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  • Your input counts

    As you drive around this base, I am certain you have witnessed several projects under way. Construction equipment and dirt piles are not the most visually attractive landscape, but they are signs of progress. It is impossible not to notice all the changes that have occurred at MacDill over the

  • An outstanding display of Wingmanship

    Benjamin Franklin said, upon signing the Declaration of Independence, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Fifty-six men

  • Meet the new 310th AS commander

    Lt. Col. Derrick Hodges assumed command of the 310th Airlift Squadron, June 22. He took time out to introduce himself to the MacDill community and answered a few questions from the Thunderbolt.Thunderbolt: What do you expect of the Airmen under your command? Hodges: As professional military aviators

  • There I was: TCN duty

    Late last year, I was tasked to deploy as an escort for third-country nationals. TCNs are civilian personnel who are utilized to help the military accomplish its mission at deployed locations. I had just returned from leave when I was informed I would deploy. When I was first tasked, I only had a

  • Meet the new 911th ARS commander

    Lt. Col. David Pike recently took command of the 911th Air Refueling Squadron, Seymour Johnson, N.C., a geographically separated unit to the 6th Air Mobility Wing. He took time out to introduce himself to the MacDill community and answered a few questions from the Thunderbolt.Thunderbolt: What do

  • Ups and downs are a common theme in our AF lives

    This Spring has been a whirlwind of activity with the normal ups and downs of life. School is out for families with children, which brings family fun vacation time. However, that can also add extra stress for parents with kids being around the house or needing to find additional childcare. There are

  • Reflecting on the important role of AMC; some team standouts

    I wanted to take a moment to recognize the 20th anniversary of Air Mobility Command, the 6th Air Mobility Wing's major command. As recognized by the U.S. Congress recently, AMC was created June 1, 1992, as the Air Force's functional command for cargo and passenger delivery, air refueling, and

  • How many people does it take to fly a KC-135?

    I recently had the opportunity to fly on a KC-135 during a local training mission. When you're in charge of the Airmen who maintain these venerable flying machines, there's nothing like seeing firsthand the results of all the hard work that goes into keeping these jets in the air, carrying out the

  • "There I was ... " Army integrated in Kandahar

    As an Air Force member, I have noticed sometimes Airmen have the luxury of not deploying to the same hostile environments the Army and Marines do. However, there are some taskings for certain Air Force career fields that require us to go to such places. During my 365-day deployment I endured

  • On going the extra mile; shoutouts for some standouts

    On Monday we commemorated Memorial Day. Most MacDill personnel were granted an extra day off last Friday. I trust you all were able to recharge as we get on with the business of defending our nation. Thanks very much to Master Sgt. Cardell Hopkins and the 6th Medical Group, who planned and executed