As we continue to commemorate National Police Week, we also want to highlight the #Defenders that support the 89th Airlift Wing’s mission. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Vincent Kidd is an EAS Mission Planner assigned to the 816th Security Forces Squadron.
SSgt Kidd provides discrete, low-profile security to personnel and resources transiting to airfields where security is unknown or when additional security is required to counter local threats. He also advises aircrews on force protection measures, conducts airfield assessments, and assists aircrews in the performance of their duties when not performing his primary security duties. As a mission planner, he is responsible for scheduling 816 SFS members for upcoming missions, coordinating with different flying units that the 816 SFS provides security for, and handles the day-to-day administrative duties for his section.
When asked what #NationalPoliceWeek means to him, Kidd said, “To me, it’s a time to honor the brave men and women who served and protected our communities as law enforcement officers. I honor Police Week by reflecting on our USAF Fallen Defenders who laid down their lives in service to our nation, and I honor their courage and dedication.”
His second deployment was his most memorable time honoring Police Week. In 2020, Kidd was attached to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan when two members from his unit lost their lives in the line of duty.
“We held a ceremony and events out there for our Fallen Defenders, including two members that were deployed to that same unit. Senior Airman Nathan Sartain (EoW-2 October 2015) and Airman 1st Class Kacey Ruiz (EoW-2 October 2015) lost their lives doing the same fly-away security as my brothers and sisters in arms that were in attendance,” explained Kidd. “It was a surreal and humbling experience.”
From his time serving in Security Forces, he’s learned that even the smallest things can have the biggest impact.
“Both from my travels as a RAVEN and working as a Patrolmen at my last duty station, I’ve seen the infectious nature of a smile or the effect of a welcoming greeting. I try to make it my job to have those positive interactions with people on the job, because no one will ever see the battles people are fighting day in and day out. As a SF member, we have that opportunity to catch everyone while they are coming through the gate. That ‘Good morning, welcome to Joint Base Andrews could be the difference between a good and a bad day.”
Although he may have a tough job, Kidd has made memories that will last him a lifetime.
“My favorite memory in my career so far has been a mission that I had on my last deployment,” Kidd explained. “We were flying in Africa on a C-130 and the aircrew strapped us in and let the ramp down and it was the most beautiful view of the sunset there. It was incredible. Moments like that make all the hard work worth it.”
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2023 12:03 |
| Photo ID: | 7803819 |
| VIRIN: | 230517-F-DS607-0001 |
| Resolution: | 7151x4767 |
| Size: | 1.47 MB |
| Location: | MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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