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  • U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Alexx Pons

    6th MSG adapts, earns Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

    The Novel Coronavirus has made a global impact in 2020, and in many ways, it affected how a military unit operates. Despite this new challenge, the 6th Mission Support Group at MacDill Air Force Base was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
  • Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, the 6th Air Refueling Wing command chief, listens to the experiences of Staff Sgt. Christopher Gamble, a 6th Communication Squadron unit training manager, during a “Lead Conversations” episode at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 24, 2020.

    6th Air Refueling Wing talks about pressing, modern subjects in “Lead Conversations"

    Whether it is about suicide, diversity and inclusion or just overcoming adversity, MacDill’s 6th Air Refueling Wing leadership team wants to talk about these subjects to create meaningful change. “Our Air Force leaders obviously recognize the importance of these topics,” said Col. Benjamin Jonsson, the 6th ARW commander. “We need to have these conversations because when we are united and strong together, we are better Airmen and more effective in performing the mission.”
  • U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Charles Wasz, a 91st Air Refueling Squadron casual status pilot awaiting training, paints a wall in the 91st ARS heritage room at MacDill Air Force Base, Sept. 29, 2020.

    91st Air Refueling Squadron revitalizes heritage room

    While some units are pleased with having a break room to have lunch, the 91st Air Refueling Squadron takes pride in going above and beyond for their “heritage room.” The 91st ARS heritage room will have newly refurbished tables, reupholstered chairs, frost-tinted front doors, a custom wood-finished countertop, a built-in wall chalkboard with repainted walls and flooring in a massive renovation.
  • A KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., delivers fuel to a KC-46A Pegasus aircraft during a night-time refueling over Louisiana May 16, 2019

    MacDill night flying key to proficiency

    When the sun sets over Tampa Bay, the lights come up over MacDill’s flight line. While many prepare to put the kids down to bed and head that way themselves, the prestigious pilots of MacDill’s 50th and 91st Air Refueling Squadrons kick-off their shifts with the roar of the KC-135 Stratotanker’s engines.
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    NCOs: unprecedented challenges, effective leading

    In the profession of arms, the noncommissioned officer is often considered to be the backbone of the force. NCOs, being technical experts themselves, are entrusted to develop, lead, manage and mentor subordinate troops as front-line supervisors.
  • U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shawna Wise, Staff Sgt. Marissa Nelson, Staff Sgt. Sanchez Banks and Master Sgt. Matthew Orlando, the 6th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School (ALS) instructor team, pause for a photo with Staff Sgt. Travis Somera, a 6th Security Forces Squadron entry controller during an ALS graduation ceremony, Oct. 17, 2019 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

    MacDill ALS: Ready, flexible, innovative

    Although many of the Air Force’s education and training courses have been put on hold, the 6th Force Support Squadron’s Airman Leadership School instructor team remains diligent. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that their students will be given the same high quality training they need to join the ranks as Air Force leaders when ALS courses resume.

  • Right place, right time: Airman saves lives

    March 7, 2020, started off as a long day, coming home from working during the Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise, Tech. Sgt. Lowery was on his way southbound over the Alafia Bridge in East Tampa. As he drove closer to the base of the bridge, a car and motorcycle collided, and for the next two hours, Lowery’s security forces medical training and prior emergency medical technician experience would help him with assisting in his first-ever witnessed accident.
  • Senior Airman Julian Hurrey, an air traffic controller assigned to the 6th Operations Support Squadron, fabricates 3D printed mask straps. These adjustable straps help alleviate the strain on the ears from wearing a facemask for long periods of time, while allowing the user to adjust the fit to create a better seal.

    MacDill Airman mitigates COVID-19 with innovation

    While some are looking for ways to distract themselves, some are making the most of it by finding ways to support relief efforts. Hurrey has used his social distancing time to fabricate adjustable straps that help hold any mask in place. These 3D printed straps help alleviate the strain on the ears from wearing a facemask for long periods of time, while allowing the user to adjust the fit to create a better seal.

  • MacDill defender puts service before self

    Starting any journey in life comes with new stresses – a different environment, financial adjustments or maybe being away from family. When coronavirus is added to that mix of uncertainty, the Air Force’s new technical school graduates are faced with a myriad of obstacles no other Airmen have tackled thus far.Staff Sgt. Carmella Tagliavia, a 6th

  • No stranger to service and sacrifice: Nursing student, singer gives back to community

    No stranger to the words service and sacrifice, Katie Babb, a current nursing student and wife to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Babb, an electrical and environmental specialist assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, created a video parody of Pocahontas’ “Just Around the Riverbend” song with lyrics about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of social distancing.
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