71st SFS garners award Published Dec. 11, 2006 By 1st Lt Paula Bissonette Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- The 71st Security Forces Squadron recently earned Air Education and Training Command's Outstanding Security Forces Unit Award in the small unit category for 2003. The SFS provided stellar law enforcement, security and force protection for a base community of more than 5,000 military, civilian, retired and family members with 56 security forces and 27 activated Army National Guard personnel, according to the award nomination. "Without (the ANG and READY augmentees) we would not have been able to meet our mission tasks, period," said MSgt Randy Hessley, SFS operations superintendent. "With the National Guard, there is no difference between them and the Air Force troops; they do the same job we do, we train together and work together, it's one big happy family over here. They work 13- to 15-hour days and do a heck of a job for us." In addition to the flawless integration of ANG and READY augmentees, the SFS also maintains an above average training program, according to the award nomination. Their career development course scores exceed the Air Force security forces average by 11 percent for five-levels and 5 percent for seven-levels, with a 100 percent pass rate. "While other bases are trying to get their airmen to pass the CDCs, we're pushing our airmen to score above 90 percent," said Capt Timothy O'Bryan, SFS operations officer. The 71st SFS is a shining example of what it means to be expeditionary warriors, with more than 41 percent of all security force members deployed in support of three separate taskings to four locations in Southwest Asia, according to the award nomination. Despite the absence of so many members, the squadron still managed to garner an "excellent" in all rated areas during the 2003 Headquarters AETC operational readiness inspection. The mission of Team Vance's security forces squadron includes everything from flightline security and anti-terrorism procedures to vehicle registration and housing patrols. "The people that are out there working the road every day, they're the ones that are out there doing the job, making sure it's done right," Sergeant Hessley said when asked why the SFS won this award. The SFS prepared for an inspection that started Thursday to evaluate them for the Air Force-level competition for this prestigious award. One of the key inspection elements is a post brief which consists of an airman's ability to verbally convey to the inspectors their area of responsibility, means of communication, weapon, ammunition type and amount and the security forces' three general orders. In addition to the post briefings, the inspectors also look at SFS facilities, wing level awards, community involvement, daily operations, operational assets, inspection reports and overall performance and confidence of the unit. "The inspectors are here to make sure our troops are confident, trained and know what they're doing," Captain O'Bryan said. "SMSgt Kent Wilkinson, TSgt Donald Theademan and TSgt Eric Judd (AETC award winners) are indicative of the professionalism that runs all the way through this unit," said Maj Mary McCaghren, SFS commander. "Our frontline supervisors are doing outstanding work and producing some of the best new leaders in the Air Force. But it's more than just the unit ... it's the entire wing and their level of satisfaction with how we are doing our jobs. "I am proud to be able to serve with all of these people, Army and Air Force alike. I appreciate the fact other commanders loan me READY troops ... they are all fantastic and play an important role in the wing's force protection mission. Its great to be able to serve with the 'best of the best.'"