455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Donated Blankets

Airman 1st Class Jarren Ewing (back) and Senior Airman Stephen Jardine (front) both from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron takea break during a routine patrol outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 17, 2011. Security Forces members visited a village to build a relationship with the Afghan locals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sheila deVera)

455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Donated Blankets

Airman 1st Class Christopher Yellig, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, interacts with Afghan kids during a routine patrol outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 17, 2011. Members from the 455ESFS donated blankets to the locals during the cold winter months. Airman Yellig is deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photoby Senior Airman Sheila deVera)

455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Donated Blankets

Senior Airman Christopher Yellig, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, surveys the area during a routine patrol outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 17, 2011. Security Forces members visited a village to build a relationship with the Afghan locals and donated blankets during the cold winter months. Airman Yellig is deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sheila deVera)

455th ESFS named best in AFCENT

Published March 22, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
455th Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The 455th Expeditionary Security Force Squadron here was recently named Air Force Central Command's 2010 Outstanding Large Expeditionary Security Forces Unit.

The Air Force's largest security forces squadron was recognized for their contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom supporting the Department of Defense's busiest airfield.

Each day Bagram security forces secure a base perimeter stretching 20 kilometers, operate AFCENT's largest vehicle and pedestrian search operations , coordinate defense operations with Air Force and Army intelligence and infantry brigade Soldiers, all to protect more than 30,000 people.

"The diversity of our mission makes us different," said Lt. Col. Craig Allton, 455th ESFS Commander and Irvine, Calif., native. "We have a total force here with Airmen from 46 different bases around the world, and their mission of defending the base affects FOBs [forward operating bases] throughout Regional Command-East and beyond. We have four primary mission sets supporting combat operations and logistical support. Without security, none of these missions could succeed."

Contributing to the 455th ESFS winning the award were security forces Airmen reactions to an attack on May 19, 2010. During the attack, 455 ESFS Airmen successfully defended the base against the largest complex attack at an Air Force-defended installation since Vietnam.

"Bagram's security forces Airmen work 12-to 14-hour shifts, and they must be vigilant at all times," said 455th ESFS Security Forces Manager, Chief Master Sgt. John Tornow. "Although the award period encompassed the entire year, the actions of May 19, are a testament to the readiness, professionalism, and discipline of our security forces Airmen worldwide."

The chief went on to explain, "They showed maturity to protect the base, and restraint not to be overly aggressive. "

In addition to defense and security patrols, 455th ESFS Airmen also found time during to 2010 to secure entry control points at two coalition field hospitals that administer care to nearly 80,000 Afghans and donate soccer gear and school supplies to local children.

"It didn't start with the current team. The previous crew and commander deserve a lot of credit for their work to assume and develop the defense mission at the beginning of the year," explained Colonel Allton. "The teamwork among the Air Expeditionary Wing and our Army and coalition partners as well as the relationships we build with local Afghans will help us transition Bagram from an expeditionary to a sustainment operation at least until 2014. These efforts, in addition to the size and scope of our mission, speak volumes about this unit and why it was recognized."