Vol. 41, No. 14 Thursday, April 5, 2012Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of De-fense, the Department of the

Vol. 41, No. 14 Thursday, April 5, 2012

For the chidrenVolunteers from MacDill Air Force Base walk with military children during the Month of the Military Child parade at MacDill Air Force Base, April 2. The month of the Military Child is an opportunity to recognize the more than 1.7 million children with a parent or parent’s serving in the military, for their heroism, character, courage, sacrifice and continued resilience.

Photo by Senior Airman Melissa Paradise

by Maj. Gen. A. J. StewartAir Force Personnel Center commander

Editor’s note: Stewart was the 6th Operations Group commander from April 2000 to April 2002.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) — I had the world by the tail: U. S. Air Force Academy graduate, Air Force pilot, six-time commander, 30-year Air Force career, and two stars; fit, healthy and strong. But subtle problems appeared out of nowhere: occasional vertigo, mild persistent headaches, cognitive challenges, having to stop during a hard run.

I went to see the flight surgeon and was immediately referred to a neurologist. An MRI revealed a golf-ball sized tumor on the left temporal lobe of my brain and the doctor bluntly told me, “Your life will never be the same.” I was liter-ally stunned.

Swelling was critical and I was admitted for surgery five days later. The surgeon briefed me on all that could go wrong, but the young Air Force captain performed expertly. He gets my vote if I ever

need another surgery.The tumor was successfully

removed down to the microscopic level. The question remained: “Why did I have a tumor?” The news from the lab was not good: malig-nant growth from stage IV of the worst form of brain cancer.

It was time to fightAfter a few weeks of recovery

from surgery, I felt like a million bucks. My fitness and strength were returning and I was back to full duty and physical activity. Also, I simultaneously started a six-week, aggressive anti-cancer radiation and chemotherapy treat-ment plan.

The doctors told me I would be fatigued, suffer nausea and lack energy from the treatment. To counter those potential symptoms, I got back in the weight room, back on my bike, back on the running trail, back on the golf course and back to full time duty as command-er of the best organization in the Air Force — Air Force Personnel Center!

The negative side effects never showed up. My fitness, strength

and health remained good, but it was also the hundreds of emails, cards, letters and prayers from my family, friends, coworkers and even strangers that helped me keep my spirit up.

Last week, I completed my last of 30 radiation and 42 chemo-therapy treatments and I still feel great! The next critical step is an-other MRI in a few weeks to see if the cancer has returned. I pray for good results.

I never saw any of this comingI have learned a few lessons

along the way that may help others who find they are facing tremen-dous challenges:

Be fit, be strong, and be healthy every day. Fitness is not about just passing the Air Force fitness test or deploying, it is about saving your life. A well rested, strong body and a healthy diet can help you fight off tough challenges when they come.

Life is short and preciousIf there are things you want to

accomplish in life, get busy now. “One day” and “someday” may nev-

er come. Push yourself to do more, now. Tomorrow is not promised, so do not waste a day.

Be positive. Brain tumors can be fatal, so there’s no room for defeatism; you have to fight a chal-lenge like you intend to win. Leave negative thoughts behind and be ready to endure. Run your race like a winner. Attitude may be the number one component of success.

Be open and honest, up and down the chain. Our Air Force is a family. I have received the

COMMANDER’S CORNER

MacDill ThunderboltPublisher: Terry Jamerson

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt News-papers, 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 De-

fense, the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobil-ity Wing.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, in-cluding inserts or supplements, does not constitute en-dorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Mobility Wing or Sunbelt Newspa-pers, 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-mer-it factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.

Display advertising or classified advertising information

may be obtained by calling 259-7455. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submit-

ted to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, Bldg. 25, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or call the MacDill Thunderbolt staff at 828-2215. Email: [email protected].

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Thursdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received af-ter deadline may be considered for future use. All submis-sions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

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

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINEThe Action Line provides a two-way communication between the 6th Air

Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. A 24-hour recording service is provided so personnel may submit questions, concerns or com-ments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or e-mail [email protected]

Never saw this coming: Lessons learned in trying times

Maj. Gen. A. J. Stewart

See CORNER, Page 14

Your T-bolt TodayNews/Features: page 4 ‘There I was...’

Briefs: page 18

News to know

Community: page 17

Events, Chapel, more...

News/Features: page 10

Active week at MacDill

NEWS/FEATURES


New Airmen welcomed

Diamond Sharp: page 6

This week’s standout

Courtesy of the Information Assurance Office

You’ve seen it numerous times. In fact, it has become so routine that you

probably are unaware as to why it’s there and what it really means. You see it every morning when you first power up your computer and you see it every time you pick up your tele-phone on your desk. Yes, we’re talking about acknowledging the fact you are subject to be-ing monitored, whenever you use any telecom-munications device. Remember that notice and consent banner that appears when you first turn on your computer in the morning (that annoying screen that keeps staring at you un-til you hit a key to go on)? How about that red sticker (DD Form 2056) that keeps trying to peel off your phone?

Biennially, during even-numbered fiscal years, each base/site must be certified for tele-communication monitoring by the Secretary of the Air Force General Counsel. This is ac-complished by completing the requirements in AFI 10-712, Telecommunications Monitor-ing and Assessment Program. Each base must certify that they have legally notified all per-

sonnel that use of telecommunications devices constitutes consent to TMAP monitoring. The most common telecommunications devices are telephones, computers (including networked systems, stand-alone computers, servers, por-table computers, laptops, routers, etc), fax ma-chines, portable electronic devices (cellular phones, text pagers, PDAs, Blackberries, etc), and hand-held radios.

TMAP is a key part of the Air Force’s Opera-tions Security efforts. In accordance with AFI 10-712, it permits monitoring of unsecured telecommunications systems to determine vulnerability to hostile signal intelligence ex-ploitation.

However, because TMAP involves surveil-lance of base communication systems, the AFI contains very clear and concise mandatory no-tification procedures that must be in place to support this function. To ensure compliance, the instruction requires an extensive review of base or organizational user notification pro-cesses every two years. Rules of engagement concerning TMAP are found in chapter four of AFI 10-712.

Contact the wing Information Assurance Office for further information on the TMAP program.

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

Telecommunications: You are subject to being monitored


Expanded drug testing

Lieutenant colonel selects: 6th Medical Operations Squadronu Tamra Johnson

Major selects:6th Force Support Squadronu Michael Burkenfield

6th Operations Support Squadronu Christopher Barnett

6th Security Forces Squadronu Jacob Foley

911th Air Refueling Squadronu Jessica Guarini u John Hancock u Rodman Jones u Carmen Thompson

99th Air Refueling Squadronu Brian Dickens

310th Air Refueling Squadronu Justin Wilson

54th Air Refueling Squadronu Eric Babson

91st Air Refueling Squadronu Michael Avalos u Timothy Fritz u Andy Hazelton u Russ Healy u Chris Johnson u Ryan Reed u Steve Whitson

Congratulations to the following new lieutenant colonel and major selects

TMAP is a key part of the Air Force’s Operations Security efforts.

NEWS/FEATURES

by Maj. Jeffrey Kristberg 6th Communications Squadron

There I was sitting in the bar-ber chair in a small trailer-like containerized unit getting my first haircut of the deployment. Except for the location (Baghdad, Iraq), everything seemed normal until a loud boom caused the barber to look out the already opened door. Suddenly, he was gone. As he dart-ed to the nearest bunker, a much louder boom followed with a notice-able shockwave. What was that?

Fortunately, combat skills train-ing kicked in and I proceeded to hit

the deck and follow the emergency procedures. After the “all clear” sounded, the barber, through the help of an interpreter, stated he ac-tually saw the 107mm rocket that impacted less than 100 yards from the trailer, one of 11 that targeted the International Zone that after-noon.

Ten days in Iraq and I had al-ready experienced what indirect fire sounded and felt like. Although there have been many other in-stances of IDF targeting IZ, none have been as close, and for that I

am thankful. I am also thankful for the wise chief master sergeant that shared his previous experi-ences and passed on advice that prepared me as best as possible for deployed life in Iraq.

Since stepping off the rhino, the local name for a Mine Resistant Armor Protected vehicle and pri-mary means of ground transpor-tation, work has been continuous and rewarding. I am assigned to United States Forces-Iraq J6 For-ward, Iraqi Communications Ca-pacity Engagement cell, with the task of standing up a communica-tions network to support the small number of remaining forces that will conduct the Iraqi training mis-sion. Seems easy enough, but try building it in a way it is sustain-able by someone other than blue or green suitors. The military is very good at building tactical networks in practically any area of responsi-bility, this however, is different.

What is required here is a stra-tegic network that can be sus-tained without a mass of typical theater deployed communications equipment and accompanying com-munications squadron or signal battalion personnel. I am proud to say, through several months of planning, and re-planning and with a combination of terrestrial fiber, satellite communications, commercial line-of-sight antennas, and equipment; the Office of Secu-rity Cooperation-Iraq network is nearly complete. The task hasn’t come without challenges and has definitely provided some lessons learned.

One, communication is critical. It is a fully joint work environ-

ment with all services represented. Each service has different terms for equipment and communica-tions network architectures. You have to ensure you are spun up on the joint lingo and use it properly. I have greatly expanded my vocab-ulary since arrival. There is also the tactical to strategic communi-cations path. As with almost any project or task, progress needs to be filtered up to senior leadership. Here I have had the opportunity to provide that bridge of information and learned to translate ground-level details to strategic level in-formation that the senior leaders can digest and act upon.

Two, teamwork is vital. There is a large mix of government ci-vilians, contractors and military here. In order to get anything ac-complished you need to work as a team. Just getting a piece of com-munications gear from one loca-tion to another requires the assis-tance of security forces, logistics, and sometimes Army aviation members and assets. No person or office can get it done alone. Not only is it a joint military team, but an interagency team as well. The

U.S. Embassy in Iraq, managed by the Department of State, is within walking distance from our little forward operating base here in Baghdad. We meet with their staff weekly to coordinate on the future of communications in Iraq. As Op-eration New Dawn reaches end of mission, the Department of State will be left to carry on everything that has been accomplished and to build relations with the Iraq gov-ernment.

In closing, I will share some wis-dom passed from the Advice and Train deputy commanding gener-al, Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, “the only thing we truly control is our attitude.”

This statement puts everything into perspective for me and has helped to maintain a positive at-titude throughout the remainder of the deployment. Have you ever noticed that nothing ever seems to go right for the grumpy people? I have.

Keep a positive attitude and your chances of good things hap-pening greatly increases, be it dur-ing a deployment or everyday life at home.

‘There I was...’

Courtesy photo

Maj. Jeffrey Kristberg, a member of the 6th Communications Squadron, stands in front of a communication tower in Iraq. The tower is part of a communications system designed to help Iraqi forces maintain com-municatioins without the support of U.S. service members.

Opening up sustainable lines of communication in Iraq

“Just getting a piece of communications gear from one location to another requires the assistance of security forces, logistics, and sometimes Army avia-tion personnel and as-sets,” - Maj. Jeffrey Kristberg

Job Title: Mission operation con-troller.

Hometown: Ocala, Fla.

Short-term goals: Complete my Community College of the Air Force degree.

Long-term goals: Obtain a bach-elor’s degree.

Advice to others: Always look forward, never look back.

Role model(s) and why:Christopher Reeve. Despite being confined to a wheelchair af-

ter his accident, he continued to travel and do outreach work. He always looked forward; he believed there was a purpose for his ac-cident. One thing that he contributed was to increase funding for spinal cord research. He never let his accident put him down. He always looked at the glass half full.

Senior Airman James Lowery6th Maintenance Operations Squadron

DIAMOND SHARP

The following First Term Airmen have ar-rived to MacDill directly out of technical school, becoming the newest addition to our team.

6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadronu Airman 1st Class Ryan Baez, Yorktown, Va.u Airman 1st Class Kristopher Castillo, Fairfield, Calif.u Airman 1st Class Sevon Telemaque, Boston, Mass.u Airman 1st Class Alyssa Wells, San Jose, Calif.u Airman 1st Class Cory Granger, St Louis, Mo.u Airman 1st Class Richard Wilkes, Prattville, Ala.

6th Maintenance Squadronu Airman 1st Class Jaime Deleon, Oakland, Calif.u Airman 1st Class Jean-Paul Mock, Eustis, Fla.u Airman Taylor Schnabl, Big Lake, Minn.

6th Force Support Squadronu Airman 1st Class Kristin Coutin, Cape Coral, Fla.

6th Medical Support Squadronu Airman 1st Class Charles Salter, Zeeland, Mich.

6th Civil Engineering Squadronu Airman 1st Class Jacob McIntosh, Tawas, Mich.

6th Security Forces Squadronu Airman 1st Class Christopher Cavallucci, Spring Hill, Fla.u Airman 1st Class Mario Cummings, Fort Lauder-dale, Fla.

91st Air Refueling Squadronu Airman 1st Class Matthew Sadler, Boyn-ton Beach, Fla.

6th Medical Operations Squadronu Airman 1st Class Princesssky Chinke, Los Ange-les, Calif.

Team MacDill welcomes new Airmen

Courtesy of 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental flight

The MacDill Environmental Flight invites you to celebrate Earth Day 2012 and participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup event Friday, April 13.

MacDill AFB is one of hundreds of sites in-volved in the 2012 Great American Cleanup. On a local level, members accomplish a thor-ough scrub of the shoreline prior to kicking off of Phoenix Rally.

The plan is to clean the shoreline from the Bayshore Gate to the Base Marina. Participants meet at the base marina for a meeting at 8:45 a.m. and finish by noon. A bus will shuttle vol-unteers around.

All ages are invited. Volunteers must be able to walk at least one mile. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, work gloves and whatever you need to be comfortable outside for several hours (hat, sun-glasses, sunscreen, etc.). The work is wet and dirty.

A limited number of T-shirts and goodies are available! To sign up, call Jason Kirkpatrick at 828-0459 or e-mail [email protected].

Volunteers needed for cleanup


Rhianna Bane, 2, daughter of Jennifer Bane, U.S. Central Command contractor, and Katelyn Nogaj, 3, daughter of Elizabeth Nogaj, U.S. Special Operations Command contractor, walk in the Month of the Military Child Parade at MacDill Air Force Base, April 2.


Staff members from the 6th Force Support Squadron march in the Month of the Military Child parade at MacDill Air Force Base, April 2. The month of the Military Child recognizes the more than 1.7 million children who have a parent or parents serving in the military.

Photo by Terry Dover

Col. David Almand, 6th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, signs a proclama-tion honoring April as the Month of the Military Child outside the Child Devel-opment Center, kicking off the Month of the Military Child parade at MacDill, April 2. Photo by Senior Airman Melissa Paradise

Active week in the MacDill community


Rhianna Bane, 2, daughter of Jennifer Bane, U.S. Central Command contractor, and Katelyn Nogaj, 3, daughter of Elizabeth Nogaj, U.S. Special Operations Command contractor, walk in the Month of the Military Child Parade at MacDill Air Force Base, April 2.


Senior Airman Michele Stroud, 6th Logistic Readiness Squadron inventory su-pervisor, records herself reading a book for her three children at the base library at MacDill Air Force Base, April 3. Stroud is leaving for a six-month deployment, and is taking advantage of the Airman & Family Readiness Center’s Operation Story Time program, which allows deploying members to record themselves reading a book to their children.


Members of team MacDill eat lunch inside the new Diners Reef dining facility during the leadership tour at MacDill Air Force Base, March 30. The grand re-opening ceremony of Diners Reef will be April 20.

Leadership from the 6th Air Mobility Wing tour the new dinning facility before it opens to the public at Mac-Dill Air Force Base, March 30. The new facility fea-tures an expanded menu, more dining space, more registers, and an overall higher quality of service and atmosphere.


Courtesy of the Drug Demand Reduction Team

On Jan. 31, the secre-tary of defense released a message giving 90-day notice that the Depart-ment of Defense will expand military drug testing for commonly abused prescription drugs. While these pow-erful pain management drugs can alleviate suf-fering from injuries, they are potentially highly addictive and their use outside of medical supervision places the military member and their comrades at risk.

According to Brig. Gen. Mark Ediger, Air Force Medical Operations Agency commander, “There will be no additional samples collected, but specimens will be subjected to additional testing at the Air Force Drug Testing Lab beginning May 2012.”

Service members who use prescription drugs that have not been pre-scribed or given by their healthcare provider are encouraged to volun-tarily seek medical treatment and rehabilitation for themselves in a

military medical facility on a self-referral basis prior to the initiation of testing for these drugs. Patients who self-identify to the military treatment facility for misuse of prescription drugs and require further evaluation or are suspected of having a substance use disorder should be referred to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.

The Department of Defense and military department policies state that individuals who do not self-refer for treatment and are subse-quently identified as positive for controlled substances for which they do not have a valid prescription may be considered in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for drug misuse/abuse.

Air Force members may have concerns about potential negative con-sequences from admitting to drug misuse so commanders and health-care professionals should be familiar with the guidance in Air Force Instruction 44-121, ADAPT program. A review of the 90-day notice message by the AF Judge Advocate has concluded there is no additional immunity or amnesty beyond what exists in accord with AFI 44-121.

Airmen who voluntarily disclose evidence of personal drug use or possession, with the intention of entering drug treatment, to the unit commander, first sergeant, substance abuse evaluator, or a military medical professional will be granted limited protection in an action under the UCMJ or when weighing characterization of service in a separation. Disclosure is not considered voluntary if the member has already been ordered to provide a sample for drug testing and the re-sults are still pending or have been returned with a positive result.

Editor’s note: The Drug Testing Office has moved. It is located on the second floor of the Medical Clinic, 3250 Zemke Avenue, Building 1078, Room 2FC5. They can be reached at 828-3334/3051.

NEWS/FEATURESAF expanded prescription drug urinalysis testing

support of literally hundreds of kindred Airmen, with a big “A.” The Air Force has proven itself a family from our senior leadership to our youngest Airmen, including civil-ians and supporters. If folks know your challenges, they can help. My AFPC and A1 family have been magnificent. They have opened their arms and hearts, and carried me through the tough times.

Be a bouncer. Bad things sometimes happen. It is not a ques-tion of whether you will take a fall, so get over it. The question is, will you bounce back? It is really up to you. Be tough minded -- you are a warrior! Think like a winner and bounce.

Love your family. My wife, Areetha, has been the “wind be-neath my wings” and my rock. She has been beside me every step of this journey and she insists I keep a positive attitude. She ran the Marine Corps Marathon last fall at age 50! She is 100 percent positive and endures. I thank God for hav-ing her as my wingman. My mom, sisters and extended family have also been my cheering section. They are irreplaceable and I love them dearly.

This is a tough, unexpected fight and it is not over. Our most humble “thank you” from Areetha and me. We are overwhelmed with your support, words of encouragement and prayers.

I’ve cleared a few hurdles but the fight is still on. I intend to win.

CORNERFrom Page 2

MACDILL COMMUNITYEVENTS

FridayBoss & Buddy & Friday Bash

Bring your Boss! Bring your Buddy to Boomer’s Bar & Grill! Join the fun beginning at 3 p.m. FREE Bar snacks, drink specials, bar bingo, DJ, music & fun. Club members sign up to win $100 cash! Not a member? Sign up! E1-E4 re-ceive FREE membership!

Seascapes Beach HouseRat Pack Night – Taste of Italy

& Sounds of Sinatra from 4:30 p.m. - close. Chicken parmesan with spaghetti, salad & garlic bread for $8.99 includes fountain drink. Club members save up to $2!

SaturdayFree Easter Egg Hunt & Roll

10 a.m. at the Youth Baseball Fields near Tinker Elementary.

SundaySurf’s Edge Club

Easter Buffet from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Must reserve; call 840-2020.

Monday-FridayMacDill Base Library

Celebrate National Library Week! Fun activities all week from tours, scavenger hunt, movie & more! Call 828-3607 for details.

MondayMacDill Lanes & Family Fun Center

Club MemberAppreciation from 6-8 p.m. All club members & their families bowl FREE.

WednesdaySeascapes Beach House

Caribbean Night from 4:30 p.m. - close. Citrus Grilled Chicken with Curry Lime Sauce, Coconut Rice, Overnight Slaw, and Sweet Rolls for $8.99 includes fountain drink. Club Members save up to $2.

Catholic servicesApril 5 u Holy Thursday Mass, 7 p.m.u No 12:10 p.m. Daily MassApril 6 u Stations of the Cross, 12:10 p.m.u Good Friday Service, 3 p.m.April 7u Easter Egg Hunt, 9 a.m.u Easter Vigil Mass, 10 p.m.April 8 u EASTER SUNDAY Mass, 10:30 a.m.

Protestant servicesApril 6u Good Friday Service, 10:45 a.m.April 8 u Sunrise Service, 6:45 a.m. at Davis Pa-vilionu EASTER SUNDAY Praise Service, 9 a.m.u Gospel Service, noon

Islamic servicesFriday - Prayer Service, 1:30 p.m.

For all other faith inquiries or to view upcoming event information, call the Chapel at 828-3621 or visit the website at www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel

Give!Col. David Almand, 6th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, signs his Air Force Assistance Fund donation form at MacDill Air Force Base, March 28. To donate to AFAF, contact your unit representa-tive. The last day to donate is April 27.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE


Documents

Vol. 41, No. 14 Thursday, April 5, 2012Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of De-fense, the Department of the