Altus Airmen participate in first Defender for a Day

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Airmen stand in formation for guard mount at the beginning of their shift as a part of the Defender for a Day program at the 97th Security Forces Squadron building, May 11. Guard Mount is held at the beginning of each shift to ensure all Airmen know where they are assigned to work and are prepared for the day. The Defender for a Day program was initiated by 97th SFS leadership to recognize defenders for their hard work to the base mission by gathering volunteers from all career fields within the wing to work as defenders for the day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)

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Altus Airmen participate in first Defender for a Day

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Staff Sgt. Chrystal Carter, 97th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant, speaks to Airmen during guard mount at the beginning of their shift as a part of the Defender for a Day program at the 97th SFS building, May 11. Guard mount is held at the beginning of every shift to ensure all Airmen know where they are assigned to work and are prepared for the day. The Defender for a Day program was initiated by 97th SFS leadership to recognize defenders for their hard work to the base mission by gathering volunteers from all career fields within the wing to work as defenders for the day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)

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Altus Airmen participate in first Defender for a Day

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Master Sgt. Joshua Wilberg, 58th Airlift Squadron loadmaster superintendent, checks identification cards at the Main Gate as a part of the Defender for a Day program, May 11. During the Defender for a Day program, Airmen from various career fields volunteered to work shifts from morning to night as entry controllers, patrol units, and base defense operations center controllers to show appreciation to the defenders for their hard work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)

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Altus Airmen participate in first Defender for a Day

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Chief Master Sgt. Mike Cumberland, 58th Airlift Squadron superintendent, checks identification cards as an entry controller at the Main Gate as a part of the Defender for a Day program, May 11. Checking I.D.s and being the first line of defense to Altus AFB are a few of the many responsibilities of an entry controller. Cumberland was appreciative for the opportunity to work as a defender. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)

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Altus Airmen participate in first Defender for a Day

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Master Sgt. Russell Hippensteel, 730th Air Mobility Training Squadron instructor loadmaster, works as a patrolman during the 97th Security Forces Squadron Defender for a Day program, May 11. As a patrolman, Hippensteel’s responsibilities are to provide good order and control, and be the first responders to alarms and incidents on base. During the Defender for a Day program, Airmen from various career fields volunteered to work shifts from morning to night as entry controllers, patrol units, and base defense operations center controllers to show appreciation to the defenders for their hard work. “I got to give the defenders a day off that normally work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and just give them a weekend to themselves” said Hippensteel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)

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Altus Airmen participate in first Defender for a Day

Published May 14, 2013
By Airmen 1st Class Levin Boland
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Nineteen Airmen from across Altus AFB came out to walk in the shoes of the 97th Security Forces Squadron Airmen as a part of the 97th SFS Defender for a Day program, May 11.

The program was initiated by 97th SFS leadership to recognize Altus AFB Defenders for their hard work and for winning the Air, Education and Training Command's 2012 Defenders of the Year award.

"Maj. Michael Jewell, 97th SFS commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tamala Hartz, 97th SFS superintendent, solicited Airmen from within the wing to work as defenders for a day in order to show appreciation for our hard work and dedication to this mission" said Staff Sgt. Chrystal Carter, 97th SFS flight sergeant.

Defender for a Day kicked off National Police Week and allowed Airmen from Altus AFB to get insight into what it is like to be a defender. The volunteers worked a day shift, swing shift and mid shift as installation entry controllers, patrol units, and base-defense-operations controllers.

"We gave back to the base and Airmen who do this all the time" said Master Sgt. Joshua Wilberg, 58th Airlift Squadron loadmaster superintendent. "We gave them the day off to come out here and see what our cops do for a day."

The volunteers were appreciative for the opportunity to learn the defender's jobs and experience it in a fun way.

"It gives me a great appreciation for what the defenders do" said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Cumberland, 58th AS superintendent. "Their job requires that they are constantly vigilant and their mind has to be in the game 24/7 so they can make sure they are defending the installation against anyone that might try to bring harm upon us. It also gives me a great feeling that they will have a day off since they were AETC's Defenders of the year. I'm honored. They come out here and protect us so I want to give them a little pay back."

The 97th SFS was also thankful for the base's recognition of their hard work.

"On behalf of Security Forces we are thankful that they recognized our hard work and came out and volunteered to give us a day off." said Carter.