Security Forces member nab 2nd Air Force level award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Maj. Gen. Mary Hertog, 2nd Air Force commander announced Feb. 24 the Annual Award Winners for 2009, of which members of the 17th Training Wing were recognized.

Master Sgt. Anthony Fleming, 17th Security Forces Squadron, was one of the winners. He was named Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 2009.

"Sergeant Fleming is a well rounded warrior! His courageous actions in a demanding deployed environment are typical of his leadership at home station," said Maj. James Masoner, 17 SFS commander. "The unit and base benefit greatly from his knowledge, experience and mentorship. He's an invaluable defender I lean on daily to simply get things done!"

Air Force level nominees and winners were selected for their outstanding professionalism and significant contributions to the wing, the community and mission.

"It's humbling to be the recipient of an award that through the aid of my subordinates, peers and leaders I was able to achieve," said the 17 SFS, superintendent of Law Enforcement Operations.

"Much of what I am being recognized for is from my deployment to Iraq. I was given an opportunity to serve in a unique role as a squad leader for an "outside-the-wire" Quick Reaction Force," the SFS member of 14 years said. "This was the first mission of its kind since the Vietnam War. It was a great opportunity to serve in a combat role as an Air Force Security Forces member."

According to Sergeant Flemings awards package, he directed more than 100 outside-the- wire combat patrols, totaling more than 750 hours and 180 dismounts. His actions led to reduced indirect fire by 60 percent, helping to keep 28,000 coalition forces and $20 billion dollars of assets out of harm's way.

On one patrol, Sergeant Fleming located an improvised explosive device timing marker on a main route. His action helped to identify tools, tactics and procedures used by insurgents, in doing so he enabled coalition forces to secure a route for 10,000 logistical vehicles.

While deployed, he also found the time to volunteer more than 54 hours, leading and training a team of 18 Airmen for wounded patient helo-pad transfers, allowing emergency room staff members to care for others.

"All our nominees were outstanding and I am proud to announce that we had two numbered Air Force-level winners. Thanks to all the nominees for their many contributions to the technical training mission and for representing their wings and groups well. I would also like to extend my personal congratulations to the award winners for a job well done," Col. Thomas Geary, 17 TRW commander, released in a statement.

More than 50 members here competed at the numbered Air Force level.