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McConnell security forces named best in Air Force

  • Published
The 22nd Security Forces Squadron here is No. 1 in the Air Force for the second year in a row. According to officials, no other squadron in security forces history has taken first in the Air Force two years in a row for medium category squadron.

Maj. David Young, 22nd SFS commander, attributes their accomplishments to training.

"We put 100 percent training in every layer of what we do," he said. "We do as much as we can, and you just try and get better everyday."

Major Young explained the evaluation process each squadron goes through when being "sized up" during Air Force-level competition.

"The squadrons are evaluated on the product they possess," said the major. "Are the Airmen well trained? How well do they lead? Are they equipped? Do they know their job? Are they proud to be here? And are they motivated? Those are the keys to the squadron's success."

The major said a security forces Airman plays two roles: police force and defense force.

"When a security forces officer responds to domestic abuse or assault at base housing, they have to be just as well trained as a Wichita (Kan.) police officer to handle the situation," said Major Young. "On a deployed location the enemy cannot tell the difference between Army and security forces, therefore a security forces member must be just as well trained as an Army soldier. There are no levels of training once you get out to a deployed location; either you're trained, or you're not."

As far as the strong points of the unit, Major Young feels the junior ranks are the strength of the unit.

"We have to expect good leadership from our junior ranks, because they will be the first ones on the scene," he said. "We put an emphasis as early as possible that you are a leader. And if you're a good leader, the unit will succeed."