SFS troops take AETC top honors

  • Published
  • By SrA Amanda Mills
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Three Vance security forces troops recently earned Air Education and Training Command awards for 2003.
SMSgt Kent Wilkinson, security manager; TSgt Eric Judd, flight chief; and TSgt
Donald Theademan, flight chief, earned the SNCO and NCO awards in their duty sections.
"We took home more individual awards at the command than any other single unit in the command -- our AETC security forces award winners are
superstars," said Maj
Mary McCaghren, 71st Security Forces Squadron commander. "Everything they do, and the NCO leadership they provide every day, reflects in these awards and the (Operational Readiness Inspection) rating we received this year. I directly credit them with not only their individual successes, but successes most of the public doesn't see. For example, not one airman has failed their Career Development Courses in the last year and to top that off, they score 11 percent above the Air Force average. You get results like this with a solid NCO corps dedicated to the mission and the Air Force. It is truly a privilege to serve along side such great leaders."
Sergeant Wilkinson earned the SNCO award for support staff.
"This award is for all the (SFS) senior NCO's in the MAJCOM, so I'm very honored," he said.
Sergeant Wilkinson engineered the installation's response to the AETC Directorate of Personnel SF manpower study, providing key criteria for the largest manpower study since 1994 and increasing manpower authorizations for SF functions throughout the Air Force. He also volunteered to deploy for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM to Kirkuk, Iraq, as team leader; and as flight sergeant for the Charlie sector, handled multiple hostile incidents flawlessly resulting in zero mission impact sustained.
Sergeant Judd earned the NCO award for the air reserve component.
"I'm pretty excited," he said. "Being an Individual Mobilized Augmentee, I don't usually get too many chances to contribute. But being activated and contributing, and getting recognized for it, says a lot."
Sergeant Judd was hand selected by command personnel to assume the Reports and Analysis section NCO in charge duties. The section was recognized by the 2003 Headquarters AETC Operational Readiness Inspection as "Excellent," which in turn resulted in the squadron and wing receiving overall "Excellent" ratings. When the civilian for Pass and Registration suddenly resigned, he also took the additional task of handling that section.
Sergeant Theademan earned the NCO award at the flight level.
"I'm truly honored that my supervisors thought of me to be submitted for the awards," he said. "I'm just happy to be able to take care of our troops and do my job."
Sergeant Theademan seamlessly integrated Army National Guard personnel into flight operations, creating a noticeable increase in security forces and Army personnel cohesion and job knowledge. He also volunteered to take on the duties of security coordinator for the 2003 Vance AFB Airshow; talked an Absent Without Leave Air Force member into turning himself in to authorities; and was the driving force behind the development and success of the Vance Against Drunk Driving program.