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Grissom's defenders earn AFRC award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katrina Heikkinen
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  For their ability to protect people, property and resources of the U.S. Air Force, two of Grissom's defenders were recently recognized by the Air Force Reserve Command as 2015 Individual Security Forces Award winners.

Recognized for their individual achievement and performance, Capt. Jacob Hollingsworth, 434th Security Forces Squadron flight commander, received the Outstanding Security Forces CGO award and Master Sgt. Michael Rush, 434th SFS training NCO in charge, received the Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff NCO award.

"Both [of these Airmen] earned this award," said Chief Master Sgt. Rickie King, 434th Security Forces Squadron pass and ID manager. "This normally doesn't happen; two Airmen from the same unit winning at AFRC level."

Tasked with challenging responsibilities at undisclosed locations during their six-month deployment in the area of responsibility, both Hollingsworth and Rush attribute winning the prestigious award to their unique deployment.

"It was my first deployment, and I was responsible for the security forces drawdown plan at a base that was closing," Hollingsworth said. "For Master Sgt. Rush, he was responsible for forward deploying the entire unit to a new base."

Humble recipients, both Hollingsworth and Rush were surprised to have won at AFRC level.

"I was surprised because there were just as many equally qualified candidates," Rush said. "I was also fortunate to be at a unit - here and overseas - surrounded by people who are focused on the mission. To me, it's a testament not to me, but to my unit here and my deployed unit and the personnel I worked with."

"Winning this award was definitely not something I expected," Hollingsworth added. "It was an honor to win this, especially because winning in the security forces career field means a lot to me; it's my career field and it's what I aspire to do in the military and it gives me some validation that I'm doing a good job."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. 434th ARW Airmen and aircraft routinely deploy in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer