Pow wow wows crowd. A celebration of Native American culture - page 14. Vol. 39, No. 50 Friday, December 3, 2010

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1 Vol. 39, No. 50 Friday, December 3, 2010 Pow wow wows crowd A celebration of Native American culture - page 14 Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Hooks Hunter Voshell, Blue Otter, dances with a hula hoop for an audience at the Bayshore Club Nov. 29 for the Native American Month Ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base. November is Native American Heritage Month, in which we recognize the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States.

2 COMMANDER s CORNER Safety first for the holidays; this week s standouts by Col. Lenny Richoux 6th Air Mobility Wing commander Can you believe how soon the last month of the year has come? December is already here and I want to thank you for your steady hard work and focus as we head toward the holidays and on to our scheduled readiness inspection. I am relying on you to maintain your balance and to continue to put safety first. Beginning last decade, the Air Force has experienced almost 200 ground fatalities from Thanksgiving through New Year s. Most of these fatal mishaps occurred in the traffic environment, and many of these were people on leave to see family for the holidays. The Air Force has designated the time period of November 19, 2010 through January 3, 2011 as the Holiday Safety Campaign. The four goals of this campaign are to have an injury free holiday season, to minimize traffic mishaps, to travel safely and to experience zero fatalities. Plan your holiday events so that the right precautions, contingencies and risks are weighed and thought through. You have leadership and other resourceful people available to help you. Please use them. This week also ends the month-long recognition of Native American History, and I want to thank Staff Sergeant Janet Monteil, 6 AMW, Directorate of Staff administrator, for her organization and leadership. I am very proud to announce MacDill s winners of the Air Mobility Command A1 Awards. These awardees have proven they are the Best of the Best in providing outstanding personnel, manpower and services to AMC and the Air Force for our number one asset the people here. MacDill AFB garnered the following awards: Arts and Crafts Program of the Year, Club of the Year, Fitness and Sports Program of the Year. Congratulations to Ms. Lea COMMANDER S ACTION LINE Col. Lenny Richoux, 6th AMW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Derrick Crowley, 6 AMW command chief, pin on new Cheif Master Sgt. James May III durring a ceremony for MacDill s newest chiefs last week. Sutfin who was selected Civilian Manpower and Personnel Flight Technician of the Year; Mr. William Pugh was selected Sustainment Services Flight Specialist of the Year; Mr. Victor Jones won Sustainment Services Flight Technician of the Year, Ms. Nancy Wheeler is the The 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 comments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or macdillwingcommander@macdill.af.mil Community Services Flight Specialist of the year, and the FSS Command Staff Manager of the year is Mr. Dennis Zemler. I appreciate the accomplishments and hard work all of you do. I am proud to serve with you in the finest Air Mobility Wing on the face of the planet! MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Denise Palmer Editor: Nick Stubbs The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt Newspapers, 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, including 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. Display advertising or classified advertising information may be obtained by calling News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, Bldg. 25, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or call the MacDill Thunderbolt staff at thunderbolt@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 timeliness. Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual and Air Force Instruction

3 NEWS/FEATURES Your T-bolt Today NEWS/FEATURES: page 4 Helton Hall dedication NEWS/FEATURES: page 4 Toasting the troops SISTER SERVICES: page 6 Courage under fire NEWS/FEATURES: page 8 Operation Cookie Drop NEWS/FEATURES: page 14 Native American s honored COMMUNITY: page 24 Events, movies, more... Tuition Assistance Tid Bit #9 Requesting AF TA: It is the Airman s responsibility to request TA BEFORE the term start date [2.7.1]. Failure to do so will require the member to request an exception in writing to the Chief of Education & Training with justification as to why TA was not requested beforehand. If member registers for a class that TA has not been approved for, it is possible that TA may not be approved (if requested late) and the Airman would be responsible for paying tuition owed the school. AF TA can be requested as early as 60 days prior to the term start date [5.1.5/5.4.7]. Commentary Serve like a champion today by Chief Master Sgt. Craig Hall 6th Mission Support Group As a rabid Notre Dame Irish football fan I have spent many a Saturday huddled around the television cheering my Irish to victory. As most of you are fully aware, the winning tradition I have been accustomed to over the past 40 years has changed quite a bit. The wins are a little less frequent and the championships well quite frankly non-existent. However, the one thing that stays a constant with Notre Dame Irish football is a simple wooden sign. It s this simple wooden sign, painted blue and gold that is mounted on a brick wall at the bottom of a stairwell. On this sign you find the words, Play Like A Champion Today. While the exact origin of the slogan is unknown, the sign that currently hangs in Notre Dame Stadium came courtesy of former coach Lou Holtz. Holtz, a great believer in motivational tools, has spoken to his team at various times about what being a Champion means. The word `champion means you re the best - the very definition of it, Holtz says. You re a bar above the rest. When you play that way, you re going to be the best and if you give your best, that s all you can ask of a person. Soon, the tradition of hitting the sign before every game developed. To Holtz, hitting the sign comes with a solemn commitment. Regardless of the win-loss record, regardless of the problems you have, when you walk out on that field you have an obligation to your teammates and the fans to play to the best of your ability - to play like a champion and to think like a champion, Holtz says. But, I also asked my players that every time they hit that sign, to think about all the sacrifices your family has made; your teammates made in high school; the sacrifices your teachers have made; and you also think of the thousands of people who would love to be in your position. Just think about how fortunate we are. All of these thoughts should go through your mind when you hit that sign - `Play Like A Champion Today. Now, you are probably wondering why should you care about Lou Holtz, Notre Dame Irish football, or better yet an old wooden sign with a slogan on it. Quite honestly, I know I will not be able to convince each of you to jump on the Notre Dame Irish football band wagon (though I promise to make room for each of you if need be), but what I do hope, is that I can convince each of you to see how a college football slogan, when applied to our lives, can not only make us all more effective Air Force leaders, but also more effective leaders in life. For starters let s merely interchange a single word Serve for Play. Our life slogan will be Serve Like A Champion Today. Are you ready to make a solemn commitment to serve? The word Serve shouldn t come to anyone as a big surprise as it has been part of our Air Force heritage for years. We all joined the Service. Many people refer to us as Servicemen (or women). One of our core values is Service before Self. But what is truly meant to commit to serve? Making a commitment to serve should not be taken lightly. To serve is the act(s) of extending yourself for others by identifying and meeting their legitimate needs and seeking their greatest good. This comes with a personal price as we must sacrifice many times our own priorities, wants, needs, desires and time. However, I would challenge anyone wanting to be a leader that they must first be a servant. If you choose to lead you must serve. If you truly commit yourself to servant leadership you will not find a more fulfilling path in life. A question I always get is, But how do I know if I am an effective servant leader? Here I hope to provide you a simple tool that I hope will be helpful as you serve/lead throughout your life. One process that has proven extremely helpful in my career is what I call my End of Day report card. This is a short list of questions I ask myself at the end of each day to gauge how I served, not only my Airmen, but everyone I encountered. I use this personal report card to identify where I did great and where I can do better, to determine how I can be a stronger servant leader. The beauty of it all is that with each day comes a new beginning. I get to learn from my previous days, reaffirm my commitment to serve, and inevitably step toward being a Champion servant leader. See COMMENTARY, Page 12

4 NEWS/FEATURES Dedication of SFS building fitting tribute to fallen Airman by Nick Stubbs Thunderbolt editor When he served with the 6th Security Forces Squadron at MacDill, 1st Lt. Joseph Helton s positive attitude and leadership skills were an inspiration to many, making the tragedy of his death in Baghdad, Iraq a year ago that much more poignant for his fellow cops. But Lieutenant Helton s spirit and influence will go on, when the newly constructed 6th Security Force headquarters building will be dedicated as Helton Hall. The ceremony will be today, Friday, at noon at the security forces building. Everyone is welcome to attend. Capt. Christopher Suhar, assistant operations officer for the 6 SFS said the dedication is a fitting tribute to a great Airman and officer. During his brief time here he had a positive impact on many lives, said Captain Suhar. Now he will continue to touch lives after his death. Captain Suhar said some 25 family members and friends of Lieutenant Helton s are expected to attend the dedication ceremony in Toast to the Troops comes to town by Senior Airman Katherine Holt 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs addition to the many fellow servicemembers who will be on hand. A special two-mile run will be held the morning of the ceremony, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. at the Security Forces headquarters. No registration is needed, and all Military members are invited to show up and run. A correct PT uniform is required. Lieutenant Helton deployed to Iraq in 2009, serving with the 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, where he led a team of Airmen, Soldiers, and interpreters as they developed 1,100 Iraqi Policemen into a self-sufficient law and order force serving 90 square miles and 2.1 million citizens in Southern Baghdad. On Sept. 8, 2009, while on his 44th outsidethe-wire mission in the Mahmudiyah District of Baghdad, an improvised explosive device exploded adjacent to his vehicle, killing him instantly and injuring two other Airmen. On that fateful day, Lieutenant Helton took the mission (for which he was not scheduled) in order to give one of his Airmen a break. Lieutenant Helton was the first Security Forces Officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War. Courtesy photo 1st Lt. Joseph Helton, killed in action Sept. 8, The USO will enlist the help of military spouses and other volunteers here, Dec. 10 to assemble 10,000 USO care packages. Since 2005, the Jack Daniels Distillery has been collecting personal messages of support in the form of toasts to include in USO care packages, and has hosted 12 other stuffing parties at military installations across the country. The goal is to fill 10,000 plastic bags with international calling cards, toiletries, sunscreen and other items specifically requested by deployed servicemembers. The stuffing party will include a thank you barbecue for the volunteers and assistance from country music artist Craig Morgan. There s nothing like getting packages from home. Having been in the military, I understand the importance of supporting the men and women in the armed forces, said Morgan, who served 10 years in the Army. Morgan, who is scheduled to perform a free concert later in the evening for the volunteers and military fans, has been a part of all nine See TO THE POINT, Page 22 Photo by SPC Jhon Stimac Country musician Craig Morgan performs one of his hit singles during the recent Stars for Stripes tour at Joint Base Balad, Iraq

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6 SISTER SERVICES SF Soldier, AF JTAC show bravery in the face of fire, receive valor awards Special Operations Task Force- North Public Affairs Advising, training and assisting Iraqi Security Forces is one of the key missions for U.S. Forces in Iraq during Operation New Dawn. The Iraqis are in the lead for security operations, and U.S. forces facilitate their requests for help since the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces are continually developing. One request emerged shortly after the transition to Operation New Dawn. On Sept. 12, an Army Special Forces Warrant Officer and an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller from Special Operations Task Force North, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula, became decisively engaged in one of the largest operations since the beginning of Operation New Dawn. On Oct. 23, the two men were awarded Bronze Star Medals for valorous actions while advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces in the village of Hadid in Diyala province. The two servicemen, along with other members of a Special Forces detachment, and members of the Iraqi 5th Emergency Response Battalion, responded to a request for assistance in the small village northwest of Baqubah, Iraq. We knew there was shooting going on, but we weren t expecting to get too much out of it, the Air Force JTAC said. Once the combined U.S. Special Forces and Iraqi Emergency Response Battalion force arrived in the village, they coordinated with the Iraqi commander in charge of the operation as well as the senior U.S. commander on the ground. The two commanders discussed a plan of attack. In response to the Iraqi commander s request, the U.S. commander requested the JTAC to call for an airstrike to eliminate one of the enemy s key positions. Two bombs were dropped by F- 16s overhead, which neutralized a building enemy fighters were using for cover. The JTAC said he was in the mindset that the team could be See SISTER SERVICES, Page 18 Photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Wilt. A Bronze Star Medal with Valor hangs from the pocket of a U.S. Air Force JTAC assigned to the Special Operations Task Force North, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula.

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8 We re looking for a few good Gingerbread Men. (And cookies, brownies, and other fresh-baked holiday treats.) The mission: Spread TLC to some VIPs: MacDill s Dorm Residents! Your task: Bring cookies in disposable containers to Chapel Annex Two or the Brandon Clinic from 0700 to 1300 hrs on Mon Dec 13 Not able to bake? Not a problem! Donations of gallon ziploc bags and large disposable (i.e., Ziploc, Gladware) containers also needed Questions: Contact Michele Richoux, lmrichoux@gmail.com THANK YOU for supporting our single and unaccompanied troops!! The 6th Annual Operation Cookie Drop is sponsored by MacDill Officer Spouses Club and Enlisted Spouses Club.

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12 commentary From Page 3 Here is a short list of questions I ask myself at the end of each day to prepare me for the new beginning that comes with each sunrise. Keep in mind this list is personalized. Feel free to add or subtract to your own report card as deemed necessary in your life. Before I lay my head on my pillow at night, I answer the following questions 1. Did I walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it comes to our Air Force core values, standards and commitment to serve? 2. Did I honor/respect the partnership between leader and team member? 3. Did I put my people first and myself last? 4. Did I take the time to STOP and listen to show care to all people? 5. Did I respect those around me enough to provide answers to their important questions (closing concern-loops)? Of course, my report card results (as will yours) vary from day to day and week to week. Some days I do better than others, but as I stated earlier this End of Day report card is not to be used to break your spirit but as a tool to reinvent yourself with the coming of a new day. Are you ready for your solemn commitment to being a Champion? I challenge each of you to approach each day to be a champion and expect the same out of your Airmen. To do your very best raise the bar of service higher and higher for yourself as well as for each of your Airmen. Each of us needs to create a culture that exudes the mindset of a Champion. When you lay your head on the pillow each night will you be able to say you gave 100 percent and served like a champion today? (Hmmm sounds like something Coach Lou Holtz would say) Now are you ready to hit our Serve Like A Champion Today sign? As with the Notre Dame football team hitting the sign before a game you should understand the responsibility that comes with hitting (figuratively/literally) our Serve Like A Champion Today sign before the start of each and every day. Regardless of the personal problems in our lives when we start our day we have an obligation to our fellow Airmen and the citizens of the United States of America to serve to the best of our ability to serve like a champion and to think like a champion. Each of us, each morning when we commit to Serve Like A Champion Today need to think about the sacrifices our families have made, the servicemen that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and also the thousands of people who would give anything to be in our position to serve the greatest country on the planet. All of these thoughts of Service, what it means to be a Champion should go through your mind when you reaffirm your commitment each morning and hit that sign - `Serve Like A Champion Today. Join me, and Serve Like A Champion Today.

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14 MacDill recognizes Native Americans Photos by Staff Sgt. Nancy Hook Katy Voshell, Bright Butterfly, performs a traditional native american dance for an audience at the bayshore club Nov. 29, for the Native American Month Ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base. Ron Voshell, Racoon Dreamer, speaks can Month Ceremony

15 s Fran Chastine, Grandma Coyote, tells animated stories to a crowd. Story telling has been a rich part of Native American culture for centuries, and is a way to pass on traditions and history. to an audience at the Bayshore Club Nov. 29, for the Native Ameri- (Background) Native American Month was celebrated at the Bayshore Club with dancers, music, and story-telling Nov. 29, at MacDill Air Force Base. November is Native American Heritage Month, in which we recognize the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States.

16 Thunderbolt needs your news The MacDill Thunderbolt is seeking submissions from all units and agencies on base. The base newspaper serves everyone on MacDill Air Force Base, which means everyone on base should think of it as their forum for news and information. We welcome articles, photographs and calendar items, as well as commentaries and personal stories. Submissions can be made via to af.mil All content is subject to editing for style, content and length.

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18 sister services From Page 6 in for a firefight, but didn t expect to be dropping any bombs due to the current role of U.S. Forces in Operation New Dawn. Once the building was neutralized, the 5th Iraqi Emergency Response Battalion and their U.S. counterparts were tasked to clear a nearby palm grove. It was during the clearing operation when the simple task of advising and assisting became not so simple. After several assaults on the grove by the Iraqi Security Forces, the 5th Emergency Response Battalion, an Iraqi counterterrorism unit, moved into the palm grove with the Special Forces detachment observing a short distance behind them. As the combined force approached suspected enemy positions, they were engaged by small-arm and machine gun fire. During the ensuing firefight, an Iraqi soldier was wounded. Disregarding his own safety, a U.S. Special Forces medical sergeant from the detachment went to the Iraqi soldier s aid. The detachment s chief warrant officer followed the medic to provide cover and was struck in the chin by a piece of shrapnel from a ricocheted bullet. The chief warrant officer said when he ran to accompany the Special Forces medical sergeant, he was struck by a bullet fragment. I just saw blood on my uniform and weapon, he added. I wasn t worried about it at the time. I was worried about [the Special Forces medical sergeant] and getting the Iraqis to mitigate the threat. The chief warrant officer said he tried to organize the Iraqi forces to regain the initiative. He advised the Emergency Response Battalion to bring gun trucks into the grove to help regain momentum. At the direction of the U.S. commander, the JTAC coordinated with the detachment leadership to use the supporting AH-64 Apache helicopters to conduct strafing runs on suspected insurgent positions within the palm grove as the combined force moved to a new position. After reorganizing, the force began a second advance on the enemy s position. During the renewed assault, several members of the detachment became pinned down as the Emergency Response Battalion forces moved through the grove ahead of them. The JTAC said as the team moved forward, they were faced with sniper and machine gun fire. Despite the gunfire, the JTAC said they continued moving forward using a trench system for cover. As the team advanced, he continually attempted to employ the available air support to locate the enemy position. During the firefight, the JTAC was shot in the helmet, and the bullet remained lodged in it. I believe it was a direct hit, he added. It rocked me pretty good. Once cleared by the medical sergeant, he continued directing the aircraft overhead. The team continued advancing until darkness fell on the grove. I stand in awe of everyone in this formation, Cucolo said as he thanked them for their deeds. Both the Special Forces chief warrant officer and the JTAC were modest about their actions. I don t really care about the awards, the chief warrant officer said. I care about my guys and I care about improving the 5th Emergency Response Battalion. The JTAC said he doesn t know why he received the award. I was just doing my job, he said, doing what I was trained to do.

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22 troops From Page 4 toasts since its beginning four years ago. His involvement began when Jack Daniel s and the USO were seeking artists who wanted to participate. We were asked and we ve been doing it ever since. Now we come to them and ask them when the next one is, Morgan joked. This gives me a great deal of appreciation for what these men and women are doing, the sacrifices they and their families are making, Morgan explained. The stuffing party is scheduled to begin at noon in Hangar 3 and concludes at 3:30 p.m. The full-band, hour-long concert is scheduled to begin after the stuffing party has concluded. No federal endorsement implied

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24 MACDILL COMMUNITY EVENTS Friday Bayshore Club Membership Breakfast from 6:30-8:30 a.m. Club Members FREE! Nonmembers: $6.95 Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta Come out and cheer the teams on at the Base Beach. Races begin at 1 p.m. Youth Center Just Dance Competition from 3-6 p.m. Come get your party on with Wii Just Dance. Prizes to be awarded. Saturday Airman & Family Readiness Center Key Spouse Training from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call CHAPEL SCHEDULE Protestant services Sunday - 9 a.m., Traditional Service 10:30 a.m., Religious Education, Noon, Gospel Service Wednesday - 10:30 a.m., Women of the Chapel Thursday - 11:30 a.m., Officers Christian Fellowship. For more information regarding the Chapel or Chapel services, call Base Library Come decorate the tree in the Children s Room at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be served. Base Beach Sounds & Sand at 2 p.m. FREE Live music Three Cats & a Hat. Everyone Welcome! For more information, call Youth Center Teen Nite from 7-11 p.m. Making holiday gifts, playing board games, music and food. Free for YC members; $2 for non-members. Thursday Free Trees for Troops! Bldg. 72 Parking Lot from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. for Active Duty military and their families* 1-3 p.m. for everyone else with base access* *660 trees will be available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Limit ONE TREE PER FAMILY! For more info, call 6th FSS Marketing at AT THE MOVIES Friday - 7 p.m. Red (PG-13) Saturday - 3 p.m. Hearafter (PG-13) Catholic services Saturday - 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) Islamic services Friday - 1:15 p.m. Jewish services - Call $4 for adults / $2 for children Saturday - 7 p.m. Jackass 3D (R)