U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alec Foor, 35th Security Forces Squadron defender, puts a 550 cord into his M-9 pistol during High Risk Response Training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 30, 2012. The 550 cord is inserted into the pistol as a training tool to allow everyone to know that the weapon is clear of ammunition. Regular training exercises like this, gave 35 SFS Airmen the ability to develop the skills and knowledge that resulted in the squadron earning the Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Medium Unit 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian Childress, 35th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, calls in suspicious activity during a simulated restricted area check at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 30, 2012. The purpose of these checks is to ensure the safety of the base. Honing their skills resulted in the 35 SFS earning the title Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Medium Unit 2011 award.. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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U.S. Airmen with the 35th Security Forces Squadron partake in High Risk Response Training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 30, 2012. High Risk Response Training helps SFS Airmen develop the skills they need to respond to active shooters. Regular training exercises like this, gave 35 SFS Airmen the ability to develop the skills and knowledge that resulted in the squadron earning the Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Medium Unit 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas Davis, left, and Staff Sgt. April Riddle, 35th Security Forces Squadron defenders, practice proper transition drills during High Risk Response Training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 30, 2012. In combat, if a primary weapon fails, the ability to quickly transition to a sidearm could mean the difference between life and death. Regular training exercises like this, gave 35 SFS Airmen the ability to develop the skills and knowledge that resulted in the squadron earning the Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Medium Unit 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Masahito Sasakura, 35th Security Forces Squadron gate guard, scans a base pass at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 30, 2012. Gate guards have the responsibility to ensure that only those with permission to access the base are being allowed in. By performing their job well, Airmen of the 35 SFS earned the title Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Medium Unit 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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35 SFS proves to be outstanding

Published April 6, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Out of 36 medium-sized security forces units in the Air Force, Misawa Air Base's 35th Security Forces Squadron stands out as the best.

In a memorandum sent on behalf of Brig. Gen. Jimmy McMillian, Air Force director of Security Forces, the 35 SFS was announced as the winner of the Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Medium Unit 2011 award. But when asking members how they feel about winning, most SFS Airmen reply that they were just doing their job.

"I would say the hard work and dedication of our Airmen through the tough times made us stand out as the best medium sized unit in the Air Force," said Maj. Leo Martin, 35 SFS commander. "You know working through a 9.0 earthquake, a tsunami, and handling radiation concerns last year basically provided us the opportunity to show what our Airmen are capable of."

The award signifies how dedicated 35 SFS members have been in executing their mission. Their mission is to coordinate base cluster defense operations with the Government of Japan, protect base personnel, enforce the Status of Forces Agreement in Northern Japan, execute integrated base defense operations to safeguard protection level resources and be combat-ready for worldwide deployments.

"You know our Airmen are the best this year because of the things that they did in pursuit of perfection, and the Operational Readiness Inspection that we had validated that by the excellent rating that we received," said Chief Master Sgt. John Gammage, 35 SFS manager.

During the wing's 2011 ORI, the 35 SFS earned their "excellent" rating and impressed the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General inspectors with their motivation and adaptability during response and relocation procedures.

"We're the best because we do our job, we know our job and we are professional at all times," said Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Scott, 35 SFS senior force patroller.