88th Security Forces Squadron wins 2018 Verne Orr award

The 88th Security Forces Squadron has taken top honors as the winners of the 2018 Air Force Association Verne Orr Award.

Established in honor of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr, the award recognizes an Air Force unit that makes the most effective use of its human resources. The accomplishments are mission-oriented focusing on how the unit can excel in its use of people to achieve its full potential and accomplish the mission.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the mighty 88th Security Forces Squadron’s military and civilian Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Rittgers, 88th Security Forces commander. “Managing an effective balance of personnel and resources has become the norm in the modern military so we are always looking at innovative ways to get the most out of the resources we do have. This award validates those dedicated efforts and shows our Airmen that their hard work has definitely not gone unnoticed.”

The 88 SFS has approximately 400 defenders who are responsible for providing protection, security and safety for a high tempo installation and a workforce of almost 27,000 employees. Wright-Patterson AFB is also one of the highest throughput in the continental United States with almost 30,000 people coming on and off the base daily.

Wright-Patterson AFB is also the home to the Air Force Materiel Command, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Institute of Technology and is the host to several high visible events, such as senior leader conference and the Air Force Marathon.

Along with providing installation protection and security, 88 SFS manages one of the most tasked military working dog section, has one of the largest integrated defense system alarm programs and operates one of the busiest pass and registration programs in the Air Force.

Despite the high tempo for the 88 SFS at Wright-Patterson AFB, the defenders are able to seamlessly accomplish their routine operations within the squadron such as deployments, program readiness and weapons training.

“I have an incredible sense of pride that the 88th Security Forces Squadron is part of Team Wright-Patt,” said Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander. “I cannot be more honored that our defenders here have been recognized as the best of the best in the Air Force. They have a tremendous responsibility to keep this installation protected, safe and secure 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every day they are entrusted to make decisions to meet that ends and sometimes those difficult decisions can be a matter of life or death. This award just validated that they can do that and do it very well.”

The 88 SFS are also the winners of the 2016 Air Force Materiel Command’s Largest Security Force Unit. The 2018 Verne Orr will be presented by the Air Force Association during the 2018 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition this September in Washington, D.C.

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