News>Liberty Defenders named Air Force's Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit
Photos
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Airman 1st Class Meahgan Gibson, 48th Security Forces Squadron pass and registration clerk, completes paperwork March 28, 2012. The 48th SFS was named the 2011 Air Force’s Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne)
STANFORD TRAINING AREA, England - Staff Sgts. Christopher Maziarka (left) and Michael Marks, 48th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handlers, discuss tactics during an improvised explosive devices detection exercise Oct. 13, 2011. The 48th SFS was named the 2011 Air Force’s Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Airmen of the 48th Security Forces Squadron salute during the national anthems of the U.S. and U.K. during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Sept. 9, 2011. The 48th SFS was named the 2011 Air Force’s Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Tech. Sgt. James Wrisley (left), 48th Security Forces Squadron flight chief, passes information regarding the scene during an emergency response and mass casualty exercise June 8, 2011. The 48th SFS was named the 2011 Air Force’s Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Airmen of the 48th Security Forces Squadron render salutes during the national anthems of the U.S. and U.K. at the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Sept. 9, 2011. The 48th SFS was named the 2011 Air Force’s Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
by Airman 1st Cory D. Payne
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/30/2012 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - -- The 48th Security Forces Squadron was named the Air Force's Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit March 13, 2012.
The award is given out every year to the most highly performing security forces squadron across the Air Force and this is the first time in 29 years the 48th SFS has been recognized as the best.
During 2011, the 48th SFS deployed Airmen across the globe to several countries in support of Operations Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector and Enduring Freedom.
The recognition has come not only from unit achievements but numerous individual awards. The Liberty Defenders took home more awards for individual members than any other security forces squadron in the Air Force with four at the U. S. Air Forces in Europe level and three Air Force wide.
"There were individual awards won that got us to this point, but we couldn't have done it without being a team," said Airman 1st Class Meahgan Gibson, 48th SFS pass and registration clerk. "I feel like it's a great accomplishment [to have won] and we couldn't have done it without team cohesiveness."
The team's cohesion was put to the ultimate test last year with the loss of several of its members, but the 48th SFS endured and overcame.
"This squadron has been the picture of resiliency throughout 2011," said Lt. Col. Paul Cairney, 48th SFS commander. "Considering all the hard knocks the squadron has suffered, everyone has continued to push forward and get the job done."
The Airmen attribute the unit's resiliency to a focus on taking care of one another.
"We have family cohesiveness within our unit, no matter what. It doesn't matter if you're working at the gate or as a clerk at pass and registration, you have a family around you and no matter what your security forces family is always going to be there," said Gibson, "There is a popular saying here, one flight one fight."
The focus on "one flight one fight" helped keep the 48th SFS on track and Cairney is very proud of his unit's ability to perform.
"Any squadron might have broken under what the 48th SFS experienced," said Cairney. "This team not only held it together, [they] did amazing work."
Comments
4/3/2012 7:33:11 PM ET Great job everyoneyou all pulled it together what an awesome team proud mom of Staff Sgt. Brewer.
Diana, Tennessee
3/30/2012 2:29:40 PM ET As Airman First Class Gibson's mom it makes me so proud that she is part of such an amazing flight and it also gives me great comfort in knowing that you're there for one another while her stateside family can't be at her immediate side. It's nice knowing you all have my daughter's back. Congratulations 48th Security Forces Squadron Way to go
