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Tampa Bay Times | Thursday, August 3, 2017 | 1THU

Thursday, August 3, 2017

2 WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM Thursday, August 3, 2017 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

MacDill Air Force Base will undergo a Command Cyber Readiness In-spection, or CCRI, from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

This inspection is a thorough evaluation of compliance with Department of Defense and U.S. Cyber Command directives by the Defense Information Systems Agency, on how well the installation complies with DoD and U.S. Cyber Command cyber security directives. Additionally, we can expect an assessment of our overall cyber readiness posture as inspectors review the security of base networks and the command, control, communications & computer (C4) systems that support the 6th Air Mobility Wing and our 33 mission partners.

The inspection will be conducted at multiple locations throughout the base, and DISA’s end goal is to evaluate the overall security of the net-works and C4 systems. The base will be evaluated on network vulnerabili-ties, physical security, user education, and compliance with security orders and directives.

To that end, the men and women of the 6th Communications Squadron are reminding everyone that they need help each day to continue to imple-ment the practices learned in the annual DoD Cyber Awareness Challenge

training. Those practices include, but are not limited to:

Be aware of suspicious email and web traffic.Never leave Common Access Cards and SIPR tokens unattended.Only allow properly cleared personnel into controlled areas.Power on computers every day and conduct restarts at the end of each

day to ensure they receive all upgrades and patches needed to mitigate cy-ber vulnerabilities.

As we prepare for this important inspection, I want to remind you that this is not just a cyber inspection, but rather a readiness inspection that will affect the entire installation, and it is imperative that all of our mis-sion partners work together to achieve success.

Base personnel can expect some delays in the processing and remedia-tion of trouble tickets and/or new communications requirements. Our team will evaluate all issues on a case-by-case basis by assessing operational impact.

Overall, the 6th CS is committed to achieving a successful rating during the upcoming CCRI. Leadership involvement is key to our CCRI prepara-tion efforts, and we look forward to providing the wing and mission part-ners with the information and resources necessary to ensure success for MacDill.

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE

The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. Per-sonnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to [email protected].

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/

MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

COMMENTARY

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, August 3, 2017 WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM 3

NEWS/FEATURES

“We were planning on driving through Mexico in a day,” he said, recall-ing the day he and his family packed everything they owned into a car and headed north in the pursuit of a better future.

A road trip that should have taken three days, took a week. Although they only stopped for gas, the dread of driving in an unknown country at night forced them to stop and rest each night.

This move from the small country of Belize to the big city of Chicago immensely altered the life of Airman 1st Class Amal Bonner, a medical records technician assigned to the 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base.

“The main reason for moving to Chicago was to join the Air Force,” said Bonner. “In a way, I joined for education purposes; but mainly, I wanted to escape Belize to get a different outlook on things.”

Belize is an independent and developing nation located on the eastern coast of Central America. It is only 180 miles long and 68 miles wide, and is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the south and west. Its rich beaches, wildlife-riddled jungles and Mayan ruins, highlight Belize as a sought-after tourist destination.

“Although living in Belize sounds like paradise, I was at a point where I was about to finish my associate degree in business administration, and I didn’t want to stay in Belize and live the typical life,” said the 23-year-old Bonner. “I wanted to do something different, bounce around and travel a little.”

Fueled by the desire to live a different life, combined with the influence of a persuasive friend from Chicago, pushed Bonner to change his view on the military and make the decision to enlist.

“At first, when you think about the military, you think guns, shooting and war,” said Bonner. “But, I had an enlisted friend who sold me on the Air Force way of life.

“I did some research and came to the realization that there is a job for everything – you don’t have to ‘just shoot guns.’”

After deciding to join the Air Force and driving for a week to a family members’ house in Chicago, Bonner was ready to start his military career

JOURNEY, Page 10

Red and blue lights flash as the piercing sound of sirens fill the night-time air. First responders rush to the site of the accident. There is a two-car collision; one car is in a ditch and the second is on its side.

This is just one scenario that the Rescue 53 first responders may come across during their long, hectic shifts.

Although it is not common on MacDill for an accident like this to occur, our Airmen and first responders must be ready to react at a moment’s no-tice and perform under stress with precision and professionalism.

MacDill Airmen assigned to the 6th Medical Group train for situations like this day in and day out to ensure they are prepared for any rescue situation.

One of the emergency programs in place is Rescue 53, which is manned by Airmen from the 6th MDG along with Tampa medics. The Airmen and volunteers work 24 hours on, with a three-day break between shifts. This allows non-stop mission-ready coverage in the event of an emergency.

SAFE Page 13


WEEK IN PHOTOS


Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany — Citizen Airmen from the 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron traveled to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germa-ny, to maintain their mission-ready status, July 7-23.

Unlike active-duty military, traditional Reservists only have one week-end a month and two weeks a year to stay current on all training require-ments to be considered deployable for worldwide taskings.

“The UTA (Unit Training Assembly) allows great training opportuni-ties for us to perform our operational mission, but when we are able to be apart from the distractions at MacDill and be completely encompassed in a new and different operation, it provides a whole new level of training for our troops,” said Lt. Col. Meredith Seeley, 927th LRS, commander. “The training here is on a completely different scale, different airframes and a completely different operational mission; they have over 450 personnel op-erating out of 54 different buildings.”

To create a seamless force, much of the training, systems and procedures are common throughout the Air Force, however a few differences do exist. For example, aircraft fueling systems vary depending on the country and the type of aircraft.

“At MacDill we are set up for large aircraft, wide-body aircraft and

NEWS/FEATURES

RESERVISTS, Page 12


At times, the crowd inside Hangar 1 was reminiscent of the annual MacDill air show gatherings, quipped Wendy Fos-ter, marketing director for the 6th Force Support Squadron. This occasion, however, was a Back To School Fair Saturday.

Thousands of parents and children made their way through the event between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., picking up free school supplies, including backpacks, playing games and winning prizes. There was a free hotdog lunch outside, along with a bouncy castle for the youngsters. A photo booth cap-tured families for keepsakes and face painters made sure any child who wanted to be decorated got their wish.

Aubrey Davis, 6, scored a notebook, pencils and other school supplies, along with the book bag in which she toted her booty.

“I got good stuff,” she said.Nora Montgomery, 5, was the happy recipient of a Curious

George on her cheek at the face-painting booth. Dabrielle West, 4, was hungry, so she gobbled a hotdog with her family under the dining tent outside the hangar—just ketchup for her, thank you.

In addition to the many giveaways, there was a bicycle safety rodeo, lots of educational and youth program info, and anti-bullying information.


— a career that didn’t take off as smoothly as he had hoped. “I called the recruiter in January and didn’t ship out for basic training

until December,” said Bonner. “I was told I was overweight for my height, so I spent those months working at a job and working out.”

Having to work for nearly a year before enlisting could have easily de-terred Bonner, but his determination to succeed has made him appreciate his current status.

“It’s the simple things like getting three hot meals at the dining facili-ty,” said the soft-spoken Bonner. “The Air Force has been good to me so far.

“If I had stayed in Belize, I would have missed out on a lot of experi-ences that I’ve already had in my short career; it is such a privilege and honor to serve.”

As a records technician, Bonner supports the mission in a significant way.

“We store medical records for everyone at MacDill, which includes ac-tive-duty members and their dependents,” said Bonner. “We support the mission by keeping the administrative part of the medical group together so there are no problems when patients go see their doctors.

“Records play a big role in the grand scheme of things because without them, service members can’t be cleared to perform their duties.”

Coming from a different country and adapting in order to reach his goals has taught Bonner the merits of hard work.

“He is enthusiastic about his job and extremely eager to learn,” said Airman 1st Class Seng Thao, a medical records technician assigned to the 6th Medical Group. “He is a very sharp Airman who is always a step above, and I am very grateful to have him on my team and as a friend; he never hesitates to give advice and be a wingman when needed.”

Now that Bonner has achieved his goal of joining the Air Force, he is focused on a greater purpose.

“Although my Air Force goal is to promote as high and fast as I can, I ultimately want to be a role model and inspire hope to the people from small countries who want to better themselves,” said Bonner, the humble son of a banker mom and a baker dad. “After the Air Force, I would like to open a bakery and work with my dad.”

These ambitions stem from a desire to thank his parents for the life les-sons he learned through seeing their dedication to provide a better future for the family.

“People have a picture of third-world countries in general, but it’s pret-ty much the same as living in America,” said Bonner. “It all depends on your circumstances.

“I grew up in one of the worst neighborhoods and could have easily gone a completely different direction if it wasn’t for my mom and how hard she worked to take care of me and keep me sheltered.”

Because of his humble beginnings, Bonner says he continues to be proud of his heritage and appreciate how his upbringing shaped who he is now.

“The best part about being from another country is having that cultural difference and being able to tell people about it,” said Bonner. “It’s a com-pletely different lifestyle that most people can’t comprehend; I love repre-senting and educating people on the beauty of my country.”

Diversity is one of the numerous reasons our country is so remarkable, as it forges adaptable individuals who bear the strength necessary to ac-complish the mission. Airman 1st Class Amal Bonner is an example of how diversity leads to a stronger Air Force.


Q: What is the help line/contact for Road Kill?

A: Call CE Customer Service at 828-4532, who will pass it to Entomology.

Q: When is the 6th AMXS splitting into 2 AMUs?

A: Currently, there is no definitive date for the 6 AMXS to split into two Aircraft Maintenance Units (AMUs). In order for the split to be effective/make sense, we will need to begin receiving our manpower and aircraft plus up. Our additional manpower will continue to ar-rive throughout the summer and fall assignment cycle and our additional aircraft are scheduled to begin ar-riving in Oct. 2017. Once we have a sufficient amount of each, we will transition to two AMUs.


Spangdahlem (AB) is set up for fighters,” said Master Sgt. Robert Rais II, 927th LRS, pe-troleum, oils and lubricants superintendent. “The way we deliver fuel at MacDill is with a hydrant truck, the biggest difference here at Spangdahlem is they use a hard hose, called a planogram.

“When deployed it is critical that we know these systems; when you’re down range there isn’t time for on the job training.”

The benefits of working and performing annual training alongside their counterparts, whether it be an active-duty or Reserve squadron, far exceeded just meeting training re-quirements; information and best practices flowed both ways.

“We have the 927th LRS from MacDill Air (Force) Base here; they are our reserve counter-parts and we are blessed with their presence, said Chief Master Sgt. Leroy Newhouse, 52nd LRS, chief master sergeant. “With us (52nd LRS) being in a manning crunch, we are still trying to meet real-world missions, so being here we are able to help train them (927th LRS Airmen) and get them signed of on some key tasks, but they are also here to help us.”

Benefits of off-station annual training are numerous. Not only do the Reservists receive valuable training and participate in ongoing real-world missions, they also have opportu-nities that take them outside the gates of the air base.

”I think being able to emerge themselves in not just the operation but the culture here also provided a real unique opportunity for or troops here,” said Seeley. “For some of these Airmen it was their first time being outside the United States.

“They got to enjoy the food, the culture and learn from their counterparts on the active duty side and on the civilian side as well.”

Building strong relationships, networking, innovation and process improvement is key to any organization, and the military is no exception.

“I would defiantly request the 927th LRS come back,” said Newhouse. “We’re giving you a part of who we are and what we do; you’re taking some of our continuity with you, so when you come back, and based on what you learned from us, you might be able to bring something back to improve our processes.”


On top of the work they do on a daily basis, they frequent-ly simulate scenarios so they can be effective first respond-ers.

Through training, Airmen and Tampa medics are able to utilize the MacDill rescue car to respond to any emergency on the base.

“As a med tech we are trained to respond to similar situ-ations already,” said Senior Airman Giancarlo Chaparro, a medical technician assigned to the 6th MDG. “However, to be a part of the ambulatory services we are required to get more training and stay qualified on rescue and ambulance procedures.”

The Rescue 53 team provides help the injured need as quickly as possible.

Before the Rescue 53 program was implemented, if there was an emergency on base that required an ambulance, in-dividuals would have to call Tampa Fire and Rescue to re-spond from off-base.

“Before this program was implemented, it would take ap-proximately 16 minutes for an off-base response team to make it on to base,” said Staff Sgt. Jordan LeBouef, a Medi-cal Technician assigned to the 6th MDG. “Now we can re-spond in eight minutes or less, allowing us to better take care of the service members on base.”

This program is a joint partnership between MacDill and the Tampa Bay community to ensure that members of the MacDill community feel safe at the hands of the 6th MDG and TFR.


COMMUNITY

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

Surf’s Edge ClubMembership Breakfast from

6:30-9 a.m. Club members free; non-members: $7.95. Call 828-1466.

Base PoolFamily Fun Night Dive-In Mov-

ie Pool Party from 5-10 p.m. with DJ. Free family movie: “Finding Dory” (G) from 8-10 p.m. Noodles and toys permitted. Buffet – adult: $12.99; 9-12: $7.99; 8 and under: $2.99. *15 and under must be ac-companied by an adult. **In case of inclement weather or unfavor-able forecast - event will be moved to SeaScapes. For more informa-tion call 840-1513.

Customer Service ID cardOpen 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. on a walk-

in basis to service the first 50 cus-tomers to assist with getting new/updated ID cards. Call 828-6673.

Base TheaterLibrary Summer Reading Wrap-

up Party from 1-3:30 p.m. Free family-oriented movie, “Captain Underpants, The First Epic Movie” PG) and refreshments, presenta-tion of reading certificates, prize giveaways. Call the Library at 828-3607 for more information.

Base TheaterFree movie: “Pirates of the Ca-

ribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” (PG-13). Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. Overflow parking available in the SOCOM parking garage.

Surf’s Edge ClubMacDill Icon singing competi-

tion starts at 5 p.m. Free happy hour buffet and cash bar. Come out and cheer the contestants on and meet the celebrity judges. Cash ($1,000) prizes awarded. Call 828-3055.

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