39th Security Forces wins USAFE squadron award

  • Published
  • By Lori Burling Alves
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Security Forces Squadron has earned the rights to one of the highest honors a squadron may ever receive--the Best Large Security Forces Squadron in U.S. Air Forces in Europe for 2006. The award, which encompasses nearly every duty position security forces performs, means a lot to a squadron that had long since been forgotten in this category.

"One of the things I said to myself when I got here was that I wanted to bring Incirlik to the forefront," said Maj. Bryan Gillespie, 39th SFS commander, who is nearing his two-year mark at Incirlik. "Literally, the security forces squadron at Incirlik was looked at as 'hey, it's a short tour assignment and the attitude of the folks down there isn't real great.' It's almost like the headquarters stopped expecting much out of this squadron. But within one week of being here, I knew this award was attainable. I knew we had the right people here, it was just a matter of packaging everything and connecting the dots."

Which is just what the squadron did.

Within the last year, the 39th SFS has improved and implemented new training and tactical procedures, improved relations with their Turkish counterparts, and conducted vulnerability assessments on areas that had been overlooked for years. And that's just the operational side of things. In 2006, security forces Airmen at Incirlik earned higher scores on their End of Course Training Exams than security forces members Air Force wide. Senior noncommissioned officer's successfully managed their teams, while also improving their programs, and investigators worked more than 40 cases, acquiring a 91 percent solve rate.

"Winning this award is a major accomplishment," said Senior Master Sgt. Virgil Burden, 39th SFS operations superintendent. "This award recognizes the hard work, dedication and outstanding performance our Airmen have exuded throughout this past year. The men and women have consistently maintained a high level of motivation while rising to the occasion for numerous tasks during a grueling operations tempo."

Another highlight of the year was in August when the squadron scored above and beyond expectations in the inspection -- receiving "excellents" on four sub-areas -- something the squadron had not achieved in many years.

"We hadn't received that kind of rating in four-and-a-half years," said Capt. Jim Alves, 39th SFS operations officer. "Those successes were directly related to two aspects which I feel are our best attributes as a squadron -- working with other agencies and squadrons to complete a goal, and working day-to-day security for the base. One of the NSI inspectors even told us that our squadron had the 'best security forces Airmen' he had ever seen."

The squadron competed for the USAFE award against much larger squadrons, such as Ramstein Air Base, Germany and Aviano Air Base, Italy They will now compete at the Air Force wide level against bases such as Minot AFB, N.D.

"From the Airman's perspective, it is really an award that defines what we did over the last year. And because the competition was stiff, it pretty much says that we performed in an exceptional manner, and that performance was inclusive of some very large ticket items," said Major Gillespie. "This award recognizes that it was more than just coming to work and doing your job."

This award not only recognized the achievements of the squadron, but it also provided a motivation that is needed to continue its success.

"This could not have happened at a better time," said Major Gillespie. "We are 69 working days out from the UCI. This is one more motivator to say, 'you can do it, you did do it, and let's do it again.' Hopefully the award gives us a reminder of why we do what we do."

The USAFE award has now set a bar of achievement for the squadron. And although Major Gillespie is nearing his end-of-command, he is confident that the current squadron has laid a solid foundation for a new commander.

"I can absolutely say this is just a beginning. And the reason why I can say that is because the same team will be here when I leave. The officers and all the senior NCOs that were instrumental in putting things together will be here to carry it on. I think the squadron will be in better shape next year to repeat," said Major Gillespie.

"This award will be in everyone's EPRs and decorations. It will help senior airmen compete below the zone and it'll help Airmen seeking special duty assignments. If they don't realize what this award means now, they will a few more years into their career," he said.

A sign out in front of the security forces building proudly displays: 39th Security Forces Squadron, the Best of the Best. USAFE agrees. They truly are the best of the best.