Grand Forks AFB Senior NCO named among best defenders for 2014

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A Warrior of the North was recently recognized as one of the best security forces members in the Air Force.

Senior Master Sgt. Jerald D. Thomas, the operations superintendent with the 319th Security Forces Squadron here, was named the Air Mobility Command's Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff Senior NCO for 2014.

The AMC Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff Senior NCO Award recognizes the exceptional work and contributions to the security forces career field by an enlisted service member in the ranks of master sergeant to chief master sergeant during the 12-month period from Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014.

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, praised the 16-year Air Force veteran.

"I congratulate Senior Master Sergeant Thomas for his significant contributions to the AMC and Air Force missions," said Bauman.  "He represents the strength of our Defender team!"

Thomas modestly agreed with the wing commander's sentiments.

"Although it is an individual award, I feel it is a unit accomplishment," said Thomas. 
He said that the award was further validation that what he and his fellow Warriors of the North are doing at Grand Forks AFB significantly contributes to the Air Force mission and vision.

He also credited his family for his recent recognition.

"I would not be able to accomplish my goals without the support from my wife and kids," said Thomas.

Thomas's nomination by the major command was owed in part to the important role the 319th Security Forces play in supporting the Unmanned Aerial Systems here.

As one of the senior law enforcement officers and defenders on the installation, Thomas helped integrate the Customs and Border Protection mission into the base defense plan, which includes the protection of Remotely Piloted Aircraft assets, which in turn helps secure 861 miles of the U.S.-Canadian border.

Several other notable actions took place while he was deployed to Afghanistan.


During his deployment, Thomas oversaw 172 outside-the-wire missions that patrolled 15 villages, which helped negate threats to the 47 square miles in his area of responsibility.

He also amassed 184 hours while directing prisoner-of-war security operations for insurgents linked to 18 attacks, which allowed U.S. forces to gain intelligence and counter enemy tactics.

This was all done while he simultaneously tackled a force management-level retrograde plan that reduced his unit's manpower by 50 percent.

He said it was a goal that his squadron needed to meet in order to follow through with the Coalition and Afghan-led drawdown strategic plan.

Thomas's accomplishment during his deployment in 2014 did not just center on combating insurgents.

He supported Air Force Central Command's largest humanitarian effort for 2014 by providing security to a hospital and school that led to more than 60,000 patients being treated and approximately 1,000 students being taught.

In addition to his job accomplishments, Thomas found success in his time away from work.

He completed three college courses through American Military University, which earned him a 4.0 grade point average and nine credits for a bachelor's degree in Homeland Security.

And as if going to school and being deployed wasn't enough, Thomas also helped fight hunger by leading the wing's local Feds Feed Families campaign, which resulted in 9,000 pounds of food collected.

This recent recognition is not Thomas's first award at the major-command level.
He now has two awards from AMC and one from U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

"I take pride in doing my job and performing to the best of my abilities," said Thomas. "My mantra is to work hard, give it all I got day-in and day-out...everything else will take care of itself."

When asked what this recent award means for his career, Thomas remained grounded and expressed how he doesn't dwell in the past when it comes to the bigger Air Force picture.

"The award is nice, but it's yesterday's news," said Thomas. "There is always work to be done. I will look back and reflect when my military career comes to an end."