AFOSI named best in Region for 2006: Will now compete for Air Force-level Verne Orr Award

  • Published
  • By Det. 6 AFOSI
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 806 assigned here, was recently honored as the 2006 AFOSI Region 8 Small Detachment of the Year and also took home three Region 8 individual awards at a ceremony at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., last month. 

AFOSI provides professional and special investigative services to commanders of all Air Force activities. AFOSI identifies, investigates and neutralizes criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, terrorist and espionage threats to Air Force and Department of Defense personnel and resources. 

In addition to the command's headquarters, OSI has eight field investigations regions. Seven of the regions are aligned with Air Force major commands: Region 1 with Air Force Materiel Command; Region 2 with Air Combat Command; Region 3 with Air Mobility Command; Region 4 with Air Education and Training Command; Region 5 with U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Region 6 with Pacific Air Forces; and Region 8 with Air Force Space Command. 

While the regions serve the investigative needs of those aligned major commands, all OSI units and personnel remain independent of those commands, and their chains of command flow directly to OSI headquarters. Such organizational independence ensures unbiased investigations. 

AFOSI Det. 806, one of nine Region 8 detachments, supports the 341st Space Wing, 120th Fighter Wing, and other Air Force interests throughout Montana and Alberta, Canada. In 2006, AFOSI Det. 806 conducted 41 criminal investigations which was the leading effort among all AFOSI-supported AFSPC installations. This remarkable effort accounted for one-fifth of all AFOSI criminal investigations supporting Space Command, despite having only one-tenth of the Region's manpower. Det. 806 also constructed Malmstrom's first-ever working Joint Fraud Investigative Team by integrating themselves with 341st Space Wing Judge Advocate's Office and 341st Contracting Squadron experts. Special Agents also uncovered more than $30,000 in illegal Government Purchase Card buys and garnered big impacts through solid investigative work with 116 years and three months of total prison sentences in 2006. 

AFOSI Det. 806 was also recognized with three individual awards. Malmstrom was also recognized for having the 2006 AFOSI Region 8 Officer of the Year, Region 8 NCO of the Year and Region 8 Junior Support Civilian of the Year. Jan Connor, the support civilian award winner, has been assigned to AFOSI for 11 years. In 2006, she was named an "Exceptional Performer" during the detachment's Unit Compliance Inspection and significantly aided in the unit earning an "Excellent" rating. She is also the detachment's evidence custodian and resource advisor. Last year, she trained nine newly assigned Special Agents in properly seizing and processing crime scene evidence. As a testament to her knowledge and commitment to the command's global mission, she provided guidance in setting up a money account to a newly formed Expeditionary AFOSI Detachment located at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. Ms. Connor also earned an Exemplary Civilian Service Award Medal and 2006 Civilian Appraisal Performance Award. 

Despite a high operations tempo, deployments and receiving enhanced training, AFOSI Det. 806 provides specialized investigative support to the Malmstrom AFB community. 

"We are fortunate to have such high caliber people responsible for executing our critical mission," said Special Agent Brian Alexander, Commander, AFOSI Det. 806. "Special Agents assigned to Malmstrom are top-tier professionals and committed to safeguarding Space Command's critical resources and people." 

AFOSI Det. 806 was also recently selected as the AFOSI nominee for the 2007 Verne Orr Award. Det. 806 will represent the AFOSI at the Air Force level for this prestigious award recognizing an Air Force unit (Active, Reserve, or Guard) which makes the most effective use of its human resources. Det 806 distinguished itself through its incredible focus and mission-orientation while excelling in its use of people to achieve its full potential and accomplish the mission.