Arizona security forces team named 'best in ANG'

By Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin
161st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

4/12/2015 - PHOENIX -- Senior defense officials announced recently, the 161st Air Refueling Wing's security forces squadron is the best Air National Guard security team in the nation.

The squadron based at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport here earned the 2014 Air National Guard Security Forces Squadron of the Year award. This nation-wide distinction sets it apart from more than 100 Air National Guard security forces squadrons.

"The 161st Security Forces Squadron represents the very best," said Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air National Guard. "These outstanding defenders stood out from their peers in 2014 and showcased the Air National Guard at home and abroad. The 161st excelled while meeting the demands of multiple deployments and home station security. The competition was fierce among the high speed defenders in the Air National Guard. Congratulations to the 161st and the families that supported them along the way."

The award recognized the unit for its in-garrison accomplishments as well as for mobilizing 58 of the squadron's 75 Airmen over three separate deployments.

"This recognition stands for so much more than an award," said Lt. Col. Denise Sweeney, the squadron commander. "It is an outward symbol of our commitment to each other as a team and our impressive ability, to not only deploy most of our squadron, but continually meet our in-garrison mission demands despite continuous challenges."

She said they couldn't have accomplished what they did if the squadron hadn't come together as a team. She said it's incredible that they never had a lack of volunteers to accomplish the mission.

"We provided an extensive amount of garrison support to the wing, while also sustaining a high [operations] tempo, but we have never had to give an excuse or have a shortfall," said Sweeney.

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Burton, security forces manager, said his Airmen met deployments and home station requirements thanks to the support they have at home.

"At the end of the day, it's the family support," he said. "We wouldn't get the volunteerism that we do if the families weren't backing them up. They know this is important."

Sweeney agreed, "Our squadron includes our families. We absolutely couldn't do what we do without their support."

Air Force Staff Sgt. Amanda Brooks, security forces craftsman, said family support is reflected in the way the squadron members came together and synchronized as a family and as a team.

"We have all really come together and we have a great sense of unity within the squadron," said Brooks. "Knowing that we are all here to support one another has really kept morale up. Nobody complained about the high [operations] tempo and back-to-back deployments; there were a lot of volunteers. This is why we have a lot of unit pride within the squadron."

Brooks said that winning the Squadron of the Year award is a big boost to the squadron's pride and it makes her feel grateful to be a part of such a prestigious unit.

While speaking to her Airmen, Sweeney said, "You didn't deploy multiple times, work [numerous] days in a row, or support flights on a moment's notice because it would make a good bullet statement. You did it because you are proud to serve and would do anything to support your fellow defenders, our wing and our great nation."

Sweeney said these achievements wouldn't have been possible without the support of the entire Wing and that the award is an acknowledgment of the hard work of the entire 161st.

"What it really boils down to is the mission and, as a wing, we are 100 percent all-in," she said.