CGO, Senior NCO receive top honors for being outstanding security forces professionals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Two Airmen from the 341st Security Forces Group will be recognized in April at the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio, Texas, for an Air Force-level awards banquet at Lackland Air Force Base. 

The award is specific toward the security forces Air Force Specialty Code and the winners were judged at squadron level, group, command and then Air Force-wide. 

Outstanding Security Forces CGO of the Year 
Capt. Richard Zeigler, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron operations officer, received the Outstanding Security Forces CGO of the Year award for his efforts October 2006 through September 2007. 

The Defense Meritorious Service Medal recipient deployed to Iraq for one year and trained nearly 40 Iraqi military police and 250 Iraqi soldiers on security procedures and convoy operations; he created a quick reaction force course training 50 Iraqi NCOs on leading troops and small unit tactics; and he was a convoy commander for 21 logistic movements through high-risk areas, all of which suffered no losses to his team. 

"Spending a year living and working with the Iraqi military has really taught me to appreciate the things we all have," Captain Zeigler said. "However, we cannot be afraid to step up and answer the call if tasked to deploy. We are exceptional professionals and our families and friends are pros. We all can do what is asked of us." 

The Air Force's top CGO for security forces is currently pursuing his master's degree in diplomacy and while in Iraq, completed 18 credits. He also led operations to Iraqi forward-operating bases to donate medical supplies to the base clinic and distributed food to local Iraqi workers. 

"We are doing some amazing things over there," the captain said. "We are getting outside the wire downrange and taking care of business." 

The captain said this past year was a whirlwind experience because he held three positions at three different bases in the course of 12 months. 

"Home truly is where the Air Force takes you," Captain Zeigler said. "I was working in the middle-of-nowhere, Iraq; going back to [MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.] to finish my tour; and then moving up to Malmstrom all of which has kept me and [my family] very busy." 

While at Malmstrom, Captain Zeigler developed the 341st Security Forces Group ammunition re-supply convoy operations, providing battle sustainment capabilities for the wing, and he spearheaded the group's manning plan for missile squadron deactivation. 

"It is amazing to win this award," he said. "To be recognized as the top CGO for security forces is a great honor." 

Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff SNCO Award
Senior Master Sgt. Paul Tranetzke, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron training and resources superintendent, received the Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff SNCO award for his efforts October 2006 through September 2007. 

The recent Bronze Star Medal recipient volunteered for a 365-day deployment to Iraq, where he spent most of his time "outside the wire" successfully leading transition efforts for nearly 975 Iraqi army soldiers, acting as a key asset toward stabilizing Iraq's future. 

He planned and led a 12-day heightened base defense plan deterring a planned attack of more than 30 fighters over Ramadan; he ensured incident-free visits for distinguished visitors; and scripted and evaluated the first-ever Iraqi mass casualty exercise. 

"I have been in the Air Force for 19 years and I volunteered to be in this AFSC and wouldn't want to work in any other job in the Air Force," Sergeant Tranetzke said. "I had the opportunity to volunteer as part of a base defense unit advisor team for the Iraqis. It was the most dangerous yet most meaningful experience in my career." 

His follow-on assignment from his Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment was to Malmstrom, where he works primarily managing 10 security forces flights that provide security for the missile field. 

"I am extremely proud of the dedication of our young Airmen and NCOs working the security forces career field today," the Bronze Star recipient said. "The number of deployments, the dangerous types of duties required while deployed and the amount of hours they put into this job was unheard of when I was an Airman." 

Sergeant Tranetzke leads, manages and mentors leaders of the largest security forces unit in the Air Force, with nearly 600 Airmen successfully security 200 launch facilities and 20 missile alert facilities. 

"Without the Airmen and NCOs, our mission couldn't get done and that is what allows people like me to win an award like this ... the Airmen who work with and for me. Hooah!"