HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials recently learned that the 66th Security Forces Squadron and 66th Force Support Squadron have been recognized by higher headquarters for excellence throughout 2021.
The 66 SFS was named the Air Force Materiel Command Outstanding Small Size Security Forces Unit for the seventh consecutive year.
Among the many notable achievements listed in the award nomination was a defender-led training innovation idea for StressVest Kits, which officials said increased drastically improved the squadron’s force-on-force trainings.
Additionally, during the year, the squadron took home nine 66th Air Base Group quarterly awards, two ABG annual awards, and ABG First Sergeant of the Year. Seven Defenders also captured Hanscom’s Airman Leadership School’s top honors in 2021, including three John L. Levitow awards, two Commandant Awards, and two Academic Achievement Awards.
“There’s an overwhelming feeling of pride and excitement you feel when you talk to any member of our squadron about our mission,” said Maj. Brandon Casso, 66 SFS commander. “The work they’ve put in and the team they’ve built is truly world class.”
The squadron will now compete at the Air Force level.
The 66 FSS was awarded the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center 2021 Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank Award. The win marks the squadron’s seventh consecutive title as the best force support unit in the small base category, representing the priorities Eubank placed on the morale and welfare of America’s fighting force to advance the overall mission.
Throughout 2021, the squadron was the top-rated squadron for military evaluation procedures and accelerated order management. Additionally, the Patriot Honor Guard led the Air Force’s largest honor guard total force effort, allocating more than 9,000 hours to Air National Guard and Reserve components.
Leaders from the 66 FSS credit the squadron’s win to its members’ “agility.”
“Our team always remains flexible to find a way to ‘yes,’ and if we can’t get there, we move onto the next option,” said Maj. Joshua Caragan, 66 FSS commander. “This award is a direct reflection of the continuous support we provide to all we support.”
The squadron will now compete at the AFMC- level.