MacDill CAREs - page 12

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Vol. 41, No. 9 Thursday, February 28, 2013 MacDill CAREs - page 12 Photo by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Margelofsky, United States Special Operations Command air and training NCO in charge, fastens a helmet on Aidan Diaz, 10, during MacDill s annual Contingency and Readiness Education event at MacDill Air Force Base, Feb. 26. CARE provides a hands-on learning experience to military children to help them understand what their parents undergo during a deployment.

COMMANDER S CORNER Preserving our brand by Lt. Col. Leslie Maher 6th Operations Support Squadron commander If you haven t heard, we may not be executing an AirFest this year due to budget constraints. AirFests aren t just about touring the different aircraft and being thrilled by aerial demonstrations. More importantly, AirFests provide the Air Force and other services a focused opportunity to recruit future service members and engage the community through personal contact. Our goal is to leave a lasting impression with the community, with the hopes of enticing the youth to consider us for their future and to continue garnering tangible support that enhances the lives of our Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen. As a commander, I absolutely value the opportunity the AirFest gives me to show off my Airmen to Tampa and its visitors. However, over the last year, I have found that I don t really need to wait for an AirFest to see that the Air Force s brand of leadership is already making an impression outside the gate. I have seen this firsthand during my time as a member of the 2013 Leadership Tampa class. Here are a few examples. In Ybor City, retired Col. Jack Evans leads the Hillsborough Community College Workforce Center. He proposed, planned, budgeted and executed a train-to-work program that now produces this city s next generation of automotive specialists, firemen, police officers, and, soon, welders. In every class, he has infused the leadership and management techniques he learned throughout his 30 years of service as both a non commissioned officer and an officer. The industry demand for his graduates is enviable 91 percent placement of his students by their graduation date, 100 percent overall. In addition, he continues to engage the local industries to understand what expertise shortfalls exist and then builds the coursework to train Tampa s citizens for those jobs. This hero is literally putting Tampa to work, using the exact same model we in the Air Force use to train our Airmen. At Plant High School, Coach Robert Weiner asks his football players to report in to his office every morning at 7:15 a.m. This roll call is so that he can lay eyes on each of his teenage players. If they don t check in, he follows up to find out why. Accountability, commitment and adhering to standards are key to the coach s program of keeping the school s youth on a productive and inspirational path. At the Faulkenburg Road Jail, members of the Stageworks Theater Group from Channelside are engaging with younger inmates to seek productive ways of changing their destructive behavior. These resiliency classes, COMMANDER S ACTION LINE 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. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636) or email macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil. Lt. Col. Leslie Maher as they are called, work to build trust and communication with mentors through the use of acting techniques. This engagement has aided counselors and other helping agencies to get to the core of inmate s problems. It has also enabled the inmates to tackle their rampant drug and mental issues issues that affect over 78 percent of the jail s population. These three examples are just a mere sampling of what I have observed through my experience in the Leadership Tampa 13 class. I have encountered personnel and organizations See CORNER, Page 7 Commander s vision To view Col. Scott DeThomas remarks on his vision for MacDill AFB, go to www.macdill.af.mil and then click on Col. DeThomas priorities, mission, and expectations video in the upper left corner. MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Bill Barker 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 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, or call the MacDill Thunderbolt staff at 828-2215. Email: thunder.bolt@us.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 35-101.

NEWS/FEATURES Your T-bolt Today News/Features: page 4 Hand to hand News/Features: page 4 927th ARW Airman honored Briefs: page 6 Welcome, new Airmen News/Features: page 10 AFRC commander visits News/Features: page 12 Fixin it right Community: page 21 Events, Chapel, more... 18th Air Force, letter to Airmen by Lt. General Darren W. McDew 18th Air Force commander To the Airmen of our great global mobility enterprise: thank you! Your hard work and dedication continues to be the cornerstone of success in our critical, global mission. You continue to face and overcome enormous challenges in Lt. General Darren W. McDew the service of our Nation and I expect no less of you during this time of budget uncertainty. Bold, Innovative Airmen: Our Key to Success in a Time of Uncertainty Recently, the Secretary of Defense directed the Air Force to plan for long-term budgetary uncertainty, including a potential sequestration in March, and many of you have already begun to see the effects of this belt-tightening. I won t sugarcoat it: if we do not have resolution by March, sequestration will certainly impact Air Force readiness, which will immediately affect our flying operations. But let me be clear: our mission is not going to go away. Whether delivering aid to victims of a natural disaster, or refueling fighters, or bringing wounded warriors to care, we will be there supporting operations around the world. In fact, our pace will likely increase as we bring back personnel and cargo from Afghanistan. In the coming months, we will have to make some hard choices and learn to operate with fewer resources, but our Air Force will endure this uncertainty. As the Chief of Staff of the Air Force has said, innovation is an essential facet of who we are as Airmen. As such, I am asking you to share your ideas on how we can operate more efficiently while remaining able to effectively meet tomorrow s challenges and ensure the security of our Nation. I appreciate your help. America is counting on us and as long as you remain committed to the mission and dedicated to selfless service, I am confident we will never let her down. As retired Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. William H. Holloman III once eloquently put it, America s not perfect, but I ll hold her hand until she gets well. Whatever tomorrow brings, we too will hold America s hand. I am proud of each and every one of you. Keep up the good work. Expedite! There I was... by Maj. Timmothy Bonnes 310th Airlift Squadron I was tasked to deploy to the Combined Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia as a distinguished visitor planner. After completing my pre-deployment training at Hurlburt Field, Fla. and through home station mobility events I was ready to go. I had deployed several times before, but Maj. Timmothy Bonnes this was the first time I would not be flying. After maintenance and weather delays, three stops and almost 40 hours of traveling I arrived. As with many new jobs, the learning curve was steep, and with only three days of turnover I felt a little overwhelmed. But it didn t take long to find a rhythm and get the hang of my new job. I was one of four planners responsible for coordinating, planning and executing all DV movements throughout the area of responsibility in support of the Office of Security Cooperation Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom. Day in and day out, we built an extremely complex house of cards using the few aircraft that we controlled, as well as many of the other mobility assets deployed to the Area of Operation. We worked hand in hand with every element of the Air Mobility Division to secure diplomatic clearances, resolve security concerns and ensure all requirements were loaded for each flight. Our team also coordinated the movement of onboard communication and comfort equipment when required. Over the six-month time-frame we executed 1,100 missions and moved 140 DVs to include the chief of staff of the Air Force, several congressional delegations, two combatant commanders and the president of Afghanistan. We were also instrumental in several aeromedical evacuation missions that safely transported injured U.S. and Jordanian soldiers. Enabling the air expeditionary missions was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my entire deployment. Overall my deployment to the CAOC was a very rewarding and educational experience. It was different to be on the planning and execution side of the mission. It was eye-opening to see all the hard work and coordination that makes the big mobility machine work. There were days when time seemed to stand still, but all-in-all the six months went by quickly. I was fortunate to work with a great group of professionals, reconnect with old friends and build new friendships that will last a lifetime.

927th ARW NEWS/FEATURES Security Forces training focuses on practical moves, safety by Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Tech Sgt. Jason Knepper was laid out on the ground with a man sitting on his stomach. The suspect was reaching for Knepper s holstered gun, but before he could grab it, Knepper flipped the suspect forward. Within seconds Knepper threw the suspect to the ground, and was able to get up and get away. Knepper, 927th Security Forces Squadron, was working with cops during an Air Force Security Forces combatives training session at MacDill Air Force Base. The point of the training is to be ready for a real fight. When responding to a situation on base, it s easy to get in a wrestling match without even trying, said Captain William Beauchene, 927th SFS commander. We ve got to be able to defend ourselves, secure our weapon and take the suspect into custody without hurting ourselves or anybody else. Based on Brazilian Jujitsu and Krav Maga, the newly-developed security forces combatives program is designed to focus on weapons retention and gaining a dominant position in the fight. Knepper, combatives course instructor, said that each move is subject to adjustments and improvements based on the input from officers in the field. This means tapping into the vast experiences of security forces members from the 927th SFS, who in addition to serving as reservists with the 927th Air Refueling Wing in Tampa, also serve in various civilian and law enforcement careers all over the country. Armed with rubber weapons, the Airmen take turns as officer and aggressor battling one another in a struggle to gain control. Squad Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin Tech. Sgt. Michael Sims, 927th Security Forces Squadron, successfully flips his opponent Senior Airman David Wittenauer, 927th SFS, during a security forces combatives training session at MacDill Air Force Base, Feb. 10. leaders gave pointers and tips instructing others on how to move in order to best gain an advantage in a fight. Most of all, they yelled See SECURITY, Page 14 South Tampa Chamber honors 927th ARW member by Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes 927th Air Refueling Wing A lifetime of learning gave Master Sgt. Jerrard Mack a career with the Air Force Reserves. Saving the lives of service members for 25 years proved his dedication. That dedication was recognized Feb. 20 at a South Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where Mack was awarded Service Member of The Month. Mack joined the Air Force in 1987 as a medical service specialist and had the good fortune to be stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, according to Lt. Col. Stephen Jones, of the 927th Operations Group who helped to write Mack s award package, Mack has served with dedication and professionalism both in garrison and while deployed. Mack is currently assigned as the flight chief, Clinical Services, with the overall responsibility of ensuring the readiness and sustainment of all enlisted medical personnel assigned to the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. See CHAMBER, Page 14 (Left to right) Teresa Foss, chair of the South Tampa Military Affairs Committee, Master Sgt. Jerrard Mack, Maj, Zach Davidson, member of the South Tampa Military Affairs Committee and the 927th ARW, and Paddy Moses, chair of the board of Memorial Hospital.

Spiritual resilience: Finding that special something Part IV of IV by Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs That special something that you call upon to pull you through the darkest of hours and most trying of times; that special something is called spiritual resilience. While religious faith may be at the traditional core of most spirituality, one need not be religious to be spiritual or to take advantage of counseling offered by the base chapel, said 6th Air Mobility Wing Chaplain Maj. William Spencer. Many of our counselling sessions are not about issues of religion, he said. Instead, they are centered on problems regarding relationships, personal issues or problems in the work place. Ivera Harris, Air Mobility Command s community support program manager, agrees that spirituality can be multi-faceted. Spiritual outlets usually focus on one s personal beliefs, values, relationships and or religious faith, she noted. For some it may mean activities that reinforce a sense of purpose, meaning and connection like volunteerism, community involvement, appreciation of nature, meditation and prayer. Understanding what strengthens you deep within is quintessential in developing your resilience and can Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Brandon Sharpiro There are many elements of spiritual resiliency. be simply accomplished by asking yourself, What motivates, enlightens, and gives my life meaning? Our Airmen and their families find strengths in different areas, commented Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody. I encourage them to find that place, whatever works for them, because at any moment each of us requires the individual pillars of wellness to move us through life s challenges. Whatever your spiritual focuses are, understanding them and making sure that they are priorities, can be what gets you through those difficult times that drain you mentally, emotionally and physically, leaving you feeling defeated. When push comes to shove and I feel like there is no light at the end See RESILIENCY, Page 11 MacDill welcomes new first-term Airmen courtesy of the First-term Airmen Center 6th Force Support Squadron The following first-term Airmen have arrived at MacDill from technical school. We are excited to have them and wish them the best! 6th Aerospace Medical Squadron Airman 1st Class Kaden Paggao, Oak Harboard, Wash. 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airman 1st Class Jason Ellis, Norfolk, Va. See NEW AIRMEN, Page 16

CORNER From Page 2 that are working hard to better their community for the present and future citizens of Tampa and we the Air Force and other services - are the example they cite as their inspiration, using the same core values we have been living by for decades. In short, we present a lasting influence every time we engage our partners outside the fence. Our brand of leadership and citizenship is required to maintain standards for mission accomplishment. The public is seeing that our brand of leadership is critical in keeping alive the human connection as we become more advanced in technology. Reaching out and actually talking and touching individuals and their families has not been replaced by Facebook or email, it has actually become more necessary for the community s survival and growth. As Airmen, realize that the community engagement we may lose if the AirFest is indeed canceled will require us as an Air Force family to continue to seek out smaller scale, yet effective, opportunities in the future. It is vital, now more than ever, that we remain involved and advocate our brand of leadership in a myriad of small ways (public affairs tours, engagement with the Chambers of Commerce, volunteering in our community s worthwhile causes, coaching sports, etc.). Most importantly, we have to preserve our brand by tackling those issues that endanger it (sexual assault, DUIs, reckless behavior, etc.). Don t underestimate the example you present we are the models others are living by.

Photo by Airman 1st Class David Tracy Airman 1st Class Frank Herring, 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle mechanic, places old automatic grease lines into a pile at MacDill Air Force Base, Feb. 22. Herring was removing the automatic grease pump and lines from a 25k cargo loader. Need legal advice? The base legal office strives to assist our clients on a variety of civil law matters. However, in some cases, you may need an attorney licensed in the state to represent you in court and file paperwork on your behalf. Under AFI 51-504, Judge Advocates are not authorized to perform this function. If you need legal representation outside the scope of what is provided by the base legal office, a great place to begin is the Florida Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service. If you need an attorney outside Hillsborough County but within Florida, call 1-800-342-8011. If you are in Hillsborough, call the local bar referral service at 813-221- 7780. This program offers an initial 30-minute consultation with an attorney specializing in the needed field for a $50 fee.

927th ARW NEWS/FEATURES AFRC commander visits MacDill, 927th ARW Reservists by Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes 927th Air Refueling Wing The commander of Air Force Reserve Command, Lt. Gen. James Jackson, visited the 927th Air Refueling Wing Feb. 20. Jackson took the morning to visit with 927th ARW command leadership and Airmen from multiple sections. I really appreciate the opportunity to visit with you, Jackson told a group of enlisted Airmen during breakfast the morning of his visit. Few people turn down an assignment to MacDill Air Force Base... everyone loves living here. The morning began with Jackson eating breakfast with a contingent of 927th ARW s full-time enlisted members and then receiving a command brief at the wing headquarters building. There, representatives from the 927th ARW and the 6th Air Mobility Wing gave the general a brief on the history of MacDill and the mission of each of the wings. After the brief, the general toured the command building, meeting and speaking with the Airmen who keep the wing running in between unit training assemblies. The general then traveled to the 927th Operations Group where he spoke with the pilots and boom operators that allow the Air Force to project power to every corner of the globe. From there, Jackson toured a KC-135 Stratotanker and greeted the Airmen working to ready the jet for takeoff. Among them was Tech. Sgt. Anthony Abney, an aerospace crew chief with the 927th ARW. Abney has taken a key role in ensuring the supplies and equipment needed to maintain the aircraft assigned to MacDill AFB are available when needed, said Chief Master Sgt. William McKinley, a supervisor with the 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. His management of the KC-135 refurb section has resulted in not only the enhancement of our aircraft appearance, but their overall system reliability. For this special accomplishment, the general thanked and recognized Abney. Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes Lieutenant Gen. James Jackson, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, takes questions from an enlisted member of the 927th Air Refueling Wing during a visit Feb. 20. He is flanked by Col. Doug Schwartz, commander of the 927th ARW and Chief Master Sgt. Nina Watkins, command chief of the 927th ARW. From there, he visited with the Command Post where he saw firsthand the integrated operations between the 927th ARW and 6th AMW. Next, he visited with the 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron and ended the afternoon at MacDill speaking to Air Force reservists currently serving at HQ U.S. Central Command.

RESILIENCY From Page 11 of the tunnel, I turn to God and my family, said Staff Sgt. Ryan Ford, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron sortie support technician. Knowing that I have unconditional love and support from both is inspiring; they soothe my mind and calm my nerves. One s spirituality is deeply embedded and gives a heart-warming sensation, a feeling of fulfillment. Understanding its importance and embracing its powers is known to improve lives. Even if you know exactly what motivates, enlightens and inspires you, that s only part of the foundation; maintenance and upkeep are the bricks and mortar that keep us strong. By regularly growing your spiritual resiliency, you become more aware of subtle aspects happening in the world around you said Capt. Christy Cruz, a licensed clinical social worker and Family Advocacy officer at MacDill Air force Base. Taking time for self-reflection and connecting with your spirit regularly will keep you in tune with your own needs, in touch with what really matters, and will help motivate you. Care and conservation of one s spirituality has been proven time and time again to strengthen a person s ability to cope with stressors and hard times. Building on relationships, behaviors, beliefs and faiths all help solidify one s mental, physical, social and spiritual wellness. As Dr. Robert M. Sherfield, author of Your Values and Spirituality, so eloquently put it, There is a spiritual language that we all share - a smile, a human touch, the shedding of a tear, an embrace, a silent prayer of the heart. These are basic needs that transcend. Information in this article was obtained from U.S. Air Force resiliency program and in Dr. Robert M. Sherfield s Your Values and Spirituality.

This is how we do it Fifth graders from Tinker Elementary School at MacDill Air Force Base, are welcomed home by members of Team MacDill after taking part in the Co Education exercise Feb. 26. Students were taken through the four phases of deployment, from the initial recall to being welcomed home. CARE prov experience to military children to help them understand what their parents undergo during a deployment. (Above) Volunteer Army First Sgt. Will Clancy, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Comm ers his team for a motivational high five as they prepare to head out to their deployed annual Contingency and Readiness Education event Feb. 26. (Left) Alycia Rodriguez, 10, w during the event. P

Photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Breer ntingency and Readiness ides a hands-on learning Photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Breer Airmen from the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron show Tinker Elementary School students firefighting equipment Feb. 26 during a mock deployment exercise. Tanner Evans, Tinker Elementary School fifth grader, dons flack gear Feb. 26 and does pushups with Chief Petty Officer Derreck Harper, U.S. Special Operations Command. hoto by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly and first sergeant, gathlocation during MacDill s atches a demonstration Photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Breer

SECURITY From Page 4 encouragement on protecting their weapon at all cost, no matter how exhausted they were. For these cops, the day started over four hours earlier with an early morning smoke session - an intense physical training session that included sprints, push-ups, burpees and other exercises combined with one purpose - to make everyone tired. It s physical training to exhaustion, said Knepper. You ve got to be tired to fight. CHAMBER From Page 4 Throughout his career, Mack was stationed with U.S. Special Operations Command, and deployed multiple times to support military efforts globally and to ensure the safe evacuation of wounded warriors. His service record mirror s the times his nation has been the target of attacks. Mack deployed following the bombing of the USS Cole, and again in 2002 to Kandahar, Afghanistan, following 9/11, and again in 2010 to Bagram, Afghanistan. Master Sgt. Mack has never wavered in his commitment to the Air Force Reserve and the 45th AES, said Jones. With more than 40 combat missions, Mack has been responsible for the safe movement of hundreds of wounded. Knepper said it s very rare to go to a fight fresh. At MacDill AFB, it s typical to engage suspects after chasing them through a mangrove or base housing, so Security Forces personnel have to be able to fight when they re already spent. Hours and hours of experience will help with that necessary conditioning. Training classes can be as long as five hours, and there will be class every Unit Training Assembly weekend, said Knepper. Security Forces squadrons will use the combatives training as part of their units physical training program, he said. Members say they find the new training essential. In the field, you never know what s going to happen with the enemy, whether they will fight or run, said Tech. Sgt. Susan Libertz, 927th SFS. Either way, we ll be better prepared. In between all the deployments, Mack somehow found the time to earn dual degrees. Along with multiple deployments and his commitment to the 45th AES and the 927th Air Refueling Wing, Mack successfully earned degrees in Secondary Education and Applied Science, emphasizing his desire to always learn more, said Jones.

DIAMOND SHARP Staff Sgt. Kevin Fernandez 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Job title: Tanker instrument and flight control systems craftsman Home town: Belleville, Ill. Short-term goals: I want to make technical sergeant and obtain my air frame and power plant certification. Long-term goals: I aim to complete my Community College of the Air Force associate s degree and my bachelor s degree. I plan to continue being a great father and husband. Advice to others: In life change is inevitable; keep rolling with the punches and look forward to the future. Role model (why): My wife, because she s been supportive through both the good and the bad times. new airmen From Page 6 6th Air Mobility Wing Airman 1st Class Vernon Fowler, San Bernardino, Calif. 6th Civil Engineering Squadron Airman 1st Class Michael Kolb, Orlando, Fla. 6th Contracting Squadron Airman 1st Class Joanna Adams, Fayetteville, N.C. 6th Maintenance Squadron Airman 1st Class Evan Jackson, Oklahoma City, Okla. Airman 1st Class Robert Roberts, Wellston, Ohio 6th Operations Support Squadron Airman 1st Class Ryan Monday, Port Saint Lucie, Fla. Airman 1st Class Jessica Paterson, Spanaway, Wash. 6th Security Forces Squadron Airman 1st Class Simeon Prather, Atlanta, Ga. 6th Communications Squadron Airman 1st Class Christopher Clubb, Tempe, Ariz.

BRIEFS Celebrating women s history A Health Fair and Panel Discussion will be held at the Chapel Annex March 8 from noon to 2 p.m. The panel is being held in celebration of Women s History Month and will cover women inspiring innovation through imagination. It celebrates women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Any questions can be directed to 2nd Lt. Alisha Foster at alisha.foster.1@us.af.mil. Tax assistance The Retiree Activities Office at MacDill Air Force Base and the Brandon Airman and Family Readiness Center satellite office offer free tax assistance services to active duty members, military retirees and their families. Services are available on a walk-in basis five days a week at the RAO on MacDill and by appointment only at the Brandon A&FRC. Call the RAO at 813-828-4555 and the Brandon AFRC at 813-655-9281 for more information or for an appointment. Air Force Assistance Fund The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign will run from Feb. 4 through March 15. The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fund raising appeal conducted among Air Force personnel for the benefit of Air Force personnel. AFAF campaign contributions provide financial support to four AFAF affiliates. They are the Air Force Village, the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. For more information, contact Maj. Justin Sandholm or Capt. Chris Wiley at 827-9137 or 828-7376. Base Exchange new operating hours Beginning March 2 the Base Exchange will extend its hours. Main store: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Furniture store: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Class Six: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Clothing sales: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Any questions should be referred to Aubrey Pemkiewicz at 828-3858.

MACDILL COMMUNITY EVENTS Friday Surf s Edge Club Membership Breakfast from 6:30-9 a.m. Club members FREE; Non-members: $7.95 Boomers Bar & Grill Friday Bash! 3-8 p.m. Bar snacks & drink specials! Guaranteed $100 club card drawing, Bar Bingo - $1,000 jackpot, Trivia and DJ! Seascapes Beach House Family Fun Night at 5 p.m. Family food & drink specials. $2 & under menu items for kids. Kids activities. Face painting. Mike the magician. Free ice cream sundae bar (peanut free) with all meals. Saturday Seascapes Beach House Beach on Fire from 3-9 p.m. Sassy Saturdays Live band, drink specials, complimentary hors d oeuvres served at 3 p.m. Tuesday Base Library Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served. Seascapes Beach House Beach on Fire 4-9 p.m. Texas Hold em Tournament starts at 6 p.m. Free entry. Win FSS gift cards. Photo by Senior Airman Michael Ellis And the winners are... Winners of the Black History Month Essay Contest Kyra, 9, child of Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Walters, U.S. Central Command; Sophia, 11, child of Lt. Col. Jeffrey Jarosz, U.S. Central Command; Amiya, 7, child of Army Maj. Al Niles, U.S. Special Operations Command; pose for a photo with Senior Airman Angelina Conkright, Black History Month committee member, at Tinker Elementary School on MacDill, Feb. 22. In addition to the essay contest, the Black History Month committee hosted a food tasting event, read to Tinker Elementary School students weekly, donated books and sponsored a visit from Tuskegee Airman retired Tech. Sgt. George Watson. Wednesday Arts & Crafts Center Canvas & Cocktails from 4-6 p.m. Cost: $10 per person or Free for Single Airman. Call 828-4413 to sign up. Thursday Base Theater FREE Movie! Tooth Fairy at 5:30 p.m. Everyone welcome and feel free to bring your own food & drink. CHAPEL SCHEDULE Protestant services Sunday - 11 a.m. - Contemporary Service Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - FamCamp Service Catholic services Saturday - 5:30 p.m. - Mass Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass Islamic services Friday - 1:30 p.m. - Muslim Prayer Service Call the chapel at 828-3621 for more information or visit the chapel web site at http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel.