Y MVY MLSSV^ (PYTLU › 041218 › McNews041218.pdfAir Force Base March 26, and will continue until May 4. Every year, Airmen are encouraged to donate to the AFAF, which pro-vides

Tampa Bay Times | Thursday, April 12, 2018 | 1THU

Thursday, April 12, 2018

2 WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM Thursday, April 12, 2018 MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

From deployments to permanent changes of stations, military children face a plethora of unique challenges. As a way to recognize and honor our country’s youngest heroes for their daily sacrifices and resiliency, the Department of Defense deemed April as the Month of the Military Child.

As part of this commemoration, MacDill Air Force Base was invited to attend the Hillsborough County Public School Board meeting April 3 to highlight combined efforts focused on the future of MacDill’s youth.

Representing MacDill were Col. Troy Pananon, vice commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, and Terry Montrose, chief of community engage-ment at MacDill, who highlighted the shared commitment to create a supportive environment in which children can thrive.

One way this partnership focuses on the military child is through the MacDill Council for Education Excellence, which was established in Jan-uary 2015, in an effort to ease transitions and help military families navi-gate challenges they may face throughout the district.

“We wanted to make sure we let everyone know the impact this has across military families,” said Pananon. “We have about 4,500 students spread out across 182 schools.”

Being the only Air Force program of its kind, the MCEE quickly real-ized reoccurring challenges faced by our military families and their chil-dren.

“The bottom line is that we have resolved 42 issues in the three years since the formation of MCEE, making it a benchmark program for the Air Force,” said Pananon, addressing the board. “You are our force multiplier.”

Another way MacDill focuses on youth education is through the annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Day, which partners with schools to display the tie between everyday classes and military innovation.

“During our STEAM Day, we had 1,300 students from 29 different schools come into one of our hangars,” Montrose said. “Enhanced partner-ing with educators will result in addressing the educational concerns of

service members and their families.”Next on the board’s agenda was a parent-to-parent group, which works

to empower families on how to best help their children, followed by a presentation from a military child who spoke on the student-to-student program and its focus of bringing students together.

As a result of MacDill’s continuous focus on innovation and future suc-cess, the school board motioned to officially proclaim April as Month of the Military Child across the Hillsborough County School District.

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE

The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. Per-sonnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to [email protected].

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/

MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

NEWS/FEATURES

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT Thursday, April 12, 2018 WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM 3

The 6th Medical Group hosted Rich Castella-no, an author and double-board certified facial, plastic, and reconstruction surgeon, at MacDill Air Force Base Mar. 26, where he spoke about effective communications skills and more spe-cifically the power of a smile.

Castellano identifies himself as a doctor for doctors. He focused on one buzzword: emotional literacy.

“One thing I harp on is if you want to com-municate effectively, then the relationship has to come first,” said Castellano. “When you have that good emotional literacy, people understand you are there for them and you care.

They can feel that, which makes your com-munication more accurate and better received.”

For the medical group, this training was to help members gain a different perspective and greater knowledge of verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

“I came into this not knowing what to expect,” said Master Sgt. Terrence Raybon, a flight chief of the clinical lab assigned to the 6th MDG. “For our career field, communication is how we get everything done between Airmen and the pa-tients.”

The annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicked off at MacDill Air Force Base March 26, and will continue until May 4.

Every year, Airmen are encouraged to donate to the AFAF, which pro-vides funds to four charitable affiliates that help service members in need. These affiliates are the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Cur-tis E. Lemay Foundation.

“None of the affiliates receive taxpayer support, so all their resources come from the Airmen who donate,” said Capt. Ryland Tecson, a flight safety officer assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing safety office and pro-gram lead. “The great thing about these organizations, is that $0.95 or more of every dollar contributed goes directly to them, to help those who are serving now and who have served.”

Tecson compared the donations to an investment, as the money Airmen contribute will eventually benefit them later on in their career. This year, MacDill’s fundraising goal is $65,700.

“This organization is all about Airmen caring for Airmen and their

See FUND, Page 15

See COMMUNICATION, Page 15

NEWS/FEATURES


WEEK IN PHOTOS




The headline is an excellent question and the TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration (TOPA) flight at the 6th Medical Group is here to assist you. The Central Records office is located on the 2nd floor of the clinic and there are three records rooms within the MacDill Clinic. Those records rooms are Flight Medicine, SOCOM, and Central Records.

Medical records are property of the United States government and must be maintained within the 6th MDG or one of its approved affiliates.

If you have just moved to MacDill, this paragraph is for you. All we need is a DD Form 877 filled out with your information and your last base’s location. You can get this form from Central Records or epublications. We

will fax your request to your previous base and wait for your records in the mail. Once received, it will be distributed to the appropriate records room.

When you leave MacDill, Central Records will sign off your out-process-ing checklist for Air Force members. Please provide us with a copy of your orders to perform a transfer of records to your new duty station. Medical records are released for hand carry only if stated in your orders.

If you are in need of a copy of your medical records, visit your assigned records room and fill out the DD Form 2870. All members are authorized one free copy of their medical records per year. If additional copies are re-quested within the same year, a minimum charge of $37.45 will be applied prior to completing the request.

If you have any questions, please call us at 827-9956. You can also check out our scheduled down days on Facebook or by calling 828-CARE.

NEWS/FEATURES


Airmen from the 6th Communications Squadron and 6th Force Support Squadron toured the 310th Airlift Squadron at Mac-Dill Air Force Base March 30.

“The goal of the tour was to open lines of communication between squadrons, as well as thank them for all the support they offer us,” said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Wilburn, a flight attendant with the 310th AS. “The idea of the tour was sparked from a conversation between one of our communication systems operators, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Phillips, and Master Sgt. Charity Allen, a flight chief with the 6th Communica-tions Squadron, while working at the Science, Technology, Engineer, Arts, and Mathematics event recently.

“Allen and other Airmen from the 6th CS became extremely inter-ested in Phillips’ job and decided to see what it’s like in person.”

According to Wilburn, this was the 310th’s opportunity to showcase its unique mission and explain the challenges and rewards of being part of the Distinguished Visitor (DV) airlift mission.

On the day of the tour, the Airmen gathered at the bottom of a stair-case in hangar three, where a hand-painted portrait of various aircraft hangs on a wall.

It was shared during a quick history lesson that this painting rep-resents all of the aircraft operated by the 310th dating back from its involvement in World War II until present day.

From there, the Airmen toured the kitchen area to see what the day-to-day life of a flight attendant is like followed by stops at various mis-sion operations sections.

“I enjoyed learning about the flight-attendant’s mission,” said Staff Sgt. Sierra Ellis, a publication and Sharepoint administrator with the 6th CS. “They really have to be creative with their day to day job by be-ing responsible for cooking, packing and serving meals.”

After learning what it’s like to operate in the 310th, and how their roles contribute to the mission, the Airmen received praise for all of their hard work and dedication to the overall mission.

Once this was all said and done, it was time for the main event, a tour of the C-37A Gulfstream.

Everyone moved to the heritage room where the touring Airmen were split into three groups to facilitate the aircraft tour. Wilburn stayed with the groups waiting and answered any questions they had.

While aboard the aircraft, Airmen had the opportunity to meet with some of the aircrew and see their specialties and duty stations while in the air on the C-37.

“We had a lot of Airmen interested in what it’s like to have an enlist-ed flying career,” Wilburn said. “My favorite part of the tour was when I was able to answer questions about my job and share stories from the road.

“I also learned a lot about their jobs and daily struggles, which gave me a greater appreciation for how the many roles in the Air Force all mesh together.”

According to Phillips and Wilburn, Airmen with the 310th AS are looking forward to more tours and static displays to continue building camaraderie with other squadrons in the future.



Learn how to feel and function better with Air Mobility Command’s “Spring into Shape” physical activity challenge. This challenge is a com-mand-wide initiative designed to promote physical activity for the work-force.

“Spring into Shape” encourages participants to engage in various forms of physical activity such as brisk walking, muscle toning, fitness classes, and yard work. Benefits of regular physical activity include reduced body fat, lower cholesterol levels, and improved muscular strength and endur-ance. Civilian Health Promotion Services is conducting the SIS challenge.

Participants who enroll in the SIS challenge will receive a free foam roller at the official check-in with CHPS. Regular use of a foam roller offers many of the same benefits as a massage, including improved mobility and flexibility, and reduced inflammation.

How to participate in SIS:Federal civilian employees and active duty members are eligible to participate.Enroll at AFMCwellness.com from March 20 through April 18.Print your SIS confirmation email and complete the initial check-in with

CHPS staff between April 2 and April 18 to finalize enrollment and receive your free foam roller.

Perform physical activity and log your minutes on the AFMCwellness.com Activity Log from April 9 to May 18. SIS goal is to complete and log at least 600 total minutes (10 hrs.) of physical activity.

Attend the CHPS education class, “Get up and Get Moving,’’ between April 9 and May 18.

Attend a final checkout with CHPS between May 21 and June 1 to re-ceive your completion award.

Participants who complete the “Spring into Shape” challenge require-ments will receive a fruit infuser water bottle. Contact your physician be-fore beginning any physical activity program to be sure it is safe.

For more information, visit AFMCwellness.com or contact your local CHPS team.

NEWS/FEATURES




We are excited to host the Tampa Bay AirFest ‘18! Bring your friends and family to experience Air Power.

While you are out here, we hope you keep security in mind, because we will. Please visit our website to review the pro-hibited items list and the FAQs tab located on the right side of the page: http://www.macdill.af.mil/AirFest-2018/.

We also ask that you remain vigilant during your visit and report suspicious ac-tivity by calling our local Eagle Eyes hot-line at 813-828-4921. Remember, you can make a difference.

Watch. Report. Protect.


COMMUNITY

For all other faith groups or for any questions, please contact the Chapel by visiting http://www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel or calling 828-3621

MacDill Lanes & Family Fun CenterClub Membership Appreciation,

6-8 p.m. Door prize drawings; cos-mic lighting and sound. All club members and their family mem-bers bowl free. Call 828-4005 for more information.

Illusionist Mike Super Free ShowAt the Base Theater, doors open

at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Note: This is a family friend-ly event, however, for the safety of our audience, all children must remain in their seats during the performance. For more information call 828-3055.

Bay Palms Golf ComplexClub Member Appreciation –

free golf and cart to AF club card members. Call 840-6904 to reserve your tee time. Must show valid club card when checking in at the pro shop.

Base TheaterFree movie: “The Lion King”

(G). Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. Overflow parking available in the SOCOM parking garage.

Surf’s Edge Club Spring luncheon from 11 a.m.

- 1:30 p.m. Everyone welcome; free for members • $11.50 family member • $12.50 all others. Mixed green salad, cream of asparagus soup, grilled chicken with arugula, tortellini tossed with pesto and sundried tomatoes, grilled zuc-chini, oven baked artichoke, rice pilaf and crispy baked sweet pota-toes drizzled with maple and frown sugar. Dessert station: key lime pie, cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries. Beverage station: sweet tea, coffee and water. *Reser-vations only required for parties of 10 or more. Call 840-2020.


During training, they focused on concepts like, “it’s not what you say, but how you say it,” and the ability to measure your non-verbal communication.

“How many times in your workplace do you hear ‘well, I told them to do that and nothing got done’? Castellano asked. “Well, that’s an example of what you say versus how you say it; what I’m teaching these Airmen is to build that relationship to know who is communicating effectively and whoever you are talking to is receiving what you’re saying.”

Airmen practiced many different exercises that allowed them to see

first-hand how their non-verbal and verbal communication impacted the relationships they were trying to build.

“Our entire intent for this was not for customer service, but to facili-tate communication training and make the customer interactions more pleasant all around,” said Col. Kevin Wright, the commander of the 6th MDG. “I am hoping these Airmen take the tools Castellano talked about and bring them back to their work sections to improve the interpersonal dynamic between themselves and the patients.”

families,” said Col. Troy Pananon, the vice commander of the 6th AMW. “From emergency aid to providing a secure retirement home for Air Force widows, the contributions to this program directly support Airmen and their family members in their time of need.”

The Air Force Aid Society supports Airmen and their families with emergency monetary relief, as well as scholastic grants for furthering education.

The Air Force Village Foundation, a San Antonio based charity organi-zation, provides care and living space to retired officers and their spouses, while the Enlisted Village supports surviving spouses of retired enlisted Airmen.

Additionally, the General Lemay Foundation assists widows of commis-sioned officers and enlisted Airmen.

For more information about the AFAF, visit www.afassitancefund.org.


Documents

Y MVY MLSSV^ (PYTLU › 041218 › McNews041218.pdfAir Force Base March 26, and will continue until May 4. Every year, Airmen are encouraged to donate to the AFAF, which pro-vides