Website update July 24, 2026

      "40th Annual national Meeting"
August 26-30, 2026

usaf-security-forces-birth-date-ceremony

Happy Birthday to our Defender Nation!
 
Sunday, March 29, marked the official birthday of our Defender Nation. For 83 years, Defenders have been the vanguard of our Air Force, ensuring the safety of our people and the precision of our missions. Last Monday, March 30, A4S had the honor of celebrating our heritage at the Security Forces Center at Lackland Air Force Base in the historic Security Forces Museum.
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The Security Forces have evolved over the years, from its humble beginnings as the Office of the Air Provost Marshal to the Security Forces we know today. The unwavering courage and commitment from these Defenders are the bedrock of our force. These brave men and women have stood by with vigilance over the years to protect our nation's airpower, and the dedicated warriors of today’s formations carry on their legacy of lethality, discipline, and commitment.
 
"As World War II progressed, Army Air Force military police and base security responsibilities expanded. This expansion led the Army to create a separate provost marshal’s office for the Air Forces. This was done on March 29, 1943, and Colonel H. G. Reynolds was named the Air Provost Marshal by General Arnold marking what the Air Force Security Forces celebrate as its birth date."  (From: DRAFT Defenders of the Force: The History of the United States Air Force Security Forces 1947-2006” by James Lee Conrad and Jerry M. Bullock, pages 10-12)
 
Today, we honor the proud lineage of every Defender, past and present, who has exemplified selfless service and sacrifice. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Security Forces, who continue to fight through high-end threats and ensure the success of Air Force missions with selfless dedication.
Thank you for your unwavering courage and commitment to the watch.
 
DEFEND THE BASE
Defensor Fortis!

Security Forces Air Reserve Component Unit of the Year Award
301st Security Forces Squadron, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas (AFRC)

One of sponsor units, the 301st Security Forces Squadron received the Security Forces Air Reserve Compenent Unit of the Year Award.  We could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication they display on a daily basis.  Picking up the new F-35 mission was a huge heavy lift, but they accomplished it and brought on board AGRs to make the mission a success.  Help me in congratulating them as the 2025 Security Forces Air Reserve Compenent Unit of the Year!!!

operation vet now (ovn)

peration Vet NOW (OVN) is an organization with a program that seeks out fallen veteran herors to honor in a way similiar to NASCAR.  They partner with pro athletes and sports teams an series to honor service members killed in the line of duty.  In past seasons they have honor EOD, PJ's, CCT, and more.  They reach out to the representative associations and foundations of the career field groups.
​Here are a couple links to highlight reels after the season they shared.
Air Force Pararescue: ​https://youtu.be/f4LunABWEE4?si=YGmLFGnAown1SYRq
Air Force EOD warriors: https://youtu.be/Tc-scQ-9dvM?si=LprZBU4wswKl-Sxz
 
OVN contacted AFSFA as a foundation for USAF Defenders and expressed an interest to honor 8 Security Forces members KIA during the Snocross season from Dec 2023 - Apr 2024. In the series Pro Racers will carry the name of a fallen SF member on their snowmobiles, and we share the names and stories with our community and race attendees. They asked AFSFA to provide 8 Security Forces members names to honor, one per each event listed below.  They also asked that we share the tributes as much as possible throughout the Security Forces community, and any connections to Gold Star families as well. 
 
From the finalized list they will post a graphic 5 days before each event on their social media page and website where they will have a web page dedicated to our heroes, with photos and stories.  The heroes' names and photos will also be shown on the jumbotron and televisions at the event, and on live streams of the races.
 Tribute locations:
 15-16 Dec - Ironwood, MI
12-13 Jan - Minneapolis, MN
26-27 Jan - Deadwood, SD
16-17 Feb - Salamanca, NY
1-2 Mar - Sioux Falls, SD
15-16 Mar - Lake Geneva, WI
22-23 Mar - Elk River, MN
5-7 Apr - Duluth, MN
After reviewing the above highlight reels AFSFA contacted OVN. Our interest was to cover all eras and wars and not focus only on the recent SW Asia fallen. OVN said they were open to any time frame and all fallen in the line of duty. AFSFA sent forward the below names and web site links to OVN.
 TSgt Robert B. Butler 
Technical Sergeant Robert Bruce Butler, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government (odmp.org)
TSgt Thomas L. Campbell 
Technical Sergeant Thomas Lee Campbell, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government (odmp.org)
Sgt Robert S. Gray
Security Policeman Robert Scott Gray, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government (odmp.org)
A2C Roy L. Hursey
Security Policeman Roy Lee Hursey, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government (odmp.org)
 A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson
Veteran Tributes
 SSgt Terence K Jensen
SSGT Terance Kay Jensen, Detroit Lakes, MN on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Sgt Ira F. Lord
Korean War: HQ 5th AF, Det/Security, KIA Sgt Ira F. Lord Jr., submitted by: Jeff Petty. Nov. 1950. (vspa.com)
Capt Reginald V. Maisey
Veteran Tributes
 They are now finalizing things for the season and the tributes. The first event is in Ironwood Michigan next weekend, 15-16 December. The team has names on snowmobiles, A2C Roy Hursey is the first hero they will honor.  Please see the graphic attached. 
 Here is the link to the initial page, https://opvetnow.org/af-security-forces  They will be honoring A2C Hursey this weekend in Michigan, basically the page content increases as the season goes on.
AFSFA will be posting a leading/feature article today on our web site with a link to the above opvetnow page. Please feel free to share widely.

Scholarships

The Colonel Gary Allison Scholarship was established in the memory of Colonel (Ret) Gary Allison, a 27 year-veteran, Air Police and Security Police Officer, often referred to as "trash mouth" Allison, as he often spoke what he felt.  Gary was a founding member of the Chapter and helped shape the Chapter as it is today.  Gary felt strongly about the career field and the importance of caring for our Defenders, always stressing the importance of education.
The CMSgt (Ret) Wayne and Cathy Cox Scholarship was established in 2022 in honor of CMSgt (Ret) Wayne Cox for his dedication to the career field.  Chief Cox served as the 10th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Air Force Chief of Security Police and the Chief Enlisted Manager.  Cathy has been volunteering every step of the way alongside Wayne.  Thank you both for all you do for our Defenders!

CMSgt (Ret) John Cullison (Celina, TX., "new" Chief of Police)

Picture Left to Right:  SMSgt (Ret) Cory Johnson; CMSgt (Ret) Jack Bass; CMSgt Kelley Velder; CMSgt (Ret) and Celina's new Chief, John Cullison; Lt Col Anthony Carter; MSgt (Ret) Clyde "Buck" Buchanan and CMSgt (Ret) Gordon Blair
CMSgt (Ret) John Cullison, former 301 SFS, was sworn in as the new Celina Police Department Chief of Police, on Monday, 3 May 2021.  Chief Cullison joined the Air Force in December 1982, later joining the 301 SFS in September 1986, where he served until his retirement in 2016.  As can be attested to the photo to the left, John was well like and respected by many of his friend and peers.  The Billie Renfroe Chapter wishes "Chief" Cullison the very best of luck in his new endeavor.

"2023 BRIG GEN ALLEN J. JAMERSON AFSFA CHAPTER OF THE YEAR"
(Last won 2021)
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       **RUNNER-UP**   ​2017, 2018, 2020 and 2024

Congratulations Defenders and another successful year supporting both the Association and Chapter.  You efforts have not gone unnoticed.  Thank you for all you do and continue to do to better our Chapter and support our Defenders!

PATRIOT PAWS

'Patriot Paws is so proud to be a part of this documentary airing this weekend on PBS that highlights the vital importance of veterans and service dogs. #GreatestBondPBS '
You will need to check your local PBS channel for times. It is worth taking the time to watch. 
https://www.pbs.org/show/greatest-bond/
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In 2017, the Air Force lost 62 Active Duty Airmen to suicide. Many of those losses being men and wom-en that wore the coveted blue beret. The Brave Badge Initiative is a social media platform that has strengthened the Security Forces community and is focused to changing the culture of every squadron. The founder of The Brave Badge Initiative, TSgt Calin A. Cronin, devised the idea after identifying the need for a crisis platform while stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. After spending the next 6 months engineering the services of the platform, The Brave Badge Initiative was launched in September of 2018, just months after he arrived to Eielson AFB, Alaska.
The administrative team consists of TSgt Cronin; TSgt Sean Batson out of Malmstrom AFB, Montana; TSgt Bryan Thayer out of St. Paul ARS, Minnesota; TSgt Christian Kampe out of Joint Base Andrews, Maryland and SSgt David Borrego out of Malmstrom AFB, Montana. “Our goal is to ultimately lower suicides and fuel a climate of revitalized Security Forces members,” Cronin said. “We aspire to encourage active intervention and provide tools/lessons learned for comrades to lead someone to professional resources or resilient methods to overcome any Security Forces career-field related crisis.” He went on to add, “I am so grateful for this team and what they have given to our Defenders. They have taken on a great responsibility to be 24/7 available to any Defender that is battling with something that they can’t overcome.”
The Brave Badge Initiative offers several avenues to share personal insight and opinion across the career field. As the first Security Forces crisis platform to ever launch an anonymous messaging tool, the admin-istrative team has received dozens of testimonies from retired, active and recently-separated members who were struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Voting polls are also delivered to the masses to bring light to specific topics that affect our career field’s mental health. Other than providing resources, programs and articles of how to cope with issues that many Security Forces members are bat-tling every day, The Brave Badge Initiative has become a reporting tool to alert the career field when a tragic loss has occurred. “This is probably the hardest part of this responsibility. Not only is the team try-ing to cross-match information to make sure it is accurate, but we are trying to pay the ultimate respect to the unit and family left behind,” said Cronin. “Every time our team confirms a loss in the career field, we check on each other as Wingmen. Having the responsibility to inform others and trying to maintain an outpour of resiliency for our followers comes with a lot of stress. There is no doubt, we are synchronized and know that WE must be resilient to encourage the resiliency in others.” The platform has many plans for the future and seeks to find methods to assist Defender families who have lost Defender loved ones.
2019 has brought a large discussion to suicide and resiliency across the Air Force. Currently, the Air Force has lost over a 100 Airmen to suicide. On 1 August 2019, The CSAF General David Goldfein directed an Air Force-wide Resilience Tactical Pause for all Wings to execute, giving an opportunity to devise plans on lowering suicide and strengthening our readiness. Platforms such as The Brave Badge Initiative have echoed that stand-down and are encouraging their followers to be intrusive and active in helping other Defenders. The discussion of suicide and not being everyday ready as a Defender comes with many stigmas, yet the administrative team is working each day to bury those stigmas and instill bravery in each Defender to come forward if they are struggling.
With their more than 6,000 followers in less than a year, The Brave Badge Initiative has been commended for their contributions on several occasions. The Air University Command Chief, CMSgt Todd Simmons, who is also originally a Defender, has publicly recognized the platform on numerous occasions and has stated, “there were numerous grass-root efforts started over the past year to get after combating suicides, spreading awareness, and speaking directly to those in need of help. This is just one of those efforts I have watched and admired.”
The Brave Badge Initiative team encourages all Defenders and Airmen to find any platform or resource that exists that they can connect with. The Brave Badge Initiative is one of many platforms for the De-fender community, and they encourage Airmen to consider other resources like the Air Force’s Resiliency website and the local programs offered at installations across the globe. Their signature hashtag “#StayBrave” has turned into a movement to increase mental health awareness and communication among all ranks. Upholding their creed, “Saving Each Other, To Save Others”, the team at The Brave Badge Initiative is giving all Defenders a chance to rescue each other, no matter the crisis.
SAVING EACH OTHER, TO SAVE OTHERS
VETERAN CRISIS HOTLINE 1-800-273-8255 OPT 1.

20th SF Career Field Manager Bids Farwell

Defender Nation/Friends,
It’s hard to believe, but after 39 years in uniform—spanning both the Army and the Air Force—it's finally time for me to hang up the boots, take off the beret and head into retirement. Looking back, this journey has been wilder and more rewarding than I ever could have imagined when I first raised my right hand.
My career took me from a fire team leader all the way to the puzzle palace at the Pentagon. But the Air Force portion of my journey started at my first duty station at Mountain Home AFB, ID with the 366th Security Forces Squadron. That assignment opened my eyes to the true scope and impact of this career field. More importantly, it led me to the most amazing person I have ever known: my incredible wife, Collette. Throughout this journey, she has sacrificed so much more than anyone could ever know. She has been my trusted counselor, my biggest cheerleader, and the person who always kept me grounded. This career wasn't just my service; it was ours, and I couldn't have done a fraction of it without her unwavering support by my side.
With Collette holding down the home front and doing most of the “adulting” in the Gallagher house, I had the absolute privilege of serving alongside so many of you all over the world. We’ve tackled some massive missions together.
However, if I am being completely honest, spending almost seven years with the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody—training and leading Defenders and taking the fight downrange—stands out as the most important, proudest, and most humbling experience of my life. Leading in a combat environment can definitely shape you, and those you serve with, and I want to give a very special shout-out to the members of Dragon 1-6 and Scorpion 1-2. Getting to lead you into the fire was the absolute privilege of a lifetime. You are all heroes to me, and you forever will be.
Coming out of those environments and later moving on to chapters like my time in the nuclear enterprise, AFCENT HQs, and at the Security Forces Academy, I tried to stick to a simple philosophy: lead by example, be straightforward, and always maintain transparency. I always knew the best answers didn't come from a briefing room—they came from you! Your input from the field was absolutely critical to our decision-making process. No matter what policy we were rewriting, the litmus test was always the same: How does this impact the Defender posted out at the main gate at 0200hrs? I want you to know that every decision made was with that Airman in mind.
Because of that ground-level focus, I’m incredibly proud of the mark we as a team have left. Together, we modernized our security systems, weapons, and equipment, rewrote base defense guidance to make sure it actually makes sense for today's fight, and revamped training so the next generation of Defenders is ready for anything.
As I head out the door, I just want to remind you to never lose sight of how important your mission is. YOU are the shield and the first and sometimes only line of defense for our Air Force. Your vigilance and professionalism are what keep our people and our resources safe. Keep innovating, keep looking out for each other, and keep leading the way.
Thank you all for the camaraderie, the laughs, the hard truths, and having my back over the last almost four decades. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve beside you. I’m stepping away knowing our Air Force's security is in the absolute best hands possible.
NCOs/SNCOs…. Be bold, lead more and politic less, our Airmen deserve the best leadership that you can provide.
Thank you and God bless you and your families,
 
“Donnie G"
CMSgt Donald S. Gallagher
20th Security Forces Career Field Manager


PTSD -- Talk to someone

Don Graves - World War II Hero and Iwo Jima Survivor - Guest Speaker

Don Graves just celebrated his 100th birthday at Texas Motor Speedway, giving the start commands and singing our National Anthem!

What an amazing story.  Don Graves told us how a young man who barely weighed 100 lbs was assigned a 70 lb flame thrower and told to root out the Japanese.  After sever days of fierce battle and in the midst of all the horrific tragedy going on around him, Don made an awesome commitment to God, how he would later fulfill as a preacher.  Don made it to the top of Mount Suribachi and witness not only one American Flag flown that day, but the second flag which is the more famous flag and now depicted in the Marine Corp Memorial. 
Membership Benefits
Join AFSFA.
- OR -
Renew your Membership.
​​​Membership is open to anyone who has served honorably in the Army Air Corps MPs, Air Police, Security Police, or is now serving in the Security Forces career field--or that component of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserves, IMAs, or DoD police officers.  As the only professional organization serving all Air Force Security Forces from all eras and wars, we have membership levels for all whose Bond of the Blue Beret runs strong.  See available Memberships.
When you join AFSFA, as a regular or Life member, you receive a membership card, an official challenge coin, a logo decal and a logo lapel pin.
In addition you receive a subscription to Security Forces Magazine, The Professional Journal of the Security Forces that will keep you abreast of the people, events, and issues.
All members are encouraged to use the website for information on current happenings and excerpts from Security Forces Magazine.  All members are eligible to be full members of an AFSFA chapter. 
Any questions on membership should be referred to the AFSFA Headquarters at 1-888-250-9876.  Or, Contact Us.
Billie Renfroe Chapter Membership Benefits
​Must be a member of the AFSFA
Join AFSFA.
- Then become a Chapter Member -
Renew/Join our Chapter Membership.
Membership is open to anyone who has served honorably in the Army Air Corps MPs, Air Police, Security Police, or is now serving in the Security Forces career field--or that component of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserves, IMAs, or DoD police officers.
  We are a local chapter, Billie Renfroe Chapter (100-mile radius of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, part of Region 3 (Southwest), serving all Air Force Security Forces from all eras and wars, we have membership levels for all whose Bond of the Blue Beret runs strong.   Our chapter meets traditionally the first Saturday of each month (except July - we take that month to enjoy our family).  We primarily support both the 301st Security Forces Squadron and the 136th Security Forces Squadron.  Both located on NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX.
   All members and quests are encouraged to our website for information on current happenings and events and meeting times and locations.  We also encourage members and guest to utilize our App, available on both Apple  and Android for download (free)
​Any questions on membership should be referred to CMSgt (Ret) Terry Alan Ferguson, (817) 793-4433 or Lt Col (Ret) Keith Goodenough, (478) 397-6752.  Or, Contact Us.
​AIR FORCE SECURITY HISTORY BOOK VOLUME III 
Congratulations, you answered the call when asked.  Our Chapter submitted the most biographies.  AFSFA now have enough biographies to move forward with Volume III.  Executive Director Emeritus, Jerry Bullock is putting the finishing touchs on SF History.  Executive Director John Probts and Execuive Assistant Erica Fisher are putting the final touches on the biographies and articles and should go to publisher later this summer.  We'll keep you informed.
​Watch our YouTube  video -- ​https://youtu.be/fBVK_wjP2XY
Dear Air Police, Security Police, & Security Forces Members:
AFSFA's Shop.Com site Now Open!

Show your support for AFSFA ... while you save money and earn cash back! AFSFA is participating in an exciting new fundraising program. Our Association has its own website featuring thousands of partner stores like Walmart, JC Penney, Best Buy, Apple, Home Depot and many more. When you make a purchase on WWW.SHOPAFSFA.COM, AFSFA will receives royalties and you earn up to 35% cash back on qualified purchases.
 
The benefits don't stop there. You earn 0.5% cash back on the purchases of everyone you refer to our website. Now, you can take advantage of the ease and convenience of Internet shopping to buy the products and services you want, while feeling good about helping AFSFA and OUR many organizations (PROUD WARRIOR FUND, other AFSFA efforts, etc). Read more about shopafsfa.com...​
CMSgt Del Atkins, 136 SFS, SFM and CMSgt (Ret) Karl Johnson, Former 610 SFS, SFM, represented our Chapter as part of the "Liberty Jump Team".  Making 2 parachute jumps from a vintage WW II C-47 aircraft over the same drop zones used 73 years ago on D-Day 2017.  Del and Karl took this picture with our Chapter AFSFA flag, in Normandy.  Hat's off Defenders, way to represent!!!
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Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Application
The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons - the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the "qualified retired or separated law enforcement officer" - to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States or United States Territories, regardless of state or local laws, with certain exceptions.  If a person meets the criteria, "notwithstanding any provisions of the law of any state or any political subdivision thereof" he or she may carry a concealed firearm in that state or political subdivision. An individual who qualifies under LEOSA does not require a state-issued permit to carry a concealed firearm.

Chief's Corner...

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Welcome to another addition of "Chief's Corner".  I want to thank  each and everyone of you for making our Chapter an outstanding place to belong.  Your Chapter members are working hard each and every day to ensure that you are taken care of. Sometimes more visiable than others. We suport both the 136th Security Forces Squadron and the 301st Security Forces Squadron. 
Our Chapter hit a home run hosting the 39th Annual National Meeting in Fort Worth, TX this last August 2025.  It was a fun time had by all for sure.  We look forward to another opportunity to host again in 2030 (we'll put our name in the hat as the calendar opens up at AFSFA.
     If your in Texas, old summer has arrived as I'm sure with other parts of the country.  We've heard it said, as with winter, we must prepare for the extreme heat.  Stay hydrated and in a cool environment if at all possible.  If you must be outside, take extreme caution with wearing protective clothing/sunscreen.  Heat stroke is no joke and must be taken seriously.
    Out Chapter is always looking for new ways to connect with current members who attend meetings and those who do not.  We are toying with a day fishing, golfing, lunches, etc.  If you have an activity that roughly 10 members could do, let us know.  We want to connect with you, in addition to our monthly meetings, we off this website,  Facebook page (AFSFA Billie Renfroe Chapter) and  even an App (Billie Renfroe Chapter) which is available on both Apple and Android.  Thanks for your continued support, we could not make any of this happen without you!
Sincerely, Chief Ferguson

CMSgt (Ret) Terry Ferguson guest speaker at the SF Graduation

2018 USA Today, Year in Defense, Special Edition
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AFSFA Introduces Gold Shield (Badge)
Celebrate your AP/SP/SF career by purchasing a customized shield.  The lines below the silver Security Forces Shield are customized to what you want on the shield.  It can include your name, years or service, rank, LEOSA, badge number, retired, or whatever you choose.
Each shield is custom made.  Available as a Curved Uniform Badge or Flat Wallet Badge with either pin or wallet clip.  Badge wallets are also available. 
    Download Order Form - Click Here
AFSFA member price is $155.  Non member price is $200.  Non members may take advantage of first joining AFSFA for $45 (one year membership) and receive the new member packet with all kinds of goodies and then enjoy the member price of $155.  Comes out the same but with additional items.

Annual Dues

It's that time of year when we need to collect our annual dues.  If you haven't already done so, please pay by simply clicking on the Chapter dues tab or send your payment to 
Billie Renfroe Chapter
824 Lionel Way
​Fort Worth, Texas 76108
Don't forget to check out our new Store Front Tab and pay your Chapter dues with a major credit card and receive a discount.

YouTube Video of Our History

Career chat with Defenders

Next Chapter Meeting

Remember...Our next meeting is August 1, 2026 @ 10:30 am , 301 SFS, 1235 Depot Avenue, NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX 76127.

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