Liberty Defenders named Air Force's Outstanding Security Forces Large Unit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Cory D. Payne
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
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."