Warren Defenders Aid in Capture of Wanted Criminal, Missing Child
By Maj Victoria Hight, 90th Missile Wing / Published July 08, 2021
Airman Suzanne Pedro and Airman 1st Class Frank Shaw, both from the 90th Security Forces Squadron, pose with Col. Damian Schlussel (left), 90th Security Forces Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Flanagain (right), 90 SFG chief enlisted manager, for a photo on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, July 7, 2021. The Airmen were coined by their leadership in recognition of excellence while performing their duties. Their actions in defending the base directly contributed to the capture of an individual with active arrest warrants and the recovery of a missing child. (Courtesy photo)
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --
Airman Suzanne Pedro, an Installation Entry Controller from the 90th Security Forces Squadron, was recently recognized by wing leadership for actions which led to the capture of an individual with active warrants and a missing child here June 28, 2021.
A man drove up to the base gate and handed Amn Pedro, who was assigned to defend that gate, an unusual form of identification. When the man and child in the vehicle refused to make eye contact, the Airman began to suspect something was amiss.
“I had a feeling something wasn’t right,” said Pedro. “Neither the man or the child looked at me while I scanned the ID. When it flashed red for warrants, my heart began to race.”
After quietly alerting her supervisors and wingmen on duty at the gate, Amn Pedro directed the vehicle out of the line of traffic to prevent the individual from fleeing. Airman 1st Class Frank Shaw, 90 SFS, relayed information to the base defense operations center, which verified the warrants were active and contacted local law enforcement to inform them of the situation.
“We were told of a weapon in the car, so my heart was racing, but I wasn’t nervous,” said Pedro. “My main concern was keeping the child distracted and keeping him comfortable and happy.”
Although the investigation is ongoing, the Airmen have been told the child had been missing from his biological mother since December of 2020.
Pedro and Shaw were recognized by multiple levels of leadership for their textbook actions.
“Airman Pedro exemplifies what it means to be a Defender,” said Maj Keil Luber, 90 SFS commander. “While not yet qualified on her position, she followed her instincts and training, directly contributing to the capture of a wanted criminal and the recovery of a missing child.”
While both Airmen remain humble about their actions, Pedro expressed excitement about her coming years in the military.
“I’ve wanted to be a police officer as long as I can remember,” said Pedro. “To have only been in the Air Force for 10 months and get this experience that most haven’t gotten in their whole careers – it’s been amazing. I am thankful for everyone on my flight who has helped teach me, and I’m also thankful to my parents for supporting me in my dreams.”
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We Owe Him Everything We’ve Got... and Then Some
(U.S. Air National Guard: story and photo by Staff Sgt. Mercedee Wilds)
124th Fighter Wing, Boise, ID 30 June 2021
124th Security Forces Squadron defenders went above and beyond to assist a 96-year-old World War II veteran.
Retired Capt. William Brand was a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with the Eighth Air Force in Okinawa, Japan, during WWII. He now lives in Hailey, Idaho, but regularly travels to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho to stay at the on-base lodging on days that appointments at the Boise VA Medical Center.
On May 6, 2021, 124th SFS defenders received an emergency call to the Gowen Field Lodging Facility. As Brand was checking in for a routine stay at the Gowen Field Lodging Facility he experienced a medical emergency, which left this WWII veteran with special requirements and a limited ability to properly care for himself and coordinate his VA appointments..
124th SFS defenders took it upon themselves to organize hourly shifts to check on the well-being of Brand, which included assisting with tasks of daily-living, providing essential needs and helping to coordinate with the VA for medical attention.
The defenders took on the role of dedicated care-givers, going beyond their typical duty and surpassing their daily requirements. To this group of 124th SFS members, it was an honor to help Brand and learn about his service to our country.
“Helping a veteran isn’t in our book for normal tasks, but it’s a sense of honor to help someone like that, who not only served our country but spent time in a war that we are still benefiting from,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Finer, a 124th SFS member.
Finer and the other defenders who helped Brand felt providing help and assistance to him, a brother in arms who dedicated so much of his life to protecting our country, was the least they could do.
“It’s an honor to be able to hear the stories from the direct mouth of someone who has experienced it,” said Finer, “my personal feelings are that we owe him everything we’ve got and then some.”
Benchmark Memo Signings Advance OSI Partnerships
By Wayne Amann, OSI Public Affairs, 25 May 2021
Left to right, Brig. Gen. Rebecca R. Vernon, Director, Military Justice and Discipline, The Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps; Brig. Gen. Terry L. Bullard, Commander, Office of Special Investigations; and Brig. Gen. Roy W. Collins, Director of Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, sign a joint memorandum at OSI Headquarters May 24, 2021, implementing a fully integrated Criminal Investigation and Prosecution (CIP) capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by SA Spencer King)
QUANTICO, Va. --
Teamwork has been a staple for the Office of Special Investigations since its inception in 1948. Now, that foundational concept has progressed significantly on two fronts.
On May 24, 2021, leaders from OSI, Air Force Security Forces (SF) and The Air Force Judge Advocate (JA) General Corps, signed a milestone memorandum at OSI Headquarters here, implementing a fully integrated Criminal Investigation and Prosecution (CIP) capability.
A second major signing that day, between OSI and SF, initiated the formation of Joint Base Enforcement Teams (JBETs).
“Both pertain to how we run and manage investigations,” said OSI Commander, Brig. Gen. Terry L. Bullard. “As you know, we’re constantly seeking ways to improve our processes, and to ensure that OSI is focused on the types of investigations that only we can tackle.”
The CIP agreement formally commits each organization to improving transparency and consistency within its processes. Collectively, their goal is to leverage respective areas of expertise to deliver professional, timely, and legally sound investigation and adjudication of military justice actions.
“The signing of this memorandum memorializes the long-standing relationship and cooperation between the Judge Advocate and law enforcement communities within the Department of the Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Rebecca R. Vernon, Director, Military Justice and Discipline. “The strengthening of these bonds and our commitment to even greater collaboration is emblematic of the commitment our investigators, judge advocates, Victim and Witness Assistance Program personnel, paralegals and support staff, have to both victim care and the pursuit of justice.”
The CIP memorandum outlines the composition of the CIP team, which includes key OSI, JA, and SF members, and prescribes the notification processes associated with the activation of a CIP team. The memo also hones steps already utilized by OSI special agents working cases.
Meanwhile, the JBET concept is based largely on feedback received from OSI special agents in the field, which helped identify potential gaps in criminal and fraud investigative coverage for Department of the Air Force wings. OSI and SF agree that creating JBET is the way to optimize their investigative capabilities.
“Security Forces and the Office of Special Investigations continue to work together to accomplish the mission at home and abroad,” said Brig. Gen. Roy W. Collins, Director of Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection. “The partnership memorandum demonstrates how the Security Forces Squadrons and OSI detachments support each other. Through this effort, Defenders will continue to perform law and order operations, conduct investigations, and keep our installations safe.”
JBETs will initially address two major areas, by capitalizing on SF capability to run certain types of cases.
On Pay and Allowance Matters: OSI will defer to SF, except in cases with senior subjects, or when there is a connection to another OSI investigation. OSI will coordinate closely with SF when an allegation involves large-scale manipulation or a financial management system or process, or when there is potential activity.
On Drug Offenses: SF and OSI will conduct joint interviews of drug violation suspects to determine the lead investigative agency, with OSI focusing on drug distribution and manufacturing.
General Bullard reflected on the signings from OSI’s perspective.
“Our agreements solidify our commitment to operating in lockstep with our closest law enforcement and military justice partners,” said the Commander, “thereby helping to ensure the best possible outcomes for the Department of the Air Force and those we serve.”
Defenders Receive Army Recognition for Civil Unrest Support
By MSgt Jessica Roles, 189th Airlift Wing, 22 January 2021
SMSgt Herbert Bates, 189th Security Forces Squadron First Sergeant, reads the citation as members of the 189th Security Forces Squadron receive Army Commendation and Achievement medals January 9, 2021, at Little Rock Air Force Base, AR. The defenders were awarded eight Army Commendation Medals and 19 Army Achievement Medals between the group for their support and guidance during the civil unrest in Little Rock May 31 - June 8, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by MSgt Jessica Roles)
Recently, the 189th Security Forces Squadron, Little Rock AFB, AR held a presentation in which 27 defenders received Army achievement and commendation medals. The presentation was held during the January unit training assembly in the Security Forces building for their direct support of the Arkansas National Guard’s Quick Reaction Force during the civil unrest events in downtown Little Rock last summer.
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