City of Enid recognizes 71st Security Forces

  • Published
  • By David Poe
  • 71st FTW Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Enid Event Center and Convention Hall's Grand Ballroom may have been the safest room in Oklahoma Feb. 4. The Enid Cares - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Luncheon welcomed 71st Security Forces Squadron defenders and other law enforcement officers for a formal lunch and an opportunity to be recognized for the work they do every day.

Chief Master Sgt. Bruce McPherson, the 71st SFS security forces manager, was one of five regional law enforcement leaders who represented the area's many partners. Also included were Enid Police Chief Brian O'Rourke, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Ken Jordan, Garfield County Sheriff Jerry Niles and North Enid Police Chief Rick Dominick.

After each leader offered a formal thanks, Brig. Gen. Michael Thompson, Oklahoma National Guard chief of staff and the state's Department of Public Safety commissioner, and Mike Fields, Garfield County district attorney, served as the day's keynote speakers.

During his remarks, McPherson reminded the audience that his job and that of the 71st SFS does not end at Vance's gates.

"We at Vance Air Force Base develop professional Airmen, deliver world-class pilots and deploy combat-ready warriors to fly, fight and win," he said. "With that being said, my job is to ensure the safety of those pilots and the six-to-eight thousand personnel and their families. We cannot do that without our fellow law enforcement agencies that are sitting here before you today. Our partnership with all of these leaders among you has made our community stronger. At Vance Air Force Base we have a saying that it is all about Team Vance, but today, tonight and tomorrow it will always be about Team Enid."

Tech. Sgt. Bradley Hancock, the 71st SFS logistics chief, said he was also moved by the city's formal gesture of thanks and appreciated the continuing bond between Enid and Garfield County and the Airmen and family members who call these places home.

"It's a great place to serve," said Hancock. "Not many people take time out of their day to honor and show respect to men and women in uniform. It's a great community, a great place to raise a family ... I appreciate the Enid community doing this for us."