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6th Air Mobility Wing welcomes new commander
C

M

Y
K
INSIDE TODAY
New milestone
Page 3
Happy Birthday AF!
Page 4
Fight Club
Page 15
Justice Files
Page 18
Vol. 35, No. 37
Friday, September 12, 2008
by Senior Airman Nika Glover
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Col. Robert Thomas relinquished command
of the 6th Air Mobility Wing during a change
of command ceremony to Col. Lawrence Martin
Monday.
Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III, 18th Air Force
commander, presided over the ceremony and
expressed his gratitude for Colonel Thomas
hard work during his tenure as the 6th AMW
commander.
Just under (two) years ago Colonel Thomas
and his family moved to one of the busiest com-
mands in the Air Force, said General Scott.
Under his leadership the 6th Air Mobility
Wings abilities have soared. It continues to ac-
complish amazing things and set benchmarks
for this command.
The general said the good news is that the
Thomass arent leaving the Air Mobility Com-
mand family.
Colonel Thomas has been selected for reas-
signment to Fairchild AFB, Wash., where he
will serve as the commander of the 92nd Air
Refueling Wing.
I could not think of a better leader to serve
at Fairchild, General Scott added.
Colonel Thomas said it was hard for him to
find the right words to say and he just want-
ed to thank everyone who had made his job at
MacDill easier. He also thanked the leaders of
the Tampa Bay community for attending and
he reflected on his time at MacDill.
There arent very many Air Force wings and
there are many more officers who deserve to be
in charge of one, so I feel very thankful to have
gotten the opportunity to be the commander of
the 6th AMW, said Colonel Thomas.
I take satisfaction in knowing the wing is in
good hands, but I am also excited to be moving
on to new opportunities, he said.
Its been a pleasure to work with so many
great (Airmen) and to be given the opportunity
to work with new (Airmen) in the future, he
said. As a commander it just doesnt get any
better than to be in command of a wing like
this.
During the ceremony General Scott also
spoke of Colonel Martin and what type of lead-
er he knew him to be.
Team MacDill get ready, the general said.
Youre receiving one of AMCs finest.
He told Colonel Martin that he had the re-
sponsibility of maintaining one of the highest of
standards and with all the hard work and late
nights ahead of him, his time at MacDill would
6th Air Mobility Wing welcomes new commander
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Sean White
Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III and Col. Robert Thomas applaud Col. Lawrence Martin after he
accepts command of the 6th Air Mobility Wing Monday. Col. Thomas relinquished command
of the wing during the ceremony
See COMMAND CHANGE, Page 12 MacDill Thunderbolt
Publisher
: 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 weeks 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
Thunderbolt staff report
The Thunderbolt staff recently got the op-
portunity to speak with Col. Lawrence Martin,
the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander about
who he is and his goals for the 6th AMW. Col.
Martin took command of the wing Monday
during a change of command ceremony. He
comes to MacDill from an assignment as the
vice commander of the 379th Air Expedition-
ary Wing, Southwest Asia.

Thunderbolt: What do you expect of the
Airmen under your command?
Col. Lawrence Martin: I expect them do their best
every day and to uphold our very high standards
with themselves and each other. Were a team of
professionals who depend on each other for every-
thing.
Thunderbolt: Who are your favorite leaders
and role models?
Col. Lawrence Martin: Ive always liked Gen
Ulysses Grant from the American Civil War. Gen
Grant failed at many endeavors in his life before he
found what he did well, lead people to war. He faced
many challenges and setbacks, but conquered them
all through dogged determination. He was a com-
mon man who accomplished uncommon things with
perseverance, common sense and integrity. I also
admire Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Though Doolittle
was best known for leading an amazing raid on To-
kyo, his real contribution to the Air Force came in
his devotion to the welfare of airmen of all ranks.
Ive had the opportunity to meet with several of
the surviving Doolittle Raiders, and my respect for
them and Gen Doolittle is immeasurable.
Thunderbolt: What does it mean to you to
be our wing commander?
Col. Lawrence Martin: Im humbled by the op-
portunity to be here with such a great team. Im
excited to lead our Airmen when our nation is at
war. I look forward to joining the men and women of
the 6th Air Mobility Wing as they fight todays fight
and prepare for tomorrows challenges.
Thunderbolt: When you hold your first com-
manders call what is the first thing you are
going to tell your Airmen?
Col. Lawrence Martin: Ill tell them how proud I
am to join their team of professionals as we defend
the nation together. And I look forward to getting to
know them all over the next few months.
Thunderbolt:.What are your thoughts about
MacDill and living in Tampa?
Col. Lawrence Martin: My family, Julia, Jeff, JJ
and I, are looking forward to joining the community
here in south Tampa. There is so much to see and
do, I hope we get the opportunity to explore all that
Florida and the Tampa Bay area have to offer!
Meet the new commander
6th AMW commander answers key questions
MEMORANDUM FOR
ALL AIR FORCE
PERSONNEL
FROM:
HQ USAF/CC
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1670
SUBJECT:
Wear of the Blue
Uniforms
Prior to events of Septem-
ber 11, 2001, it was common
practice for a majority of Air
Force member to wear the blue
uniform as their duty uniform.
While MAJCOM policies often
differed, it was also common
practice to wear utility uni-
forms one day a week. Post-
9/11 weve moved away from
our blue uniforms almost alto-
gether and have transformed
into an Air Force that wears
our utility uniform on a daily
basis.
During our recent 4-Star
summit, we had several discus-
sions concerning our uniforms,
including the wear of our blue
uniform on a routine basis. We
all agreed that part of our im-
age, culture and professional-
ism is instilled in our blues. As
a result, effective 8 Sep 08, the
blue uniform will be the duty
uniform worn every Monday by
Air Force uniformed personnel
in appropriate career fields and
environments as determined by
your installation commander.
Installation commanders
have authority to adjust this
policy to meet mission require-
ments (e.g., AOR, exercises,
etc.).
If you have questions or
concerns, contact the AFPC
Contact Center at Commer-
cial (800) 616-3775 / DSN 665-
5000.