ANG awards the 129th SFS, "Oustanding Security Forces Squadron for 2006"

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Hughan
  • 129th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. --  Hard work, dedication and the spirit of the citizen-Airman have paid off again for the 129th Security Forces as they were named the Outstanding Security Forces Squadron of the Year for 2006 by the National Guard Bureau in June.

This is the second consecutive year the squadron was named best in the Air National Guard.

"I am very proud of these guys, every time we ask for volunteers to deploy we always have more than enough people to fill the tasking," said Capt. Tom Venable, 129th Security Forces Commander.

The numbers are staggering; 21 members voluntarily deployed to overseas locations for a total of 2,066 days, estimated 5.66 man-years, 73 members deployed to three theaters of operations during three AEF rotations, deployed voluntarily for approximately two months to Kandahar, Afghanistan, and most recently seven personnel returned from a 180-day AEF tasking in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Since Sept. 11, SecurityForces have spent thousands of hours training with military and civilian law enforcement agencies, learning and refining skills that have proven invaluable in numerous deployments, and one of the most important qualities, but difficult to measure, is leadership.

"Many of our NCOs are a little older, or are civilian police officers, and that adds valuable experience to combat operations where a lot of the active duty Airmen can be very young men and women," Captain Venable said.

This experience, maturity and leadership greatly enhanced the capabilities of the squadron overseas.

129th SFS Airmen created, trained, implemented and lead Tactical Security Element Programs in Afghanistan. They also provided Dutch and British coalition forces with mission critical Security Forces personnel, secured critical investigation sights and convoys, as well as secured Afghani-soldier combat locations.

The long list of successes and accomplishments prove that the 129th Security Forces are truly the best of the best, for the second year in a row, and based on the past, will continue to improve and deploy anywhere in the world.