Team MacDill hosts the mayor; thanks to this week’s standouts Published June 9, 2011 By Col. Lenny Richoux 6th Air Mobility Wing commander MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Mayor of the great city of Tampa visited our base today and many of you did a great job facilitating his visit and tour of MacDill AFB. Mayor Bob Buckhorn and his staff visited to gain an understanding of our mission here by talking to a few of the support personnel and operators who make the mission work every day and by getting a first-hand glimpse of base operations. I want to thank 6th Civil Engineer Squadron's Mr. Bob Hughes, 6th Operations Group's Tech. Sgt. George Perry, the 6th AMW Protocol Office, and all who were instrumental with hosting his visit. It was a great day and many great days lie ahead of us this summer. For those of you planning summer travel I want to remind you to keep our current mode of vigilance by remaining aware of your surroundings. We are still in a stepped-up force protection condition on the base, and with a lot of traveling in our plans, it's a good idea to maintain a posture of safety and security during our off-base activities. In airports and on the roads keep your belongings close and personal information away from the eyes of potential criminals. Information travels fast, and the world is a more connected place, which is why theft can happen before we realize it. If you have the suspicion that you're being watched most likely you are. Your sixth sense could be right. I want you to enjoy your time with family, especially since this week is the last week of school. I'm sure those of you with school-aged children have already been given their list of summer activity ideas. Maintain the balance of family and personal needs, and enjoy the summer. I'd like to give a special "shout-out" to the outgoing 6th Operations Group's commander, Col. James "Slim" Morgan who is retiring after a great career of service. He's a "pilot's pilot" who's been an aviator since high school. He's leaving an outstanding reputation of leadership, and I'm grateful to have served with him. Best wishes for Slim, Myra and their family. I also want to recognize the 310th Airlift Squadron's Tech. Sgt. Timothy Sewell, C-37A flight engineer, for recently being selected to be a flight examiner in the Standardization and Evaluation flight. He identified and corrected a critical flight procedure ensuring safer landings for the C-37A fleet. His expertise was used to assist an aircrew standardization and evaluation visit at Andrews AFB, Md., and he was chosen to certify squadron pilots and flight engineers as functional check flight crewmembers. Mr. Ralph Espinosa is a firefighter assigned to the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron. During a recent day off Mr. Espinosa was visiting a car dealership when a two-car collision occurred. He immediately responded on the scene of the accident, and directed a bystander to get into the backseat of one of the vehicles involved to stabilize one of the injured drivers preventing additional injury until medical assistance was on-scene. Mr. Espinosa continued to assess and control the accident until emergency response professionals arrived and provided Tampa police and fire rescue personnel an accurate assessment of the situation. He also received a letter of appreciation from Tampa authorities for his assistance. 6th Medical Group's Senior Airman David Thomas recently became a Certified Technician (CPOT). This national ophthalmic certification is awarded by the American Optometric Association and formally addresses the level of experience and knowledge of Optometry technicians. I am proud to serve with you in the finest Air Mobility Wing on the face of the planet!