JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Seven Joint Base San Antonio security forces members were
recognized by Air Education and Training Command for this year’s Major
Command-level Air Force Security Forces Individual Awards.
Chief Master Sgt. Richard Sherman, AETC security forces
manager, said the Air Force Security Forces Awards Program includes 16
categories of individual awards. Each
security forces unit submitted nominations that were endorsed by their wings
and then submitted to AETC. The AETC winners have since been submitted to Air
Force Security Forces, to compete at that level.
The JBSA individual award winners are members of the 802nd
Security Forces Squadron, at JBSA-Lackland and the 902nd Security Forces
Squadron at JBSA-Randolph.
The names of JBSA winners of the Air Force Security Forces
individual awards include:
• Senior Airman Christopher Corley, 802nd SFS unit
appointment monitor; Col. Billy Jack Carter Award.
Corley was nominated for his role in a five-hour fire fight
while deployed in Afghanistan in 2014. As a member of 439th Air Expeditionary
Advisory Squadron U.S. Central Command Security Response Force, Corley
tactically maneuvered under fire and engaged with enemy insurgents.
While under fire, Corley relayed enemy advances and
movements to his unit, who were able to use the information to direct strikes
and counterstrikes on enemy positions and thwart their movements.
Staff Sgt. Mathew Garza, 802nd SFS NCO in charge of
electronic security systems, said Corley is an outstanding security forces
member who sets high standards for himself.
“He is willing to do more than what is expected of him and
to exceed the standards of a security forces member,” Garza said. “He is always
going above and beyond.”
The Col. Billy Jack Carter award is named after the
commander of the 377th Security Police Squadron stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air
Base, South Vietnam, who distinguished himself during the Vietnam War’s Tet
Offensive. The award honors a security forces member for a specific act,
contribution or event.
• Senior Airman Meredith Jefferies, 802nd SFS emergency
communications controller; Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson Award for
achievements while deployed in Afghanistan.
The Jacobson award recognizes the accomplishments and
fighting contributions of young service members while in an expeditionary
setting or in pre-deployment activities related to mission success. Jacobson
was the first security forces member to be killed in action in Iraq Sept. 28,
2005, while supporting convoy operations.
“I am very grateful for being selected for this award at the
AETC level,” Jefferies said. “I would have never been able to accomplish the
things I did last year without the very strong support system I had on my
deployment and back home.”
• Master Sgt. Jerrold Jackson, 802nd SFS NCO in charge of
plans and programs; Outstanding Security Forces Flight Level SNCO Award.
Jackson was nominated for the award for his duties as a flight sergeant in managing
and supervising the shift operations for 75 active-duty and civilian security
forces members. He also served in Afghanistan from April to December 2014.
Jackson said he would not have been nominated for the award
without the support of 802nd SFS members.
• Staff Sgt. Jason Moscoso, 902nd SFS standards and
evaluations; Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff NCO Award.
Moscoso conducts duty position evaluations and oversees
inspections with the 902nd SFS.
“I feel really grateful to my leadership and the squadron
for this great opportunity to excel,” Moscoso said.
• Jason Eglinton, 902nd SFS flight chief and incident
commander; Outstanding Security Forces Flight Level Civilian Award, Supervisory
Level. As flight chief and incident commander, Eglinton responds to the scene
of any incidents that might occur at JBSA-Randolph.
Eglinton said he felt humbled and happy for being nominated.
He credits the work of the 20 security forces members he supervises for helping
him get the award nomination.
• Staff Sgt. Rosa Padin-Cabada, 902 SFS; Outstanding
Security Forces Air Reserve Component NCO Award.
• Staff Sgt. Fredric Bantin, 902nd SFS patrolman and entry
controller; Outstanding Security Forces Air Reserve Component Airman Award.
“It is an unbelievable opportunity to show the Air Force
what a great command and team we are at the 902nd SFS,” Bantin said about his
nomination. ”For me to be able to accomplish my duties to a level that I am
being recognized is a great feeling. I am a proud Airman. To know I am being a
great example to my family is a very rewarding feeling.”
Nominations for each of the Outstanding Security Forces
Awards are based on a service member and civilian’s specific duty achievements,
self-improvement efforts and participation in military and civilian activities.
Sherman said AETC security forces units submitted more than
100 nominations in 16 categories for the awards.
There are more than 2,500 active duty, reserve and civilian
members serving in AETC security forces units. With so many units and members
submitting nominations, the awards process is always very competitive, Sherman
said.
“There are so many outstanding individuals out there getting
the job done every day,” Sherman said. “Our nominees are truly the best of the
best and we look forward to them being recognized at the Air Force level also.”