Team MacDill makes a splash - page 10

Transcription

Vol. 44, No. 26
News/Features: page 3
Civilian careers explored
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Team MacDill makes a splash - page 10
Fireworks safety tips
Week in photos: page 4
Images from the week
CSAF perspective
Photo by Senior Airman Tori Schultz
Community: page 19
Events, Chapel, more...
Members from Team MacDill start the first 5K run portion of the Dash-N-Splash competition on MacDill Air Force Base
Friday. Thirty people participated in the annual event which consisted of which consisted of two 5K runs and a 200-meter
swim.
WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM u THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 u MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
2
COMMENTARY
The grass is green where we water it
by Tech. Sgt. David Hardy
Joint Base Charleston Airman Leadership School
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C.—
“Man, I can’t wait to get outta here. It’s gonna
be nice to get away from all this nonsense. I
wish my boss was like...”
How many times do we say or think something along these lines? It’s easy for us to have
a “grass is greener on the other side” approach
to life. Escape seems easy because it requires
no effort. However, we eventually find ourselves
engaged in the vicious cycle of repeating those
same thoughts. The reality is, the grass is
greener where we water it.
When we fall into the trap of believing things
are better “over there,” we become victims of
defeatism. We simply hope things will get better instead of taking the bull by the horns and
making them better.
Chief Master Sgt. Mark A. Bronson, 628th
Air Base Wing command chief, recently told
an Airman Leadership School class, “It isn’t
enough to hope; hope is not a strategy.”
These were simple, yet wise and profound
words.
To extend the metaphor, if we stand in our
yard where weeds have taken over, look at our
neighbor’s lush green lawn and think to ourselves, “If I had just bought that house, I would
have that lawn,” we have defeated ourselves.
We haven’t taken into account the dedication
our neighbor has poured into his lawn—the
endless hours of seeding, weeding and watering. We assume the lawn we admire is simply
a matter of chance. In reality, much hard work
and many sacrifices produced the end result.
Chief Bronson asked the students, “How do
you set yourselves apart from your peers in
your job?”
He went there! His thoughts were on the trajectory of empowering the Airmen to take matters into their own hands—to write their own
success story. Instead of simply sitting around
hoping things will one day be better, we must
ask ourselves what we are going to do now to
ensure our careers are successful.
Before anything is done, before anything can
be accomplished, an attitude shift may be in
order. Before something exists, the thought of it
exists.
The Wright brothers did not wake up one
cool North Carolina morning, head to their garage, start tinkering with spare parts and then
step back and proclaim, “Look, an airplane!”
Orville and Wilbur started with an idea, just
like many other brilliant people who have excellent ideas every day. What set the Wrights
apart was the motivation and the mindset to be
successful. They refused to sit back and wait for
someone else to do the improbable.
A positive attitude and resilience must exist
for any idea to become reality. Picture the naysayers.
The Wright brothers were surely ridiculed
leading up to their first attempt at flight and
after it failed, the sentiment of doubt increased.
However, they pressed on.
The second failure was met with more jeering, but the Wrights continued with more determination.
When the third attempt succeeded and the
brothers repeated their success over 700 times,
all of the critics were silenced. The “improbable”
eventually turned into the greatest Air Force on
the planet.
Their perception and success were determined by their attitude. Reality grounded them
a couple times, but they refused to accept failure.
What do we want to achieve in our lives? Are
we going to take our careers into our own hands
or just hope success falls out of the sky and into
our laps?
The United States is the greatest country in
the history of humanity; how will we represent
it?
Successful people take matters into their
own hands, so get to work and start watering
your grass!
Be sure to visit the MacDill Air Force Base website at www.macdill.af.mil
COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE
The Action Line provides two-way communication between the
6th Air Mobility Wing commander and the MacDill community.
Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via Emailing
[email protected].
MacDill on the web
Website: www.macdill.af.mil
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MacDillAirForceBase
Instagram: macdill_afb
Twitter: @macdill_afb
MacDill Thunderbolt
Publisher: Joe DeLuca
Editor: Nick Stubbs
The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publishing Company, 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, including
inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by
the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force,
6th Air Mobility Wing or the TImes Publishing Company of the
products or service advertised.
For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3326.
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.
News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted
to the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar
Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt
at 828-2215. Email: [email protected].
Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays 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 timeliness.
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.
NEWS/FEATURES
Team MacDill trades camo for suits
by Staff Sgt. Shandresha Mitchell
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce hosted Operation Partnership: Civilian Career Day, Friday, where members from Team MacDill, both active duty and reservists, were paired with chamber members to learn about a civilian career.
The purpose of the event was to provide service members with an
understanding of the Tampa Bay employment sector as they begin transitioning into their civilian career. During the event, service members
had the opportunity to partner with a businessperson and learn what a
typical day in a civilian career would be like.
“We identified a need for the community to know more about MacDill,
as well as realizing that many service members performing their duties
on MacDill could benefit from knowing civilians outside the gate,” said
Edward Spenceley, Military Council Veterans Employment Co-Chair.
“This program is about establishing and promoting relationships at the
personal level between our service members on MacDill and the people
of Tampa.”
In 2015, the program underwent significant changes when the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce decided to incorporate it under their
Veterans Employment Committee.
Spenceley explained this program is a huge benefit to both the community and the service member, because for every 100 service members
who separate from service at MacDill, 44 remain in the area.
This year’s event began with breakfast at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce office followed by service members shadowing chamber members in their place of business. This portion of the program allowed military members to network and gain insight on various careers
outside of their military skill set.
“It’s amazing to see the number of careers available,” said Staff Sgt.
Edward Spenceley, Military Council Veterans Employment Co-Chair,
greets attendees of Operation Partnership: Civilian Career Day
2016 at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce in Tampa Friday.
During the event, service members had the opportunity to partner with a
businessperson and see what a typical day in a civilian career would be like.
Brittany Lightfoot, a contract specialist assigned to the 6th Contracting
Squadron. “What we don’t realize in the military is how sharing stories
and experiences with our civilian counterparts can benefit us over time,
and prepare us for our next step as we begin transitioning.”
Attendees had the opportunity to meet business executives and human resources professionals from more than 20 companies, and for ma-
MACDILL THUNDERBOLT u THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 u WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM
3
See CAREERS, Page 13
MacDill encourages fireworks
safety for safe, happy Fourth
by Senior Airman Tori Schultz
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is fast approaching. Many families
and friends are planning what fireworks they
want and where to ignite them. While the holiday may be an exciting time to get together
and celebrate, safety must be a top priority.
Since June 1, 2015, there have been three
reported mishaps in the Air Force causing 19
lost work days due to fireworks. In the U.S.,
approximately 46 percent of fireworks injuries
involve hands and fingers, followed by 17 percent involving the eyes, head, face and ears;
more than half of these injuries were burns.
Safety officials recommend only lighting
fireworks on the ground and in damp, fire
resistant areas. Users should never point lit
sparklers or fireworks at themselves or others.
Always keep a portable fire extinguisher close
See FIREWORKS, Page 12
Photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz
MacBones, 6th Air Mobility Wing safety skeleton, posted by a firework display from a safe
distance in Tampa, June 17, 2014. Fireworks should only be lit on the ground and a bucket of
water should be close by to put out fires.
4
WEEK IN PHOTOS
Photo by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr.
(Right) Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, 6th Air Mobility Wing command chief, visits the Air Traffic Control simulator during Airmen’s Time at MacDill
Air Force Base June 20. Airmen’s Time allows Noel to observe each of MacDill’s units and experience how they contribute to the Air Force’s mission.
Photo by Senior Airman Tori Schultz
Photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon
Col. Joel Gartner, commander of the 6th Mission Support
Group, passes the guidon to Maj. Lawrence Smith,
incoming commander of the 6th Logistics Readiness
Squadron, during a change of command ceremony at
MacDill Air Force Base June 21. The passing of the
guidon represents the beginning of Smith’s tenure as
the commander of the squadron.
Col. Daniel Tulley, (left) commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, passes the squadron
guidon to Lt. Col. Alan Copeland, incoming commander of the 6th Comptroller Squadron,
during a change of command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base Monday. The passing
of the guidon represents the beginning of Copeland’s tenure as commander of the
squadron.
NEWS/FEATURES
Airman earns ‘Ultimate Champion’ title at Warrior Games
by Shannon Collins
DOD News Defense Media Activity
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AFNS) — Medically
retired Master Sgt. Reese Hines earned the
“Ultimate Champion” title and bragging rights
at the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior
Games at the U.S. Military Academy here.
Vying for the title, athletes competed in
their respective disability classifications in five
sporting events. Each service branch was allotted two slots for a man and woman. Service
branches also earned team points based on the
designated competitors’ results in their events.
The Ultimate Champion was the athlete who
earned the most points in the events.
From June 15-21, Hines and about 250 other
wounded, ill and injured service members and
veterans representing teams from the Army,
Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force,
U.S. Special Operations Command and U.K.
armed forces competed in shooting, archery, cycling, track and field, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.
Surprised to win
Hines, a first-time Warrior Games competitor, said he was surprised to end up as this
year’s winner.
“It’s pretty overwhelming,” he said. “I knew
See CHAMPION, Page 14
Photo by EJ Hersom
Former Master Sgt. Reese Hines poses for a photo with a competition air rifle at the U.S. Military
Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 19. Hines was named the event’s Ultimate Champion after
winning a series of events.
Two great
sources,
one powerful
result.
Discover your perfect new,
used or certified car or truck
with tampabay.com/AutoLink,
a comprehensive vehicle
search engine powered
by AutoTrader.com.
• Personalized search
• Reviews and photos
• Sell your car
5
6
BRIEFS
Women of the Chapel meeting
The MacDill Protestant Women of the Chapel invite you to a “Summer Night
of Worship” July 8 from 7 to 8:30pm at the MacDill Beach Pavilion. Join them for
fellowship, worship and prayer on the beach. Bring a water bottle, beach towel
and bug spray. Childcare is not provided. Please email [email protected]
for more information.
Overcoming barriers;
now serving openly
Military Widows meet monthly
The Society of Military Widows meets the first Saturday of each month. They
will be meeting July 2 at 11 a.m. at the Ranch House Grill on 4426 W. Gandy
Blvd. For more information, contact Barbara Scott at bjmonkeymonkey@yahoo.
com.
Courtesy photo
Col. Karen Church, the chief nurse with the 6th Medical
Group, poses for a photo with her spouse, Vi Barriger,
family and friends during her promotion ceremony. Since
the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2011,
Church can now openly serve as a member of the lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender community.
by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams
Smart Financial Decision Making Starts Here
MakingCents gives you the clear, step-by-step information you need to make smart financial
decisions. You can take charge of your financial goals through self-paced, customized learning,
no matter where you are in life.
Select one or more goals and learn as you go—start and stop anytime, and we’ll save your spot.
> Buy a home
> Improve personal finances
> Pay for college
> Get your first credit card
> Manage credit
> Purchase a car
You know where you want to go.
We can help you get there.
To get started, visit
navyfederal.org/makingcents today.
Federally insured by NCUA. © 2016 Navy Federal NFCU 13567 (6-16)
310558-1
For more than 20 years of her service, Col. Karen Church,
the chief nurse with the 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air
Force Base kept a secret.
In 1991, a then prior active-duty Air Force nurse, Church
served as a critical care nurse at the veteran’s hospital in
Albuquerque, New Mexico. There she met Vi Barriger, a
floor nurse at the same hospital. It wasn’t love at first sight,
and they eventually developed a relationship and became a
couple. After three years together, Church returned to active duty.
At the time, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy didn’t allow
military members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to openly serve. For that reason,
Barriger took on a new role.
“I became a travel nurse,” explained Barriger, Church’s
spouse. “I would go wherever she was stationed and set up
a household, then I would disappear because we couldn’t let
everyone know that we were a couple.
“I would be gone for about 13 weeks at a time and then
come home for a week or so (and) I would come back if she
had a permanent change of station (PCS) or a temporary
duty assignment, to take care of the house and that kind of
stuff,” Barriger said. “But for the most part, we spent a good
part of the last 25 years apart.”
To avoid questions, Church introduced Barriger as her
sister.
See OPEN, Page 17
7
304608-1
8
Reminder for FY16 Closeout Dates
Base personnel please be aware of deadlines for FY 16 Close-out dates and must meet or
have already met the suspense dates below to ensure FY 16 requirements are executed by
30 Sep 17
April 1:
All Construction projects regardless of cost
Services over $2,000,000
May 20:
Services between $150,000 and $2,000,000 Commodities/Supplies (Including
GSA) over $2,000,000 (these requirements will only be accepted if there's a Wg/CC
endorsement and sufficient time remains to make a competitive contract award)
June 17:
Service recurring rentals and Preventive Maintenance Agreements
Commodities/Supplies (including GSA) $150,000 to $2,000,000
July 29:
One time services up to $150,000
August 12: Commodities/Supplies (including GSA) up to $150,000
Deliberate Excellence!
EMPOWER the
NEXT GENERATION
1
PART-TIME PROGRAMS IN
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
&
SPECIAL EDUCATION
JOIN other students at USF’s College of Education
Part-Time Program and use your creative passion for
working, to inspire and challenge the next generation.
LEARN MORE: www.usf.edu/education/teach/prep/
314814-1
We Now Accept TRICARE
Choose BayCare Urgent Care for:
Q Allergic reactions
Q Animal and insect bite treatment
Q Camp, school and sports physicals
Q Eye infections
Q Fractures
Q Skin rash and irritation
Q Sprains and strains
Q Wound care
Q X-ray, lab, EKG
Skip the Line.
1. Go to BayCareUrgentCare.org.
2. Click “Save Your Spot.”
Walk-Ins Welcome
Monday–Saturday, 8am–8pm | Sunday, 12–6pm
3. Choose your location
and time.
BayCare Urgent Care (South Tampa)
1155 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | (813) 609-3666
4. Receive a text when it’s
almost your turn.
Visit BayCareUrgentCare.org
to see all 10 urgent care locations.
298840-1
BC1603595-0516
9
10
MacDill hosts 3rd annual Dash-
Photos by Se
Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Shiao Kang, a fitness specialist with the 6th Force Support Squadron, walks out of
the water after finishing a 200 meter swim during the
Dash-N-Splash at MacDill Air Force Base Friday.
Senior Airman Matthew Altimari, (left) a marine patrol crewmember with the 6th Security Forces S
competition on MacDill Air Force Base Friday. The event consisted of a 5K run, 200-meter swim, a
Capt. Vanessa Parnell, an Air Force Reserve intelligence officer with U.S. Special
Operations Command, competes in the third annual Dash-N-Splash competition at
MacDill Air Force Base, Friday.
The 6th Force Support Squadron Short Fitness Center member
competition on MacDill Air Force Base Friday. Thirty people pa
consisted of a 5K run, 200-meter swim, and ended with anothe
-N-Splash
enior Airman Tori Schultz
Squadron, and Daniel McIntosh, military dependent, compete in the third annual Dash-N-Splash
and ended with another 5K run.
rs held the annual Dash-N-Splash
articipated in the competition that
her 5K run.
Capt. Michael Schultz, the officer-in charge of the
Brandon Clinic pharmacy, runs a 5K in the Dash-NSplash competition on MacDill Air Force Base Friday.
Schultz was the first place male finisher for the third
annual event which consisted of two 5K runs and a
200-meter swim.
Participants from the Dash-N-Splash pose for a group photo after the event at MacDill Air Force Base Friday. The
event consisted of a 5K run, 200 meter swim, and ended with another 5K run. Thirty people participated in the event.
11
12
NEWS/FEATURES
AF Chief: Joint Force in excellent shape, but needs resources, prioritization
by Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2016 — The joint force is in excellent
shape, but leaders must pay attention to it, Air Force Gen. Mark A.
Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, told the Defense Writers Group
here today.
Welsh – a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – spoke to the group as
one of his last public acts in office. He retires later this month after 40
years in uniform.
But the general didn’t look back, and he said his service is well-placed
to counter future threats.
Transnational, multidomain threats
Welsh said he agrees with Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that transnational, multidomain
threats will be the hallmark of conflict in the future.
“Compared to any other service, the Air Force is already operating
transnationally and across domains today,” he said. “We cross a lot of
boundaries.”
Aircraft, by their nature, are a transnational asset, he said, noting
that aircraft launching from the United States can cross a number of
combatant commands. The Air Force also does multidomain operations
every day, he added.
The Navy is another service with this expertise in its DNA, Welsh
said. He noted the Navy is launching sorties from the Mediterranean
Sea to the Middle East, crossing the boundary from U.S. European
Command into U.S. Central Command’s area of operations.
“But what we need to do as a joint force is how do we bring all that
together,” he said. “The other services do the same thing -- we just do it
on a broader scale day to day. The American military is used to dealing
with transnational and multidomain conflict, the general said, but
military leaders need to make sure the command and control systems
and sensor networks are capable of connecting across all lines.
Prioritization of planning, resources
The Joint Chiefs are worried about prioritization of planning and
prioritization of resource assignment as they look at problems that
straddle geographic lines, Welsh told the writers.
“If you take Russia as an example, if someone asks, ‘What’s the issue
with Russia, and what’s our plan for action if the next Russian action
should occur?’ It’s not just U.S. European Command, which is where
everybody tends to look,” he said. “European Command is worried about
any engagement with Russia, but so is Central Command, so is Pacific
Command, so is Strategic Command, Northern Command – everybody is
worried about it.”
The question then becomes how the military balances the priority
Air Force photo by Matthew Jurgens
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III speaks with airmen at
Patrick Air Force Base May 9. The general is retiring later this month
and spoke about the joint force to the Defense Writers Group in
Washington June 15.
for planning and resources across all those lines. “The chairman really
has to be the one, along with the Joint Staff, to do that direction and
prioritization,” Welsh said. “That’s what General Dunford is talking
about.”
Joint Force is healthy
The joint force is really healthy, the general said -- able to execute the
strategy well and amazingly capable. “If you look at the results of joint
operations over time, they are pretty darn good,” he said. “There is no
one on Earth that’s as capable as the American military.”
The joint force has the same problem the Air Force has, the general
said. “We’re short on people in many areas,” he explained. “We need to
modernize. We just have got to realize that for the tasks we’ve been
given, there needs to be a certain level of resources assigned to it, or
change the tasking.”
The last is not something military leaders decide, Welsh said.
“If we decide that the United States is not going to be as engaged and
use its military as it has for the last 50 or 60 years, OK,” he said. “Then
we will tell you what the military needs to look like to do whatever the
nation wants us to be able to do. But you can’t expect to keep using us
the way we’ve been used over the last 50 years and cut the size of the
force and limit our ability to modernize it. That combination doesn’t
work.”
FIREWORKS
From Page 3
by and a water hose or bucket of water to put out fires. Never disassemble or try to make your own fireworks.
“We recommend that if you do not have specific training with fireworks,
then do not use them,” said David O’Neil, a safety specialist with the 6th
Air Mobility Wing Safety Office. “Fireworks can do severe damage to a person if they don’t know the exact safety precautions to take.”
Location is also a priority when lighting fireworks. Legally, individuals are not allowed to use them on base.
According to MacDill AFB Instruction 32-106, paragraph 76, “Fire-
works of any description will not be used within the confines of MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, except for holiday purposes and only upon
approval of the base fire chief. Only licensed and bonded personnel will
handle the fireworks.
If you would like to watch a fireworks show, the Tampa Bay area has
many events to choose from. Holiday celebrations can be seen in the
skies over: Channelside Bay Plaza, Tampa Fla., Plant City Stadium,
Plant City, Fla., Downtown St. Pete, Fla., and Coachman Park, Clearwater, Fla.
From Page 3
ny service members, this was their first networking experience with the Tampa Bay business community.
“Networking is important because we are making those
lasting connections, and gaining a better understanding
of our community and those who make it what it is,” said
Lightfoot.
This year, more than 40 service members were in attendance and the chamber is expecting an even larger turnout next year.
Spenceley said no matter where or who the participants
work for, this event is about making lasting connections
and building relationships with members of the community, which ultimately benefits the community, families,
businesses and military.
HeroesWelcome
Honoring Military Personnel
and Their Families.
Designed to honor service members and their family members,
CalAtlantic Homes is offering a Design Center credit for that extra
feature on their beautiful new CalAtlantic home.
Y HEHROES NIGH
A
D
Y
R
E
EV H H H H H H H H T
HH
AN
AND
H
Receive up to a $2,500
HH
CalAtlantic Homes Design Center credit.
CELEBRATION
Townhomes, Luxury Villas, and Single Family Homes
from the mid $100s to over $1 million
VS.
in 40+ neighborhoods throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Apollo Beach
Bradenton
Ellenton
Englewood
Gibsonton
Courtesy
Courte
Cou
rtesy of:
GAME AT 7PM • GATES OPEN AT 6PM
FREE ADMISSION for
EMT
MT H FIREFIGHTERS H POLIC
POLICE H MILITARY
FAMILY 4 PACKS $40!!
Holiday
Lakewood Ranch
Land O’ Lakes
Lithia
Lutz
New Port Richey
Odessa
Parrish
Riverview
Sarasota
Tampa
Tarpon Springs
Trinity
Valrico
Wesley Chapel
For more information, please call 813-902-3050 or visit CalAtlanticHomes.com
4 TTICKETS,
ICKETS 4 TTY
YH
HATS,
ATS 4 SSONNY’S
ONNY’S B
BBQ
BQ B
BIG
IG D
DEAL
EAL™
321538-2
TY JULY 4TH JERSEY AUCTION BENEFITING
EVERYDAY HEROES USA!!!
POST-GAME FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA!!!
For more information, please visit:
www.tybaseball.com OR call 813-673-3055
Available only when you close on a home in the Tampa Bay Division pursuant to a contract you sign on or between date of publication
and December 31, 2016. Seller provided credits may be applied to available upgrades and options at Seller’s Design Center.
Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of
publication and subject to change without notice. Ryland Homes of Florida Realty Corporation CQ268118. RY3219
320223-1
13
CAREERS
CHAMPION
From Page 5
they put me in for it, but I didn’t know what
kind of chance I had. I just had the mindset
that I would go in and do my best and try hard.
I had people throughout the week trying to tell
me my rankings, but I tried to separate that
from what I was doing. I just wanted to focus
on the singular event.”
Hines said he also enjoyed sharing the experience with his sons, Aiden, 2, and Gavin, 10.
The boys “were at the archery event, and as
soon as I shot my last arrow, they both came up
and gave me hugs,” he said. “I was pretty surprised they came up that quickly. Just watching them smile and be happy and then watching them walk around with my medals on, it’s
pretty special. This will definitely be one to remember for a long time.”
Hines said he was inspired to try out for the
Warrior Games by his girlfriend and teammate, medically retired Master Sgt. Kyle Burnett, who earned the Ultimate Champion title
last year. He said there may be some teasing
now that they both have won the award, but
he acknowledged that she did motivate him to
win it.
“It was definitely nice to have that goal to
work toward -- not just the individual events,
but overall. It’s special,” he said. “I saw her
award when we first started dating, and she
told me about it. I didn’t think much about it,
but I saw how proud she was, so that’s something I took away. It’s nice to have that same
feeling now.”
Shared interests
Hines, who spent 13 years in the Air Force as
Find events
in Tampa Bay.
an explosive ordnance disposal technician, was
taking apart an improvised explosive device in
Afghanistan when he was called to deactivate
another IED under a yellow jug with an exposed handle. Without a robot or bomb suit, he
tried to deactivate the pressure plate when the
device was remotely detonated and 20 pounds
of explosives activated less than 2 feet from
him, he said.
He suffered damage to both eyes; his right
eye later surgically removed. His right hand
was almost severed and was put back together, he said, though he lost his right index
finger. His right wrist was fused, and some
of his knuckles were fused to the right hand
and thumb. He also had a brain bleed, a traumatic brain injury, a bolt in his skull, broken
jaw, ruptured eardrums, soft-tissue damage to
both arms, nerve damage to his leg, and posttraumatic stress disorder. He’s gone through 30
to 40 surgeries. While in Basra, Iraq, in July
2009, Burnett was injured when a rocket landed about 10 feet from her. Three of her fellow
service members were killed, and two others
were injured. She was knocked unconscious
and suffered a TBI and PTSD from the incident.
Because the couple has TBIs and PTSD, as
well as a shared love of baseball and softball,
they hit it off when they met during a veteran
softball league, they said, adding that they’ve
been dating for nine months.
“I had decided to get out more and try to
meet more people and do more things in the
community,” Burnett said. “We hung out and
had similarities from being ballplayers in high
school and stuff like that. Then I invited him
to come do the 9/11 run with me, and he hadn’t
run in years, but he came out and he did it. And
we just kind of went from there, from friendship to dating.”
receive up to
1,000
DOWNLOAD THE NEW
military discount*
things to do app
When’s the last time you received a
military discount from your Realtor? My
clients receive 10% of my commission,
up to $1,000, as a commission rebate*
that can be applied towards closing costs
or cash back at closing when you use
me as your agent to purchase a home.
Rebate paid upon successful closing.
Bob Wyatt, Realtor
229.977.5847
[email protected]
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.
Call for details or to begin your search!
11319 Scallop Drive | Port Richey | 727.378.5650 | www.Islandhomestoday.com
297206-1
Available for
Hines said he accepted his injuries early on,
but turned down invitations to the training
camps and trials until he met Burnett. “Having been an athlete when I was younger, I was
scared it would be less than I thought it would
be. I didn’t want to feel like I was competing on
a lower level,” he said.
Burnett said he quickly learned that the
athletes at the Warrior Games trials compete
just as hard as any athlete out there. “There’s
some serious athletes, some serious competition in the visual impairment and arm injury
division,” she said. “There’s an EOD athlete
who’s blind that swims in the Paralympics now,
and he’s world-record fast.”
Having fun
Burnett said Hines does like to have fun with
people, especially with his “party eye.” Hines
said he wanted his party eye to be unique, so
he brought in a sterling earring with his EOD
specialty badge to put inside it. Burnett said
people should watch their drinks around him.
“Reese likes to throw his party eye into people’s drinks when they aren’t watching. When
they get to the bottom, there’s Reese’s eye staring at them,” she said.
His sons have taken up his love of the water
from his competitions, and Gavin wants to go to
Alaska and shoot a bear with a bow and arrow,
“which is something I don’t think I want to do,”
Hines said. “I’d like to see them run and just
stay active and outdoors, playing and burning
off that energy.”
Both Hines and Burnett have racked up
medals at the games and hope to make it onto the U.S. team at the next Invictus Games.
They said they are grateful for each other, their
teammates, friends and family. “We help each
other keep that drive to compete,” Hines said.
Buying a home?
$
301784-1
14
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.
USAA provides more benefits to
military members than any other
major financial services provider.
MILITARY MEMBER BENEFIT #14:
Up to 15% auto insurance discount when
you garage your car on base.1
VISIT USAA.COM/SERVING FOR A FULL LIST OF THE BENEFITS.
1This is a reduction in your premium for comprehensive coverage, except in CA, where it also applies to your premium for collision coverage. Not available in NY. Other Restrictions apply. USAA means United
Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. Use of the term “member” or “membership” does not convey any eligibility rights for auto and property insurance products, or legal or ownership rights in
USAA. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change. Property and casualty insurance provided by United Services Automobile Association, and its affiliate property and
casualty insurance companies, and is available only to persons eligible for P&C group membership. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Restrictions may apply to installment
payment options. © 2016 USAA. 231963-0616-AF
318963-1
HIGH-SPEED
INTERNET
IS HERE!
CALL FOR
SPECIAL
OFFERS!
MONEY!
Whether you need extra spending money,
want to pay your bills or add to your
savings, you can earn $800 to $1,700
per month as an independent distributor
for the Tampa Bay Times.
EXPERT, LOCAL SALES AND INSTALLATION.
FREE
Standard
Installation*
Limited-time offer
EARN EXTRA
SHOP LOCAL,
SURF GLOBAL!
As we continue to grow,
you will too!
CALL OR VISIT US TODAY!
$500
Signi
n
Incen g
availa tive
bl
limite e for a
d time
.
Florida Totalcom Inc
813-643-8853
Must be 18 years of age or older with valid Florida driver’s license,
proof of insurance and dependable vehicle.
Authorized HughesNet Retailer
© 2016 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. HughesNet is a registered trademark of Hughes Network
Systems, LLC, an EchoStar Company.
For more information, visit
tampabay.com/distributor or call 866-498-4637.
313813-1
319970-1
15
16
“When I was deployed or when we would PCS, it was my
‘sister’ taking care of things, and it just made it very difficult to be able to do that.”
Church was often torn between serving her country and
her secret relationship.
“It was kind of a feeling of deception because I had to lean
on the core values, which were very important to me and
why I chose to serve in the Air Force; yet, I couldn’t even
acknowledge who I was,” said Church.
Church often pretended to “be single.” At times, she felt
close guarded, unable to express an important part of her
life. When deployed, she had to ignore the fact that she had
a significant other at home taking care of things, and to a lot
of people, Barriger didn’t even exist.
To people around her, she had a sister but that was it. She
avoided discussing details out of fear of raising questions. In
deployed environments many find strength opening up, but
for Church opening up meant danger.
“I think the worst time I ever had was when Karen was in
Afghanistan and under fire a couple of times,” said Barriger.
“It came right down to the fact I wouldn’t have even been
able to claim her body; I had no rights.”
Through all the years and challenges they faced, Church
and Barriger stood by each other, hoping that their clandestine relationship could eventually emerge from the shadows.
On Sept. 20, 2011, the military officially repealed the
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing military members
of the LGBT community to serve openly; and in 2013, the
Department of Defense began providing same-sex service
member spouses’ benefits.
“Throughout our history, brave LGBT soldiers, sailors,
Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Marines have served and
fought for our nation,” said Ash Carter, the Secretary of Defense. “Their readiness and willingness to serve has made
our military stronger and our nation safer.
“We continue to take great pride in all that these men
and women contribute to the Department and our mission.”
Church no longer needed to keep that part of herself a
secret and in 2014, Church and Barriger decided to get married.
“Vi was kind of a non-entity for a long time; then she became the sister that was traveling the road as I was,” said
Church. “So when we were able to legally get married, and
receive the spouse benefits and rights, I was proud to be
able to say this is my spouse, and make sure people understand that is my relationship.”
Since Church’s decision to serve openly, she has found
support in many of her fellow Airmen, family and friends.
Church now serves openly with Barriger by her side.
Military and 1st Responders
Lunch
Piano
Entertainment
8
$ 95
Thursday & Sunday
6:45-10pm
& UP
from order to table
in 15 minutes or less
House Specials
10% OFF 11:30am-2:30pm
Open for Lunch & Dinner
Lunch: Tues-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm
Dinner: Tues-Thurs 5:30-10pm, Fri & Sat 5:30-11pm, Sun 5:30-10pm
Closed Monday
ta
Himes
From Page 3
ONLY MINUTES AWAY FROM THE BASE
Gandy
s
a
P
E
o
n
Vi
e!
ning Atmospher
A True Italian Di
3603 West Gandy Boulevard | Tampa | 33611
813.902.8466 | www.vinoepasta.net
[email protected]
311035-1
ERASMO RAMIREZ | 30 | RHP
For 2016, the Rays will offer all active-duty military, retired and
honorably discharged veterans two free tickets, compliments of
the Tampa Bay Times, for all Monday home games and additional
bonus dates throughout the regular season.
Sign up to be notified when tickets become
available! Visit raysbaseball.com/Military
315946-1
17
OPEN
18
BAY PALMS GOLF COMPLEX
S
D
I
K
E
E
R
F
E
V
I
DR
T
U G H
BR O
T O
Y O U
B Y
A I R
C E
F O R
I C E S
V
R
E
S
FREE Driving
Range Balls
from 8am-4pm Daily
Golf clubs are available for check-out
at no charge. Both clubs and balls can
be picked up at the Pro Shop counter.
“Kids Day”
FREE 5 Holes of Golf & Lunch
every Monday at 10am thru August**
* FREE to youth up to age 18. Children under 8 years old need adult supervison for safety reasons
**Children must arrive at the Pro Shop by 9:45am to participate in the FREE golf/lunch offer.
For more information call (813) 840-6904
www.macdillfss.com
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
Friday
SeaScapes Beach House
Friday Family Fun Night Hula
Dance & Karaoke Party with DJ
Patrick from 5-9 p.m. Kids get free
ice cream. Buffet: $9.99 adults •
kids menu: $2.99. For more information call 840-1451.
Friday-Thursday
Bay Palms Golf Complex
Kids Drive Free Program with
free driving range balls from 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Golf clubs
are available for check-out at no
charge. Both clubs and balls can
be picked up at the pro shop counter. Call 840-6904.
Tuesday-Sunday
MacDill Lanes & Family Fun Center
Kids Out-of-School Special:
$1.50 Games and $1 shoe rentals.
Call 828-4005.
Wednesday
Boomers Bar & Grill
Wednesday Bash with Bar Bingo & DJ. Bingo jackpot – win up to
$1,000. Bingo begins at 5 p.m.
Bingo cards: members: $2 per
card. non-members: $2.50 per
card. Wingman Wednesdays from
3 to 8 p.m. 75-cent wings and
$1.50 domestic drafts. Call 8402020.
Thursday
Surf’s Edge Club
Membership Breakfast from
6:30-9 a.m. Club members free; all
others: $7.95.
Mark Your Calendar
u July 15 – Firecracker 5K Run
u July 19 – Membership Lunch/
Backyard BBQ
u July 20 – MacDill Icon – Singing
Competition
u July 25 – MacDill Council for
Educational Excellence
u July 30– Back-to-School Fair
Airmen’s Time!
Photo by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr.
(Right) Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, 6th Air Mobility Wing command chief, meets with Airmen at
the Air Traffic Control tower during Airmen’s Time at MacDill Air Force Base June 20. Noel sat down
for a brief tabletop discussion to answer any questions the Airmen had and share the wisdom and
experience she’s gained throughout her career.
Be sure to visit the MacDill Air Force Base website at www.macdill.af.mil
CHAPEL SCHEDULE
Protestant service
Catholic Mass
Sunday - 9 a.m. FAMCAMP Traditional (Bldg
2017-Raccoon Creek) 11 a.m. Contemporary
Thursday - 11 a.m. Liturgical Communion
Saturday - 5:30 p.m. - Mass
Islamic service
Friday - 1:30 p.m. Prayer
Sunday - 9:30 a.m. - Mass
Monday-Thursday - 12:10 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament
Room)
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
19
20
THIS JULY 4TH WEEKEND WE WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU TO OUR
HOMETOWN HEROES
In appreciation of your service, all active and retired
military personnel, will receive an additional $2000
in FLEX Cash* towards a new home purchase
In return for your service, we would like to help you get into a home
you deserve. In a community you’ll be proud to call yours.
Mattamy Homes is North America’s largest private homebuilder. We’ve
built over 70,000 homes in hundreds of communities that people
love to live in. We trust you’ll find our homes and neighborhoods in
Tampa inviting, affordable, and worthy of your high standards.
We invite all active or retired service personnel to respond to
this exclusive and enthusiastic offer to come and live with us.
Offer only good 7/01/2016 - 7/04/2016
QUICK DELIVERY HOMES
FROM THE MID $200s
TO EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITIES VISIT MATTAMYHOMES.COM/TAMPA
SALES CENTER
12116 Night Jasmine Cove
Riverview, FL 33579
LOCATED IN SOUTH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
OFF BIG BEND AND BALM RIVERVIEW ROAD
CONTACT OUR NEW HOME SPECIALIST FOR A VIP TOUR
MELANIE SIKORSKI AT 813.563.5977 OR BY EMAIL AT
[email protected]
SALES CENTER HOURS Monday - Thursday and Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, Friday and Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm
MATTAMYHOMES.COM/TAMPA
*FLEX Cash can only be offered towards design options, homesite premium or closing costs and cannot be used towards base price. Availability and offering is subject to change without notice.
Restrictions may apply. Please see New Home Counselor for details. E.&O.E. Builder’s CGC1524054
304713-1

Team MacDill makes a splash - page 10

Transcription

Similar documents

AirFest 2014 big success!

Read June 12 edition - MacDill Thunderbolt

Read Sept. 24 edition

The 900-hour inspection- page 10

It`s on: Air Fest dates set, Snowbirds to headline

Read Dec. 25 editon - MacDill Thunderbolt

Read Jan. 22 edition - MacDill Thunderbolt

MacDill Presents Tampa Bay AirFest 2014 schedule of events

AirFest 2009: One to remember