Vol. 43, No. 9 Thursday, February 26, 2015 News/Features: page 3 Black History Month Week in photos: page 4 Images from MacDill News/Features: page 6 MacDill recycling goal Air Force News: page 7 Air Force acquisitions Community: page 17 Events, Chapel, more... Last survivor of Hiroshima mission - page 10 Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro Russell Gackenbach, the navigator aboard the B-29 Superfortress Necessary Evil, during the nuclear bombing mission over Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, shows a photograph he took during the historic day, from his home in Clearwater, Feb 10. Gackenbach is the last surviving member from the mission.
COMMAND CORNER Air Force medicine: A vision for the future by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis Air Force Surgeon General The United States Air Force s core missions are air and space superiority, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control. These are almost identical (but in different terms) to the missions the USAF had in 1947. But we now do these missions in three domains: Air, Space and Cyberspace. In the Air Force I grew up in, the operators were primarily pilots and navigators. There are many more types of operators these days, as airpower is projected through the various domains in very new ways. Air Force medicine is adapting and innovating to better support the Airmen who safeguard this country 24/7, 365 days a year. In that regard, Air Force medicine is now focusing on human performance. This is not a huge shift for us. Since the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) began in 1949, Air Force medics have focused on occupational and population health and prevention. We are simply taking it to the next level. Our AFMS strategy embraces this, and to focus on this as a priority, we recently changed the AFMS vision: Our supported population is the healthiest and highest performing segment of the U.S. by 2025. This is an audacious but achievable goal, which is focused on health rather than health care and is clearly connected to the imperative to assure optimal performance of Airmen. Every Airman (or other service member) has human performance demands placed on them by virtue of their operational and mission tasks. These demands have changed, rather than decreased, due to the technologies employed in current mission environments. In view of the evolving Air Force, the AFMS is evolving to ensure that as many of our supported service members are available to their commander as possible, and are able to perform the exquisite set of skills that are now required of them. Health in the context of mission equates to performance and every medic COMMANDER S ACTION LINE or health care team must know how the mission might affect the health of the individual, or unit, and how medical support affects the mission. I think this is just as relevant for other beneficiaries -- to include family members and retirees, who also have performance goals in their day-to-day activities. Toward that goal, we have begun either embedding or dedicating medics to directly support missions such as special operations, remotely piloted aircraft, ISR and explosive ordnance disposal, which have had a clearly positive impact on those Airmen, their mission effectiveness and their families. We are moving rapidly to make this mission specific support a more widespread practice. At the clinic level, our intent is to provide customized prevention, access and care for patients, recognizing specific stresses associated with career specialties. Our goal is to prevent physical or mental injuries where possible, and, if we are unable to prevent, then to provide rapid access to the right team for care and recovery to full performance. As a result, mission The Action Line provides 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. Email macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis effectiveness and quality of life should improve, and long-term injuries or illnesses are mitigated to provide for a healthier, more active life, long after separation or retirement. Concordantly, longterm health care costs and disability compensation should also decrease. Patient safety and quality care are foundational to supporting our beneficiaries in their quest for better health and improved perfor- See CORNER, Page 14 MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Brian Burns 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 (813) 259-7455. News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6amw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil. Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays 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 35-101.
NEWS/FEATURES MacDill commemorates Black History Month with cultural event by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr. 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Each year Team MacDill does its part to commemorate black history in the month of February. This year a black history cultural event was held and a guest speaker was invited to speak at the Airman Leadership School auditorium, Feb. 17. The event began with the presenting of the colors by the base honor guard, followed by the national anthem and a rendition of Lift Every Voice. An invocation was given before Col. Reginald Godbolt, 6th Maintenance Group commander, came forward to introduce the guest speaker. The guest speaker, Dr. Carolyn Collins, former president of the Hillsborough County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, spoke on the contributions of important African American figures throughout history, as well as the importance of remembering past black history. It is important for us to examine our past See HISTORY, Page 16 Photo by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr. Col. Reginald Godbolt, 6th Maintenance Group commander, presents Dr. Carolyn Collins, former president of the Hillsborough County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a plaque during a black history cultural event at MacDill Air Force Base, Feb. 17. The event consisted of the singing of the national anthem and a rendition of Lift Every Voice, an invocation and guest speaker presentation. MacDill Airman fights death, defies odds by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs All I remember was calling my dad to tell him I didn t feel well, and then waking up three weeks later in the hospital with equipment hooked up all over my body and tubes attached to my nose and throat... I was terrified. Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 6th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment craftsman, had only been in the Air Force for roughly a year when he had an adverse reaction to a pre-deployment Smallpox vaccination. According to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, for every million people vaccinated for Smallpox, roughly 33 could have a life-threatening reaction to the vaccine. Following the reaction, Smith underwent a total of 34 days of medical monitoring, to include two weeks spent in a coma. He was diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, a neurological, immune-mediated disorder in which widespread inflammation of the brain and spinal cord damages tissue. Once he was able to show proper brain, motor, and auditory function, Smith was released back to his home of record for outpatient rehab, where continuous thoughts filled his head. The entire time I asked myself, why me? Why this obstacle placed in my life? I m new to the Air Force all I want is to serve my country and deploy, said Smith. After spending a little over two months in rehab, Smith was cleared by his doctor to return to temporary duty, where a whole new set of struggles began. Now, he had to ensure that his recovery continued so he could save the career he had always dreamed of. With degraded endurance and a series of permanent lesions on his brain, Smith did the See FIGHT, Page 16 Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith survived a close call that not only threatened his Air Force career, but also his life.
WEEK IN PHOTOS MacDill Recycling Squad members weigh and pour recyclables into bins to be collected the next morning at MacDill Air Force Base, Feb. 18. The team meets every Wednesday to collect and record the weight of the items from each dorm building before placing them in the recycling bins to be picked up the next morning. Photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde Photo by Staff Sgt. Dana D. Flamer KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, prepare for launch as part of an Elephant Walk Feb. 20. Elephant Walk is a historic, uniquely Air Force term that describes the nose-to-tail, single-file taxi movements of the aircraft synonymous with the nose-to-tail trail of lumbering elephants. Senior Airman Gloria Diaz, 6th Force Support Squadron, processes Staff Sgt. James Davis, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, through the Personnel Deployment Function Line during a generation exercise at MacDill Air Force Base, Feb. 19. The PDF line is a multi-functional entity consisting of agency representatives ensuring personnel are prepared to deploy.
NEWS/FEATURES Recycling Inspections: Lessons Learned by Eric Vichich 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Recycling Program manager A team of volunteers inspected the base in January to assess compliance with environmental regulations and policies. Recycling was a major focus of the effort, as the base strived to improve performance in this area to meet an ambitious goal established by Executive Order 13154. MacDill currently diverts 45 percent of its waste from the landfill/ incinerator, but the EO calls for the diversion of at least 50 percent by the end of fiscal year 15. This means that we have to find a way to recycle at least 21 more tons (approx. two pounds per person) every month. The 6th Air Mobility Wing leadership has deemed reaching the EO goal as an important outcome to be tracked and achieved. MacDill is working toward a goal of diverting 50 percent of its waste to recycling centers. Thirty-four facilities were inspected and only eight were found to be in compliance. Below are some common findings and the appropriate corrective actions that should be taken. Courtesy graphic Individuals not having a recycling bin: Less than 40 percent of the individuals had immediate access to a recycling bin. The Environ- See RECYCLE, Page 12
AIR FORCE NEWS Priorities of AF acquisition outlined at symposium by Staff Sgt. Christopher Gross Air Force News Service ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) Dr. William A. LaPlante, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, outlined the Air Force s top acquisition priorities during the Air Force Association s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 13, in Orlando, Florida. LaPlante pointed out five key areas of focus which included: Get high priority programs right and keep them on the right track. Improve relationships and transparency with stakeholders. Own the technical baseline for important programs. Build Better Buying Power to improve business and small business in order to achieve best program outcomes. Build long-term strategy, resiliency to peer competitors, experiment and innovate strategic agility. The high priority programs included KC-46A Pegasus and F-35A Lightning II programs. They re the daily operation of the Air Force and LaPlante said they just need to keep on progressing to ensure they re See ACQUISITION, Page 8 Photo by Scott M. Ash Dr. William A. LaPlante talks to attendees of the Air Force Association s Annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 13, in Orlando. LaPante is the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. He spoke about Air Force procurement strategy and challenges.
ACQUISITION From Page 7 done right. His second priority dealt with the complexity of the acquisition world. We have really put effort into trying to make ourselves more transparent, he said. Acquisition is hard to understand, it s filled with acronyms, it s filled with history, (and) we don t talk about it clearly. The chief and the secretary both instinctively realized that we re not going to make progress together on bringing prices down, bringing costs down and innovating, if we in the Air Force do not have regular, meaningful conversations with industry, he continued. One way of improving the lines of communication between the Air Force and industry is through Bending the Cost Curve initiative, a 2014 Air Force initiative to address escalation in weapon system costs and development times. It s designed to improve dialogue with industry partners, expand competition among traditional and non-traditional industry partners and improve internal Air Force acquisition processes. LaPlante insisted there needs to be a regular venue of discussion outside of the source selection and competition process. He said those discussions will bring ideas of innovation cost cutting and boosting efficiency. One way to boost the efficiency of the work being done is to hold program offices to higher standards. LaPlante also discussed the Better Buying Program 3.0, based on the principle that continuous improvement is the best approach to improving the performance of the defense acquisition enterprise. He used cost capability analysis charts to demonstrate effective tradeoffs between cost and warfighting capabilities as an example of how the Air Force is improving the performance of defense acquisitions. There will be a much better understanding and a way for us to know what we re paying for and willing to pay for, he said. LaPlante also discussed the long-term strategy of the Air Force and how talking about it now is a plus for the industry. I think the Air Force has been really good in the last few years about not changing requirements on its programs, he said. We need to continue with the discipline, but then we have to establish them early enough to give industry a chance so they re not at risk. However at the same time, there needs to be strategic agility incorporated into those plans, he said. Strategic agility means we also have to deal with the unknown and we have to assume that we re going to operate these systems in ways we will not predict, he said. We re going to have the adversary doing things we cannot predict.
Last surviving member from Hiroshima bombing mission reflects on 70th anniversary by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs In a small one-bedroom apartment in Clearwater, 91-year-old Russell Gackenbach, sits on his floral patterned sofa, thumbing through a photo album containing originals of some of the most iconic people and events in United States military history. This is me and Tibbets (Col. Paul Tibbets, pilot of the Enola Gay), Gachenback says, as he points to two Army Air Corps officers standing next to one another. This was me and Necessary Evil, the plane I flew on as we dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Gackenbach was a second lieutenant aircraft navigator and photographer who flew into the heart of Japan on Aug. Russell Gackenbach 6, 1945, as Little Boy, a 9,000-pound uranium-235 atomic bomb was dropped onto Hiroshima, Japan. The significance of this event is immeasurable, as it was the first time a nuclear device had been used as a wartime strategy, which ultimately led to Japan agreeing to an unconditional surrender on Aug. 14, 1945 and the end of World War II. In September of 1944, we were approached by a colonel who stressed that he was forming an elite group that was to be made up from the best in the Air Force, said Gackenbach. The missions were to be dangerous and if anyone was not able to deal with the secrecy of the group, they may leave, because what you see here, when you leave here, must stay here. Gackenbach stayed with the group. The group trained for nearly a year dropping what they called pumpkins, which were the same weight as the atom bomb, but had slightly different characteristics. Preparation missions continued all the way up until Aug.. 5, 1945, the day prior to the dropping of the first atomic bomb. On Aug. 5 the crews scheduled for the bombing mission were called to a special briefing. Here, they were given only the information needed for the flight: route and individual job assignments. Few knew exactly what was aboard the plane. We did not know what type of bomb we had; did not know what type of blast to expect; did not know the effect off it, said Gackenbach. The See SURVIVOR, Page 18 Courtesy photo Pictured is 2nd Lt. Russell Gackenbach who was aboard Necessary Evil, the B-29 Superfortress used during the bombing on Hiroshima, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945. Pictured above is Necessary Evil, the B-29 Superfortress used during the bombing on Hiroshima, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro (Left) Russell Gackenbach, former B-29 Superfortress navigator, looks through a photo album, Feb. 10, at his home in Clearwater. Gackenbach was a part of the atomic bomb mission on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945. (Right) Russell Gackenbach, former B-29 Superfortress navigator, shows photographs from the bombing on Hiroshima, Japan, Feb. 10, Clearwater. Gackenbach is credited with taking some of the only photos of the first atomic bomb used in combat. Courtesy photo Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro
recycle From Page 6 mental office provides free recycling bins; contact it to make arrangements. A person should not have to walk farther to recycle than they do to throw something in the trash. Using recycling bins for something else: A lot of people use a recycling bin as their trash can, a storage container, or something else. Recycling funds purchase these bins and they may only be used as recycling bins. Only recycling paper: The curbside recycling program allows all recyclables to be mixed in one bin. Plastic, aluminum, and other recyclables should be placed in the bin as well. Recyclables in the trash can: More than half of the trash cans had recyclable material in them. Consult the recycling guide to ensure you are recycling all possible materials. Plastic bags/film in the recycling bin: Plastic bags and films are not allowed in the recycling bins. They can damage the sorting facility equipment and should be placed in the trash or taken to a retail store that collects these types of bags. Paper fast food bags in the trash: We don t want the burger wrappers or napkins that are contaminated with food or grease, but the clean paper bags should go in the recycling bin. Recycling inspections will continue throughout the year. Please ensure your unit is in compliance now to avoid receiving a formal finding. For more information, email 6CES/CEV@us.af.mil or call 828-0460.
CORNER From Page 2 mance. In order to improve both safety and quality, we are committed as part of the Military Health System (MHS) to becoming a high-reliability health care system. This is a journey being undertaken by health care systems across the country. To achieve this goal, we need a focused commitment by our leadership and staff, instilling a culture of safety and quality, and a constant measurement of the care we provide, combined with robust process improvement at all levels. These key tenets will enable the AFMS to achieve the principles of high reliability seen in the aviation and nuclear communities, and are aimed at eliminating medical errors. To that end, we are committed to strengthening our performance-improvement programs and training all medics as process improvers. This will require advanced training for key leaders and staff, driving process improvement activities from the executive suite down to the front lines of our clinics and wards. A great example of this is Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgery Center s Gateway Academy, designed to equip mid- and senior-level leaders with the knowledge and skills to lead in an innovative environment. Another area where we are pursuing process improvement is obstetric care. All military treatment facilities with maternal-fetal care have implemented standardized checklists and operating instructions created by a team of AFMS obstetric care subject matter experts. The consistency provided by these clinically proven guidelines allows medical staff to work in any Air Force OB department, with the confidence that the processes are the same regardless of location. Additionally, these experts have worked with Air Force Medical Modeling and Simulation Training to implement state-of-the-art mobile emergencies simulator training for all staff that cares for OB patients. This technology promotes teamwork and communication, enabling a systematic approach aimed at managing infrequent, yet high-risk, obstetric emergencies. Air Force Intensive Care Unit representatives also are working on updated checklists and bundles to ensure standardized evidence-based practices and soon will begin to work hand in hand with the other military branch s medical services to decrease variability throughout the entire MHS. In addition, we are working to enhance communication across the AFMS. Because medical errors often involve miscommunication between medical staff, our inpatient facilities have teamed with the Joint Commission s Center for Transforming Healthcare to develop a comprehensive strategy using a Targeted Solutions Tool to prevent patient handoff communication failures. All AFMS inpatient facilities are participating in this program. Coupled with this initiative are programs such as TeamSTEPPs and Time Outs, which our staffs use to facilitate open feedback and training. A culture of safety requires that all AFMS members are empowered and understand their responsibility to report any unsafe condition or error. After more than 13 years of war, in which the MHS attained the lowest died-of-wounds rate and the lowest disease/non-battle injury rate in history, the AFMS is envisioning future conflicts and adjusting our concepts of operations to prepare to provide medical support in situations that could be very different than what we have faced in the current long war. Among many efforts, we are focusing on en route care (aeromedical and critical care evacuation), expeditionary medical operations and support to personnel during combat operations. Future contingencies may require longer transport times of more acute casualties without the benefit of stabilization in fixed facilities, as we have had in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have to consider worst-case scenarios, which will prepare us well for less challenging circumstances. By enhancing clinical skills through partnerships with busy, high acuity civilian medical centers, such as our training programs in Baltimore, Maryland; Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; and, most recently, Las Vegas, Nevada, regular sustainment training for all team personnel and developing new medical capabilities, we are committed to being just as ready or more ready at the beginning of the next war as we were at the end of the current one. Our nation expects no less -- and our warriors deserve no less. With our vision of health and performance in mind, the Air Force Medical Service is committed to providing the best prevention and care possible to a rapidly changing Air Force, both at the home base and deployed. I am confident that we are on course to ensure medically fit forces, provide the best expeditionary medics on the planet and improve the health of all we serve to meet our nation s needs.
FIGHT From Page 3 only thing he knew would save his career: remain positive, work hard, and hold no remorse. Although it was a slow road to recovery, the extra effort to achieve his goals paid off. Now, roughly five years after his hospitalization, Smith has amassed a series of more-than-honorable accomplishments. He has deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, traveled to 12 different countries for the Air Force, served on a base Honor Guard flight, and has earned three Air Force Achievement Medals and two Air Force Commendation medals. I was given a second chance for a reason to inspire others to never give up on their dreams, goals, and aspirations, said Smith. I want to send a message that the only person that is capable of stopping you is yourself. history From Page 3 histories and cultures, said Collins. Collins shared some of the accomplishments of a few of the most iconic African Americans in history, as well as the accomplishments of those who are not as well known. Additionally, Collins explained how the NAACP came into existence and how it is important to recognize how individuals who weren t African American played a major role in its creation. Out of the 67 people who came together to create the NAACP, only five were black, said Collins. So we owe a big thanks to those others who were willing to aid in its creation. At the event s conclusion, Collins was presented with a plaque by Godbolt to thank her for her presentation. From being given little chance to live, fighting through a physical and emotional rehab, and facing a medical evaluation board, Smith s passion for his country and his Air Force career pushed him through the darkest of times. My love for the Air Force is indescribable; I have the chance to help defend the greatest country in the world, said Smith. Even though the odds are sometimes unfavorable, staying goal-focused is all it takes to push through and persevere. Smith now serves as an Aircrew Flight Equipment craftsman, where he is in charge of ensuring all flight equipment from flight helmets to oxygen masks is in perfect working order. He is also responsible for ensuring all emergency safety equipment and survival kits are ready to go should they be needed.
MACDILL COMMUNITY EVENTS Saturday Airman & Family Readiness Center EFMP/Deployed Quantum Leap Farm from 12:30-3:30 p.m. A day of fun and therapy with horseback riding for deployed and EFMP families. Seascapes Beach House Steak-n-Date Night served from 5-8 p.m. Creole seasoned or blackened rib eye with garlic roasted potatoes, fresh vegetable du jour & crispy French bread & butter $15.95. Add a house salad with your choice of dressing $1.95. Ask about our dessert & drink specials. As always, club membership ciscounts apply. Tuesday MacDill ITT Travel Expo 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Everyone welcome; free admission; come check out cruises, hotels, area attractions and sports team vendors at the BX Mall/Food Court area. Door prizes; ;attraction tickets, hotel stays, memorabilia, and a grand prize (TBA) will be given away during the show *Do not need to be present to win. Stop by the 6th Force Support Squadron MWR table for an additional opportunity to win a second prize. The MWR bundle includes gift certificate, memorabilia and more. Sponsored by USAA *No federal endorsement of sponsor intended. Call 828-2478 for info. Tuesday MacDill Lanes & Family Fun Center Single Airman Lunch & Bowl from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free games and shoes. Protestant service Sunday - 11 a.m. - Contemporary Service Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - FAMCAMP Service Islamic service Friday - 1:30 p.m. - Muslim Prayer Service Catholic services Saturday - 5:30 p.m. - Mass Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass Monday-Thursday - 12:10 p.m. Mass Call the chapel at 828-3621 for more information or visit the chapel web site at http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro An F-22 Raptor is refueled by a 6th Air Mobility Wing KC-135 Stratotanker on Feb 20. The Refueling was part of a 4-ship formation associated with a generation exercise held from Feb. 16-20. CHAPEL SCHEDULE Wednesday Boomers Bar & Grill Wednesday Bash 4-8 p.m. Free bar snacks, drink specials, bar bingo, trivia, DJ and guaranteed $100 weekly club card winner.
survivor From Page 10 only thing we were told was, don t fly through the cloud. As we approached Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, the Enola Gay and The Great Artiste went forward, as we stayed behind and did a looping 360 degree turn, recounts Gackenbach. When we came out of the turn, the radios went dead; and when the radio went dead, we were alerted, Bomb bay doors open, bombs away. Shortly after, the Enola Gay and The Great Artiste made diving turns to the right, to get as far away from the bomb as they could. As for Gackenbach and Necessary Evil, because they lagged the first two aircraft, the bomb exploded, on time, in front of them. The delay between our aircraft was planned; we were to document the event, said Gackenbach. The photographs seen around the world were ones I had taken approximately one minute after detonation, at a height of 30,000 feet, roughly 16 miles from the city. From the time the mission began until the time the crews returned, they knew that this was no ordinary bombing mission. We were awestruck; we didn t know what to say, or do, or anything, said Gackenbach. We made three turns around the cloud and headed home to Tinian; I did not hear the word atomic until the next day. The significance of the event was unclear until days later, when the crews were shown photographs of Hiroshima. That was when they truly understood the devastation of their mission. Looking back at the event 70 years later, I still believe the right decision was made and I think that President Truman knew that as well, said Gackenbach. Can you imagine if people found out that we had this capability and did not use it? To this day, you can still find Gackenbach, the lone-surviving member from the first atomic bombing, traveling from school to school, city to city, shaking hands and giving his firsthand account from one of the most defining moments in U.S. military history. Ask him if he would do things over and he ll tell you, I do not regret the part I played in it; it was the right decision. Be sure to visit the MacDill Air Force Base website at www.macdill.af.mil