97th SFS awarded AETC's Active duty Medium Security Forces Unit of the Year Published May 22, 2013 By Senior Airman Jesse Lopez 97th Air Mobility Wing, Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- -- The 97th Security Forces Squadron received the 2012 Air Education and Training Command Active Duty Medium Security Forces Unit of the Year award. "It shows our young Defenders, the ones out there every day standing post and defending the base, that hard work pays off," said Senior Master Sgt. Larry Mays, 97th Security Forces Squadron Operations Superintendent. This is the 97th SFS's fifth time winning the award, with previous wins in 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2007. With the collective individual accomplishments of 97th SFS personnel, Mays contributes the award to the combined efforts of the various units among the squadron. "Master Sgt. Michael Daly won the 2012 AETC Security Forces Flight Level Senior NCO of the Year, along with earning a Bronze Star for his efforts as a personal security detail team leader in Afghanistan. Edna Dodson, Capt. Joshua Frizzell, Master Sgt. Walter Watkins, Staff Sgt. Matthew Treadwell and Senior Airman Joshua Sams all won their respective categories for the 97th Mission Support Group annual awards. Our First Sergeant, Senior Master Sgt. Scott Newton was awarded Air Force First Sergeant of the Year for 19th Air Force," Mays said. The 97th SFS has been the cornerstone of events and innovative programs within the past year, helping them to achieve this recognition. The defenders initiated programs such as the revival of the bike patrol program, boosting annual fuel cost savings by $3,000. They also provided a military working dog team in support of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations for the President of the United States. "The most important factor was teamwork. This squadron is a family, we treat each other with respect and dignity and we all go the extra mile to help one another to get the mission accomplished," Mays said.