C M Y KVol. 35, No. 49 Friday, December 12, 2008

The many traditions of the holiday season - Page 14

AIRFEST! The dates for the Annual MacDill Air Fest have been decided! The Air Fest will be March 28-29, and will be headlined by the Air Force’s precision flying team, the Thunder-birds.

by Gen. Arthur J. LichteCommander, Air Mobility Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – This past June, I issued a call for all AMC person-nel to “return to basics,” and I thank you for the renewed attention you’ve given to our core values and our mobility mission while restoring the Air Force’s good name with your daily, outstanding mission accomplish-ment.

Today, we build on that focus.As you may know, the Air Force recently

refined and expanded its focus areas, adding two to cover the nuclear enterprise and our acquisition efforts.

Our command’s new mission statement – Provide global air mobility … right effects, right place, right time – now more closely aligns with the Air Force’s new mission statement – To fly, fight and win … in air, space and cyberspace – and better illustrates the effects of the wide range of AMC mis-sions.

The fact is, the AMC mission often pro-duces intangible deliverables that weren’t captured in the command’s previous mission statement.

The headquarters staff, AMC command-ers and I have worked closely to refine the AMC focus to directly support the Air Force. AMC’s new five focus areas, all to be treated equally in value, are:

u Win Today’s Fight as Part of the Joint/

Coalition Forceu Develop and Care for our Airmen and

Familiesu Enhance Nuclear Mission Supportu Optimize Mobility Partnerships; and u Prepare Mobility Forces for the Future It is very important that you understand

how you and your unit’s mission support the AMC and Air Force priorities. Each of you and your units are vital to Air Mobility Command’s mission to Provide Global Air Mobility – the right effect at the right place at the right time.

Our mission goes beyond delivering cargo and fueling aircraft in the air. AMC Airmen provide the full spectrum of mobility opera-tions: from lifesaving care to humanitarian airlift; from air drop to air refueling; from port opening to expeditionary combat sup-port. We also produce the desired effects with pinpoint accuracy while optimizing rapid, agile, precise and dependable mobility resources worldwide in times of peace and war.

Although the mission statement and focus areas are new, they should feel very familiar to mobility Airmen. They were not developed as a new direction for Air Mobility Com-mand, but a sharpening of our focus on what we deliver for mission success. The mission and vision statements and focus areas are re-minders for us to maintain our legacy of ex-cellence and to stay focused on the important mission of global air mobility.

AMC unveils new mission statement, focus areas

Gen. Arthur J. Lichte

MacDill ThunderboltPublisher: Denise Palmer

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by Sunbelt Newspa-pers, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of

the Air Force or the 6th Air Mobility Wing.The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ-

ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Mobility Wing or Sunbelt Newspapers, Inc., of the products or service advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.

Advertising information may be obtained by calling 259-8104. For classified advertising call 657-4500.

News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, Bldg. 299, at 8208 Hangar Loop Drive, Suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621, or call the MacDill Thunderbolt staff at 828-4586. Email: thunder-bolt@MacDill.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Thursdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and time-liness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

COMMENTARY

The Action Line provides a two-way communication between the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community. A 24-hour recording service is provided so personnel may submit questions, concerns or com-ments. Call the Action Line at 828-INFO (4636)

ACTION LINE

See details on the new AMC focus, page 15

NEWS/FEATURES

BRIEFS: page 10

News and information

NEWS/FEATURES: page 4

Operation Cookie Drop

Your T-bolt Today

NEWS/FEATURES: page 7

This week in AF history

NEWS/FEATURES: page 4

Town Hall meeting

NEWS/FEATURES: page 15

New AMC focus detailed

COMMUNITY: page 24 Events, movies, chapel, more...

SPORTS/FITNESS: page 8

Exercise those hips

NEWS/FEATURES: page 4

Camping for Christmas

FEATURES: page 14

Holiday celebration variety

by Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Many military members across the Tampa Bay area and the U.S. for that matter, won’t be home for the holidays. They’ll be downrange doing what they signed up for. For the family members who are left behind, the holiday season can be especially hard. The Airman and Family Readiness Center here has many programs available to help family members stay connected while their military member is deployed.

“One of the biggest programs we have here to keep families connected is the web cam setup,” said Tech. Sgt. Kristina Keyser, Airman and Family Readiness Center deployment coordinator.

At the A&FRC military members and their spouses can connect over webcams. “As long as the military member is at a computer with a webcam, they can connect

with our webcam here,” said Sergeant Keyser. “The A&FRC is here to help. If the spouse contacts us beforehand, we can schedule this time for just about anytime they are available.”

Another way the A&FRC keeps people connected is through their sleep — more like what they sleep on. Spouses can bring a photo over to the A&FRC and they would put that photo on a pillowcase, blanket or t-shirt.

“Besides those two things, we also offer calling cards and other goodies that can be added into care packages that are sent to loved ones and coworkers,” said Sergeant Keyser.

As the holidays draw near, keep that deployed member in your thoughts. One trip to the A&FRC could brighten a deployed member’s day.

A&FRC helps connect folks over holidays

by Army Spc. Jeanie HettlerAnimal Care Specialist

With the holiday season here, the gifts of plants and treats have already begun to be divvied out among one another. People may not realize that these festive holiday traditions could be a danger to our furry family members. With symp-toms as simple as gastrointestinal up-set to as serious as coma or death, your awareness to these hazards is vital.

Holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe, Christmas rose, poinsetteas, and cycla-men should be kept out of reach of the curious nibblers. If ingested, the most common side effects are vomiting and di-arrhea. Although every pet is different, there have been more serious and even fatal consequences of over-indulging on these “pretty, but dangerous” decora-tions.

Another toxic, but not well known haz-ard to pets is the abrus precatorious seed. They are also called crab’s eye or jequin-ity bean. These red and black seeds are often used to make items such as rosary beads and Christmas wreaths. If eaten, these seeds can be fatal.

Food is a very important part of the holiday season. A few things to abso-lutely leave off of Fido’s menu of table scraps include: chocolate (especially dark

and baker’s), macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, and avocados. Also, it may seem harmless to sneak a few pieces of ham or turkey to your pet, but if you and the other 10 people at the dinner table have the same idea, you’ll have one sick puppy on your hands.

For those of you who plan to set up a Christmas tree in your home, you should be mindful of a few things. The liquid filled stand at the bottom of the tree is not ideal for a water bowl. Some of the fertilizers can dissolve into the tree wa-ter and can cause gastrointestinal upset. Also water that becomes stagnant can carry lots of harmful bacteria. The com-monly used tinsel decoration is a popular reason why cats go on trips to the emer-gency room during this season. For some reason, this stuff just looks tasty. But when Fluffy tries to eat it, it gets lodged in the esophagus and he begins to suffer from respiratory distress.

If at all possible, consider using home-made trinkets using flame-retardant pa-per products rather than glass ornaments, bulbs and other dangerous hazards.

A holiday season without that stock-ing with a paw print just wouldn’t be as warm, so keep Fido and Fluffy in the back of your mind as you make holiday plans.

Holiday hazards abound for pets; safety tips

by Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Team MacDill members got the chance to get a build-ing update and speak face-to-face with the contractors who are currently building the new family housing here Dec. 3 at the Davis Conference Center. At the meeting, members from Clark Reality and the Harbor Bay hous-ing office gave a brief overview of where the construc-tion currently stands.

Team MacDill members were able to see the upcom-ing completion dates, a current picture of the projected completed area and were able to ask questions regard-ing the project. Also on hand to answer any questions was Col. Lawrence Martin, 6th Air Mobility Wing com-mander, Col. William Francis, 6th Missions Support Group commander and Chief Master Sgt. Derrick Crow-ley, 6th Air Mobility Wing command chief. If any hous-ing residents or Team MacDill members have anymore questions regarding the new housing construction proj-ect can contact Harbor Bay at 840-2600.

NEWS/FEATURES

by Nick StubbsThunderbolt editor

Christmas on the road is a tradition with veteran FamCampers, who each year spend the holidays in their rolling homes away from home, on the beach at MacDill.

It’s not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the warmer weather and have friends in the Tampa area, or friends who are fellow campers, the holiday season camping on a scenic Tampa Bay beach can be merry indeed.

“We love it (the beach),” said the appropriately named Arlene Beach. “We have made it a tradition.”

Mrs. Beach, along with husband Robert, are among the very first FamCampers, their first stay in 1983 when there was scarcely anything resembling a campground.

“We’ve made a lot of friends over the years,” said Mr. Beach. “Of course at our age, a lot of them are dying off.”

There’s also lots to do to make campers feel at home, the entire FamCamp trans-forming into small-town U.S.A., the residents of which all share some vagabond blood. Mingling and visiting around the camp is common. Many campers get visits from family at the camp for Christmas. The Beaches will be seeing their son and his wife, while Tom and Vicky Hansen also are expecting family for the Christmas holiday.

But the FamCamp is like family, Mr. Hansen said. “It’s like having a second family,” he said. “You get to know people so well, and most

them are back every year.”The campers go caroling on Christmas Eve, attend services at the base chapel to-

gether and have Christmas dinner (“a really good dinner,” said Mrs. Hansen) at the base dining facility.

This will be the third Christmas at the FamCamp for Shirley Sutherland, who used to spend the holidays camping in Texas.

“I’m trying to get out and meet people and make friends,” she said. “I really enjoy it.”

Home may be for the holidays, but for FamCampers, the village of aluminum and fiberglass mobile dwellings by the water is home.

FamCampers enjoy Christmastime at their home away from home

Construction Town Hall meeting

Photo by Nick Stubbs

FamCampers Arlene and Robert Beach. They’ve been coming to the FamCamp for Florida sunshine and Christmas since 1983.

by Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

The aroma of fresh-baked cookies will fill the dorms Friday, Dec. 19 as the fourth annual Operation Cookie Drop brings warmth to “dorm dwellers’” hearts and stom-achs.

Volunteers are needed to make this year’s cookie drop a great success. All homemade cookies for the dorm Airmen should be taken to the Chapel annex between 7:30 a.m. and noon, Thursday Dec. 18. Volunteers are also needed to help package the cookies from noon until 4:30 p.m.

Children from Tinker Elementary and the Child De-velopment Center will be decorating the packaging for the cookies.

The cookies will be given to the dorm residents during the First Sergeants’ second annual pizza party. Anyone interested in volunteering to bake cookies or help pack-age should call Master Sgt. Penny Barnett at 813-407-8416.

Operation Cookie Drop

December 7, 1941The Japanese attack

Pearl Harbor.

December 8, 1941The United States de-

clares war on Japan.

December 9, 1956The 463rd Troop Carrier Wing receives the Air

Force’s first C-130 Hercules tactical cargo and troop carrier. This four-engine turboprop airlifter has an unre-fueled range of more than 2,500 miles. It can take off and land in about 3,600 feet.

December 10, 1954In a rocket-propelled sled run, Col. (Dr.) John P.

Stapp goes 632 mph and sustains greater G-force than ever endured in recorded deceleration tests. The test determines that humans can survive ejec-tion from aircraft at supersonic speeds.

(Information provided by www.af.mil)

Air Force History A look back at this week in AF history

for Dec. 4-10

FEATURES

SPORTS/FITNESS

1. Member is to stabilize themselves on their toes and forearms. 2. Ensure lower back is not dipped. Maintain a flat back in the starting po-

sition. 3. Raise your hips into the air slowly and return to the starting position

slowly concentrating on keeping the back flat in the starting position.

Exercise: Plank/hip raiseEquipment needed: Just you

Road constructionWork recently began Dec. 8 and will last

through Dec. 17 along Golf Course Avenue and Golf Course Road. Expect minor delays and lane changes as construction progresses.

A second project will run Dec. 15 through Jan. 9 outside of the Bayshore Gate. The work will include roadway milling and resurfacing, speed table installation and striping. Bay-shore Gate will operate under normal hours. Please expect minor delays and lane changes as construction progresses and be patient.

Christmas musical dramaManhattan Baptist Church (4300 S. Man-

hattan Avenue, Tampa, Fla. 33611) will be holding a Christmas Musical “forever GLO-RIA!” Dec. 13th at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free.

Top III scholarshipThe MacDill Top III is offering a $250

scholarship to recognize the contributions and continued service of the career enlisted force. All active duty enlisted personnel as-signed in the Tampa Bay area on their second enlistment or career service and pursuing a baccalaureate or master degree are eligible to apply. Scholarship specifics are available on the TOP III Web site, www.macdilltop3.org, and the deadline for submission is Dec. 19. For details call Master Sgt. Yolanda Barber at 827-9808.

Pharmacy closuresAll pharmacy locations will be closed Dec.

25-28, reopening Dec. 29 for normal business hours. They will again be closed Jan. 1-4, re-opening Jan. 5 for normal business hours.

AFSA Chapter 522The local MacDill Air Force Sergeants As-

sociation meets every third Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Enlisted Club. All ranks are wel-come. For details, please call Master Sgt. Rhonda Chapman at 826-2757, Senior Master Sgt. Monica Pemberton at 827-9309, or Mas-ter Sgt. Nicole Winchester at 827-9308.

Airmen’s Attic thanks allThe volunteers of the Airmen’s Attic wish

Happy Holidays to all, especially their cus-tomers, and all who have donated items this past year. All donations continue to help oth-ers and brighten their lives. The Attic looks forward to your continued support. Thank you from the Airmen’s Attic volunteer staff.

Zero Overpricing Program

BRIEFS

See BRIEFS, Page 12

The Zero Overpricing Program challenges you to help the Air Force save money while earning money for yourself. No matter if your idea can help save a small or large amount of money, every penny counts, so please submit those overpriced items on AF Form 1046, “Zero Overpricing Challenge/Referral,” to 6 LRS/LGRMCC, to the attention of Staff Sgt. Shandreka Glanton or Senior Airman Nellie Terry. If you have any questions you can give us a call at 828-3070 or 828-3870.

AF Climate Survey deadline extended to Dec. 14RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS — If you want to play a part in shaping

our future Air Force, an effective and proven tool may be sitting in your inbox.Since Oct. 1, an initial e-mail invitation and several follow-on reminders were

sent out Air Force-wide, which included a link to the 2008 Air Force Climate Survey and easy-to-follow instructions. So far, about 41 percent have responded.

“Our senior leaders want to know what you think and how you feel about your job, mission and unit,” said Dorathy Felberg, of the Air Force Survey Office located at the Air Force Manpower Agency here. “Your participation is critical in helping to create positive change in your unit.”

The 2008 survey is designed to assess the opinions and perceptions of the Air Force’s active-duty members, Reserve, Guard and civilian personnel (appropriated and nonappropriated) on a wide range of topics from job characteristics to general satisfaction.

Once the data is gathered, the results will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, and then released to the Air Force’s unit leaders sometime in Spring 2009. Technical upgrades to the Air Force Survey System for 2008 will allow commanders to access their reports earlier than in previous years, enabling them to start making immediate improvements to their organizations.

The survey link remains active through Dec. 14. If a new link is needed, e-mail the Air Force Survey Office at af.surveys@randolph.af.mil.

BRIEFSFrom Page 10

by Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Throughout December, Christmas carols can be heard on the radio and trees and lights can be seen throughout the neigh-borhoods. Many people just focus on Santa Claus and presents but there are other celebrations going on during this season.

There are thousands of cultures and religions populating the U.S. According to CIA.gov, 52 percent of the population is Protestant, 24 percent is Roman Catholic, 2 percent is Mor-mon, 1 percent is Jewish, 1 percent is Muslim, 10 percent is other and 10 percent is none. The Air Force population is just as diverse.

Diversity is something the Air Force embraces, especially the Chaplain Services

“Quote from Chaplain Wiggins about how the Air Force ac-

commodates all religions”At MacDill, this notion is taken to a whole new level with

the Central Commands Coalition Village which has more than 64 countries present. Here, many holidays are being celebrat-ed.

“Although Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is extremely prevalent in the United States, during the holiday season, other religions and ethnic groups have much to celebrate,” said Staff Sgt. Raina Sewell, 6th Air Mobility Wing Equal Opportunity specialist.

While those without religious beliefs don’t spiritualize the holiday season, many choose to celebrate by spending time with loved ones, said Sergeant Sewell.

“As we all enjoy the holiday season, it is important to re-member that there are many different ways and reasons to celebrate,” she said.

Holidays around the table

Hanukkah is the Jewish Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedi-cation. The Hebrew word Ha-nukkah, also written Hannuka or Chanukah, means dedica-tion. The Hanukkah holiday be-gins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, approximately December, and lasts eight days.

During Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions are made to the poor. On the first evening, one candle is lighted in a special eight-branched candelabrum called a menorah. Begin-ning on the second night, one candle is added every night until the total reaches eight on the last night. The candles are lighted by a separate candle called a shamash.

Hanukkah

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindu culture, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor and gai-ety. Thousands of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar and Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab it is celebrated as Lohri and Maghi. Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God of Hindus begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemi-sphere. On Makar Sankranti day signifies an event wherein the Gods seem to remind their children that ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya’. May you go higher and higher - to more and more Light and never to darkness.

Makar Sankranti

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that begins Dec. 26 and lasts for seven days. The word Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means first fruits in Kiswahili, an East African lan-guage.

The holiday was developed in 1966 in the United States by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Pan-African studies and a black cultural leader. The holiday centers on the Nguzo Saba, seven principles of black culture developed by Karenga. These principles are Umoja, unity; Kujichagulia, self-determination; Ujima, collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa cooperative economics; Nia, purpose; Kuumba, creativity and Imani, faith.

Near the end of the holiday, the community gathers for a feast called karamu. It features traditional foods, ceremonies honoring the ancestors, assessments of the old year and commitments for the new, performances, music and dancing

Kwanzaa

Christmas is a Christian holiday that cele-brates the birth of Jesus Christ. No one knows the exact date of Christ’s birth, but most Chris-tians observe Christmas Dec. 25. On this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services. During the Christ-mas season, they also exchange gifts and dec-orate their homes with holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees.

The origin of the Christmas tree is in debate, but can be traced to 16th century Germany.

The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early Eng-lish phrase that means Mass of Christ.

Christmas

by Gen. Arthur J. LichteCommander, Air Mobility Command

Win Today’s Fight as Part of the Joint/Coalition Force

Winning the fight today with our Joint and Coalition partners is job No. 1. We do this through increased velocity and capacity to de-liver to the warfighter the right effect, at the right place and the right time. Many of our previous efforts were focused on this area and remain vital to today’s fight.

Although this focus area lists the com-mand’s three recognized capabilities as airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation, it is important to acknowledge the mission would not be accomplished without a dedicated and very capable support system.

We must also improve and advocate for glob-al reach laydown -- our en route system and worldwide support of contingency operations -- with trained, ready personnel and equip-ment, able to respond to challenging mission requirements quickly and reliably. This mis-sion is essential to our nation’s ability to proj-ect power and humanitarian assistance.

Command, control and communications systems also must be continuously improved, incorporating diverse information technology systems, providing secure, quality data and lessons learned to inform our leaders as they make decisions.

And as we pursue these challenges, we will keep safety and dependability always in mind. We must protect our force through improved operational information protection, physical communication and other security measures.

Develop and Care for Our Airmen and Fami-lies

AMC will continue to strengthen its military and civil-ian force, and their families, by p r o m o t i n g health, education, discipline, integrity, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, described this focus area best. He said, “I see this as a broader emphasis founded on the notion that our people raised their hand, took an oath, and forever changed their lives in the name of service. They in-curred a commitment, and likewise, the Air Force has a commitment to them and their families.”

The bottom line is, developing and caring for Airmen and families must remain central

to the command’s focus.Our greatest asset is our people. In fact, all

industry and military speakers, authors and educators attribute great results to having the right people in the right positions. We must ensure we develop and keep the right people for our crucial mission.

In addition to providing quality housing and dormitories, base services and post-deployment help, we will continue to focus on the profes-sional development of our Airmen, including training, education, health and fitness, pro-motions, and ensuring the right balance and end strength of our force. We will also focus on expeditionary requirements, ensuring the right footprint forward. It’s important that we provide our Airmen with processes that are predictable, stable and dependable.

It’s also important to recognize the word “Airman” includes our total force: active duty, guard and Reserve personnel and our civilian employees. Each person is a vital and impor-tant part of our mission.

Enhance Nuclear Mission SupportWhile AMC has a supporting role in the Air

Force nuclear mission, the command’s role is just as vital as any mission and requires con-tinued superior oversight, reliability, manning, training, and nuclear command and control and communications. We will ensure opera-tions, security, maintenance, logistics person-nel are properly trained, evaluated, and ag-gressively exercised in order to produce fully prepared generation forces, command and con-trol nodes, and secure mobility capabilities.

We will use recent recommendations from the Air Force Nuclear Task Force and the Secretary of Defense’s Task Force on Nuclear Weapons Management to ensure we are fully compliant.

We will reinvigorate command-wide support in every aspect of our nuclear mission — Air-lift, Air Refueling, and Command & Control — through flawless execution and unwaver-ing dedication to excellence at all levels. Our unfaltering, all-encompassing commitment to our nuclear missions will provide the founda-tion for success as we revitalize this highly-visible priority. Through this emphasis, along with rigorous self inspections and headquar-ters inspections, we will enhance our culture of accountability.

Optimize Mobility PartnershipsAMC will continue to pursue opportunities

and initiatives with its active-duty, Reserve, guard and civilian partners. This area is unique to AMC as it pays tribute to the fact that our partners bring significant contribu-tions to our overall capability.

And as the lead Air Force command for all Mobility Air Forces, we must continue to pur-

sue initiatives that produce synergies across all MAF providers, including military and civilian employees, as well as industry part-ners. This includes international Rodeo par-ticipation, FMS, host nation partnerships, and more.

It is also in this focus area, and in preparing for tomorrow that we acknowledge our acqui-sition contributions and ensure that we sup-port the Air Force priority of Acquistion Ex-cellence with transparent and well prepared programs.

Prepare Mobility Forces for futureAMC must ensure sufficient infrastructure

to enable the global reach that this command delivers every day.

The KC-X and our other recapitalization and modernization programs are crucial to the future, as well as pursuing new technolo-gies to ensure AMC remains unrivaled. Our en route infrastructure is also equally vital to our mission, and we must continue to refine our long-term strategy to ensure we have the access required for global reach.

We must al-so seek ways to achieve informa-tion dominance and security -- themes that resonate from virtually every of-fice and are signifi-cant enablers of the AMC mission.

The journey to improve effectiveness and efficiencies must be-come part of daily business across all function-al areas. Effectiveness comes in many forms, from customer service to combat employment, to intangible joint effects. Efficiency enables us to do the mission with the fewest resources possible and therefore enable more participa-tion in other vital endeavors.

I encourage every AMC Airman to under-stand our command’s mission and vision state-ments and focus areas. Then, take the next step to understand how your unit’s mission fits in. Each of us should easily see ourselves in this work.

Rest assured, we will continue to improve, innovate, overcome and adapt to changes in the world to ensure our ability to provide worldwide, world-class airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and the necessary global reach laydown to support our joint and coalition partners.

I am extremely proud of this command and what we, together, bring to our nation. Each of us is vital to the air mobility team – each of us needs to bring our A game every day – to-gether we move toward our vision of Unrivaled Global Reach for America.

Key points of new Air Mobility Command focus

Spread the Word Maj. Gen “K.C.” McClain, com-mander, Air Force Personnel Center speaks at the beginning of the AFPC “Spread the Word” Team briefing in the base theater here Dec. 4. The briefing provided information on personnel issues and delivery trans-formation. Team MacDill Air Force members were able to have direct, face-to-face contact with AFPC personnel to address concerns and receive feedback. Specific topics included: 365-day deployment op-tions, the Global AEF tempo-band-ing system, civilian hiring proce-dures, and assignment processes.

Photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade

Brave KidsLenir LaCour, 11, Tanner Wilson,10, and Robby Killette, 11, children from the Tampa Children’s Cancer Center, ex-plore the boom operator section of a KC-135 Dec. 6. The event was held be-cause these children are currently un-dergoing chemotherapy and not strong enough to come out to the Air Show or any other public event. Along with flight crew equipment, the children were able to tour a KC-135 with a flight crew and were able to ask questions. Through-out the day they saw a dog demonstra-tion, got a visit from the 6th Civil Engi-neer Fire Department and their Mascot “Sparky.” Highlighting the day’s event was a demonstration from a Special Operations Command jump team and a group photo with all military members in front of a KC-135.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Ronnie Hill

Photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade

Swinging event!Andy Bean, Champion Tour player and 2008 Charles Schwab Cup Champion, dem-onstrates swing techniques (left) at the Bay Palms golf course during his visit to MacDill Dec. 3. Mr. Bean demonstrated proper golf techniques and assisted the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Lawrence Martin and his wife, on how to improve their golfing skills. He also signed autographs on golf balls and other memorabilia.

Photo by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade

The Life Airman 1st Class Kylincia Cannon, 6th Force Support Squadron dining facility journeyman, tests out one of the massage chairs in the new Oasis room Dec. 5. The chapel, along with help from the MacDill First Ser-geants, came together to create an Airman Ministries Center called the Oasis located on the second floor of building 377. The room features massage chairs, new flat-screen television, a popcorn machine and comfy sofas avaliable 24/7 for Airmen.

MACDILL COMMUNITY

Friday 7 p.m.

High School Musical 3High school seniors Troy and Gabriella face the pros-

pect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats they stage an elaborate spring musi-cal reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. G

Saturday 3 p.m.

The Secret Life of BeesLily, a 14-year-old girl, is haunted by the memory of

her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. PG-13

Saturday 7 p.m.

FREE screening

Coming Soon

Role ModelsDanny and Wheeler, two salesmen who trash a com-

pany truck on an energy drink-fueled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 hours with a mentorship program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn’t look half bad.

AT THE MOVIES

SaturdayTeen Night Out

The youth center will be open from 5 to 10 a.m. for teens 13-18. Free for mem-bers and $2 for nonmem-bers. There will be pizza, games and a movie.

WednesdayJingle Bell Jog

Sign up at the Fitness Center at 7 a.m. for the 7:15 a.m. 5K run. There will be prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place “best holiday dressed”

Karaoke Nights by the Bay

Open from 7 p.m. un-til close in the SeaScapes Florida Room. Come out and eat and drink while you sing-along to all your favorite songs.

OngoingCome out to the Infor-

mation Ticket and Tours located in the BX shopping mall for these great deals.

AMC theater ticketsGold Experience Ticket -

$8.25, which can be used to see any movie, any time.

Silver Experience Ticket - $6.50, which can be used to movies after first 10-days of first run engagement.

Channelside Cinemas - $6.50

Channelside IMAX - $8.50

Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets

Section 106-109 our price: $66, gate: $101.75

Section 312 our price: $16, gate: $46.75

Upcoming home games are Dec. 18, 27, 30 and Jan. 3, 15.

EVENTS

Protestant servicesDec. 21 9 at a.m. Combined Protestant Worship ServiceDec. 24 at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve ServiceDec. 28 at 9 a.m. Combined Protestant Worship ServiceDec. 31 at 10 p.m. Watch night Service, followed by Breakfast**Jan. 4 will be normal Protestant Services**For other faith groups please call the chapel at 828-3621.

Catholic servicesDec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by Advent Enrichment Talk

Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. Mass followed by the Advent Enrichment Gathering, Talk & Potluck in Annex 2 Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Advent Penance ServiceDec. 24 at 9 p.m. Christmas Vigil MassDec. 25 at 10:30 a.m. Christmas MassJan. 1 at 10:30 Mass Honoring the Blessed Mother **Weekend Mass times remain the same through holiday sea-son** Jewish and Islamic servicesCall 828-3621 for information

CHAPEL SCHEDULE

Iight it Up! Santa passes out candy canes to all the good boys and girls after the tree annual holiday tree lighting Dec. 4. This year’s event, sponsored by the base chapel, began with hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. Then Christmas carols by the Tinker elementary school choir, followed by the base chapel choir. Chaplain (Capt.) Anthony Wiggins blessed the crowd with a prayer and the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander Col. Lawrence Martin and command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Derrick Crowley, ignited the tree of white lights. The tree lighting takes place every year outside of the security force buildingPhoto by Senior Airman Stephenie Wade