Force Protection Citations
Technical Sergeant Brian M. Medley distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Force Protection Flight Leader, 407th Air Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Ali Base, Iraq from XXXXXXXX XX to XXXXXXXX XX. During this period, Sergeant Medley molded 11 personnel from seven different career fields into a cohesive team and managed daily work schedules to ensure security for 8,500 joint coalition personnel and 1.6 billion dollars in assets. Moreover, he oversaw four airfield projects and the movement of Force Protection Escorts and 4,800 Local and Third Country Nationals around the installation, resulting in zero security infringements or runway incursions. Additionally, as the Emergency Management representative, he reviewed all preparations and procedures to include communication with essential units and planning for disaster operations. Sergeant Medley's extensive preparations proved vital during multiple indirect fire rocket attacks when he initiated effective emergency procedures, recalled unit control centers, and accounted for all personnel. His efforts ensured 100 percent accountability for more than 200 Airmen and the timely completion of post-attack reconnaissance sweeps, aiding in the prompt return to normal operations. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Medley reflect great credit upon himself, the 407th Air Expeditionary Group and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Jennifer D. Conklin distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Base Transition Team Advisor, Detachment 3, 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group (EMSAG), 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, Kirkuk, Iraq from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, she forward deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq where she partnered with the U.S. Army and Iraqi Air Force Security Forces to escort over 225 Third Country and Local Nationals and ensure the security of the installation during the transition to Iraqi forces. She processed over 450 base access badge applications for Iraqi Air Force personnel and streamlined the badge application process, resulting in a tracking system that maintained accurate accountability and ensured only authorized individuals were allowed access. Her attention to detail and situational awareness coupled with her close coordination with the U.S. Army 1-1 Special Troops Battalion contributed significantly to tracking 972 Iraqi Air Force members, ensuring base security and zero force protection incidents. Finally, Airman Conklin assisted the Iraqi Air Force establishment of a drinking water bottling plant, furthering Iraqi self-sufficiency and a successful, enduring Iraqi Air Force. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Conklin reflect credit upon herself, the 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant John J. Smith distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Operations Superintendent, 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, 64th Air Expeditionary Group, Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from XXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Smith resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of force protection measures for 1,200 Eskan Village residents while supporting the 90 billion dollar mission of three security cooperation organizations. In addition, he identified an Air Force wide deficiency in standardized active shooter and barricaded subject responses and revised the training plan, procured 40 thousand dollars of needed equipment, and directed the training of 88 security forces personnel. His program set the bar for future security force rotations and was recognized by the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and further bolstered Eskan Village as the "hardest target". The distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Mark B. Hoover distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Force Protection Specialist, 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, 506th Air Expeditionary Group, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, from XXXXXX XXXXXX to XXXXXXX XXXXXX. During this period and in direct support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Airman Hoover demonstrated outstanding leadership as section leader of Kirkuk Regional Air Base's only secure convoy staging area. He successfully led a four-man day shift and managed the processing and inspection of over 150 convoys received. Airman Hoover inspected and validated the credentials of over 180 multinational drivers, mitigating enemy insurgent threat and permitting zero intrusions. In addition, he personally marshaled fifty-five convoys delivering over 1.5 million tons of food, clothes, and equipment to eight distribution centers, contributing to the supply efforts needed by more than six thousand coalition forces. Finally, his foresight was the driving force for obtaining secure voice over internet protocol communications, creating a vital and secure link to five forward operating bases, improving convoy flexibility and situational awareness. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Hoover reflect great credit upon himself, the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
