SFS senior NCO declared best in command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  A master sergeant from the 97th Security Forces Squadron was recently named the Air Education and Training Command Security Forces Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer for 2006 (Support Staff). He will now represent AETC for the award at the Air Force level.

Master Sgt. Keith Hewgley was assigned to the 97th Security Forces Squadron as the operations superintendent. He is now assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Camp Victory, Iraq, serving as the Patrol Master/Battle NCO.

"I supervise all patrols to downtown Baghdad," Sergeant Hewgley said. "I am responsible for ensuring all squadron members have all required patrol routes, frequencies, equipment and intelligence to conduct their patrols. I also evaluate individual squads on their ability to secure the streets of Baghdad."

Sergeant Hewgley said he was extremely humbled when he found out he'd won the award at the Major Command level.

"My outstanding unit deployment manager [at Altus] passed the message on to my chief who then passed it on to my wife, and she told me," he said. "I could not believe the news. There are so many other people doing extraordinary things every day. I'm just a regular guy who has had wonderful support from my leadership and family."

During the award period, Sergeant Hewgley was selected as the 97th Air Mobility Wing Senior NCO of the Year, and he was nominated by the wing for the AETC Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award. The leadership award recognizes the accomplishments of officers and enlisted members, assigned at the wing level and below, who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership in the performance of their duties and conduct of their lives.

"Sergeant Hewgley is highly motivated and the utmost professional," said Maj. Kevin Sherrick, 97th Security Forces Squadron commander.

"He was recognized as a 'Superior Performer' during the 2006 Operational Readiness Inspection; one of only six wing personnel given that honor. This recognition alone reflects the tremendous capability and dedication that Keith brings to the fight."

Additionally, Sergeant Hewgley is a registered paramedic, and volunteer firefighter and police officer for the city of Blair, Okla. He was selected the Oklahoma Air Force Association Senior NCO of the year for 2005, over 720 other senior NCOs across three bases.

"Individuals have to lead," Sergeant Hewgley said. "Managing is great for paper products and the Air Force is great at managing; however, leadership is key to mission accomplishment."

"It doesn't matter what rank you are. If you are in a key position, you have to lead those around you, and sometimes those over you. My squad leaders [here in Iraq] are all technical sergeants, but when we patrol with them, they are in charge. Period. This applies to distinguished visitors, my commander, the chief and me," Sergeant Hewgley said.

"Sergeant Hewgley has a God-given talent to lead others," Major Sherrick said. "It gives me great pride to know that an outstanding professional of the 97th Security Forces will represent Altus at the Air Force-level competition."

Sergeant Hewgley began his military career in the Air National Guard in 1986, and became active-duty Air Force in April 1989. He's been in security forces his entire career.
"Security Forces is by far the best career field in the Air Force," he said. "Nowhere else are the responsibilities so broad. From base security to medical care, we have such a diverse mission that we have to be self sustaining until other support arrives. This leads to a wide variety of skill sets within the career field. However, we all realize that without the other base agencies, our mission would cease to exist really fast."

Sergeant Hewgley is scheduled to transfer to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., after his deployment.

"AETC has been a great command," he said. "However, I look forward to going to Tinker. This will allow my wife, Christina, to finish her degree at the University of Oklahoma, and I owe that to her.

"My wife and sons have been my biggest supporters for the last 14 years; without them, I would not be complete. They are the ones who have allowed me to excel. I owe them more than I can ever repay."