Military hero who served six tours of duty surprised with new home at Florida-UGA game
SEC Country, 30 Oct 2015

While it was the play on the field that got Florida fans on their feet Saturday, everyone in attendance — no matter their fan loyalty — stood when a military family received a new, mortgage-free home.

Staff Sergeant David Veros, a 12 year Security Forces Defender, and his family were honored at the Florida-UGA game in Jacksonville, Fla. and were given instructions to look at the video board where they received the news. Joel Lamp, a manager of business development and communications for Jacksonville City Sports & Entertainment, was on the field with Veros and confirmed that he served six tours of duty in Iraq.

It was given to the Veros family by Operation Finally Home-Built To Honor, an organization that focuses on honoring military heroes with new homes.

Not everyone left EverBank Field happy about the outcome of the game, but it’s hard not to smile when such an act of kindness is offered to former military personnel after the sacrifices they’ve given to the country.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Air-Force-Security-Forces-Association-HQ-582647991899385/?ref=hlEngage, Inform and Recruit
by Stacey Rush, AFSFA Executive Administrator

In today’s digital world, it is only logical that AFSFA reaches out to its Defenders with the various media technology that is available at its fingertips. Like a good cop, we are covering down on all avenues. We now have a Facebook page up and its followers are growing! This is a great way for past and present defenders interact with one another, while continuously being informed on events taking place within the career field. This new digital platform can also be a great way to get more defenders involved in our organization! Check out the different ways that you can stay engaged with your association…

AFSFA Facebook page (open to the public)

A Facebook page is a public profile specifically created for organizations such as the AFSFA that allows the Association to share stories and information while engaging with its members. This site not only provides an attractive introduction to the AFSFA organization, it also allows the capability to interact with its followers immediately and directly in real-time. Additionally, it will permit the Association to reach a wider audience, possibly gaining greater support for our 

https://www.facebook.com/The-Air-Force-Security-Forces-Association-HQ-582647991899385/?ref=hl

AFSFA Facebook closed group (restricted to past and current AFSFA members)

A Facebook closed group is a private forum that was created to allow past and present AFSFA members a reserved space to share updates, photos, information with other AFSFA members. Unlike the Facebook page, what is shared within the group is only seen by the group members. All AFSFA members, past and present, are invited to the private group. Simply follow the link below and request to be added and one of our administrators will add you to the private forum.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AFSFAHQ/

Pinterest (public site)

Pinterest is an online pin board that, unlike other social bookmarking sites, has a great focus on visual content. What does this mean? Pictures, lots and lots of pictures! Pinterest has created a platform for the Association to create virtual bulletin boards. If you follow the link below you will find “boards” that are dedicated to security forces gifts, Defender news, security forces heritage, SF humor, etc.

https://www.pinterest.com/AFSFAHQ/

Google + (public site)

Google + is similar to the Facebook page in that it is a social networking site that allows AFSFA an eye-catching overview to the kind of organization AFSFA is while creating a way to network with its members through photos, stories, and information sharing in real-time.

https://plus.google.com/b/101688332814508407086/101688332814508407086/videos?hl=en

YouTube (public site)

YouTube is considered the second largest search engine in the world, which provides the Association with the ability to host entertaining and educational videos that may be of interest to our members. Visit this communication site to see the latest Security Forces videos that the Association has uploaded for you!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEcLRJtMkQx9L79Ft2mnR0A

A bond that can never be broken

Photo: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy Castillo, 7th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, checks his dog, Axa, for any bites, swellings and abnormal growths that could prevent him from performing everyday duties Aug. 10, 2015, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Military working dog handlers are trained with emergency field veterinary skills to keep the dog healthy while deployed; however, the base veterinary staff cares for the dogs on a day-to-day basis while at home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield/Released)
Posted 9/23/2015 by Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield, 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

9/23/2015 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- With ears up, eyes open and not a single movement until a command is given by their handler, military working dogs display great discipline and obedience.

 Military working dogs begin their training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, between the ages of 1 and 2 years old and go through the 60 - 90 day Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program.

 During the program the dogs are taught to detect drugs and explosives. The dogs are bred by the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland and are raised until they qualify for the program. The handlers also receive training through the 11-week Military Working Dog Handler course to learn fundamentals before working with a dog.

 "During the Military Working Dog Handler course, I learned a lot, such as on- and off-leash obedience and patrol, which is searching a perimeter to look for anything suspicious," said Staff Sgt. Sean Davis, 7th Security Forces military working dog handler. "I also learned about detection, which is how we find narcotics or explosives."
 In addition to learning how to work with a MWD, handlers are taught emergency field veterinary care. This veterinary care allows the handler to be fully responsible for their dog and to ensure they remain healthy while in the deployed environment.

 "We are the first responders for our canines," said Staff Sgt. Sean Tice, 7TH SF MWD handler. "We give them the basic care needed, which includes IVs, CPR and splinting. We also perform a daily health check for sores, cuts, abnormal growths and bites."
 While MWD handlers receive their initial training at Lackland, the real training begins when handlers arrive at their first duty station, where they are assigned their first MWD.

 "The training never stops, as there is always something that can be improved," Tice said. "The basics are taught at Lackland, and when they arrive here, it is up to the handler to bring their dog up to standards with the other dogs."

 Training becomes a critical part for the performance level required of the duo to prepare them for deployments, home stations and special duties.

 Deployments can bring unexpected and difficult situations, especially when the dogs and handlers are in locations where there is a greater risk of explosives. The handler and the dog often lead units because the dog can sense the dangers before it's too late.

 "I've been on deployments tasked with special forces and the Army, clearing buildings, roads and doing vehicle searches, "Davis said.

 While deployments pose a much greater risk for danger, there is still a possibility this danger lurks at home. The handler and their partner continue to perform their searches for explosives and narcotics and clearing buildings both on and off-base while at their home stations.

 "I've had to clear a number of buildings off-base." Davis said. "I've had to clear high schools, hospitals, shopping centers and the court house."
 When not deployed, the MWD and their handler may be tasked with a special-duty mission. During big events, such as the World Cup, the Super Bowl, and other major populous events, security is increased heavily due to the amount of people who attend. MWDs and their handlers help enforce security, by patrolling the area, acting as a deterrent or simply being on stand-by. Theses duties can also serve as an opportunity to create a bond between handler and dog by relying on each other to carry out their mission.

 "My relationship with my dog didn't happen overnight," Tice said. "It took time to form a bond and trust each other."

 The characteristics between the handler and their dog is crucial, a disconnect in personalities can cause an uninspiring friendship between the duo. Learning to work with a partner of a different character is one way to conquer a fragile relationship.
 "Every dog has their own personality, which makes them unique," Tice said. "They know when it's time to work and when it's time to play. My dog is playful at heart and loves to have fun when he is off-duty, and when on-duty, my dog is focused and serious."

 The personalities of both the handler and dog help them become best friends and have a deep relationship.

 Losing a dog, where an endless relationship has been grown, can have a lasting effect on the handler.

 "Recently, I lost my first canine that was assigned to me named Jonny," Davis said sorrowfully. "Losing him was like losing a part of my family. I always thought of Jonny as my son and my best friend. Even though I wasn't his handler at the time of his death, he was still my best friend."

 Throughout their careers, the relationship between the handler and MDWs have made this duo a great asset to the Air Force. They become a deterrent for bases, and with the ability to sniff out narcotics and explosives, they have the potential to save many lives.

 "I would say that we have one of the most rewarding jobs in the Air Force," said Staff Sgt. Daren Marshall, 7th Security Forces military working dog trainer. "It is rewarding to see all of our hard work and training that we put into these dogs pay off, with them being the best source of detection far superior to any machine."

Ruiz, Sartain Remembered by Defenders, Senior Leaders
Posted 10/19/2015
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs, by Mark Wyatt

Photo: Maj. Joseph Bincarousky, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander, posthumously presents Senior Airman Nathan Sartain and Senior Airman Kcey Ruiz the Air Force Commendation Medal during a Memorial Service at the Aero Club Hangar Oct. 16. The service was held to honor and remember the two Airmen killed Oct. 2 when the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft they were on crashed shortly after take-off from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry Saslav)

10/19/2015 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass.  -- More than 1,000 people attended a memorial service on base today to honor and remember two Hanscom Airmen killed earlier this month when the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft they were on crashed shortly after takeoff from Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, of McDonough, Georgia, and Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain, 29, of Pensacola, Florida, were members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron.

During the service, colleagues took time to remember them personally.

"If you were blessed to be his friend, then you had an incredible person in your life, one who leaves us with a legacy we will never forget," said Staff Sgt. Lee Shortell during his remarks on Sartain.

Shortell, who was Sartain's supervisor, added that there were very few people he knew "whose focus on the mission and pride in their work came anywhere close to Sartain's."

Staff Sgt. Derek Smiling, who spoke about Ruiz on behalf of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Marquart, said she was an "amazing troop."

"Kcey Ruiz, you were not only my troop, my sister-in-arms, but you were my friend and you are my hero," Smiling read. "I can proudly say, Kcey, you changed me. She made me a better person, changed the way that I am as an NCO, as a supervisor and as a human being."

Also recalling the two Airmen was the installation commander.

"These two defenders embodied the character, honor, dedication and sacrifice of true heroes," said Col. Michael A. Vogel, installation commander. "I could not be more proud and humbled to stand here today as Nate's and Kcey's base commander."

Ruiz and Sartain were deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Afghanistan as Fly Away Security Team members as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

At their home station here, both were installation entry controllers and also armorers.

"On behalf of the all the men and women of the 66th Security Forces Squadron, I can tell you how proud we all are of Kcey and Nathan's exemplary service, friendship and defender kinship," said Maj. Joseph Bincarousky, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander, to the families of the fallen Airmen. "They will always be a part of this family, and your families will always have a place in our hearts."

Ruiz was born July 9, 1994. Her military career began April 16, 2013, with her enlistment in the U.S. Air Force as a security forces specialist. She is survived by her mother, Kyhia Ruiz; father, Michael Ruiz; and sister, Maya Ruiz.

Sartain was born March 29, 1986. His career began April 29, 2013, with his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force as a security forces specialist. He is survived by his wife, Lana Paulley; stepdaughter, Alexia Paulley; father, retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Phillip Sartain; and mother, Janice Sartain.

Their awards include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal posthumously.

The Airmen were also posthumously presented the Air Force Commendation Medal by the 66 SFS commander.

The message, "Honoring our Heroes, Healing our Hearts," was provided by Chaplain (Capt.) Jerry St. Pierre.

"The loss of our heroes has helped us to put life in its proper perspective," he said. "The news of Senior Airman Sartain and Senior Airman Ruiz's passing struck at the soul of Hanscom Air Force Base."

Vogel extended his thanks to the community for the tremendous amount of support the base has received.

"The outpouring of love and support from across the nation, our Air Force family and the local community has been humbling, encouraging and deeply touching," he said.

Among the local dignitaries on hand were Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services Secretary Francisco Urena, U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark and representatives from other members of the congressional delegation along with local selectmen.

Members of the U.S. Air Force Band provided a musical prelude and postlude and the Irish American Police Officers Association Pipe and Drum Band played "Amazing Grace."

Vogel vowed to continue to honor the Airmen's memory by completing the mission.

"We will not falter, we will succeed," he said. "And we will always remember our two fallen heroes and those who loved them."

The SFS commander closed his comments by committing to carry on the security forces mission.

"We must always defend that which is worth defending, and those who are in need of defending," he said. "And we will take the reins and slack in your absence, and continue to drive the mission home."

ADDED NOTE: Your AFSFA was represented by Vice-President Jim Saulnier and Executive Director John Probst who met with the attending families and presented mounted berets with name plates and AFSFA coins. Black granite marker plaques are being produced for the unit now.