• MacDill AFB deployed families' events for 2011

    June Deployed Spouse DinnerDate/Time: June 21, 6-8 p.m.Location: Brandon Sports and Aquatics CenterJulyDeployed Families Pancake BreakfastDate: July 16, 8:30-10:30 a.m.Location: Base ChapelAugustOn-Base Deployed Spouses DinnerDate/Time: Aug. 18, 6:30-8 p.m.Location: Base ChapelSeptemberDeployed

  • BASHing for a living, for aircraft safety

    Many residents of Tampa Bay work hard to attract birds -- adding feeders, watering devices, birdbaths and birdhouses to lure the feathered creatures into their yards. For MacDill's Ryan Meinerz, it's the exact opposite.An ecologist and MacDill Bird Air Strike Hazard coordinator, Mr. Meinerz's shares

  • Meet the new 6th OSS commander

    The 6th Air Mobility Wing would like to welcome Lt. Col. Leslie Maher, the new commander for the 6th Operations Support Squadron. Colonel Maher took command of the unit April 29.Colonel Maher took time to answer a few questions for the Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt: What do you expect of the Airmen under

  • SERE training at MacDill provides skills to survive

    In the military, training can teach most things, but it can't teach the will to survive. That is something contained deep inside, says Staff Sgt. Patrick Ray, the non-commissioned officer who heads up Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape training at MacDill Air Force Base.SERE is essential

  • AFOSI seeks top quality NCOs for special agent positions

    The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is the Air Force agency responsible for investigating major crimes and works against terrorist and foreign intelligence efforts. It's also constantly seeking exceptional non-commissioned officers for duty as enlisted special agents.With more than 2,700

  • AF shooters, training changing notions about military marksmanship

    When military marksmanship is the topic, Marines and Soldier slinging battle rifles may come to mind, but overlooking the shooting skills of today's Airman is a sure sign of being behind the times.Not only are shooting skills an integral part of an Airman's training, Air Force training can be more

  • Team MacDill drums Tampa PD trash-talkers

    It started as good-natured jabs, a ranking Tampa Police Department officer doing a little trash talking on the phone with Lt. Col. Kenneth Ohlson, 6th Security Forces commander. "They were saying their shooters could beat our shooters in a sporting clay match," said Staff Sgt. Keith Corcoran, a

  • Teamwork across the board earns 6th OSS tops in AMC

    It was the little things, but it was also the big things that got the attention of Air Mobility Command judges, who awarded top Operations Support Squadron honors to Team MacDill.The award was for accomplishments during 2010, and is "one very big" honor, said Maj. Leslie Picht, 6th OSS assistant

  • MacDill Commissary announces 2011 Scholarship Winners

    Paula Lewis, MacDill Air Force Base Commissary director, recently announced the MacDill winners for the Scholarships for Military Children Program. The MacDill winners are:Nicole KliewerMichaela JonesShannon FreeKalyn HoppeAshley VargasMatthew PesekTyler CooneyDavid CobbAmeer JalaJoanna

  • Give parents a break

    The Air Force Aid Society recognizes that Air Force families are subject to unique stresses due to the nature of military life. In an effort to help these families, the AFAS, in cooperation with Friends of Military Families, have partnered to provide funding for child care for all branches of active