35th Security Forces Defenders recognized with Pacific Air Forces top honors

Security Forces

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Three Airmen from the 35th Security Forces Squadron emulated the Air Force’s core value of “excellence in all we do” by standing out amongst other defenders within the Pacific Air Forces.

PACAF awarded top honors to three Misawa Wild Weasel Defenders: Master Sgt. Andrew Contreras, a chief of standardization and evaluations, Airman 1st Class Jessica Carino, an armorer and Airman 1st Class Holly Villalta, a base defense operations center controller.

“From day one of being in the Security Forces career field, we’re taught the bar and expectations are set higher for us,” said Contreras. “We are the first individuals people meet when entering the base and the last ones seen when they leave. We’re expected to not only enforce the law but to do right by it as well.”

These three Airmen demonstrated their ability to do their job and perform at the highest tier as they compete against defenders from other Major Commands at the Air Force level.

Contreras won the Col. Billy Jack Carter Award, named after the commander of the 377th Security Police Squadron stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, who distinguished himself during the Vietnam War. The award honors a security forces member for a specific act, contribution or event.

“I feel extremely honored and humbled to win because this accomplish is a reflection of my team and their ability to work as a cohesive unit,” said Contreras. “No award is won without a team effort.”

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About Defender Magazine 690 Articles
Jose J. Sanchez, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Defender Magazine, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Presidential Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, Washington DC, the 416th Security Police Squadron, Griffiss AFB, NY, and the 89th Security Forces Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD