354th SFS: PACAF's 2008 Best medium SF unit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Pacific Air Force officials recently named the 354th Security Forces Squadron as the 2008 Best Medium-sized Security Forces unit.

Every year the SFS has to write a two-page assessment of all the operational and individual awards. Everything from each individual all the way up to squadron level is taken into consideration for the award. It takes a group effort to win this award, from stellar Airmen to great leaders.

"It's a remarkable achievement for our young Airmen," said Senior Master Sgt. Steven Robertson, 354th SFS Operations Superintendent. "Ninety-percent of our accomplishments are from their hard work during deployments and events like this past summer's Presidential visit".

This award comes after a long and tough year, having lost a former commander to a battle with cancer, losing an NCO and having to find a way to adapt and overcome the numerous deployment taskings. But the security forces unit kept pressing on. The Airmen have really been working together and taking care of each other's families.

"It all trickles down to our Airmen," said Maj. Mulhollen, 354th SFS commander. "That is where our drive is; their average duty day lasts 14 plus hours, working weekends, holidays and down days, it is truly humbling to see them in action."

The Icemen Security Forces family which includes 354th FW Augmentees, 168th Air Refueling Wing personnel, Chenega contract security guards and a handful of dedicated civilian employees have all come together to take this prestigious award. SF Officers and Senior NCO's make the trip to Fairbanks International Airport each and every time a Defender returns from a combat deployment to shake their hand, look them in the eye and praise them for a job well done. The same Airmen that sometimes are expected to work within days of returning from a deployment, and though it's tough, they don't complain.

"It helps to know that your leadership is behind you 100 percent," said Airman 1st Class Danna Miles, 354th SFS response force member. "This award has set the bar for the future and we intend to keep working hard, like we have been."

The 354th SFS will compete in April against all other major command winners to be named the 2008 Air Force Best Practices for a Medium-sized Unit.