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U.S. AFCENT announces 2010 Outstanding Security Forces Expeditionary Units

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Three security forces squadrons were recently selected as the 2010 Outstanding Expeditionary Security Forces Units in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility.

The awards recognized exemplary mission accomplishment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn as the security forces units performed their mission of defeating hostile threats in order to preserve combat power.

The Outstanding Small Expeditionary Security Forces Unit award went to the 451st ESFS on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

The Outstanding Medium Expeditionary Security Forces Unit was awarded to the 332nd ESFS on Balad Air Base, Iraq.

And the Outstanding Large Expeditionary Security Forces Unit award was received by the 455th ESFS on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

"The Expeditionary Security Forces unit award program was created to properly recognize U.S. AFCENT Security Forces units for their deployed performance," said Col. Donald T. R. Derry, U.S. AFCENT Force Protection Combined Air and Space Operations Center Director.  "AFCENT/FP created the program modeled upon the Air Force Security Forces Awards Program."

The award winners represented the security forces' distinctive "air-mindedness" approach to base defense.They understood the operations of an air base and the air, space and cyberspace missions conducted from those bases. They understood how these airpower missions added value to joint and coalition commanders and that the assets which conduct these missions are most vulnerable on the ground when clearly exposed to enemy weapons and tactics.

Their air-minded approach, expertise, and ethos enable the best possible delivery of Integrated Defense effects to mitigate airpower vulnerabilities on the ground, said Colonel Derry. 

"The competition for these coveted awards was extremely competitive this year," he said. "Lt. Gen. (Mike) Hostage (U.S. AFCENT commander) and I are extremely pleased with all the Security Forces units within the AOR; however, it is fantastic when we can recognize the top units for their accomplishments."