C M Y K

INSIDE TODAY

In with the newPage 4

Top eats! Page 4

Political protocolPage 8

Fighting AirmenPage 13

Vol. 35, No. 4 Friday, January 25, 2008

It’s on: Air Fest dates set, Snowbirds to headlineby Nick StubbsThunderbolt editor

We’ve seen the Air Force Thunderbirds over MacDill; the Navy Blue Angles have been here, too. But this year, MacDill will give Tampa Bay a taste of flying precision from the Great White North, bringing the Canadian Snow-

birds Aerial Demonstration Team to AirFest 2008 for the first time ever.

The Canadian Air Force team will head-line the show both days, Saturday and Sun-day, May 3 and 4, when MacDill will swing its gates open to invite thousands on base for the free show. Past shows have seen upward of 300,000 people visiting over the course of the

weekend.“We are proud to be opening MacDill up to

the public for AirFest ’08,” said Col. Robert Thomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander. “This is our way of thanking the community for the incredible support it provides to our military members and their families.”

Photo courtesy of the Snowbirds

The Canadian Air Force Snowbirds flying team will dazzle the MacDill Airfest crowd this year. It will mark the first time the Canadian fliers make an appearance at the base.

See AIR FEST, Page 5

Commentary

by Lt. Col. Scott Warner 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron commander

When I was a young lieutenant, I had no idea what I was getting into when I joined the Air Force.

I was not a military brat, nor had I had any experience with the military other than my college ROTC. I was assigned a sponsor, who did a great job of getting me settled at the base and into my daily routine. After the first six months in, I was comfortable in the job, but not as comfortable with the Air Force.

I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be doing. Should I pursue a master’s degree, get my professional engineer rating, or volunteer for deployments?

It felt like everyone else knew what they were doing and what they were to do next. I was uncomfortable and unsure of what I should be doing, so I began to ask questions of the major who was my supervisor. He took pity on the poor lost lieutenant and intro-duced me to what I now know to be mentor-ship.

To me, mentorship is a powerful type of re-lationship. It is more than that of a student/teacher relationship that is more of a one-way relationship where the teacher teaches and the student learns. Mentorship is more of a two-way relationship; a more appropri-ate example for me comes from the karate dojo.

When I was studying karate in Hawaii, we were required to learn the different levels and relationships in the dojo. The instructor, who in my case was a seventh-degree black belt, is called a sensei. The senior students in the class, normally the brown and lesser black belts, were called sempai. The junior students in the class, all the lower belts from white through green, were called kohei.

As a shodan, I was considered a sempai in the class. Of course, the other sempai in the class were considered to be my peers, much

as you would consider the Airmen in similar ranks. The relationship between a sensei and a sempai was more than just that of stu-dent/teacher; a sempai is expected to do more than just learn. They have responsibilities to help with the class, to teach the kohei as well as pursuing their own learning. In my case, I spent at least as much time teaching other students their basic katas and positions as I did learning my new ones.

Mentorship is similar to that. It is not just a matter of receiving, it is a matter of giving as well.

Even if you are the chief of staff of the Air Force or the youngest airman basic in the Air Force, you have people around you that are more experienced or less experienced. Mentorship is the responsibility of each and every person to learn from those more ex-perienced than you and to help teach those less experienced than you. Mentorship also implies a special relationship, a personal one that is similar to friendship or that of an older brother/sister to a younger sibling. In the Air Force, we refer to it as the wingman concept.

Having a mentor senior to you is an oppor-tunity.

As a military member interested in your own career, a mentor offers you the oppor-tunity to benefit from someone else’s experi-ence. Ask them questions, get their advice and use them as a sounding board for your future plans, whatever you want advice on. And the real beauty of it is, you don’t have to have just one mentor. You can have as many as you want. In fact, it can be a real benefit to get the viewpoints of multiple people when you are looking to make an informed deci-sion. Seek those out who you have respect for, who set an example you identify with, or that are on a path you are interested in trav-eling down. Engage them in conversation, ask their advice and you are well on you way to cultivating a new mentor.

Being a mentor to those junior to you is a responsibility.

As you progress through your military career, you acquire knowledge. I’m not just talking about the kind of knowledge you get from attending school and training; I’m referring to what my Dad calls the “School of Hard Knocks.” A lot of this knowledge is taken for granted. It seems so basic or maybe the importance fades as the years go by. However, to an Airman junior to you, this might be crucial information that can help them make a touch decision or resolve a dif-ficult situation.

As stewards of this information, you have a responsibility to assist your more junior members by allowing them to learn from your experiences, both positive and negative. Find those more junior to you who could ben-efit from your experiences and offer them the opportunity to learn from them. Not only will you be helping them, but also you will find it personally rewarding as well.

The two-way street of mentorship: give and take

Lt. Col. Scott Warner

MacDill ThunderboltPublisher: Carla Floyd

Editor: 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.

Advertising information may be obtained by calling 259-8104. For classified advertising call 657-4500.

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: thunder-bolt@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 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.

See TO THE POINT, Page 11

Current as of Jan. 25

Maintenance Group looking for storiesThe 6th Maintenance Group at MacDill is having

its Annual Knucklebuster Awards Ceremony soon, and the theme will be the history of MacDill aircraft maintenance. It is looking for retired Air Force per-sonnel who served in an Aircraft Maintenance career field at MacDill during the 1940’s through the 1990’s. If you are a retired aircraft maintainer that was sta-tioned at MacDill and interested in telling your sto-ry please call CMSgt Shatsar, the 6th Maintenance Group Superintendent at (813) 828-2025.

Way to reward top performersMacDill’s Tony Jannus Chapter of the Airlift/Tank-

er Association sponsors an award program with two categories: E-1 to E-4, and E-5 to E-6, members from all five services. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, compete for basewide honors, winning an Airlift/Tanker Association Performer of the Quar-ter trophy, a free lunch, and the option of joining the Tony Jannus Chapter. The theme for nomination packages is “How the Individual’s Performance Con-tributed to Air Mobility.” Nominees must be stationed at MacDill; no attached personnel. Simply type five main bullets, with no more than two supporting sub-bullets (maximum of 15 lines), on an AF Form 1206 (save in .xfd format) listing actions and results from October to December 2007 (Do not add filler or job de-scriptions, focus on job performance). Please submit nominees via e-mail to jon.incerpi@macdill.af.mil by close of business Jan. 11. For more information, con-tact the Tony Jannus chapter president, Lt. Col. Jon Incerpi at 828-3702.

Thrift shop dealsThe shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Consignments are accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon and Sat-urday from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed.

EO deployment briefings The Equal Opportunity office is conducting weekly 15-minute deployment briefings at 1 p.m. in the EO office. You don’t have to call to schedule an appoint-ment, just stop by Building 299, Wing Headquarters, suite 15. If due to a short notice deployment you are unable to make the Wednesday briefing, please con-tact Staff Sgt. Sewell or Tech. Sgt. Crouse at 8-3333 to schedule a one-on-one briefing.

Divorce recoveryThe MacDill Family Resource Center will offer di-

vorce recovery groups for adults and children, called DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids, beginning next month. Both groups will be meeting at the Bran-don Family Resource Center, Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting Feb. 4. Space is limited, so reserve a spot by calling the Base Chapel at 828-3621.

To the point Goal Day Tracker

‘A Team’ is tops!It was a battle of MacDill’s culinary warriors Wednesday when teams squared off in a base version of a top chef competition. Two teams created three-course meals for the judges to rate, the winners being awarded top chef bragging rights. (Left) Staff Sgt. Andrea Turinsky and Airman Cedeno wait patiently while Colonel William Francis, 6th Mission Support Group commander, tastes their entries at the dinning facility. (Below left) Tech Sgt. Teron James helps Staff Sgt. Andrea Turinsky prepare the chicken saltim-bocca for judging, while (Below) Colo-nel Francis cuts into the chicken dish. In the end, Team A, Staff Sgt. Dene-sha Clavo, Staff Sgt. Lashonna Woo-ten and Airman First Class Frankie Hall were named the winners.

Photo by Airman First Class Nancy Hooks

by Airman First Class Stephenie Wade6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

The MacDill family will be say-ing goodbye within the next two years to one of the base’s oldest facilities, the current base clin-ic and former hospital — in its place, a sparkling new clinic fa-cility.

“Construction began during the last quarter of 2007 and is sched-uled to be complete in December 2009,”said David Lehosit, 6 Civil Engineer Squadron, a civil engi-neer oversight. “The new clinic is a multi storied 254,000 square foot facility and is currently 8

percent complete.” he added.MacDill’s Family Treatment

Center, located on base was con-structed in 1956 and has evolved from having an emergency room to a clinic, and now makes way for a new state-of-the-art facility.

According to the hospital’s ex-ecutive summary, due to an abun-dance of hospital alternatives in the local civilian market, base officials found that it was more cost efficient to replace the hospi-tal with a clinic.

“One of the reasons why Mac-Dill is building a new clinic is because Tampa General Hospital is so close, MacDill needs only to

New MacDill clinic marks the beginning, end of a era

Courtesy graphic

An artist rendering of the new clinic facility, under construction now. The clinic will replace the aging base hostpital, built in 1956.See CLINIC, Page 6

Pulling together the displays, shows and vendors, along with traffic and crowd control, all while maintaining high security is an in-tensive process, involving elements of nearly every wing unit on base. Fortunately, MacDill has a lot of air show experience under its belt and despite the challenges, always produces a top quality event praised by those attending and show participants.

Details of other flying demonstrations, types of aircraft that will be on hand and stat-ic displays will emerge in the coming weeks, but plans are to stage a show that will have something for everyone — particularly avia-tion enthusiasts.

The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) is a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces. Their pilots and technicians work as a team

to bring thrilling performances to the North American public. Serving as Canadian ambas-sadors, the Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of professionalism, teamwork, excellence, discipline and dedication inherent in the wom-en and men of the Air Force and the Canadian Forces.

The team uses CT-114 Tutor jets, the Ca-nadian Forces pilot training jet until 2000. The Snowbirds fly the Canadair CT-114 Tu-tor, a Canadian built jet used by the Canadian Forces as its basic pilot training aircraft until 2000. The Tutor weighs approximately 7170 lbs and is powered by a J-85 engine producing 2,700 pounds of thrust. Top speed of the air-craft, with smoke tanks attached, is 412 knots, or 470 mph.

The basic Tutor is only slightly modified for use by the Snowbirds. Modifications include:

a smoke generating system, a unique red a white paint scheme representing the Canadi-an colors for added crowd appeal, and a highly tuned engine to enhance engine response in low level flying.

The team currently consists of 11 fliers and seven ground crew members. The team’s motto is THE HATITEN RONTERIIOS (Warriors of the air).

As always, Air Fest visitors will be admitted to the base free of charge. Parking for thou-sands of vehicles will be provided, but it is limited and the large crowds mean the earlier visitors arrive, the better.

Food, drink and souvenirs will be available from vendors, and don’t forget sunscreen.

Those planning to attend should keep their eyes open for more news as the event ap-proaches.

AIr FeSTFrom Page 1

provide a clinic,” said Mr. Al Martin, 6th Medical Group facility manager.

“MacDill is not the only base that is down sizing its hospital to a clinic operation, many have already or are in the process of doing so for the same reasons. The in-efficient configuration and rapidly aging systems and infrastructure of the hospital make it unnecessary to renovate the building,” said Mr. Martin.

Additionally the executive summary states that the electrical system, fire alarm system, nurse call system, plumbing system, and air conditioning system need to be replaced in the existing clinic. Required infrastruc-ture and functional renovations would necessitate gut-ting the existing facility at a high cost and cause great inconvenience to patients and staff.

“The new clinic facility will relocate to the main base area, near the Dale Mabry front gate,” said Mr. Martin.

“In the future patient’s access will be improved, the parking space shortage will be corrected and all medi-cal functions will be consolidated under one roof elimi-nating the separation of facilities. Now we can meet a world-class standard MacDill’s needs.” he added

CLINICFrom Page 4

by Airman 1st Class Latanya reid6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Beginning in March, servicemembers arriving here can expect to Jump Start their orientation to MacDill without leaving their office.

Air Force Smart Operations 21 has streamlined the orientation process by providing both the Right Start and consolidated base in-processing slides online for newly arriving military personnel.

“The new program, called Jump Start will be accessible online through the Air Force Portal,” said Shirley Smith, Airman and Family Readiness community readiness con-sultant. “It will help to shorten the time it takes for the Airmen to in process at their bases.”

One of the challenges Airmen face when getting settled at their new base is in-processing in a timely fashion.

Currently, appointments have to be made to attend a Right Start orientation, which is held once every month except in July, September and August when it’s held twice, said Ms. Smith. The right start orientation consists of approximately 12 briefings from various base organiza-tions, including an exchange fair of 22 base community services and points of interest for family members.

While these briefings are extremely helpful, they used to last more than five hours and the wait time before at-tending lengthened the in-processing period.

Instead of attending the CBI briefings, as a group, ser-vicemembers will receive one-on-one time upon arrival at their medical appointments, she said. This results in much faster service.

According to the Rapid Improvement Events team, Jump Start will be an interactive web based tool that will provide the newcomers the briefings and printed infor-mation currently presented at Right Start and CBI.

Master Sgt. Nona Chambers, noncommissioned offi-cer in charge of patient administration, remembers going through the briefings, after arriving at MacDill and how Jump Start will be a welcomed change.

“Jumpstart helps lessen the load for the servicemem-bers arriving at their new bases by having the informa-tion available online,” she added. “It also provides the in-dividuals easier access to the data from the briefings in comparison to having to go through tons of paperwork.”

Even though the program’s main requirement will be to fulfill the administrative functions of the briefings, it gives the servicemember more time to learn his job at his new unit, said Sergeant Chambers.

Jump Start replaces right Start, CBI briefings

WASHINGTON (AFPN) — As U.S. servicemembers and Defense Department civilians ponder candidates during the election season, they should realize there are limits placed upon their involvement in certain po-litical activities.

Political-related “dos and don’ts” pertaining to mili-tary members of all service branches are proscribed within Defense Department Directive 1344.10, titled: Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty.

The federal Hatch Act delineates what federal civil-ians, including those working for the Defense Depart-ment, may or may not do in the political realm.

For example, servicemembers and government civil-ians may attend political events like meetings and ral-lies, but military members must only be spectators and not wear their uniforms.

In addition, troops aren’t permitted to make public political speeches, serve in any official capacity within political groups or take part in partisan political cam-paigns or conventions.

Under Hatch Act rules, government civilians may be active in and speak before political gatherings or serve as officers of political parties or partisan groups. They are also allowed to manage political campaigns; distribute literature, except at work; write political ar-ticles; or serve as spokespersons for political parties or candidates.

Military members generally aren’t allowed to cam-paign for political office. Civilians can campaign for of-fice in non-partisan elections. Partisan political activ-ity is defined as activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party or candidate for a partisan political office or partisan political group.

Yet, basic rules apply to both military members and government civilians. Neither can use their position in the military or the government to influence or interfere with elections. Servicemembers and federal civilians never can engage in political activity on the job, in a government vehicle or while wearing an official uni-form.

For example, servicemembers and government civil-ians are not to distribute political literature at work. This also applies to politically partisan electronic mail messages forwarded over the Internet.

Servicemembers and government civilians are en-couraged to exercise their right to vote and participate in the democratic process. But, they should know there are rules in place that govern the extent of their in-volvement in political activities, officials said.

Walk the line when it comes to politics

by Nick StubbsThunderbolt editor

Tuesday MacDill voters registered in Florida will get a chance to do some-thing they’ve never been able to do: vote a full week ahead of most of the na-tion in a primary. The ear-ly vote puts Florida voters in a unique power position to potentially influence the outcome of the Feb. 5 Su-per Tuesday voting. That means there may be un-usual media and public at-tention in Florida.

And that means wing Airmen voting in uniform should take special respon-sibility.

There is nothing in the regulations that prevent an Airman from voting in uniform, but stopping to answer questions from the media or responding to exit polls could get you into hot water, said First Lt. Robert Thompson, 6th Judge Advocate chief legal assistant.

Airman are advised to avoid controversy by keeping a low profile to avoid crossing of the line between political activity and military service. That can happen when a per-son in uniform expresses a partisan position or a can-didate preference. Com-ments to media about po-

See VOTING, Page 10

Airmen advised to avoid partisanship when voting

litical positions or preferences or wearing of a partisan or cadidate’s button while in uniform are examples of crossing the line into partisan activities, said Lieuten-ant Thompson.

Be careful with exit polls and going on the record while in uniform, he advised. “Perception is truth.”

“The easy answer is to vote in civilian clothes,” said Lieutenant Thompson, which allows military members the latitude to express their positions without the ap-pearance that they are speaking in any way for the Air Force.

According to the regulations, as a general rule, if an activity is political or partisan in nature, Airman should not be involved or even present in uniform. Voting ac-tivity is not partisan, said Lieutenant Thompson, but it easy for an Airman to find himself in an awkward posi-tion when he does anything more political than vote in uniform.

“You even have to watch what people shove in your hand outside,” he said. “Even if you are carrying litera-ture for multiple candidates, what you are displaying is partisan material.”

Directive 1344.10 provides the information Airman need to clarify what they may and may not do with re-spect to political activity.

voTINGFrom Page 9

Thunderbolt staff report

Seats are still available for our upcoming Career By Design workshop being held at the MacDill Family Re-source Center in Brandon.

This workshop helps people assess and define career interests, values, motivation skills, and career goals by using interactive exercises and tools. It can help aid in long-term goal planning and career fulfillment.

The workshop will be held Feb. 11 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Brandon facility, located at 710 Oakfield Drive Suite 153, Brandon.

Call 655-9281 for reservations.

Still time to sign up for Brandon resource center career workshop

Ball field closed until Feb. The football/soccer field is closed for mainte-nance until Feb. 1. For more information, con-tact the Fitness Center at 828-4496.

Sexual Assault Prevention moveThe 6th Air Mobility Wing Sexual Assault Pre-

vention and Response Program relocated to Bldg 1066 on Blackbird St. The building is di-rectly across the street from the Vet Clinic, be-hind the Base Exchange.

Burger King hoursBurger King’s new hours or operation for the

dining room and drive-through are as fol-lows: Monday through Friday dining room 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., drive through 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday dining room 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., drive through 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drive through 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To THe PoINTFrom Page 3

by Pfc. Bryan Carfrey Headquarters, United States Marine Corps

WASHINGTON — A previous hospital pa-tient returned January 17 to give backpacks and words of encouragement in support of wounded service members.

Klay South, 31, and his Veterans of Valor or-ganization made visits to hospital and physical therapy rooms at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

South, accompanied by country singer John Kiger, shared war stories and presented back-packs put together through donations to Veter-ans of Valor.

The backpacks contained iPods, video games and athletic gear that included athletic pants that open on the side. The pants were especial-ly well received.

“The backpacks were just phenomenal. One of the best things in there were the side open-ing sweatpants, because in my case I have gun shot wounds in my legs and the doctors have to continually check them,” said Lt. Col. Keith Schuring.

The visits were a surprise to the patients and many weren’t aware that Veterans of Valor would be stopping by.

“I was surprised by the visit and the bag. I had just gotten finished with my physical ther-apy and was asked to hang tight. The bags are just great, it’s something that is certainly need-ed,” said Cpl. Jimmy Kinsey.

South drew upon personal experiences in designing both the bags and the trip to the wounded warriors. He spent many days in sur-gery and nights in thought through his time at the hospitals.

“I was turning a corner in Fallujah in No-vember of 2004 when I was shot point blank in the face with an AK-47, “ said the Franklin, Indiana native. “Sometimes I felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel.”

South had between 40-50 surgeries to re-construct his face and jaw, he said. During his own long road to recovery he realized help for wounded veterans was needed and he wanted to do something.

Being a previous patient and wounded war-rior was also well received by the recipients of the gifts. South was able to sympathize with the feelings that the patients were experienc-ing and offered his advice on how to get through the recovery process.

“We have had visitors like Donald Rumsfeld and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. But when Sgt. South came in it was like a breath of fresh air. A Marine that has been in combat, a Marine that has started such a great program as Veterans of Valor, its just wonderful to see someone step-up and take charge like he has because he has lived this life. He knows what it’s like to be in this position,” said Schuring.

Schuring was also impressed that a young Marine spearheaded the organization and talk-ed highly of the non-commissioned officers in the Marines.

“What Sgt. South has done with Veterans of Valor speaks volumes of the NCO corps. We have the strongest NCO corps in the world – bar none,” said Schuring.

The Veterans of Valor organization was of-ficially launched on October 4, 2007 after rais-ing $21,000 through donations and fundraisers. The quest for donations never stops

“We are constantly looking for new ideas for fundraisers and doing ground work to get dona-tions,” said Janet South, Klay’s mother.

Klay has no intentions of slowing down with his newly founded organization.

“My main goal right now is to do everything I can for Veterans of Valor,” said Klay. “As long as there is a need I’m going to supply it.”

To make donations to the organization visit www.veteransofvalor.org.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

Sgt. Klay South with help from this mother Janet launched veterans of valor on octo-ber 4, 2007. South was wounded November 2004 and spent a long recovery process to reconstruct his face and jaw after being shot in the face with an AK-47. veterans of valor visited Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter reed Army Medical Center January 17 to give backpacks and words of encouragement to wounded service members.

Injured Marine’s return to hospital provides hope, inspiration

DAKAR, Senegal (NNS) — An Africa Part-nership Station (APS) initiative to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-tration’s (NOAA) oceans and climate research and data collection efforts kicked off Jan. 18-21 when the crew of High Speed Vessel 2 Swift de-ployed five surface drifting buoys at sea during a transit from Rota, Spain to Dakar.

Drifter buoys move with ocean currents and collect data such as sea surface temperature.

Data is transmitted via satellite and distrib-uted to meteorological services and made avail-able to researchers worldwide.

The Global Drifter Program is managed by NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteo-rological Laboratory (AOML), which worked closely with Swift to provide training prior to the ship’s deployment Jan. 4 to join APS.

“After learning how vital the drifter data is in Africa and around the world, it’s a good

feeling to help,” said Mineman 2nd Class Mat-thew Rishovd, a Swift (Blue) crew member who visited AOML’s Miami facility in December for training.

Rishovd is now training other crew members and overseeing the four-month project.

Drifters consist of a surface float and a 15-meter drogue, or sea anchor attached by a thin tether. The first large-scale deployments

See SWIFT, Page 14

Swift supports environmental research during Africa Partnership

by Staff Sgt. Beth Del vecchio12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE,

Texas — The team was winded now. They knew they had to make it to the safe area.

All of a sudden, someone called out, “contact front!”

Bang.They knew what to do, and with that

sound came the chance to show the cadre they hadn’t wasted their time.

As the first class of the Air Force’s new-est week-long combat training, Common Battlefield Airman Training Bridge, 56 Airmen traveled to Camp Bullis, Texas, to learn basic combat skills from Airmen who do it for a living.

“Common Battlefield Airman Training Bridge is a combat-focused expedition-ary training platform for every Airman of

our total force,” said Master Sgt. Norman Watson, the CBAT-B course superinten-dent. “Targeted individual augmentees and first-time deployers to Iraq and Af-ghanistan receive a mission-focused warf-ighting orientation, ensuring our Airmen continue to be the best-trained force in the world.”

During the week, Airmen are placed in realistic and strenuous training scenari-os used to teach skills in rifle firing, com-munications, individual and team move-ments and land navigation.

The course cadre consists of battlefield Airmen of all specialties, including secu-rity forces, transportation, explosive ord-nance disposal, survival, combat weather, tactical air control, combat control and pararescue.

“Our goal is to teach the most essential common expeditionary skills at a level

Photo by Staff Sgt. Beth Del vecchio

Instructor Staff Sgt. Felix villarreal acts as an opposition force member during the final day of the Common Battlefield Airman Training Bridge course field training excercise Dec. 20 at Camp Bullis, Texas. Students use the skills taught to them throughout the week to maneuver into a hostile village.

by Nick StubbsThunderbolt editor

Airman at MacDill well know that each time there is an exercise, participants in full “battle rat-tle,” armed security forces members or other players assigned to force protection roles, abound.

For new Airman, it’s just the way it is in today’s Air Force. But for those who have been servicemem-bers for a few years, the metomorphosis is clear — this isn’t your father’s Air Force.

From a force in which boots rarely saw mud and rifles were rarely slung, today’s deploying Airman is hard to distinguish from Soldiers and Marines.

“It’s the nature of the mission,” said Col. Robert Thomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander. “The Air Force now supports the mission by doing jobs it did not do in the past.”

Col. Thomas recalls that when he entered the Air Force as a young lieutenant in airlift, just 15 percent of personnel were on mobility status. Today, mobility status is at 100 percent, he said.

“The mission is driving the training and types of jobs we are doing now,” he said. “The Air Force has stepped up to do what needs to be done and we take pride in being full members of the (armed forces) team and contributing in nontraditional ways.”

Seeing Airman being deployed and assigned to gun truck duty is “surprising” when viewed from an historic perspective, Colonel Thomas noted, but it is commonplace in today’s Air Force. Being prepared for that type of duty is why combat elements are a key part of Airman training now, he said.

“We have to be prepared for whatever the mission dictates and we want to impress the other services and work hard to contribute at a very high level.”

To that end, members of the 6th AMW are prov-ing their worth in ground combat. In next week’s installment, we’ll talk to wing Airman who have been in the line of fire performing jobs ranging from convoy security and searching for and disarming improvised explosives to capture of enemy combat-ants.

Close calls, some too close, and their experiences in the line of fire offer insight into a new and evolv-ing Air Force that not only has the capability to pro-vide for its own security, but effectively assist other services in offensive and security operations.See COMBAT, Page 13

At MacDill, battle skills part and parcel of new training

Battlefield training making warriors out of Airmen

of modern drifters took place in 1988, in the Pacific, according to information avail-able on the AOML Web site. The effort was extended worldwide and made it to the tropical and South Atlantic Ocean by 2004. Drifters can last and transmit data for years.

In addition to improving short-term weather forecasts in the region, data col-lected from drifters can assist with longer term forecasts of droughts and floods, ac-cording to Rick Lumpkin, an AOML re-search scientist.

Swift is carrying a total of 70 drifting buoys and 10 Argo floats, which also col-lect and transmit data such as tempera-ture and salinity. Swift crew will deploy the drifters and floats at AOML-provided positions as the ship transits to various APS ports in West and Central Africa.

Dedicated time has also been built into the APS schedule for Swift to sup-port AOML in specific areas of the Gulf of Guinea where little data is routinely available. The first five APS buoys were deployed when Swift crossed latitudes 33, 25, 22, 19 and 17 degrees north while tran-siting to Dakar.

“I volunteered because it seemed inter-esting and sounded like it could be fun,” Rishovd said.

After having overseen the first buoy de-ployments during APS and based on what he learned during his visit with AOML in Miami, Rishovd acknowledged the fun fac-

tor while recognizing the significance of what he’s doing.

“The data is important and affects peo-ple,” he said.

During an upcoming APS visit to Gha-na, Swift will host a four-day AOML-led training seminar for regional researches in buoy deployment and data usage that includes time at sea for practical demon-strations.

The ultimate goal is to generate regional partners in various African countries who can continue to deploy drifters as gaps de-velop, Lumpkin noted.

“The upwelling regions off Africa’s west coast, particularly off Senegal and in the Gulf of Guinea (eastern sides of the North and South Tropical Atlantic) are persis-tently under sampled,” Lumpkin said. “We are encouraged by any efforts to help gen-erate partnerships in this region, and ex-cited to reopen collaboration with the U.S. Navy.”

During APS, Swift is supporting several APS initiatives in partnership with NO-AA. These include serving as a training venue for the National Marine Fisheries Service and its fisheries observer course for Ghana’s Fisheries Ministry, as well as conducting maintenance on moored ocean buoys in the Gulf of Guinea on behalf of the Pacific Marine Environmental Labora-tory.

(Courtesy High Speed Vessel 2 Swift, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs)

SWIFTFrom Page 12

by Mr. Charles Laedlein, HQ AFCA/JA andMSgt Cindy Crowe, HQ AFCA/GCISScott AFB IL

You’ve seen it numerous times. In fact, it has become so routine that you probably are unaware as to why it’s there and what it really means. You see it every morning when you first power up your computer and you see it every time you pick up your telephone on your desk. Yes, we’re talking about acknowledging the fact that you are subject to being moni-tored, whenever you use any telecommunica-tions device on base. Remember that notice and consent banner that appears when you first turn on your computer in the morning (that annoying screen that keeps staring at you until you hit a key to go on)? How about that red sticker (DD Form 2056) that keeps trying to peel off your phone?

Biennially, during even-numbered fiscal years, each base/site must be certified for tele-

communication monitoring by the Secretary of the Air Force General Counsel. This is ac-complished by completing the requirements in AFI 33-219, Telecommunications Monitoring and Assessment Program (TMAP). Each base must certify that they have legally notified all personnel that use of telecommunications devices constitutes consent to TMAP monitor-ing. The most common telecommunications devices are telephones, computers (including networked systems, stand-alone computers, servers, portable computers, laptops, routers, etc), fax machines, portable electronic devices (cellular phones, text pagers, PDAs, Blackber-ries, etc), and hand-held radios.

TMAP is a key part of the Air Force’s Opera-tions Security efforts. In accordance with AFI 33-219, it permits monitoring of unsecured telecommunications systems to determine vulnerability to hostile signal intelligence ex-ploitation. However, because TMAP involves surveillance of base communication systems,

the AFI contains very clear and concise man-datory notification procedures that must be in place to support this function. To ensure com-pliance, the instruction requires an extensive review of base or organizational user notifica-tion processes every 2 years. Rules of engage-ment concerning TMAP are found in Attach-ment 3 to AFI 33-219.

A critical part of the TMAP certification process is the requirement for legal review at base and MAJCOM levels. The purpose of legal reviews is to certify that users of tele-communications devices have been provided sufficient notice of consent to monitoring. In addition, the AFI requires further review by the Air Force Communications Agency and the Air Force General Counsel. .

Contact the wing Information Assurance of-fice for further information on the TMAP pro-gram or go to their website @

https://private.macdill.amc.af.mil/6msg/6cs/SCXS/TMAP/TMAP.htm

Telecommunications; You are subject to being monitored

SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) — The Air Force Box-Off was held at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 18 and 19 at the Bennett Fitness Center. Matches featured 16 Air Force members hoping to make the Air Force Boxing Team, which will compete in the Armed Forces Boxing Championship.

The main event featured Rodney Ellison from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., matched against James Sterling from Kadena AB, Japan, in the Heavyweight (201 pounds) di-vision.

Ellison came into the match the more experienced box-er, and that proved to be the difference, winning convinc-ingly in the final match of the night.

At the Middleweight (165 pounds) Division, Anthony Jones from Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, defeated local boxer, Paul Romero, winning in the second round after the referee stopped the contest.

Matches also featured Rosey Summerville from Shaw AFB, S.C., fighting Chance Yearwood from Charleston AFB, S.C.

Summerville brought home a gold medal for the Air Force in the Lightweight (132 pounds) division last year at the Armed Forces Championship.

“(Sommerville) had a chance to go to the Conseil In-ternational du Sport Militaire Camp last year,” said Air Force Boxing head coach Edward Rivas, from Dyess AFB. “He brought some of that stuff he learned from CISM, but the biggest thing he brought into training camp was confidence.”

Summerville began the first round a little timid, but to-ward the end of the second round and in the third round, he began to relax and box much better.

Summerville won 3 to 0 by the judge’s decision. “I was very happy with the judges,” Rivas said. “They

were very sharp.” Michael Haywood from Tinker AFB, Okla., was also

in action, defeating Justin Williams from MacDill AFB, Fla., in the Light Welterweight (138 pounds) division af-ter losing his match the night before to Zaire Naylor, from Moody AFB, Ga.

Naylor was victorious Jan. 19, beating Thomas Car-leton from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, in the Light Welter-weight (138 pounds) division.

Lackland hopeful Matthew McCoy was defeated by David Russell, Pope AFB, N.C., fighting in the Light Wel-terweight division. McCoy easily defeated Williams the night before, winning 3 to 0 on a judge’s decision, but was having problems with Russell who is a southpaw.

“Most of that stuff is just mental for McCoy,” Rivas said.

Also featured was Mario Cooper-Padilla from Tydall AFB, Fla., losing to Thomas Jacobs from Robins AFB, Ga., in the Middleweight division.

“Overall, I would give us a C-plus for the weekend be-cause I think these guys have so much more room to grow, and I think we will improve a lot before the Armed Forces Championship,” Rivas said.

The Armed Forces Boxing Championship will be held at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., from Feb. 3 to 8.

During the next several days leading up to the cham-pionship, the Air Force Boxing Team will focus more on strength and conditioning and sparring, and focus less on technique, Rivas said.

Airmen compete for spot on Air Force boxing

Photo by robbin Cresswell

Anthony Jones ducks under the arm of raul romero during the Air Force Box-off at the Bennett Fitness Center Jan. 19 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas . Jones won the bout in the first round with a “referee stopped the contest” decision.

We at the Attic want to thank all the wonderful peo-ple that have donated items to the Attic.

The Attic has recieved so many donations to provide to all the E-1 to E-6 military members and their de-pendents. Our purpose here at the Attic is to serve all active duty personnel E-1 to E-6 and their dependents with numerous items for their use.

A special thank you to all of our volunteers that work diligently to keep the Attic’s mission on track with all their dedication and commitment.

Angelo R. Pizzi E-8 RET, Attic manager

Attic says thanks

Chapel ScheduleProtestant servicesSunday - 9 a.m., Traditional Service10:30 a.m., Religious Education, Noon, Gospel ServiceTuesday -Noon, Promise Keepers6 p.m., Pioneer Club(grades 1 to 7)Thursday - 11:30 a.m., Officers’ Chris-tian FellowshipFriday - 10 a.m., Women of the Chapel

Catholic servicesSaturday - 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)

Jewish and Islamic servicesCall 828-3621 for information.

At the Movies

Shows and times are subject to change. Call the MacDill Theater at 828-2780 for complete listings. Doors normally open 20 minutes prior to showtime, but call the theater for verification because they may open earlier. Tickets are $3.25. Children under 4 are free, unless it’s a G-rated movie.

Coming Soon

Alien Vs. Predator IIThe Aliens (and a Predator)

have landed on planet Earth, and small town America is about to become the scene of an epic interstellar showdown. As these two breeds of cosmic killers clash in the small-town streets Gunni-son, Colorado, the locals are sent running for their lives. R

Alvin and the ChipmunksThree chipmunk brothers,

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are adopted by a man named Dave. PG

Tonight 7 p.m.

I am Legend Robert Neville is a brilliant

scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable...and manmade. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City...and maybe the world.

Saturday 7 p.m.

The Golden CompassBased on author Philip Pull-

man’s novel, ‘The Golden Compass’ is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people’s souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. PG-13

Alien Vs. Predator

Alvin and the Chipmunks

I am Legend

The Golden Compass

Feb 1.The 20th Annual City of Tampa Black His-

tory Celebration will pay tribute to regular men and women that have provided an ex-traordinary service on behalf of their commu-nities. The celebration will take place in the Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom D at 11 a.m. The program’s theme is “Reaching Back, Moving Forward, Holding Up the Light.” May-or Iorio, Tampa City Council Chair Gwen Mill-er and committee founder Bobby L. Bowden will be part of the program with Bay News 9 Anchor, Erica Riggins as emcee. Scheduled to perform is musician Maurice Jackson and poet and performance artist Venus Jones. The key-note address will be delivered by Hillsborough Community College professor and “Florida This Week” political pundit, Dr. Keith Berry. For more information about the COTBHC, call (813) 814-3031.

Feb. 8Big For A Day 2008 is an annual event held

in cooperation with Big Brothers and Sisters of Tampa Bay. Volunteers (Bigs) mentor a child

(Little) for the day while attending multiple activities around base. Big and Little have the option to attend activities such as static dis-plays, military working dog shows, bowling, and golf. Throughout the day, Bigs will have the ability to sign up as traditional volunteers in the program. However, there is absolutely no obligation to work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters beyond that day. We simply appre-ciate your support of this event.

If you would like to volunteer, please con-tact Capt Elisha Parkhill at 827-9170 or Eli-sha.Parkhill-02@macdill.af.mil or Capt Jeff Sliwinski at 8-3298 or Jeffrey.sliwinski@mac-dill.af.mil.

Feb. 9The MacDill Scouts are hosting their annual

Pinewood/Powder Puff Derby on 9 Febuarary at the base chapel. The scouts are looking for volunteers to help in the following areas: wood shop, derby car construction, race/design judg-ing, crowd control, food preparation, etc. If you would like to help, please contact Joe Simek at email: jesimek@hotmail.com or phone:

(813)514-7404. You can also contact him if you are interested in participating or watching.

Feb. 19The Suncoast Chapter of the Association of

United States Army will hold its 2008 NCO of the Year Luncheon at the Surf ’s Edge Club at 11:30 a.m. Sergeant Major of the Army Ken-neth O. Preston will be the guest speaker. The chapter will recognize the outstanding NCO from USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, JCSE, Tampa Recruiting Battalion, ROTC, ARNG, & USAR, along with the outstanding ROTC & JROTC cadet.

Guests assemble at 11:30 with lunch start-ing at 11:45 a.m. The dress is duty uniform or business attire, and the cost is $10 per per-son. You can pay in advance with a check made payable to Suncoast Chapter AUSA, & mailing it to Suncoast Chapter AUSA, PO Box 6455, Tampa, FL 33608-0455. Or you can pay with cash or a check at the door on the day of the luncheon. For more information, contact SGM Carol Costello-Jose at carol.costellojose@us.army.mil

Calendar

every Airman, regardless of Air Force specialty, can easily comprehend and ap-ply,” Sergeant Watson said. “Students live and train in a simulated deployed envi-ronment, identical to a for-ward operating base site structure.”

Master Sgt. Andy Weeks, an Air Force Reservist from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., who attended the first CBAT-B course in preparation for a de-ployment to Iraq, said the training was invaluable.

“I have also been on many short-term deploy-ments all over the world,” he said, “but in my 20

years of service, I have never attended combat skills training.”

Although the camp mimicked field conditions typical of forward bases with tents, meals ready to eat, portable bathrooms and showers, students also had access to such ameni-ties as a laundry facility and gym.

During training days, Airmen are broken into squads to practice the skills taught in the class-room.

The last day students use all their skills and training in a strenuous exercise. Students are re-

quired to maneuver into a hostile village, armed with weapons loaded with training rounds.

“It is hard to imagine what people go through if you have never been in a combat situation. You re-ally can’t tell how you will react when being fired at,” Sergeant Weeks said. “Being shot at with real guns loaded with training

rounds gives you an idea of the chaos that takes place when you are under fire. While training this way may be a game, it is realistic and you take the training seriously. It’s not always you who has to sur-vive, it’s also others who rely on you to know what to do.”

With new skills and ex-perience, Sergeant Weeks

said he feels confident that he will know what to do in a combat situation.

“That is what this train-ing is all about,” he said. “As a senior NCO, I need to know what to do if I and my people come under fire. I think now, due to this training, I can lead with a much broader idea of how to survive and be produc-tive in a hostile situation.”

CoMBATFrom Page 13