Leadership, selfless service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua J. Seybert
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Tech. Sgt. Joel Meyer, 28th Security Forces Squadron flight chief, was recently selected as the 2009 Security Forces Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

Sergeant Meyer competed against security forces NCO's from across the Air Force to win this award.

He said while he is both honored and shocked of his selection, he knows of several other security forces NCO's who are just as deserving of this award. Sergeant Meyer attributed his success to the efforts of all of the Airmen he supervises.

His supervisory role did not end at home station, it continued through training and during deployment.

During a deployment, Sergeant Meyer led a four-member team and resolved a hostage situation, ensuring the safety of all persons involved including the suspect who surrendered himself to the team. Additionally, while on the same deployment his actions ensured the safety and security of approximately 38,000 U.S. and coalition forces' members from terroristic threats.

Sergeant Meyer also rescued an allied coalition member, who was suffering violent epileptic seizures, by carrying the victim to safety rendering combat life saver skills.

"The past deployment was a prime example of his ability to bring individuals not only from this base, but from other bases and even others branches of our military together and fight toward a common goal despite any differences we may have had in the beginning," said Senior Airman Jacob Lacefield, 28th Security Forces Squadron member.

Sergeant Meyer also attributes part of his success to the training he has received.

He graduated the six week security forces combat leader course among the top three percent and was awarded the distinguished graduate and class leadership awards.

"Sergeant Meyer epitomizes a professional and dedicated security forces Airman," said Maj. Thomas Segars, 28th Security Forces commander. "He genuinely cares for Airmen under his charge and goes out of his way to develop them into young professionals and future leaders. He won this award because he is dedicated to the mission and dedicated to the Air Force."