Malmstrom recognizes National Police Week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  To honor law enforcement members during National Police Week 2017, Airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base held security forces sponsored events May 15-19.

The week’s events began with a retreat ceremony at Medal of Honor Park where guest speaker Senior Master Sgt. James Wilfong, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron manager, reminded defenders of the importance of their job.

“There are people out there that want to disrupt our way of life, they want to challenge our authority as law enforcement officers and they want to do us harm,” Wilfong said. “Just know that you are charged with the highest calling … that you may one day be put in a position to make a massive decision that can have a direct strategic-level impact.”

Following, Senior Airmen Brian Ramsey, 341st MSFS, and Basil Huynh, 341st Security Forces Group, read the names of law enforcement members who have fallen in the line of duty from May 2016 to present, and a flag was lowered during the playing of the national anthem.

“National Police Week is to remember the fallen, celebrate the families and show appreciation for those who sign up to do the job,” said 1st Lt. Jennifer Carr, 341st Security Forces Squadron flight commander. “It doesn’t matter the weather, what day of the week it is or what holiday it is, we still have to provide the presence of safety and security.”

On Wednesday, Airmen from the base, the Office of Special Investigations and local law enforcement participated in an M-9 pistol shooting competition at the base’s combat arms training and maintenance range. Participants took turns performing different timed drills while accumulating points toward an overall score.

“The shooting competition is all about making a relationship, building camaraderie and having fun,” Carr said.

The events continued with a security forces visit to Chief Joseph Elementary School and various locations across base where defenders provided demonstrations of K-9 capabilities.

Staff Sgt. Jordan Caldwell, 341st SFS military working dog handler instructor, said K-9s have a mission to do just like their human counterparts.

“They seek only to please and we require and ask so much of them, to protect and serve, to live for the mission,” Caldwell said. “In return, they should garner the same respect and honor that we ourselves do.”

Thursday, defender family members were invited to a day-in-the-life where they were able to witness the processes defenders go through each day to prepare for the mission.

The week’s events ended with a static display at the Exchange parking lot where tactical response force, convoy response force, MWD handlers and defenders from confinement brought vehicles and equipment to share with guests.

“Continue taking your job and training serious, and protecting your brothers and sisters to your left and right,” Wilfong said. “Most importantly, always remember the fallen.”