I am a Security Force member…

I am a Security Force member…

I hold allegiance to my country, devotion to duty, and personal integrity above all.

I wear my shield of authority with dignity

and restraint…

…and promote by example high

standards of conduct, appearance, courtesy,

and performance.

I seek no favor because of my

position.

I perform my duties in a firm, courteous, and

impartial manner...

…irrespective of a person’s color, race,

religion, national origin, or sex.

I strive to merit the respect of my fellow

Airmen…

… and all with whom I come in

contact.

I am a Defender of the Force.

I have answered to many names, and performed many missions.

But the spirit remains the same.

In Korea, I had my baptism of fire.

Standing watch of places with names like

Kimpo, Pohang, Taejon, and Chinhae.

I learned my lessons well, and stood ready

for freedom’s next call to arms.

And when freedom called, I learned names like Tan Son Nhut, Phu Cat,

Bien Hoa, and Phan Rang.

I also learned about sappers, stand-off weapons, and harassment fire.

And I learned about heroes.

Like Capt Reginald V. Maisey, “the hero of Bien Hoa,” who led his troops

through ferocious combat at “The Battle of Bunker Hill 10.”

One of two SF Air Force Cross recipients.

He led from the front.

And he died there.

Hit by a rocket while calling in fire from an AC-47 Gunship.

And then there was a night in January of ’68 when

heroics was a post requirement.

The night 6 enemy Infantry Battalions and 1 sapper Battalion came to visit

Ton Sun Nhut.

The Tet Offensive.

3 Battalions, 1000 enemy soldiers,

attacked Bunker 051 that night.

They were engaged by 4 men with the spirit of thousands.

Sergeants William Cyr, Louis Fischer,

Charles Hebron and Roger Mills.

It took two direct RPG hits to silence that bunker.

The four sergeants took 100 Viet Cong with them.

Through the years, I’ve learned words like posthumous,

sorrow, and “ultimate sacrifice.”

In May of ’75 I learned an especially hard lesson when a

CH-53, call sign “Knife”, crashed shortly after takeoff.

I lost 18 Defenders that day.And the USS Mayaguez sailed on.

And through the years, my blood continued to flow.

Sacrifice in the name of freedom

In Feb of ’78, I watched in horror as SrA Gray & his dog Casey

were killed on post in the Philippines.

Despite the strength of my spirit, I couldn’t warn TSgt Butler of

what waited for him during that “routine” traffic stop at Edwards

AFB in Jan of ‘98.

In Nov of ’99, TSgt Simons was hit by a car while on duty at Nellis AFB.

He gave his reflective vest to an Airman who’d forgotten theirs at home.

But I have persevered.

And my spirit is stronger than ever.

On that September morning, when my world was forever changed,

I once again heard freedom’s call.

And as the battle rages on…

…rest assured the spirit of the Defender will prevail.

Dedicated to all the Defenders of the Force who’ve heard freedom’s call,

and answered with their blood.