Grissom Security Forces named command's best Published Feb. 27, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Maj. Randall Stivers always thought his security forces squadron was the go-to unit for the command. Being named the Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Security Forces Reserve Unit of the Year for 2006, well that just confirms things for him. For Major Stivers, the 434th Security Forces Squadron commander, the formal announcement is just what he expected from a unit that is consistently called upon as a bench mark unit the numbered Air Force and AFRC come to in order get things done. "We're ahead of the curve in things that need to get done," said Senior Master Sgt. Lewis Raye, assistant operations superintendent. "We've got 90-95 percent of our unit members trained in combat skills training and maintain high levels of ancillary training completion." With multiple Air Expeditionary Force taskings and support and integrated security for the base, personnel and assets it's no wonder Grissom's security members stood in the spotlight. Unit members were deployed more than 2,900 days in support of contingency operations, including pulling high-profile assignments such as working security screening at the warm crimes trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. "Our total involvement really sets us apart," Major Stivers said. "In addition to supporting the AEF's we have an outstanding working relationship with the local law enforcement agencies, at levels most other units don't have." "We work very closely with the county, state and city police departments," the Lafayette, Ind., resident said.. "We augment their training by allowing their trainers to use some of our computer-based equipment to expand their capabilities." Grissom won the award following the submission of a nomination package that every unit sent forward. From there, the AFRC award committee, whittled down the entries to Grissom and the 908th Security Forces Squadron at Maxwell, AFB, Ala., and then visited each unit. "Their visit really helped us," Major Stivers said. "The team came and talked with unit members, looked at our equipment and visited each post." "Their visit was a complete validation," Sergeant Raye said. Sergeant Raye is a traditional reservist from Chicago. While at Grissom, the team also had an opportunity to meet with other members of the base during an informal reception. Commanders, supervisors and other base members were given an opportunity to meet with the team, and express their opinions on the support provided by security forces. "The team was really impressed by what people had to say about us," explained Major Stivers. "Col. Harry Weirath, assistant chief of security forces for AFRC, told us he was really impressed by what others had to say about us." The session was supposed to last an hour, but ran long because so many people stood up and spoke on our behalf, Major Stivers added. The 434th SFS unit is made up of civilians, active duty members (AGR) and traditional reservists. The inspection team looked at the whole package and in the end, came up with the conclusion that Major Stivers thought they would --that Grissom is the best in AFRC.
