Team MacDill members doing outstanding work Published Sept. 2, 2010 By Col. Lenny Richoux 6th Air Mobility Wing commander MacDill Air Force Base -- It's been a busy week around MacDill. School is back in full swing, so parents and children are busy with packing lunches, doing homework and adjusting schedules. For weekend entertainment, our base pool is now open! On Saturday, we had a great turnout for the grand re-opening of our pool. Thanks to the 6th AMW Force Support Squadron and Ms Wendy Foster for a great pool party, and also for a great event featuring fitness celebrity Tony Horton Aug. 30. I also saw lots of dads and daughters at the "Daddy & Daughter" Date Night Saturday evening. I know that my daughters and I had a blast and I was happy to see a nice crowd on hand. Thanks to the Chapel staff, including Chaplain John Choi and Staff Sgt. Anthony Devoile. Great event! Onto some Airmen from the 6th AMW who are doing great things. Staff Sgt. Jessica Feliciano, assigned to the 6th Operations Support Squadron and currently deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, has earned the Ground Safety Award there for the month of July for her work with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's Airfield Driving Program. Well done Staff Sgt. Feliciano - we look forward to welcoming you home soon! Senior Master Sgt. Jason Tiek, of the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, has recently been selected to participate in the Leadership Brandon program. The Greater Tampa Bay's "leadership" programs are an outstanding way for our Airmen to represent MacDill in the community and more importantly, learn more about our surrounding communities and how we can better partner with them. The 6th Medical Group's own, Staff Sgt. Nicole Hatcher and Staff Sgt. Harrizel Staszewski were recently deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Olympic Chase. During their six-month deployment, the two engaged with special forces, contractors and civil affairs teams and were part of the first Air Force medical team to work in the Congo. Most importantly, they were able to provide medical care to nearly 1,000 patients. Thanks to these medical professionals for representing MacDill and AMC so well in such an important part of the world. Finally, I've received plenty of praise on the 6 AMW's support to the CENTCOM Assumption of Command. Special thanks to Lt. Scott Heinlein, Tech Sgt. Tyson Denke, Staff Sgt. Thomas Wright and Senior Airman Bryan Alder for their support to the communications effort with the event. They guaranteed that the CENTCOM team was equipped with the necessary assets, 50 LMRs, to get the job done. Special thanks also to the 6 AMW Security Forces Squadron, who provided first-class security for the event. My hat goes off to the 6th Medical Group for provided on-demand urgent medical care capability for the ceremony. Also, my thanks to 6AMW Public Affairs for videotaping and photography. Great job! I spent the majority of last week TDY to Lackland AFB, Texas, for the 18th Air Force Commander's Wing Commander conference. It was a great informative and educational experience, but one part stands out the most for me and Chief Crowley: getting "re-blued." Having been around the world and served in a number of jobs throughout my Air Force career, it's important to always "remember where you come from" and to sometimes get back to your Air Force "roots." Those customs and courtesies that we're drilled on in basic training, living the Airman's Creed and learning the tricks to polishing shoes, are all commonalities that Airmen share. They help make us who we are as Airmen. Take a few minutes to think about some of the basic lessons you learned early in your Air Force career and apply them to what you're doing now. Your job might be a bit simpler than you think if you get back to basics -- Integrity, Service, and Excellence -- easy to remember and at the heart of Air Force culture. I'm proud to serve along your side at MacDill AFB -- the finest Air Mobility Wing on the face of the planet.