Thunderbolt 04/07/2022

AirForcebudgetproposalfocusesontransformation,modernization

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va.(AFNS)—The$194billioncombinedbudgetproposal unveiledMarch 28forthe Air ForceandSpace Forcecarriesa significantboostinspendingthatseniorleaderssayisessentialtomodernizingtheservicestobetterconfrontChinaandanarrayofnational securitythreatsworldwide.

Whiletransformationandmodernizationareneededinrealtime, SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendallalsoemphasizedthe2023fiscalyearproposalisdesignedtobuildmomentumforadditionaltransformationinfuturebudgets.

“TheDepartmentoftheAir Force’sfiscalyear2023budgetrequest providesasoundbalancebetweenmeetingcombatantcommanders’immediateneedstodaywhileinvestinginthemodernizedcapabilitiesthe AirandSpace Forcesrequiretodeterand,ifnecessary, defeataggressionbyChinaorRussiainthefuture,” Kendallsaid.

“Thisisnottheendofaprocess;rather, thisisacceleratinganecessaryandon-goingtransformation. We willneedCongress’continuing supportforthisbudgetandforthehard choicestocomeasweaddress ourpacing challenge,” hesaid.

Indollarterms, theproposedAirandSpace Forcesbudgetthatthe WhiteHousesubmittedtoCongressforthenextfiscalyear, whichbeginsOctober1,is$20.3billionlargerthanthebudgetsubmittedforthe DepartmentoftheAir Forcelastyear. Undertheproposal,theAir Force wouldreceive$169.5billionandtheSpace Force$24.5billion.Ifapprovedaswritten,whichisunlikelysinceCongresswillspendmonths analyzinganddebatingthebudgetrequest,theincreasereflectsan8% growth,notincludinginflation.

The$194billioncombinedbudgetproposalunveiledMarch28,2022,for theAirForceandSpaceForcecarriesasignificantboostinspending thatseniorleaderssayisessentialtomodernizingtheservicestobetter confrontChinaandanarrayofnationalsecuritythreatsworldwide.

Theproposedbudgetboostsfundingby$1.1billioninresearch,development,testandevaluationtomodernizethenation’saging, groundbasednucleardeterrent($3.6billioncomparedto$2.5billioninthe 2022proposal).Itadds$320millioninadditionalfundingforcontinued developmentandnuclearcertificationoftheB-21Raiderlong-range bomber($3.25billionfrom$2.87billion).Italsoincreasesthebudget

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

MacDillontheweb

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

MacDillThunderbolt

Publisher:JoeDeluca Editor:NickStubbs

TheMacDillThunderboltispublishedbythe TimesPublishingCompany,aprivatefirminnowayconnectedwith theU.S.AirForce.Thiscommercialenterprisenewspaper isanauthorizedpublicationfordistributiontomembersof theU.S.militaryservicesonMacDill.ContentsoftheMacDill Thunderboltarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewsof,orendorsedbytheU.S.government,theDepartmentofDefense,

theDepartmentoftheAirForceorthe6thAirRefueling Wing.

Theappearanceofadvertisinginthispublication,includinginsertsorsupplements,doesnotconstituteendorsementbytheDepartmentofDefense,theDepartmentofthe AirForce,6thAirRefueling WingorthePublishingCompanyoftheproductsorserviceadvertised.

Forretailadvertising,call(813)226-3318.

Everythingadvertisedinthispublicationshallbemade availableforpurchase,use,orpatronagewithoutregardto race,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,age,maritalstatus, physicalhandicap,politicalaffiliationoranyothernon-merit factorofthepurchaser, user,orpatron.

NewsitemsfortheMacDillThunderboltcanbesubmitted tothe6thAirRefueling WingPublicAffairsoffice,8208HangarLoopDr.,suite14,MacDillAFB,FL33621.CalltheThunderboltat828-2215.Email:6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadlineforarticlesubmissionsisnoon, Wednesdays toappearinthenextweek’spublication.Articlesreceived afterdeadlinemaybeconsideredforfutureuse.Allsubmissionsareconsideredforpublicationbasedonnewsvalue andtimeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographiseditedforaccuracy,clarity,brevity,conformancewiththe“AssociatedPressStylebookandLibelManual”andAirForceInstruction35-101.

AMCcommander releases‘strategytowin’

byAirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Gen.MikeMinihan,commanderof AirMobilityCommand,announcedMarch29his“strategytowin”tomore than260totalforceMobilityAir ForcesleadersduringtheSpringPhoenix RallyatMacDillAir ForceBaseMarch29-31.

Inconjunctionwithreleasinghisstrategyandpriorities, Minihanengagedleadershipindiscussingforceresiliencyandhowtoworktogether toensuretheMAFispreparedtodeliverrapidglobalmobilityinapeercompetitorfight.

“Warriorcultureisrequiredtomakethisstrategypossible…unleashingandempoweringincredibleAirmenandfamiliesbiasedtowardaction, unencumberedbybureaucracy, andintentionallydisruptivetothestatus quo,” Minihansaid.“Wewilltoleratenothingless.”

Minihanoutlinedhisfourfundamentalvectorswithinthestrategyas DevelopReadyAirmenand Families,Advance WarfightingCapabilities, ProjectandConnectthe Joint Force, andEnsureStrategicAdvantage.

“Ineedyoubothered,likeme, toworkharder, movefaster, andpassionatelyenableouroperationalwingstomakeourmissionsandpeoplemore successful,” Minihansaid.

Additionally, Minihandescribedthreespecific waysAMCwillmoveforwardwithwhathereferredtoas“afoundationofunrepentantlethality.”

SeeSTRATEGY,Page10

AMC/CCapprovesF-35AandF-22

byAirMobilityCommandPublicAffairs

SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Gen. MikeMinihan,commanderofAirMobility Command,approvedafifthInterimCapabilityRelease(ICR)missionsetfortheKC-46A Pegasuson Feb. 23,allowingtheKC-46Ato refueltheF-35AandF-22Raptorduring U.S. TransportationCommand-taskedmissions. ThedecisionalsoreleasedtheKC-46AtosupportBravoandCharliealertmissions.

“OurdatashowsthattheKC-46Acannow supportnearly85percentofUSTRANSCOM airrefuelingtaskings, sowe’renotgoingto holdbackonofferingthisadditionalcapacitytothe Joint Force,” saidBrig. Gen.Ryan Samuelson,AMCdeputydirectorofStrategy, Plans, RequirementsandProgramsandKC-46 CrossFunctional Teamlead.TheKC-46AICR planallowsthe Pegasustoconductoperational

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin Servicememberslistento remarksduringPhoenixRally,March29 atMacDillAirForceBase.SpringPhoenixRallybroughttogether260 TotalForceMobilityAirForceleaderstodiscuss resiliencyofforce, AirMobilityCommand’snewstrategyandprioritiesandhowtowork togethertoensurethataMobilityAirForceispreparedtodeliver RapidGlobalMobilityinapeercompetitorfight.

receiversasfifthICRmilestone

refuelfromaKC-46overtheNevada Testand

TestEvent20.03.LFTE20.03isapremier jointoperationaltesteventhostedbythe53rdWingthatvalidatestacticsinacombat relevant environment.

WEEKINPHOTOS

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin U.S.Army1stSgt.AaronFigeloftheU.S.SpecialOperationsCommandPara-Commandos,displaysOldGloryashedescendsontotheairfield duringthe TampaBayAirFestatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch27.ThePara-Commandosvolunteerfortheparachutedemonstrationteamand performathighvisibilityeventsacrossthenationtoinformthepublicaboutUSSOCOM.

U.S.AirForceMaj.JoshuaGunderson,F-22RaptorDemonstration Team commander,meetswithRobertMcClintock,a103year-old World WarII fighterpilot,atMacDillAirForceBaseMarch26.McClintocksangthe NationalAnthemtostart TampaBayAirfest2022.

U.S.MarineMaj.FrankZastoupil,apilotfortheBlueAngels,laughs withachildduringthe TampaBayAirFestatMacDillAirForceBase March,25.Theeventhostedchildrenandfamiliesaffiliatedwith Wheelchairs4Kids,anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoimprovingthelivesofchildrenwithphysicaldisabilities,foranexclusive experiencewatchingexhilaratingaerialperformancesandmeeting skilledpilots.

MilitarySavesMonth

FORTLEE, Va.—Theideaofsavingmoney soundsappealingbuttheroadtogettherecan be overwhelming.April’sMilitarySaves Month campaign walksyouthroughsettingagoaland makingasavingsplantoimproveyourfinancial lifeandbuildwealth.

Commissariesworldwidejointheeffortby spreadingtheMilitarySavesMonthmessage andprovidingafinancialbenefittoourmilitary patrons.

“Providingasignificantsavingsbenefitforour patrons, thecommissarycanhelpyoumakethe mostofeverydollarofyourplannedfoodbudget,” saidMarineSgt.Maj.MichaelR.Saucedo. “Notonlythat,wecanhelpyouaffordhealthier eating, becausefreshandnutritiousalternatives arebothplentifulandeconomicalmakingthe commissaryyourpartnerbothfinanciallyand nutritionally.”

AprilisDOD’smonthto recognizemilitarychildren

Fornearly40years,April1hasmarkedthe DefenseDepartment’skickofffortheMonthof theMilitaryChild,andthismonthpromisesto bepackedwitheventsforparentsand children ofallages, saidaprogramanalystinDOD’s Children, Youthand Families, OfficeofMilitary FamilyReadiness Policy, MilitaryCommunityand Family Policy.

DiannaM.GanotesaidDODissupporting

thismonthwiththethemeofmentalhealth andtheoverallwell-beingofallmilitary children.

TheMonthoftheMilitaryChildisatime tofocusonandcelebratethecontributionsof military childrenandtheuniqueneedsoftheir lives, shenoted.

Theobjectiveforthismonth’srecognitionis to“highlighttheuniquelifeand challengesof military children.Ourgoalistoimprovetheir qualityoflifeandhelpmitigatethedemands theyexperiencefromallthetransitions, such

asfrequent moves, parentalseparationsfor militarytrainingandworryingabouttheir parentswhenthey’redeployed”Ganotesaid.

WhileDODsetsasideApriltorecognize military children,supportforthemispresent year-round,shenoted.Attheinstallationlevel,familieswillfindsuchsupportresourcesas childdevelopmentcenters, youthcenters, Militaryand FamilySupportCentersandmilitary andfamilylifecounselors.

Frontandcenterinthesupportrealmfor

FormerCentcomchiefofstaff assumes roleofcommander

In Tampa,April1,MarineCorpsGen. Kenneth FrankMcKenzieJr. passedcommand of U.S. CentralCommandovertoArmyGen.MichaelErikKurilla,whoatonetime servedasthecommand’s chiefofstaff.

FromEgypttoKazakhstan,theCentcomareaofresponsibilitycoverssome21nations inbothAsiaandAfrica,spansmorethanfourmillionsquaremiles, andishometomore than560millionpeople. SecretaryofDefenseLloyd J. AustinIIIsaidrunningCentcom anditsmissionisoneofthemostdemandingjobsintheDefenseDepartment.

“Thisregioniswhereweprotect waterwayssothatglobalcommercecanflow. Itiswhere wefightterroristswhothreatenourcitizens, anditiswhereweworkwithourpartnersto confrontinstabilityfromIrananditsproxies,” Austinsaid.“Centcomiscentraltooursecurity itiscentraltoourreadinessanditiscentraltoourmission.”

PartnershipsinCentcom,Austinsaid,arecritical.It’ssomethinghesaidCentcomisfocusedon—acredittoMcKenzie whoservedasthecommanderofCentcomforthreeyears now—anda challengetoKurillawhonowassumesresponsibility.

“PartnershipsareespeciallyimportantbecauseofChinaandRussia’sambitioninthe region,”Austinsaid.“ButIamconfidentthatCentcomwillensurethattheUnitedStates remainsthepartnerof choice.Thatmeansdoublingdownonsecuritycooperation.Itmeans allowingourpartnersevendeeperintoourtrainingandourexercises, anditmeanscontinuingtobeacredibleanddependablefriend.Whenitcomestodeepeningpartnerships andforgingnewones...Centcomisgettingitdone.”

Chairmanofthe JointChiefsofStaffGen.MarkA.MilleysaidtheCentcomareaofresponsibilityisapartoftheworldnearlyeverypersonnowinuniformhasvisitedintheir career—the U.S. wasat warthereinAfghanistanandIraqfor20years.

“Centcomistrulycriticaltothesecurityofournation,andreallytothestabilityandsecurityoftheentireworld,” Milleysaid.“It’squiteliterallythecrossroadsbetweenEurope, Asia,andAfrica.Theworld’senergysuppliescomethroughtheCentcomAOR.”

ExceptionalleadershipisneededinCentcom,Milleysaid.Andthepassingofcommand fromMcKenzietoKurillarepresentsacontinuationofthatleadership.

“Ihavepersonallyanincredibleamountoftrust,confidence, andpersonalrespectfor FrankMcKenzie. HehasguidedCentcom,andbyextensionthenation,throughsomeof ourmosttoughtimes, andhealwaysdiditwithhonor, integrity, tact,competence, humility, operationalskill,andonoccasion,abitofhumor,” Milleysaid.

FornewleadershipinCentcom,MilleysaidKurilla wascustom-madeforthejob.

“Ifthereever wassome waytofeedintoamachinetherequirementsfortheperfect leaderofCentcom—the charactertraits, theattributes, theexperiences, theknowledge, andthepersonalitythatwouldbeideal—thatmachinewouldspitoutErikKurilla,” Milleysaid.“Erik’sgotvastexperienceincombat[and]onstaffs.He’savisionary,he’sa thinker, andhe’sadoer Heunderstandsboththephysicalandhumanterrain,andisable toidentifyrootcausesofproblemsanddevelopsystems. He’snotatallalinearthinker. He’sactuallyaverygiftedproblemsolver.”

McKenzie theoutgoingCentcomcommander willretire. Hesaidhe’sproudnowtohave hisnamelistedamongthosewhohaveledCentcomforthelast40years—includingthe likesofArmyGen.NormanSchwarzkopfJr.,MarineCorpsGen.JimMattis,ArmyGen. JohnAbizaid,ArmyGen.MartinDempsey,ArmyGen.LloydAustin,andArmyGen. Joseph Votel.

U.S.SoldierssupportingCombinedJoint TaskForce-OperationInherentResolvemaketheirwaytoanoilproductionfacilityto meetwithitsmanagementteamintheU.S.CentralCommandareaof responsibility,Oct.27,2020.

U.S.MarineCorpsMasterSgt.MichaelLesterickcarriesanAfghanevacuee’sluggage astheyboardaplaneatAlUdeidAirBase,Qatar,Sept.1.

ARoyalJordanianNavyFrogmanjumpsfrom anHH-60GPaveHawkhelicopterintothe GulfofAqabaduringexerciseAgileRescue March28,2022inAqaba,Jordan.Thesearch and rescueexercisedevelopedand refined rescueagileemploymentprocesses,testingtheabilityofmultinational rescueforces toworkinunisonwithUSAFRescueforces tobeddown,sustain,andexecutemaritime searchand rescue.

STRATEGY

AMCwillhoneitstactics, techniquesandprocedurestomakebestuseof itscurrentforce.

AMCwillextractmaximumvalueoutofexistingcapabilitiesandrapidlyfieldthemtofurther strengthenitsforce.

AMCwilldevelopthe decisivemobilityforce ofthefuture unboundby traditionalstructures, approachesandtechnologies todominateanyenemy.

Thestrategyidentifiedavictoriousendstate asoneinwhichmobility forcescancommunicate, navigateandmaneuverat thetemporequiredtowin insidetheIndo-Pacificareaofoperationsandanywhereelse.

Minihanemphasized thatAMCAirmenmust project,maneuver, connect,andsustainthe Joint Forcewithanunrelenting drivetoacceleratewinningresultsnowandin thefuture.

“Letmebecrystal clear: Victorywillbedelivered ontheshouldersofMobilityAirmen,andvictory startsnow,” Minihansaid. “Iamhonoredtoservebesideyou.Bringyourcourage Let’sgo!”

forhypersonicweaponsby$138million($577millionfrom$438million).

TheproposedbudgetalsocallsontheSpace Forcetospendanadditional$1billionon“resilientmissile warning/missiletrackingtoaddresshypersonicandmaneuverableRVs(re-entryvehicles).”

Inaportionoftherequestknownas‘procurementfunds,’ thefiscal 2023proposalprovidesfundingtopurchase33F-35ALightningIIfighters, 15KC-46A Pegasustankers, 24F-15EXEagleIIfighters, among otherhardwareprocurements ItprovidesfundingtotheSpace Force forthreeNationalSecuritySpacelaunches, threeadditionallaunches bytheSpaceDevelopmentAgencyandtwolaunchesthatwillputinto orbitcrucialGPSIIIsatellitestoenhancetheresiliencyofthepositioning, navigationandtimingconstellationaccessedbybillionsofusers daily.

Morebroadly, therequestcallsforspending$7.9billion(anincrease of$300million)toboostflyinghoursto1.1million,alevelofficialssaid isthe“maximumexecutablelevel.” Itincreasesspendingfor“weaponssystemsustainment”to$16.6billionfrom$15.4billionandcarries fundingtoincreasepayforciviliansandactivedutypersonnelby4.6 percent.Italsohas$77millionfortheAir Forcetoaddress climate changerequirements.Thebudgetalsoproposesfundingfor501,800 Total ForceAirmenand8,600Guardians.

Yetwhiletheproposalwill changebeforeitisfinalized,itservesas animportant–andgranular–expressionoftheservices’mostpressingpriorities. ItrepresentstheconsensusbyDepartmentofficials, the WhiteHouseandsenior Pentagonleadersonwhatisrequiredtoachieve thegoalsnecessarytoprotectthenationanditsinterests.

Therearemanygoalsandpriorities, which Kendallandothersenior leaderscapturewiththeword,“transformation.”

“WehaveprioritizedinvestmentsacrosstheDepartmentoftheAir Force, whichwillacceleratethetransformationofourAirandSpace Forces,” UndersecretaryoftheAir ForceGinaOrtiz Jonessaid.“TheAir ForceandSpace Forcehaveoutsizedrolesintoday’smilitaryoperations

andthe challengesweanticipateinthefuture. OurAirmenandGuardiansmustbeequippedtowin.”

Thefiscal2023budgetrequest,shesaid,“balancesmaintainingcapabilitiestoaddressnear-termthreats, whileacceleratingvitalmodernizationeffortsnecessaryforsuccessinahigh-endfight.”

ThebudgetprovidesasignificantspikeinspendingfortheSpace Forceasitentersitsthirdyearinexistence.Amongthemorenotable Space Forceline-itemsarethetransferoftheSpaceDevelopmentAgencyandbudgetintotheSpace Force, $987milliontospacetechnology developmentandprototypingmissile warning/tracking, and$1billion forgroundandspacesegmentsoftheNext-GenerationOverhead PersistentInfraredmissile warningsystem.

As KendalloutlinedtheDepartment’sbudgetrequestfor2023,he alsohintedtowardtheDepartment’smindsetlookingaheadto2024 whilediscussingthebalancebetweencurrent-dayreadinessandthe needtomodernizeforthethreatsposedbyChinawhilekeepinganeye towardRussia.

“We’reshiftingthatbalancemoretowardsthefuture.Thetransformationisnotcompletewiththisbudget;it’smovingusforward,butit’s notcomplete,” hesaid.“Lookingahead,Ithinkthereare,again,goingto bealotofdecisionsmadeaswegetinto[fiscalyear]24andaswelearn moreaboutwhatourrequirementsare, andweassessourprioritiesfor modernization.So, Ianticipatesomehard choicesahead.”

Factoringintohowthose“hard choices”aremade, Jonessaid,isthe needtoensurethatthe U.S. andtheAirandSpace Forcesareproperly equippedandpositionedtomeetthegrowing challengefromChinaas wellasothersecurityconcerns.

“SecretaryAustinandDeputySecretaryHickshavebeen clearthat ourpacing challengeisChina,whileRussiaremainsanacutethreat,” shesaid.“Ourbudgetrequestbalancesmaintainingcapabilitiestoaddressnear-termthreatsandacceleratesmodernizationeffortsnecessaryforsuccessinahigh-endfight.”

MilitarySaves, aparticipantintheDepartmentofDefense’s FinancialReadinessNetwork,seekstomotivate, supportandencouragethemilitarycommunitytosavemoney, reducedebt,andbuildwealth.

StartonyourjourneytofinancialimprovementbytakingthepledgeonMilitarySave. organd choosingyoursavingsgoaltohelpformulateyoursimplesavingsplan.ThenMilitarySaveswillhelpkeepyouontrackbysendingshortreminders, resourcesandtipson savingandlivingwellwhilespendingless. Small changescangoalong waytosetyouup forfinancialsuccess.

Notsurprisingly, muchofthemonthlybudgetisspentongroceries.Yourcommissary benefitcanhelpyousticktoyourfoodbudgetandkeepmoremoneyinyourpocket,while alsodeliveringhealthyandfreshfoodintheprocess OnDeCA’s“We’reStronger Together” webpage, you’llseethefollowing waystomaximizetheuseofyourcommissarybenefit,in storeandonline:

YourEverydaySavings!(YES!): Yourcommissaryreducespricesdailyonhundredsof themostfrequentlypurchasedpopularbrands. LookfortheorangeYES!shelflabelsin yourcommissaryaisles.

CommissaryRewardsCard:Downloaddigitalcouponsrighttoyourcardandsaveat theregister. Ifyoudon’thaveacard,askacashierforone, thenvisittheDeCAwebsiteto registeryourcard.

PrintCoupons:Beforeyourcommissarytrip, visittheSavingsCenteronDeCA’swebsite tofindresourceswithlotsofprintablecoupons. Ifyou’reatthestore, checkoutthewide varietyofcouponsdisplayedthroughoutthecommissary.

Commissaries.comsalesflyer:Beforevisitingthestore, viewthesalesflyeronthewebsitewhilemakingyourshoppinglisttoensuremaximumsavings.Youcanalsosignupto havetheflyersenttoyouremail.

CommissaryStoreBrands: Yourcommissaryoffershigh-quality, low-costprivatelabel choicesonfoodandnon-fooditems, healthy, organicproducts, andbabyand childcaresolutionstoprovideevengreatersavings LookforDeCA’s Freedom’sChoicefoodorHome Basenon-foodproductsalongwithotherprivatelabelitemssuchas TopCarehealthand beauty, FullCircleMarketnaturalandorganicfood,Crav’ndairyandfrozensnackfood options,Wide Awakeready-to-drinkcoffeeproducts,Tippy Toesbabyitems, PureHarmony petfoodandFlock’s Finestwildbirdfood.

Mealplanning:Notonlywillmealplanninghelpyousavemoneyontakeout,itwillhelp youuseallthefoodyoupurchaseatthecommissary, reducing wasteandimpulsepurchases.Totaketheworkoutofmealplanning, DeCAhascreatedtwodietitian-approveddinner menuplansincludingweeklyshoppinglists, eachforanentiremonthoffamilymeals.

Thesemonthlymenuplansare availableoncommissaries.comattheselinks:MealPlan #1andMealPlan#2.Chooseyourpreferredplanandsimplyprintofftheshoppinglist fortheweek,addbreakfastandlunchitemsandyourshoppinglistisready.Youwillhave everythingyouneedfortheweek.Ifyouwouldliketocreateyourownmenuplantailoring ittoyourfamily’spreferences, useoureasy-to-followplanningaids, theDietitian-Approved MenuPlannerandthe WeeklyMealPlan Worksheet.

Makesuretoincludequickandeasyoptionsforthosenightswhenyoudon’tfeellike cooking DeCAhaspreparedalistofno-fussentrées chosenfromthemanydietitian-approved“ThinkingOutsidetheBox”recipesfeaturedoncommissaries.com.

Thelistfeatureslinkstoquick-prep“ThinkingOutsidetheBox”recipesusingaslowcooker, microwaveorpressurecooker, aswellasmake-aheadfreezermeals, oneskilletmeals, and entreesusingpreparedhigh-proteinfoodslikerotisserie chickenandcannedtuna.

“It’simportantforservicemembersandtheirfamiliestoknowthatit’snevertoolate tostartsavingforthefuture,” saidAngelaCaban,directorofMilitarySaves.“Smallsteps inbuildingasavingshabitcanmakeabigdifferenceovertimeandthesecrettosavingis simple.

CHILDREN

militaryparentsandtheir childrenisMilitaryOneSource.mil–DOD’s24/7gateway totrustedinformation, resourcesandconfidentialhelp, includingtopicsthat parentsmightneedfor child-raisingissues.Thewebsite alsohasresourcesandeventslistedthatarededicatedto theMonthoftheMilitaryChild.Thephonenumberfor MilitaryOneSourceis800-342-9647.

Offtheinstallations, thereiscommunity-partnersupportformilitary childrenthroughtheirschoolsandorganizationssuchas4-HandtheBoysandGirlsClubsof America,shesaid.

Ganotehighlightedhowmilitary childrenhaveatough roadtotravelasanintegralpartofDOD’sreadinessby movingapproximatelysixtoninetimesintheirlives. When their parents aredeployed, their children’smilestonessuchasbirthdays, theholidaysandgraduations aresometimesmissed.Butthese childrenarenotalone, shesaid,becausewithouttheir children’ssupport,militaryparentswouldn’teasilyhandletheimportantmissionofservingtheircountry.

“I’dlikeustorememberwhatmilitary children’slives arelikeandhowuniquetheir challenges. It’squiteincrediblewhenwethinkaboutthe transitions theygo throughthatmost childrendon’t,andourmilitary childrenaresoresilientthroughitall.” shesaid.

AndthecolorpurpleisimportanttotheDODcommunity, because itreflectsallbranchesofthemilitary. “Acrossthenation, and aroundtheworldeveryApril, states, governments,schoolsandfamiliesalldotheir partbywearingpurpleorshiningapurplelightontheir homes, schools, statecapitalsandlocallandmarks,” Ganotesaid.

“Iwouldinviteeveryonetotakeamomenttosupport military childrenduringApril,” shesaid.

OfKurilla,McKenziesaidhe’sconfidentthetraditionofexcellentleadershipinCentcomwillcontinue—andthathe’sleavingthecommandin goodhands.

“Ican’tthinkofanybodybetterqualifiedtoleadCentcom’snext chapter thanErikKurilla,” McKenziesaid.“He’snostrangertotheCentcomAOR. He’snostrangertotheheadquarters.”

Kurillaservedpreviouslyasthe chiefofstaffofCentcomfromAugust 2018toSeptember2019,McKenziesaid.

“It’sonlyfittingnowthathe’sreturnedto Tampatocommandthejoint force’spremiercombatantcommand,” McKenziesaid.“Youareinverygood hands Erik,I’mproudtopasstheguidontoyou.”

AfterassumingcommandofCentcom,Kurilladiscussedsomeofthe challengesheknows awaithiminoneofthemostdynamicregionsofthe world.

“TheregionsthatcompriseCentcom:theLevant,theMiddleEast,South andCentralAsia,arehometosomeofthemostimportantandextraordinaryscientific, artisticandsocialcontributionstohumanhistory,” Kurilla said.“Yet,theyarehometoviolence, instabilityandconflict.Thereareareasofgreatsuffering, abuseandhumanmisery.”

AmericanleadershipinCentcom,hesaid,canpreventregionalthreats therefromthreateningboth U.S. interestsandthe U.S. homeland.

“Wethereforemustremainfiercely, activelyengagedinthe21countries ofCentralCommand,” hesaid.“Wemustensureafavorablebalanceof powerintheregion.”

Centcom,hesaid,mustparticipateinensuringthatglobaltradecan

AU.S.AirForceB-52HStratofortressfliesalongsideRoyalAirForceof OmanEurofighter TyphoonsaboveOman,March29,2022.Thebomber’sflightoriginatedatRoyalAirForceFairford,England.

continueintheregion,andmustalsoensurethatthreatstheredon’tdevelopthecapabilitytoharmthe U.S. homeland.

“OuradversariesarelookingforanysignthatAmerica’scommitmentto thecollectivesecurityoftheregionis wavering,” hesaid.“Ouradversaries arepoisedtocapitalizeonanyopportunitiesthatemerge—wemustnot grantthemany.”

6thARWChapelHoly WeekSchedule

u Monday, April11:12:10DailyMass

u Tuesday, April12:*NoDailyMass

u Wed,April13:12:10DailyMassand Penance Servicefrom17:30-19:00

u Thursday, April14:19:00MassoftheLastSupperfollowedbyEucharisticAdorationuntil2130 (**No1210DailyMass)

u Friday, April15:14:15StationsoftheCross followedby1500Good FridayService

u Saturday, April16:2000Easter VigilCelebration (**No1730Mass)

u Sunday, April17:0930EasterSundayMass& EasterEggHuntafterMass

EVENTS

Youthbasketballregistration

SignupbyApril8attheyouth center Opentoages5-15with currentimmunizationrecords. Call828-7438toregisteryour child.

EasterEggstravaganza,Apr.9

10a.m.–12 p.m.Bringtheentirefamilytothefitnesscenter southfieldforadayofEaster fun.Enjoygames, prizes, artsand crafts, foodtrucks, egghuntsand ofcourse…theEasterBunny. Egg hunttimes:EFMP:10:15a.m., ages1-4: 10:30a.m.,ages5-8: 10:45a.m.,ages9-12:11a.m.and ages13andup:11:15a.m.

Markyourcalendars

Justin Willman“MagicforHumans”show,Apr 20,6-7:30 p.m. Joinusforafreemagicshowat thebasetheatre Doorsopenat6 p.m.,showat6:30 p.m.Funforall ages.

We arehiring

6thFSSishiringinthefollowingareasstartingat$15/hr:

Recreation,

Foodservice

Hospitality

Childandyouth. Forjobinfo, visitmacdillfss. com/open-jobs/ Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss. com

“Let’sGo!”

U.S.AirForceGen.MichaelMinihan,AirMobilityCommandcommander,center,poseswith Tampa areastudentswithCol.BenjaminJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,duringan Aviation InspiredMentorshipeventatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch27.Minhanbriefedthestudentsaboutthe AirMobilityCommandmissiontoinspirethemtobecomethenextgenerationofMobilityAirmen.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,calltheCommand Postat828-4362/4361.

Monday-ThursdayMass 12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Catholic(in-person) -Saturday -5:30p.m. (confession4:30p.m.) Sunday- 9:30a.m.(confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices Wednesday 11 a.m.. virtual)- Sunday 11 a.m.

Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoindistro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Muslim MuslimPrayer:Friday1300(space reserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Pleasecontactthe Chapelat(813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW. HCADMIN@us.af.mil

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

taskingsthatwouldotherwisebefilledbytheKC-135Stratotankerand KC-10Extender, increasingtheforce’sairrefuelingcapacityandfurtherseasoningtotalforce Pegasusaircrewswithoperationalmissions.

On July9,2021,thefirstICRdecisionapprovedtheKC-46A Pegasus torefuelaircraftusingitsCenterlineDrogueSystem.ThesecondICR decision,whichapprovedtheKC-46AtorefueltheB-52,C-17andother KC-46aircraftusingitsboom, wasmadeAug. 5,2021.ApprovedonOct. 15,2021,thethirddecisionallowedtheKC-46Atorefuelallvariants oftheF-15andF-16.ThefourthICR wasapprovedDec. 6,2021and allowedtheboommissionsetfortheAC-130J, HC/MC-130J, C-5Mand E-3Greceivers.

ThereisnotimelineassociatedwiththeoverallICRplan,whichinsteadfocusesonestablishingincrementalconfidencemeasuresthat

allowtheAMCcommanderandotherseniorleaderstoqualitatively andquantitativelyassessachievementsatICRmilestones. Crewswill continuetoflytraining, exerciseanddemonstrationmissionsuntilall operationalconfidencemeasuresaremet.

Despiteexistingrestrictionsanddeficiencies, theKC-46Acontinuestodemonstrateitsgrowingoperationalcapabilities.The Pegasus offloadedover47.2millionpoundsoffuelandcompletedmorethan 31,800boomand2,100droguecontactssince January2019.

AsofMarch21,2022,theAir Forcehas57KC-46Asinitsinventory. TheKC-46AcurrentlyoperatesoutofMcConnellAir ForceBase, Kansas;Seymour JohnsonAir ForceBase, N.C.;PeaseAirNationalGuard Base, NewHampshire; JointBaseMcGuireDixLakehurst, N.J.; and AltusAir ForceBase, Oklahoma.

Besuretovisittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWing