C M Y K

INSIDE TODAY

MacDill Aircraft historyPage 3

Think safety Page 4

Ready to deploy?Page 15

The Justice FilesPage 4

Vol. 35, No. 33 Friday, August 15, 2008

by Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

In a large warehouse in Largo, Fla., not more than 30 minutes from MacDill Air Force Base, lies one man’s collection of military history. Not just a few pieces here and there, but more than 50 years of military history, equipment, arti-facts and rare uniforms. The best thing about the collection is that Saturday at 10 a.m., the doors to military history open to the public.

The Armed Forces Military Museum in Lar-go will be opening to military members and Tampa Bay community members alike during the Grand Opening Gala.

John J. Piazza Sr., the founder, museum president and former Marine, started his collec-tion more than 50 years ago and has amassed enough artifacts to fill the entire 35,000-square- foot warehouse, with many more pieces of the collection stored in two other places and yet to be displayed in the museum.

“I just started collecting one day,” said Mr. Piazza. “Someone gave me a box of stuff and when I opened it I saw it was WWII shells and other pieces of history.”

From there the collection just started grow-ing and growing.

“It was all about the collecting aspect of things,” remarked Mr. Piazza. “Each piece meant something, as in the time and effort it took to get it.”

Time and effort was abundant as Mr. Piazza spent years and years collecting everything from a World War I army dog tag making kit, a discontinued Ford M151 jeep (the only one still in existence) and more than 50 other still oper-able military vehicles — tanks included.

In 1996, Mr. Piazza took his collection and

turned it into a non-profit organization that travels throughout the country as a mobile his-tory unit.

“We would stop at state fairs and set up our trailors and be open for anyone and everyone to see these pieces of military history,” he said. “It was a marvel sometime to see the caravans pulling into a town with all of the military jeeps and tanks. People would wonder what’s going on and it would just be us. ”

With the growth of his collection from 1996 to 2006, the large mobile unit, that by then housed 16 different displays, needed a perma-nent site.

The museum, which officially opens its doors Aug. 16 to the public, is just the beginning re-marked Mr. Piazza.

“I want the place to be something that peo-ple can come to learn a little bit of history and have a great time doing it, too.”

With two more warehouses full of inventory, the Armed Forces Military Museum is sure to expand in the future.

Admission to the museum is free for all ac-tive and retired military members with a valid identification card. For more information re-garding the museum visit www.armedforces-musuem.com.

Armed Forces Museum opens with former Marine’s collection

Photo by Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke

One of the museum rooms, which depicts the attack on Pearl Harbor, houses the original model ships from the movie “Tora! Tora! Tora!” The collection of John J. Piazza Sr., the found-er and museum president, makes up about 98 percent of the displays at the Armed Forces Military Museum, which opens Saturday in Largo, Fla.

by Joseph M. Burns6 AMW Director of Staff

“ I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic fe-licity, and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York...with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of an-swering its expectations.” — Gen-eral George WashingtonJournal Entry, 16 April 1789

In anticipation of taking his first oath of office on 30 April 1789

On the morning I graduated from college, I raised my right hand as my father, Army Col. Joseph C. Burns, administered the oath of office to me. I proudly repeated it and received my com-mission in the United States Air Force.

Now, 27 years later, having just retired from the Air Force, I took the oath with pride again on my first day as an Air Force civil ser-vant:

“I, Joseph M. Burns, do sol-emnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obliga-tion freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

This oath is the descendent of those used since our nation’s dawn. Those oaths provided as-surance that personnel in service

to the US did not have greater loy-alty to another nation, like Great Britain during our Revolutionary War or the Confederate States of America during our Civil War. Our oath takes less than a minute to recite. Yet in just 71 words it contains volumes that we should periodically explore more carefully.

In particular, a clear under-standing of the object of this oath is vital. We don’t swear unques-tioning allegiance to a single per-son such as a monarch--as many countries do--or “der Führer”--as Nazi Germany did--or temporal regulations--as Soviet officers did. Rather, our oath is to an institu-tion--the United States itself as embodied in our Constitution.

Supporting and defending the Constitution is a high honor. Our Constitution seeks “a more perfect union” and provides the basic recipe to achieve that aim. Ultimately, it’s the cornerstone of “the supreme law of the land” that holds this union of individual states together. It’s the very heart of our country, the bedrock of our more-transient strengths like our prosperity or military power. It’s what makes America America.

What’s more, without the Con-stitution, this country would likely have failed once the unified goal of the Revolutionary War was achieved. The Articles of Confed-eration, ratified in 1781 as the war wound down, proved to be unable to unite the victorious states as one nation or provide a central government potent enough to “es-tablish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the com-mon defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.”

So, in May of 1787, roughly 55 of America’s brightest leaders convened in Pennsylvania’s State House to hammer out a plan to en-sure American independence and freedom could continue indefinite-ly. And yet, the Constitution we now “support and defend” would likely never have emerged were it not for two vital factors.

First, America’s most highly respected military leader agreed to take part. Historians generally concur that the convention would never have succeeded without General George Washington’s personal dignity, demeanor, and leadership. Not surprisingly, he was the unanimous choice of the delegates to preside over the con-vention, and he did so with char-acteristic effectiveness.

Second, following more than a month of acrimonious debate and near-deadlock with very little progress, Benjamin Franklin is-sued a call to prayer in recognition of his observation over the course of his long life “that God governs in the affairs of men.” Perhaps mindful that nearly all of the 55 delegates were evangelical Chris-tians, he mused that “if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”

Franklin’s speech marked a turning point, and the Consti-tution that resulted is truly a remarkable treasure. William Gladstone, British Prime Minister in the late 1800s, famously said it was “the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.”

One essential part of that most-wonderful work is the presidential oath that is a forbearer of our own.

And on the day that oath was first used, the two key elements of the Constitutional Convention came together once again.

No doubt humbled by the enor-mity of the task ahead after his unanimous election by the first Electoral College, George Wash-ington added a plea after he took the presidential oath but before he removed his hand from the Bible: “so help me God.” That prayer, in the spirit of Ben Franklin’s timely recommendation 2 years earlier, has been a part of the president’s oath--and ours--ever since.

So, in Washington’s words, my second oath prompts me again to put forth my “best dispositions to render service to my country.” For like yours, my daily efforts, in some small way, help preserve our Constitution and the “more per-fect union” it seeks during an age where terrorists plan our destruc-tion from afar...or perhaps across the street.

My second oath: 71 words that speak volumes

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.

COMMENTARY

Joseph M. Burns

by Nick StubbsThunderbolt Editor

National Aviation Day celebrates mankind breaking gravity’s hold and opening speedy travel to every corner of the globe, but also the contribution of flight to preserving liberty, an undertaking in which MacDill has a long and colorful history.

The national observation of manned flight, was established in 1939, the year after Col. Leslie MacDill’s BC-1 crashed minutes after takeoff from Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Nov. 9 1938. A year later, in honor of the dis-tinguished flier, the Army Air Corps declared that Southeast Air Base, Tampa, would from then on be called MacDill Field, even before it officially opened.

MacDill’s flying history began in 1941, when the field’s mission was training pilots to fly B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, one of the planes that helped the Allies win WWII. It was famed for its toughness and ability to defend itself from enemy fighters, thanks to its numerous machine guns.

Just a year later, the mission at MacDill changed to training B-26 Marauder pilots. The planes were tricky to fly and it soon earned a reputation for crashing. At MacDill and the surrounding Tampa community, the slogan “One a day in Tampa Bay” was a reference to the frequency of B-26 crashes. Nine of the 12 combat groups that flew the B-26 in Europe were the product of MacDill’s training mis-sion. Despite the plane’s reputation, it sported the lowest loss rate of any Allied bomber dur-ing the war.

In 1943, B-26 mission gave way to training B-17 pilots once again. That continued through the end of the war, during which MacDill was a bustling defense hub. As many as 15,000 per-sonnel were based at MacDill during the war years, not including the 488 German POWs held on base.

When the Air Force was formed in 1947, MacDill Field became MacDill Air Force Base, becoming a training center for B-29 crews. A four-engined heavy bomber with long range ca-pability, the Superfortress was one of the larg-est and most advanced bombers of its time. It had a pressurized cabin and was designed for high-altitude, daylight bombing missions.

B-29’s carried the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. B-29s flew years af-ter WWII and the Korean War, eventually re-tired in the early 1960s.

But the B-17 was long gone from MacDill by then. In 1951 the B-47 medium jet bombers and the KC-97 tankers were the focus of the MacDill mission, a combination of bombard-ment and air refueling.

At one point in 1960, it was proposed that MacDill be closed, but the Cuban Missile Cri-sis caused government officials to think twice. A strategic location with respect to nearby Cuba, MacDill survived cutbacks and in 1961 the United States Strike Command was estab-lished. Elements of all branches of the mili-tary were brought together and made capable for rapid response anywhere on the planet.

In 1962, when F-84 crews began training, and in 1963 MacDill transferred to Tactical

Air Command. In 1965 its two Tactical Fight-er Wings, the 12th and 15th were deployed to Vietnam. The 15th later returned to MacDill and began training pilots to fly F-4 and B-57 aircraft.

NEWS/FEATURES

Martim B-26 Marauder bomber

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Boeing B-47 Stratojet

Martin B-57 Canberra

F-16 fighter, fully loaded

Republic F-84 jet fighter

F-4 Phantom Fighter

Planes of MacDill historyNational Aviation Day Tuesday; MacDill sports a rich aviation history

See AVIATION, Page 18

CorrectionA story in the Aug. 8 edition of the Mac-

Dill Thunderbolt incorrectly identified the father of Jeffrey Maloney in a photo cap-tion on page 3. The name should have read, Thomas Beckett, who along with another Airman, was killed by a drunken driver in 1987.

Thinking of using Salvia in Florida, on MacDill? Think again

On July 1, a hallucinogenic herb called Salvia divinorum became il-legal in the state of Florida and has been put in the same class of con-trolled substances as marijuana. Pos-sessing the herb, which is sold on the Internet, is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

March 2008, Florida State Rep-resentative Mary Brandenburg pro-posed a bill to make possession of Sal-via a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The Senate passed a bill criminalizing the substance in April, and Governor Charlie Christ signed it into law May 29.

Native to Mexico and still grown there, Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogen and generally smoked, but can also be chewed or made into a tea and drunk. Unlike hallucinogens such as LSD or PCP, however, its effects last for a shorter time, generally up to an hour.

Though there is little data on how widespread the herb’s use is, lawmakers said there were increasingly worried about children buying it online. A number of states have already placed restrictions on it and others are considering doing so. Many military installations have also restricted its use.

July 31, the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander issued a policy letter banning military members assigned to MacDill AFB from possessing, smoking, inhaling, chewing or otherwise introducing Salvia in their bodies. If you have any ques-tions about the legal repercussions of using Salvia, feel free to contact the legal office at 828-4422 or the area defense counsel at 828-4455.

(Courtesy of 6 AMW/JA)

Salvia divinorum, an hallucinogen sold on the Internet, is now illegal in Florida and Airman are being warned to steer clear of it.

Labor Day marks the end of the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Many exciting, fun-filled, and most impor-tantly, safe activities punctuated the summer here. From Match-Up Day Picnic, numerous sports and recreation activities and summer vacations, there has been some-thing for everyone to participate in. Fortunately, we’ve had no fatalities or life-threatening injuries this summer. Our goal is to finish this critical period the same way.

As we prepare to enjoy the long holiday weekend, a few simple safety reminders are in order. First and fore-most, don’t drink and drive! Second, seat belts save lives. Third, use proper flotation and protective gear during water activities. Finally, use risk management principles (common sense) before you engage in weekend travel and recreation.

Alcohol is involved in over 50 percent of all traffic re-lated fatalities. Furthermore, many of these victims are innocent bystanders who do not use alcohol themselves. Drinking and driving is irresponsible and it’s against the law. Besides the preventable tragedy resulting from drinking and driving, it is also a sure way to end your career in the service. Aug 15 to Sept. 1 “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest” National Crackdown and law enforcement agencies will be watching! If you choose to drink, do so responsibly--don’t drink and drive.

Before departing on the long drive to Key West, grand-ma’s house or wherever your travels may take you, take time to buckle up. Seat belt usage in conjunction with supplemental restraint systems (air bags) save thou-sands of lives and reduce the number of injuries every day. Driving defensively further improves your chances for a safe arrival. After all, the whole goal of the trip is to enjoy where you have traveled.

Living here in the Tampa Bay area, we have numerous opportunities to enjoy water sports and activities. Be sure to take a few minutes to check out your equipment before you use it. Everyone onboard a watercraft should have a properly fitted life preserver. Ensure your children wear life preservers that are designed for children. Like auto-mobiles, don’t use alcohol while operating a boat.

Finally, spend a few minutes planning your outing or trip. Take into account that most roadways will have increased traffic loads on them and allow extra time to reach your destination. Consider alternate routing and

SAFETY: It’s not just a program, it’s a way of life

NEWS/FEATURES

See SAFETY, Page 14

Article 15’s July 2008

u May 22, 2008, a staff sergeant from the 6th Communications Squad-ron received an Article 15 for adultery. Her punish-ment consisted of reduc-tion to the grade of senior

airman, suspended for-feitures of $250 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

u June 24, 2008, a staff sergeant from Joint Communication Support Element received an Ar-ticle 15 for larceny. Her punishment consisted of a suspended reduction to the grade of senior airman, forfeiture of $600 pay per month for two months, 45 days extra duty and a rep-rimand.

u June 30, 2008, a senior airman from the 6th CS received an Article 15 for adultery. His punishment consisted of reduction to the grade of airman first class and a reprimand.

u July 2, 2008, an air-man first class from the 6th Medical Operations Squadron received an Arti-cle 15 for the wrongful use of marijuana. His punish-ment consisted of reduc-tion to the grade of airman and a reprimand.

u July 3, 2008, an air-man first class from the 6th CS received an Article 15 for the wrongful use of a controlled substance (Per-cocet). His punishment consisted of reduction to the grade of airman and a reprimand.

u July 11, 2008, a staff sergeant from U.S. Cen-tral Command received an Article 15 for failure to

See JUSTICE, Page 8

Job Title: Staff Writer

Home town: Monroe, Louisiana

Short-term goals: Starting school

Long-term goals: Finishing my Nursing degree and being accept-ed into the Nurse Enlisted Com-missioning Program

Advice to others: Don’t let any-one or anything hold you back.

Role model (s): My mother. She went without so my sister and I could have everything we ever needed and most of the things we wanted.

Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt6th Air Mobility Wing/Public Affairs

Photo by Tech Sgt. Sean White

Diamond Sharp

MACDILL COMMUNITY

Staff sergeant promotions listStaff sergeant promotion results will be released

Wednesday at 8 a.m. CST. The following Web sites will be available for AF member’s and the local community to access the promotion list: AFPC Homepage “Spot-light”: http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/Enlisted Pro-motions Splash Page: http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/EProm/default.asp?prods3=5&prods2=2&prods1=1 AFPC Public Web Site: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil

JGTCS Closing ConsignmentsStarting Friday, the Johnny Glenn Thrift and Con-

signment Shop will be open on four select days to al-low consigners to pick up any non-expired merchandise they have consigned and their July check. Any mer-chandise or checks left at the thrift shop after Aug. 29 will be considered a donation and become the property of the Johnny Glenn Thrift & Consignment Shop, Inc. Thank you for your continued cooperation and patron-age. The select days are:Friday 9 a.m. to NoonAug. 19, 5 to 8 p.m.Aug. 23, 9 a.m. to noon

NEWS BRIEFS

go. His punishment consisted of a suspended reduction to senior air-man and a reprimand.

u July 22, 2008, an airman from the 6th Security Forces Squadron received an Article 15 for misbe-havior of a sentinel (sleeping at his post). His punishment con-sisted of reduction to the grade of airman basic and a reprimand.

Discharges for July 2008

u July 10, 2008, an airman first class from the 6th Services Squadron was discharged from the United States Air Force for

Medical Conditions that Interfere with Military Service. The condi-tion was so severe that the mem-ber’s ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired. He was discharged with an Honorable service characterization.

u July 31, 2008, an airman from the 6th Medical Operations Squadron was discharged from the United States Air Force for Misconduct: Drug Abuse; wrong-ful use of marijuana on multiple occassions. He was discharged with an Under Honorable Condi-tions (General) service character-

ization. Members who receive a General characterization of ser-vice are not eligible for Montgom-ery GI bill benefits.

Other Veteran’s Affairs benefits also may be denied to any member who receives a General character-ization of service.

Courts-Martial for July 2008

u July 3, 2008, a senior airman from the 6th Maintenance Squad-ron was court-martialed by Sum-mary Court-Martial for being Ab-sent Without Leave (AWOL) from April 22-28. The member was scheduled to have a medical pro-

cedure performed on April 22. He arrived late to his appointment and needed to be rescheduled.

The Airman knew that he was to be put on quarters for 72 hours following the procedure. Instead of reporting to work and inform-ing his unit of the missed appoint-ment and rescheduled date, he went home and stayed there until reporting for duty on April 28.

He pled guilty at a Summary Court-Martial and was sentenced to reduction to the grade of Air-man Basic, forfeiture of $449 pay, 21 days restriction to the limits of MacDill Air Force Base, Florida and a reprimand.

JuSTICEFrom Page 4

WASHINGTON (AFPN) — Ci-tibank officials will mail out new government travel charge cards Aug. 13 through Sept. 19. Initial distribution will begin with card-holders at overseas locations and migrate from the west to the east coast.

The new cards will be sent to addresses on file with Bank of America, so all cardholders must ensure their information is cur-rent. Any mail sent to an incor-rect address will be returned to Citibank.

Those who do not receive a new card by Oct. 1, should contact their local agency program coordinator. The new cards will not be active until Nov. 30, so cardholders will continue to use the Bank of Amer-ica cards until then. Upon receiv-ing the new card, all cardholders

will need to verify receipt by fol-lowing the instructions affixed to the card.

For more information, contact a

local APC. Travel Card Mailing Schedule

Aug. 13-25: Overseas bases, U.S. territories, Alabama, Hawaii,

California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico

Aug. 22: Centrally billed ac-counts

Aug. 22-Sep. 2: Montana, Wyo-ming, North Dakota, South Dako-ta, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Michi-gan

Aug. 29-Sep. 9: Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Caroli-na, South Carolina, Georgia, Ala-bama, Mississippi and Louisiana

Sep. 8-16: District of Colum-bia, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois

Sep. 15-23: Virginia and Florida

New travel card distribution to begin this month

New government travel cards are on their way, the first to be distrib-uted overseas, then to the west coast in the u.S., working toward the east. They should arrive in Florida between Sept. 15 to 23.

AIR FORCE NEWS

AIR FORCE NEWS

by Staff Sgt. Erin M. Peterson59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) — The characteristics of a person’s face are unmistakable. They are the uniqueness that makes you recognize a family member, a friend, a co-worker. Now imagine suddenly be-ing stripped of those defining characteristics.

Many Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines have experienced this debilitating facial trauma.

Becoming more prevalent among wounded warriors are facial injuries. The features that protrude the most on a person’s face are at a high risk for injury.

Fortunately, the Air Force has those who are dedicated to the reconstruction of a person’s face.

Among them is Senior Airman Justin Jones, a maxillofacial prosthetic technician with the 59th Dental Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Airman Jones enlisted in the Air Force in December 2002. He was a dental lab technician for three and a half years before doing on-the-job training to become a maxillofacial prosthet-ic technician.

His position was previously occupied by a ci-vilian contractor, now retired.

Airman Jones’ qualifications come from studying art in high school and college where he gained an understanding of color and light.

He has experience with oil painting, watercolor, clay sculpting.

He is now the only full-time maxillofacial prosthetic technician in the Air Force.

According to the Baylor College of Dentistry, maxillofacial prosthodontics is a subspecialty of dentistry which deals with the rehabilitation of patients with acquired and congenital defects of the head and neck region. Facial prosthetic devices are an essential part of restoring the physical and psychological well being for pa-tients with missing or disfigured facial struc-tures.

Airman Jones is brought in when it is de-cided that a patient could benefit from a facial prosthetic. In order to restore a patient’s facial features, he often uses a pre-injury photo of the patient. On one occasion, a patient’s father was even brought in to shape an ear and match the pigment exactly.

His goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life, allowing them to live without drawing attention to a specific aspect of their physical appearance.

He works directly with the patients, perfect-ing the prosthetic until it suits each person pre-cisely.

“I get to know my patients and they let me know exactly what they want. I love the work that I do,” Airman Jones said.

Maxillofacial prosthetics staff works mainly with patients from Brooke Army Medical Cen-ter and the burn units in San Antonio.

Col. Jose Villalobos, the program director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, praises Airman Jones’ work.

“With all the war casualties coming in right now, it is important that we use our capabilities to help those wounded warriors. Senior Airman Jones has an artistic background and he uses his knowledge of sculpting, color and contours to restore missing or altered facial features. He has a passion for his craft and he is filling big shoes right now,” Colonel Villalobos said.

Airman helps injured warriors ‘face’ the world again

Photo by Staff Sgt. Erin Peterson

Senior Airman Justin Jones creates a new ear for a patient using a model created by the ste-reolithography lab at MacKown Dental Clinic at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

share the driving responsi-bilities. Rest areas provide an excellent opportunity for everyone to get out of the vehicle, stretch their legs and have a snack. Taking a break every two hours helps prevent everyone from getting road weary. Everything I have just de-scribed encompasses risk management.

Everyone needs to enjoy the Labor Day weekend. Take time to partake in the multitude of activities available here in the local area. Most of all--think before you act. Be safety conscious in everything that you do. Let’s have a mishap free holiday and return to work next week refreshed and ready to get the mission accomplished. Be Safe!

(Courtesy Wing Safety Office)

SAFETYFrom Page 4

by Airman 1st Class Katherine Holt6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Three Airmen in Iraq carry on a con-versation while packing their belongings. Tomorrow they go home. The last thing on their minds is who’s going to replace them or the preparation that’s going on as they speak. But back at their home station, units, squadrons and flights are busy getting three Airmen prepared to take their places.

The three replacement Airmen are all assigned to the 6th Mission Sup-port Group. Even though they are from the same group and will have virtually the same check list, they have different needs for their deployment.

Their first set of directions comes from their unit deployment manager. The UDM will issue a deployment checklist which must be completed before the Air-men depart for the area of responsibility.

“We are the focal point for the instal-

lation deployment readiness center,” said Master Sgt. Brian Stevens, 6th Air Mobility Wing Staff unit deployment manager. “I monitor the progress of the Airmen through their deployment check-list.”

Sergeant Stevens added, he is also responsible for ordering uniforms and scheduling all needed training along with following up with Airmen after medical appointments.

The next stop is in the Public Health office. There, the Airmen will start their medical out processing. The Public Health office will make all recommenda-tions for immunizations and labs.

“Public health is the first stop in the clinic for pre-deployments,” said Maj. Cheryl Magnuson, 6th Aerospace Medi-cal Squadron’s public health flight com-mander. “Before a servicemember leaves for their deployment they have to update their periodic health assessment (PHA), check their dental status, complete any

required lab tests and get their vaccina-tions.”

With sore arms and gas mask inserts, the Airmen start packing for Advanced Contingency Skills Training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. ACST is conducted over a two week period and is only required for Airmen going to Iraq or Afghanistan. There they will learn numerous combat-related skills including tactics, media skills, convoy operations, first aid and self defense.

When they return, they will meet with their UDM to coordinate times, dates and places for their chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives training. They will also need weapons training, expeditionary combat skills training and self aid/buddy care.

After all training is completed, they will be ready to move on with their pre deployment process.

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a three part series on deployments.

Deployment; Are you ready? — Part 1 of 3Photo by Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt

Master Sgt. Brian Stevens, 6th Air Mobility Wing unit deployment manager, goes over the deployment checklist. The checklist must be fully completed before Airmen can report to the Area of Responsibility.

Airmen practice squad and fire team manuevers on a Fort Dix, N.J., range with other students as part of a tactics and patrolling class for the Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course. The course, made up of more than 300 students, prepares Airmen for upcoming deployments through teaching areas such as deployment tactics, patrolling, convoy operations and self defense. The course is taught by the u.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center’s 421st Com-bat Training Squadron.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt

Dental readiness is an important part of the pre deployment stage. Capt. Aura Cisneros, 6th Dental Squadron dentist, along with the MacDill Dental Clinic staff, ensures that Team MacDill members are ready for deployments.

by Airman 1st Class Katherine Holt6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Three Airmen in Iraq carry on a con-versation while packing their belongings. Tomorrow they go home. The last thing on their minds is who’s going to replace them or the preparation that’s going on as they speak. But back at their home station, units, squadrons and flights are busy getting three Airmen prepared to take their places.

The three replacement Airmen are all assigned to the 6th Mission Sup-port Group. Even though they are from the same group and will have virtually the same check list, they have different needs for their deployment.

Their first set of directions comes from their unit deployment manager. The UDM will issue a deployment checklist which must be completed before the Air-men depart for the area of responsibility.

“We are the focal point for the instal-

lation deployment readiness center,” said Master Sgt. Brian Stevens, 6th Air Mobility Wing Staff unit deployment manager. “I monitor the progress of the Airmen through their deployment check-list.”

Sergeant Stevens added, he is also responsible for ordering uniforms and scheduling all needed training along with following up with Airmen after medical appointments.

The next stop is in the Public Health office. There, the Airmen will start their medical out processing. The Public Health office will make all recommenda-tions for immunizations and labs.

“Public health is the first stop in the clinic for pre-deployments,” said Maj. Cheryl Magnuson, 6th Aerospace Medi-cal Squadron’s public health flight com-mander. “Before a servicemember leaves for their deployment they have to update their periodic health assessment (PHA), check their dental status, complete any

required lab tests and get their vaccina-tions.”

With sore arms and gas mask inserts, the Airmen start packing for Advanced Contingency Skills Training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. ACST is conducted over a two week period and is only required for Airmen going to Iraq or Afghanistan. There they will learn numerous combat-related skills including tactics, media skills, convoy operations, first aid and self defense.

When they return, they will meet with their UDM to coordinate times, dates and places for their chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives training. They will also need weapons training, expeditionary combat skills training and self aid/buddy care.

After all training is completed, they will be ready to move on with their pre deployment process.

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a three part series on deployments.

Deployment; Are you ready? — Part 1 of 3

Airmen practice squad and fire team manuevers on a Fort Dix, N.J., range with other students as part of a tactics and patrolling class for the Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course. The course, made up of more than 300 students, prepares Airmen for upcoming deployments through teaching areas such as deployment tactics, patrolling, convoy operations and self defense. The course is taught by the u.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center’s 421st Com-bat Training Squadron.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol

Photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Lail

Airman 1st Class Shaquonique Jones, 6th Medical Group ophthalmic technician, tries on gas mask inserts. All Airmen who are prescribed glasses must have gas mask inserts before they deploy.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Kate Benoy

Staff Sergeant Nikki Williams, 6th Medical Group immunization technician admin-isters the Anthrax shot. All Airmen deploying for 15 days or more must have then Anthrax shot before they deploy.

In 1970 the 15th was replaced by the 1st TFW, which continued F-4 training, dropping B-57 training by 1972, when MacDill’s U.S. Strike Command was redesignated U.S. Read-iness Command. In 1975, the 56 TFW replaced the 1st and continued F-4 training until 1979, when the mission changed to F-16 training.

In 1983 the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force was activated at MacDill. The forerun-ner of U.S. Central Command, it was followed in 1987 by U.S. Special Operations Command, which replaced Readiness Command.

Between 1979 and 1993, about half of all F-16 pilots were trained at MacDill. Training ac-celerated for a time, allowing pilots to go right from training to combat units during opera-tions Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Due to downsizing, flying operations were ended at MacDill in 1991 and the 100-plus F-16s were transferred to Luke Air Force Base in Arizo-na. Once again it appeared MacDill might be shuttered. But it endured.

By 1993 planes were once again flying in and out of MacDill, when National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aircraft transferred here to utilize the runway. But it wasn’t until Jan. 4, 1994 that the skies over the base came alive again, as the 6th Air Base Wing was activated at MacDill and assigned the task of supporting CENTCOM and SO-COM and other tenant and transient units.

In 1994 MacDill became a major staging ar-ea for operations in Haiti, when approximately 75 C-130s called the base home. The successful operation once again confirmed MacDill’s stra-tegic location and capabilities, and by 1996 the base got a new mission.

KC-135 tankers arrived and the 6th was designated an Air Refueling Wing. That changed again in 1997 when the role expand-ed to include EC-135 and CT-43 aircraft, with the mission of combatant commander support. CT-43s were retired in 2001 and replaced by the C-37.

Jan. 1, 2001, MacDill received its cur-rent designation when the Wing became the 6th Air Mobility Wing. On the same day the 310th Airlift Squadron took on the mission of supporting combatant commanders assigned throughout the CONUS. Since then, the Wing has supported operations around the world and has grown to some 3,000 personnel, who work to support the air refueling and airlift operations, as well as CENTCOM AND SO-COM, along with 49 other tenant units.

In addition to the many planes that have been based at MacDill over the years, the base has exhibited and hosted dozens of other air-craft as part of its popular annual air festival, past events of which have featured precision flying by the Air Force Thunderbirds and their F-15 fighters, the Navy Blue Angels and their F-18 Hornet fighters. The 2008 show featured the Canadian Snowbirds flying team and their CT-114 Tutor jets, the official fighter trainer of Canadian forces.

AvIATIONFrom Page 3

BEIJING (Army News Service, Aug. 11, 2008) — While Soldiers who have competed so far as part of Team USA in Beijing have fallen short of medal performances, a number of more opportu-nities are scheduled throughout the up-coming week.

In the Men’s 10-Meter Air Rifle event over the weekend, two-time Olympian and U.S. Army Marksmanship member Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker placed 23rd with a total score of 591, while 19-year old West Point Cadet Stephen Scherer took the 27th spot with 590.

Parker will compete Sunday in the Men’s 50-Meter Three Position Rifle, his second event of the 2008 Olympic Games. Sunday is the final day of the shooting competition.

On Tuesday, Soldiers will compete in the men’s 50m Free Pistol event and the Double Trap event at the Beijing Shoot-ing Range Hall and the Beijing Shooting Range Clay Target Field.

Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski, a three-time Olympian, will be competing for the USA in Men’s Free Pistol. Szarenski claimed the Bronze Medal at the “Good Luck Beijing” 2008 International Shoot-ing Sport Federation World Cup in April, which was the first World Cup medal won

by a U.S. shooter in Men’s Free Pistol since 2000.

USAMU teammates Spc. Glenn Eller, a two-time Olympian, and Spc. Jeff Hol-guin, who will be competing for the USA on his first Olympic team, will be vying for spots on the podium on the Men’s Double Trap event.

Both shooters have been extremely successful recently on the international level. Eller claimed the Gold Medal at the 2007 Korea World Cup as well as the 2007 World Cup Final. He also took the Silver Medal at the 2008 “Good Luck Bei-jing” ISSF World Cup. Holguin claimed the Silver in Men’s Double Trap at the 2007 Pan-American Games and won the Bronze Medal at the World Cup USA this past May.

WCAP shooter Staff Sgt. Keith Sand-erson, 33, of San Antonio, is scheduled to compete Saturday in the 25-meter rapid fire pistol event.

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Elizabeth “Libby” Callahan, 56, of Columbia, S.C., will make her fourth Olympic appearance in the women’s sport pistol event Wednes-day.

USAMU shotgun shooter Pfc. Vincent Hancock, 19, of Eatonton, Ga., set a world

Soldiers striving for medals in Beijing

Courtesy photo

Private First Class Walton “Glenn” Eller III pictured here took home a gold medal Tuesday, while also setting a new Olympic record in Men’s Double Trap.

See SHOOTERS, Page 24

SISTER SERVICES

record in every skeet-shooting event at age 18. He will toe the line Saturday in Beijing.

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program Greco-Roman heavyweight wrestler Staff Sgt. Dremiel Byers will compete in the 264.5-pound weight class Thursday.

Byers, a world champion in 2002, is ac-companied in China by WCAP teammate and training partner Spc. Timothy Taylor, whom Byers defeated in the Olympic team trials.

“I was at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and Glenn Eller was in Houston shooting by himself,” said Holguin, who joined USAMU in the spring of 2007. “All of us are now shooting together in the marks-

manship unit with great competition day in and out among us, and it’s just improved all of our games.

“The hardest part of this Olympic experi-ence is waiting for the day to get here. I want-ed to compete at the highest level of clay target shooting. To do that, I had to commit myself to the sport. The U.S. Army and the USAMU have given me the necessary resources to com-pete and win at the level required to win an Olympic medal.”

As Holguin makes his Olympic debut, Eller, who joined the Army in 2006, will be compet-ing in this third Olympics. He placed 17th in 2004 and 12th in 2000.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be an Olympian,” Eller said. “The Olympics were greater in every aspect than I had anticipated,

both in highs and lows. The emotions involved are so great because of the years of training that go into that one day of competition.”

WCAP boxing coach retired Staff Sgt. Ba-sheer Abdullah, the U.S. head coach in the Athens Games, will serve as a technical advi-sor for Team USA.

WCAP boxer Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Downs won Team USA’s light heavyweight spot at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Hous-ton but did not get the weight class qualified to compete in Beijing. He made the trip to China to serve as a training partner. WCAP fencer Spc. Cody Nagengast is also serving as a training partner for Team USA’s squad.

(Courtesy Mary Beth Vorwerk of Shooting USA, along with Tim Hipps, who is now in Beijing covering Army competitors)

SHOOTERSFrom Page 22

by Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Ser-vice

WASHINGTON (AF-

PN) — A new change to the Joint Federal Travel Regulations authorizes the military to pay to move servicemembers and their families whose land-lords default on property the military members are renting.

Bill Carr, deputy un-dersecretary of defense for military personnel policy and chairman of the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee, approved the change Aug. 8, said Eileen Lainez, a Defense Depart-ment spokeswoman.

The change is retroac-tive to July 30, the date President Bush signed the Housing and Econom-ic Recovery Act of 2008. That law strengthened regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac govern-ment-backed mortgage companies and created a new program to help about 400,000 families save their homes from foreclosure.

The federal regulation change is designed to help military servicemembers forced to relocate locally when landlords default on their mortgages, Mr. Lai-nez said. It does not apply to military members who own their own homes and default on their loans.

Army Lt. Col. Les Mel-nyk, a Pentagon spokes-man, said the change will come as welcome news to the high percentage of servicemembers who rent due to frequent moves.

Travel regs change, protectrenters better

Thunderbolt Staff Report

Palm Beach Gardens, FL — PGA National Resort & Spa (www.pgaresort.com) has issued an open invita-tion to active duty military personnel and their families to enjoy a Labor Day “Thank You” celebration compli-ments of the resort. As a way of thanking the dedicated service men and women, as well as the families that support them year round, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. resort has set aside 300 hotel rooms for active duty mili-tary personnel, and will be throwing a giant party at the recently renovated property’s lush new resort pool. The party will be open to all resort guests and includes an evening cookout followed by a full day of celebration including: music, family pictures, family games, volley-ball, badminton, a bounce house and more.

As part of the complimentary package for service men and women, PGA National Resort & Spa is offering one night complimentary accommodations, checking in on Sept. 1, 2008 (maximum 4 people per room, one room

per service member); complimentary golf on the Palmer course on Sept. 2; and complimentary use of resort ame-nities including the 33,000 square foot Health & Rac-quet Club, tennis, swimming and fitness classes. There will be a cookout on Monday, Sept. 1 followed by a dive-in movie compliments of Moroso Motorsports Park, with the day-long party taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Tuesday’s pool side party will feature music and fun from Sunny 104.3 FM and a host of family activities provided by Kirkland Event & Destination Services. A complimentary BBQ lunch sponsored by Florida Crys-tals and Domino Sugar, and ice cream party sponsored by The Gardens Mall will top off the event.

Active duty military guests will also be offered a 30% discount on all spa treatments during their stay, ad-ditional food and beverage discounts, and families can extend their weekend with an $89 per room, per night rate.

To make reservations, active duty soldiers can call 1-877- PGA-NATL.

PGA National Resort & SPA free Labor Day CelebrationMACDILL COMMUNITY

At the Movies

Chapel ScheduleProtestant servicesSunday - 9 a.m., Traditional Service10:30 a.m., Religious Education, Noon, Gospel ServiceTuesday -Noon, Promise Keepers6 p.m.Thursday - 11:30 a.m., Officers’ Christian Fel-lowshipFriday - 10:30 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.

Saturday 7 p.m.

Wanted25-year-old Wes was the

most disaffected, cube-dwell-ing drone the planet had ever known. Then he mets a wom-an named Fox. After his es-tranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes. R

Coming soon

HancockHancock’s well-intentioned

heroism gets the job done and saves countless lives, but al-ways seem to leave jaw-drop-ping damage in the wake. The public has finally had enough, though very grateful Hancock

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.

MACDILL COMMUNITY

Kit Kittredge

Friday 7 p.m.

Kit Kittredge: An American girl

Aspiring reporter Kit Kit-tredge can’t resist bringing home strays, whether it’s Grace, an abandoned basset hound, or Will and Countee, a pair of young hobos willing to trade work for meals. G

Saturday 3 p.m.

Kit Kittredge: An American girl

Aspiring reporter Kit Kit-tredge can’t resist bringing home strays, whether it’s Grace, an abandoned basset hound, or Will and Countee, a pair of young hobos willing to trade work for meals. G

Wanted

Defense contractor’s job fair There will be a Defense Contractor’s Job Fair at the Officer’s Club Thursday from

noon to 3 p.m. More than 25 contractor’s are participating in this event. This job fair is open to all active duty and retired members and their spouses, as well as DOD civilians. If you have any questions or concerns Irma Avery at 828-2721.

Aug. 15 closures Beginning at 11am, Aug. 15, the following 6th Mission Support Squadron offices will

be closed for an official function: Education and Training Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Civilian Personnel, Manpower & Organization Flight, and Military Personnel Flight, to include the ID card section. For more information, call 828-4151.

ASMC MacDill AFB Chapter LuncheonThe American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) will hold its monthly lun-

cheon on Aug. 25 at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon will be held at the Surf’s Edge Enlisted Club. During the luncheon, Ms. Jennifer Sizemore, associate director/membership & chapter development, ASMC National Headquarters, will present a support check from ASMC to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. SOWF provides immediate fi-nancial assistance to wounded special operations members and their families. Proceeds were earned from the Tampa Bay chapter’s recent co-sponsorship of ASMC’s National Professional Development Institute held in Orlando. For more information, please con-tact Mrs. Veronica Floyd at 826-3567.

HAPPENINGS

Kit Kittredge

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette

Fueling the fightStaff Sgt. David Drain, boom operator, 379th Expedi-tionary Operations Group, 340th Expeditionary Air Re-fueling Squadron, goes through his preflight checklist Aug. 6. The KC-135 refuelers provide aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and al-lied nation aircraft engaged in Operations Iraqi Free-dom, Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Sergeant Drain, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., is deployed from MacDill.