Features

March 3, 2020
Delivering excellence: MacDill boom operators train for perfection

There’s a saying in the Air Force about refueling aircraft, something along the lines of nothing accomplishes mission success without tanker aircraft gas. This saying rings true in Tampa. Refueling aircraft such as MacDill Air Force Base’s KC-135 Stratotanker are vital to mission success and keeping
Feb. 13, 2020
Are You Okay?

It’s 2010 and Airman 1st Class Leonard James’ phone vibrates silently in his pocket; he quickly reaches down and sends the call to voicemail.“I was in class and we weren’t supposed to have our phones,” the now staff sergeant recalls.James was at Port Hueneme Naval Base, California, a technical
Dec. 18, 2019
Cramped spaces and fuel vapors: MacDill “Tank Divers”

Tucked away behind U.S. Central Command and MacDill Air Force Base, Florida’s traditional hangars lies a hangar originally built to house fighter jets. On a given day, peeking out of that hangar will sit a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft seemingly out of place in the considerably smaller maintenance
Aug. 23, 2019
Total Force maintainers road trip for KC-135 recovery

The skies were calm over the state of New York as a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, cruised through the veil of blue, en route to a deployment. All of a sudden, un-commanded flight control movements began to inexplicably shake the aircraft. As the pilots rushed to
July 15, 2019
Aircrew Flight Equipment keep pilots seeing, flying

AFE flights have the important mission of keeping the tools used during missions operational and in good condition.
June 19, 2019
18th AF, Fairchild key spouses address education partnerships, license reciprocity

Moving to a new area presents unique challenges to military families. Spouses often need to look for new jobs, children move to new schools and the support networks families have relied on change with new scenery. Key Spouses are one resource the Air Force calls on to offer support to families
April 27, 2019
Fairchild Airmen enhance deployment line, reduce man hours

As the world modernizes around us, a culture of innovation has swept through the Air Force, encouraging Airmen to enhance nearly every part of our mission. That culture is no different at Fairchild, where a dedicated team of Airmen found ways to save both manpower and time. Newly implemented
April 4, 2019
Masters of the Art: 70 years of setting the foundation, still leading the charge

The 93rd Air Refueling Squadron has stood the test of time through two relocations and a change of mission set and has continued their legacy as the first air refueling squadron to pave the way for Team Fairchild as the premier air refueling base.The 93rd ARS was established only two years after the
May 1, 2018
DGMC brace shop designs first tibial fracture orthosis in eight years

A 12-year-old boy raced toward the ball. He was determined to kick it into the back of the net to win the game. Another child challenged the would-be goal scorer and their legs slammed into one another in a violent collision.
March 27, 2018
Dual-military couple continues to grow together in challenging climate

The Locketts came to Travis Air Force Base, California, in 2015 and in that time, what grass they have found themselves on has been plentifully watered. From Broderick’s participation in the Tuskegee Airmen heritage flight to Aisha’s work in organizing a fun run in support of the Air Force

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