'Brave Defenders' take top prize during deployment training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Holding true to the "Square D Way," Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron received the Staff Sgt. John Self Top Squad Award for displaying leadership, motivation and unparalleled teamwork.

The 11 security forces Airmen recently completed Brave Defender pre-deployment training at the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. They were recognized for being the top performing squad earning "GO" status the first time on all evaluations, as well as demonstrating the highest level of teamwork out of 156 security forces Airmen who attended the training.

"Our team's achievement of being recognized ... shows that 100th Air Refueling Wing airmen continue to exceed standards at home station and beyond," said Capt. Chad Atkinson-Adams, 100th SFS operations officer from Seward, Alaska. "Achievements such as these are not possible without continual training, teamwork and dedication to making the mission happen, no matter what."

Being the only qualified bus driver for the squad, Airman 1st Class Constance Byrd was coined by the 96th GCTS commander for outstanding performance which directly contributed to the success of the entire class.

"During the first week of (fly-away security teams) training, with a class of 40 students, I was the only certified driver responsible for driving all of us to and from class each day; to breakfast, lunch, and dinner; as well as (the Exchange on Eglin AFB) and gym.  It was a good feeling to be able to help my fellow team members," said Byrd, from Excelsior Springs, Mo. "Being coined by the commander was a complete surprise. Only six of us were coined, out of a total of 156 students at Brave Defender, so it was an absolute honor to be recognized by the commander."

Brave Defender is a three-week deployment training course for security forces Airmen. The training is hosted by the 96th GCTS - one of four training centers in the Air Force. Approximately 1,500 active-duty, reserve and National Guard Airmen attend the squadron's Brave Defender training annually.

During the course, the Airmen underwent training on FAST - what the squad's primary mission will be when they deploy. It was imperative that the squad went to this training together prior to leaving for their deployment. The recognition cemented what was already present: security forces Airmen operating as a unified team.

"Everyone soaked in the information presented, and put it to use," said Staff Sgt. Robert Woodford II, 100th SFS patrolman. "With or without these awards, I'm honored to be (leading) this team downrange."

They also learned base security operations training, counter-insurgency operations, Military Operations in Urban Terrain training, refresher training on land navigation and Tactical Combat Casualty Care - a combat-focused version of Self-Aid Buddy Care.

"The team treated each scenario as a real-world mission rather than 'just checking the box' on the training list," said Woodford, a native from Yermo, Calif. "I believe (this) allowed them to access that much more ... drive and intensity to accomplish the mission when the time came."

With final preparations underway for their deployment, the squad can look back on their training and know that not only did it bring the Airmen together, it also helped prepare each for rigorous deployments and their future in the military.

"(I found) this training to be extremely beneficial," Byrd said. "I thoroughly enjoyed the training, learning new things and practicing some of the things we learned in basic (military) training and technical school. This training taught me to think on the defensive and react more with more knowledge and more quickly to real-world events, which I hope to continue to use ... as a building block for the future and throughout my career."