations assigned to 6th MDOS. “Vaccinations help pro-tect us from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases.”

The Immunization clinic currently has two Airmen assigned to the clinic. So in order to ef-fectively take care of the high influx of patients, there are other medics and reservists who rotate in the clinic on a monthly basis to assist.

“We not only service the 6th Air Mobility Wing, but also U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Op-erations Command, Joint Communications Sup-port Element, along with the other 38 other ten-ant units on base,” explained Staff Sgt. Arquilla Price, immunizations technician assigned to 6th MDOS. “Our members travel to almost every country in the world, and have to be deployment ready’ some countries do not allow members if certain vaccines are not given prior to entry.”

It is important for Airmen, their families and all beneficiaries to be aware of the various vac-cines offered to prevent diseases such as measles,

mumps, chickenpox and whooping cough. These diseases continue to affect children, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths every year.

Fortunately, vaccinations have significantly aided the decline of several infectious diseases in the United States. All vaccines undergo long and meticulous reviews by scientists, doctors, and the federal government to ensure safety and effec-tiveness.

“We have an incredible impact on the overall mission of Rapid Global Mobility because it is our responsibility to ensure awareness and readiness at all times,” Davis said. “We work diligently to provide you with the proper healthcare needed to complete the mission from anywhere at any time.”

For more information, contact the immuniza-tions clinic at 827-9377.

MacDill immunizations technicians strive to build a healthier force

Photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph

Staff Sgt. Arquilla Price, an immunizations technician assigned to 6th Medical Operations Squadron, administers a vaccine to a patient Aug. 10 at MacDill Air Force Base. Approximately 2,500 immunizations will be administered for the month of August due to the back-to-school season.

by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel grew up in a small town in southern Indiana on the border of Illinois, where there wasn’t a big military popula-tion. Although there was some influence in the community, it was different in Noel’s family.

The current 6th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) command chief, Noel was influenced from a young age. She recently recalled one of the de-fining moments of her childhood was when she noticed a triangular box with a flag in her home, commonly called a shadow box.

Full of curiosity, she learned that her mother, Marilyn Brady, was an Army widow. Marilyn was eight months pregnant with Noel’s older sister when she received the news about her husband’s death.

Her mother didn’t talk much about his service, but did express the gratitude she held for the Ar-my and how her husband’s military funeral left a lasting impression on her.

“That planted a seed in me at an early age be-cause I could sense the feeling my mom had and felt I needed to pay that back somehow,” said No-el. “Joining the military was a way of paying back the services my mom received as an Army widow.”

She goes on to say that it was the best decision she had ever made.

At 17, Noel joined the Air Force as a security forces member with the hopes of becoming a mili-tary working dog handler. Her plan was to serve her four-year term, then separate to become a park ranger.

During technical training school, she found out becoming a dog handler was not a possibility. At the time, security forces fell under two jobs: se-curity and law enforcement. Her job in security meant she couldn’t become a dog handler. Goals shattered, Noel again considered completing her

four years and separating. Then plans changed again. She married and

had two children and decided to continue her Air Force career. As a new mom and looking for more stability, Noel chose to cross-train into the per-sonnel career field.

“There is a point and time in your career where a light bulb goes off and you realize that we wear the fabric of the nation; it’s not just about having a job that pays your bills; it’s not about coming to work Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and going home,” said Noel. “You start to re-alize this is truly my extended family and there are people here that really care about me.

“That ‘care about me’ piece was reinforced by people I had the opportunity to serve alongside and certainly people who were in leadership posi-tions above me—specifically my first sergeant at my second base.”

When her hard work was recognized by her first sergeant, it lit a spark in her that still burns fiercely.

“Once people start to take note that you are do-ing something good…and they voice that to you start to realize people really do care,” said Noel. “I couldn’t get enough of it; I wanted to keep do-ing great things for the Air Force, not because of the recognition, but simply because I thought I was making a difference and wanted to continue that.”

Throughout her 24 years of service, she has had many opportunities from being a first ser-geant at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, train-ing squadron, to being a senior enlisted advisor for the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Noel wants to continue to serve and give back.

“Over time, I have had the opportunity to do many great things within the Air Force that have had a positive impact on my life,” explained Noel. “I feel a huge sense of obligation to pay that for-

ward to anybody and everybody that I could pos-sibly positively impact directly or indirectly.

“I continue to do what I do, hoping I can have the same type of impact on someone like my first sergeant had on me.”

For Tech. Sgt. Candice Wegehaupt, the com-mand chief ’s executive assistant assigned to the 6th AMW, Noel’s influence has already had a ma-jor impact on her.

NEWS/FEATURESPaying it forward: command chief’s goal of leaving an impact

Photo by Staff Sgt. Shandresha Mitchell

Chief Master Sgt. Melanie K. Noel is the command chief for the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base.

See CHIEF, Page 19

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, learns how to weld from Senior Airman Tyler Treadaway, right, an aircraft metals technology technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron Aug. 11 during Airmen’s Time at MacDill Air Force Base. Vogel practiced gas tungsten arc welding on a stainless steel plate.

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, welds a stainless steel plate with the assistance of Senior Airman Tyler Treadaway, right, an aircraft metals technology technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, during Airmen’s Time Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Vogel practiced gas tungsten arc welding on a stainless steel plate.

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, welds a mild steel plate during Airmen’s time Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Vogel practiced gas metal arc welding on the steel plate.

Col. April Vogel, left, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, shakes the hand of Senior Airman Tyler Treadaway, right, an aircraft metals technol-ogy technician with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, during Airmen’s Time Aug. 11 at MacDill Air Force Base. Airmen’s Time is an opportunity for the com-mander to get to know Airmen and their respective organizations.

Airmen’s Time in the metal shopPhotos by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams

story and photos by Airman Adam R. Shanks6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

It all began with a group of people wanting to play soccer after work. Ser-vice members from all branches joined in and soon a team started to form. Eventually, the team showed promise to become very competitive.

“It’s all about every branch coming together to be successful,” said Senior Airman Fabian Delgado, a cargo movement specialist assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Delgado is one of the team captains for a new soccer team, MacDill Football Club, located at MacDill Air Force Base.

Much like MacDill, mem-bers on the team represent all branches of service and several units on base, to include the 6th Air Mobility Wing, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Op-erations Command.

Although the team is still young, it has already proven to be a strong group of players by winning a local tournament. The tournament lasted three days, with two games per day for a total of six games.

“It was the first time the team came together to play a tournament,” said Delgado.

With morale high from winning the local tournament, the team began holding more practices, and now train at least twice a week.

“Right now chemistry isn’t quite there yet,” said Senior Airman Albert Preli, an airborne mission systems operator assigned to the 310th Airlift Squadron and team member. “But we’re a very new team and with every practice we continue to get better and better.”

These practices are in preparation for a much larger tournament, the De-fender’s Cup National Military Soccer Tournament, schedule to be held Sept. 2 at Lackland AFB, Texas.

“This is a good opportunity to not only get MacDill’s name out there, but also for the players to be seen by coaches of military teams and possibly be chosen to compete in the Armed Forces soccer tournaments,” said Delgado.

Preli, who recently moved to MacDill, has competed in the tournament four times and is able to offer his insight to the team.

“The Defender’s Cup is a completely different experience compared to these local tournaments…every team is high speed,” Preli said. “It’s pretty brutal giving 110 percent in two to three games a day; it’s draining, but we train hard now to bring that mentality to the actual game.”

The team began as a group of players casually playing after work. Now it has become an organized team with a drive to win. The players’ drive is strong enough to pay for the trip to Lackland AFB themselves.

“Since we’re not sponsored, we’ll have to pay for transportation, hotels, food and all our equipment for the Defender’s Cup,” said Preli.

But the team pushes on, determined to play hard in the national tourna-ment and bring home the cup.

“When we won the local tournament, it caught everyone by surprise,” said Delgado. “The team was extremely tired since we were playing multiple games a day.

“We were out of gas, but we kept going; it was all heart. If we can take that mindset to the Defender’s Cup, who knows what will happen?”

NEWS/FEATURESPreparing for the Defender’s Cup

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Devin Walker, an advance communicator assigned to U.S. Central Command, prepares to block a shot during MacDill Football Club team practice at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 3. The team has a member from each armed forces branch.

Members of MacDill Football Club, run sprints during team training at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 3. Practice begins with warm-up runs and sprints to condition the team members.

Senior Airman Matthew Potter, a KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief assigned to the 6th Maintenance Squadron, passes a soccer ball during a practice session at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 3.

liams. “People are really excited.”During the move, various offices located in the original building will not

operate at full mission capacity. The following services will have modified hours and will be available primarily for mission essential emergencies:Air Force Reserve recruiter

Minimal delays in appointments;Palace Chase/Front briefings will not be impactedContact Master Sgt. Christopher Flynn at (813) 781-0565 or christo-

pher.flynn.8@us.af.mil for emergencies

Air National Guard recruiterMinimal delays in appointments;Palace Chase/Front briefings will not be impactedContact Master Sgt. Kyle Mack at (813) 476-4035 or kyle.mack.2@us.af.

mil for emergencies

Airman and Family Services flight chiefLimited availability Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26 Contact CDC2 at (813) 828-2244 or for emergencies

ManpowerClosed for relocation Monday through Friday, Aug.22-26.

Contact Tech. Sgt. Franco Fox at (813) 828-3711 or for emergencies

Casualty Affairs/Survivor BenefitsAvailable by phone Monday through Friday, Aug. 22-26, at (813) 310-

7530

Civilian PersonnelOpen Monday through Tuesday, Aug. 22-23, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in

Building 373Minimally manned for relocation Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26.

Military PersonnelClosed Monday through Friday, Aug. 22-26.Front desk personnel at Building 373 are available for emergencies.NAF Human ResourcesOpen Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22-23, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in

Building 373Will be minimally manned Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26.

moveFrom Page 3

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Mobility Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

Developing leaders!Facilitators and graduates of the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Course (NCOLDC) gathered at the Base Chapel to commemorate their completion of the five-day course Aug. 5. The NCOLDC is held annually and targeted to Air Reserve Component and Active Guard Reserve members with the ranks of staff sergeant and technical sergeant.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Pete Dean

of the maintenance community,” said Maj. Mary Lent, 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “Our main-tainers are constantly reminded how important their job is because of the aircrews that entrust their lives to the work of our Airmen to keep this jet airworthy.”

The Stratotanker’s capabilities go beyond those of just aerial refueling. As an airlift platform, the KC-135 can car-ry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo and almost 40 passengers. It can also perform in an aeromedical evacuation role, ca-pable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets and a medial crew of flight nurses and medical technicians.

Even with the recent introduction of the next generation air refueling aircraft, the KC-46 Pegasus, Air Mobility Com-mand has continued to invest in upgrades and life-exten-sion projects for the KC-135. Reconfirming its status as a vital part of the nation’s air refueling capability according to Stephen Ove, historian assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill AFB.

“Wherever U.S. airpower has been since the late 1950s, you can expect to find a KC-135 involved in ensuring that mission’s success,” Ove said. “From Operation Linebacker II, to El Dorado Canyon, to Inherent Resolve, nowhere will you find a vehicle with the breath of impact across so many of our nation’s conflicts than you will find with the KC-135 Stratotanker.”

chieFFrom Page 8

COMMUNITYEVENTS

FridayAirman & Family Readiness Center

LinkedIn from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Unlock the secrets of LinkedIn by building and maximizing your profile, turbo charge your job search and learn how to network effectively through the top profes-sional networking social media site. Call 828-0145.

Friday-ThursdayBay Palms Golf Complex

Kids Drive Free program with free driving range balls from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Golf clubs are available for check-out at no charge. Both clubs and balls can be picked up at the Pro Shop counter. Call 840-6904.

SaturdayMacDill Lanes

UFC 202 Fight Night, with Di-az vs. McGregor 2 at 10 p.m. Free admission. Specials: 75-cent wings and $5 pitchers of domestic beer. ESM Meal Cards welcome. For more information call 828-4005.

Arts & Crafts CenterKids craft classes every Satur-

day 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Arts & Crafts Center offers Summer Sat-urday craft fun. Come with your child and choose a craft such as painting, birdhouse making, jew-elry, Popsicle stick fun and much more. Cost is $5-$15 depending on craft chosen. DIY Frame Shop now open. Call 828-4413 or stop by for info.

SundayBay Palms Golf Complex

Club Member Appreciation – Free golf and cart to AF Club card members. Call 840-6904 to make your tee time today. Must show valid Club card when checking in at the Pro Shop.

www.macdillfss.com

Protestant serviceSunday - 9 a.m. FAMCAMP Traditional (Bldg 2017-Raccoon Creek) 11 a.m. ContemporaryThursday - 11 a.m. Liturgical Communion

Islamic serviceFriday - 1:30 p.m. Prayer

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

Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass

Monday-Thursday - 12:10 p.m.

(Blessed Sacrament Room)

For all other faith groups or for any questions, please contact the Chapel by visiting http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel or calling 828-3621

CHAPEL SCHEDULE

Master blast!Col. April Vogel, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, provides remarks during the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony in Tampa Aug. 12. The ceremony was held to congratu-late those who are promoting to the rank of master sergeant.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams

milestoneFrom Page 3

“Chief Noel inspires me every day, because she is not only an incredible leader but a phenomenal woman, wife and mother,” said Wegehaupt.

Noel not only mentors Wegehaupt, but also inspires her career goals.

“Although she is one of the busiest people I know, every day she makes time to mentor me, explain things to me and answers my questions,” said Wegehaupt. “She genuinely cares about me and my development.

“She takes time to get to know every Airman she meets and she is invested in her conversation with Airmen wheth-er it’s me or someone in the hall way.”

Wegehaupt hopes that if one day she makes it to the com-mand chief position, she can lead like Noel.

“If I am fortunate enough to get to the rank of command chief, I would want to be the type of role model and mentor she is to me and those around her,” said Wegehaupt.

Throughout her life, Noel has lived by the idea of paying it forward and giving back. Her goal for Team MacDill is to continue to become stronger moving forward. She believes a team is only as strong as its weakest link, and that every-one must actively work together to be better.

“I am an Airman; I just happen to be in this position,” ex-plained Noel. “It doesn’t make me any different; it doesn’t make me special; it gives me the ability to meet legitimate needs of our Airmen, but I want them to know I am an Airman first.

“This position gives me added duties and responsibilities which I take very seriously, but it also affords me opportu-nities to make our team stronger…and I have additional opportunities to help people that may have a time of need,” Noel added. “But at the end of the day, I’m an Airman and that is the most important thing.”