17 SFS Airman awarded Jacobson Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Musal
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A member of the 17th Security Forces Squadron earned the right to receive the Air Force's award for first-term Airmen in a deployed environment at the Air Education and Training Command level Dec. 10.

Senior Airman Brandon Foster, a patrol member with the 17 SFS, was awarded the Elizabeth N. Jacobson Award for Expeditionary Excellence. Though an honor for any Airman to receive, the award holds special significance for the members of the 17 SFS.

If you've been on Goodfellow Air Force Base for more than a few hours in the last two years, chances are you are familiar with Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson's story: how the model of a "can-do" Airman from Goodfellow bravely volunteered for a deployment to Camp Bucca, Iraq, and how on that deployment she gave the ultimate sacrifice for her country.

Her memory is all over this base, from the security forces members who served with her to anyone who has ever driven through the Jacobson Gate at the south end of Goodfellow. Additionally, most Airmen who have deployed to Camp Bucca or to another base in Southwest Asia, "The Rock," have seen her memorials there. Her constant pursuit of excellence as an expeditionary Airman is the second thing many people bring up when her name is mentioned, right behind her continual smile.

It may come as no surprise, then, that the Air Force established the Jacobson Award in memory of the first female Airman and the first Security Forces member to give their life during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The award recognizes the war-fighting contributions and outstanding accomplishments of first-term Airmen in a deployed environment.

Airman Foster, who was likewise deployed to Camp Bucca when he qualified for the award, said he was surprised and proud to be recognized for his actions while deployed.

"Colonel Conlan called me into her office saying I was in trouble," Airman Foster said. "They did that when I was awarded below-the-zone as well, so I thought something might be up, but then someone in the office asked if I had seen the Area Defense Counsel already and I thought I really messed up."

Far from it, as it turns out. The security forces Airman, who deployed shortly after completing the Goodfellow Air Force Base First Term Airmen Center and was responsible for security for roughly 1,200 detainees at Camp Bucca, became very excited when Col. Conlan informed him he had been selected for the award.

If Airman Foster was surprised, however, his supervisor, Staff Sgt. Matthew Czerniewski, was less so. Sergeant Czerniewski, who was Airman Foster's supervisor before the deployment and went with him to Camp Bucca, said he's watched Airman Foster grow quite a bit since he first arrived from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

"He's earned more responsibility as an Airman," Sergeant Czerniewski said, adding that as a senior airman, Airman Foster had already shown that he didn't have to be held by the hand.

Sergeant Czerniewski, who has been with the 17 SFS for more than three years now, also knew Airman Jacobson before she deployed, and said he believed that she wouldn't mind the award being named after her.

"And for an Airman like Airman Foster to earn it," he added, "Well, Airman Jacobson set the example for others to follow, and Airman Foster followed it."

As for Airman Jacobson's can-do attitude, Airman Foster shows it often, Sergeant Czerniewski said, and it was evident on the deployment.

"No matter what people say about deployments, don't judge until you're out there," Airman Foster said. "Keep your head up, don't get down on yourself, stay focused, and never, ever forget to call your parents."

Though Airman Foster and Sergeant Czerniewski don't know whether their next deployment will bring them back to Camp Bucca, they both said they're ready for that challenge.

"We'll go back in a heartbeat," they said.