Photo By Airman 1st Class Elijah Strickland | U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jacob Brown, 49th Security Forces Squadron base...... read more read more
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Ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones changed the battlefield around them, but for two Holloman Air Force Base Security Forces leaders, some of the most important lessons from combat had little to do with technology.
For U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Mapalo and Senior Master Sgt. Jacob Brown, both assigned to the 49th Security Forces Squadron, preparing Defenders for future conflicts means developing Airmen who can operate under pressure, adapt to rapidly changing threats and continue the mission when conditions become uncertain.
The two leaders reflected on those lessons following a July 10, 2026, decoration ceremony at Holloman where they and four other Airmen were recognized for combat achievements and meritorious service.
Mapalo and Brown received Bronze Star Medals after serving with their Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. Their teams defended personnel and billions of dollars in warfighting assets while supporting thousands of combat sorties during operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
“The courage and teamwork required to win remain the same,” Mapalo said. “Those lessons need to shape how we prepare the next generation.”
For Brown, that preparation begins with people.
“Our human capital is our most precious resource,” Brown said. “Mentoring our less-experienced Defenders to cope with the stressors of combat was a major focus for me and the rest of the operations team.”
During his deployment, Brown led more than 200 Defenders and contractors through force-protection operations while his team faced ballistic missile launches.
His experiences deployed reinforced Brown's belief that combat readiness begins long before an Airman encounters a threat.
Preparing Airmen for combat, he said, requires leaders to invest in trust, preparation and the well-being of their people before they enter a contested environment.
“If your home life is suffering, your work life will also,” Brown said. “I preach, ‘Control what you can control, your attitude and effort.’”
That emphasis on people extends beyond individual preparation. Brown said his pride in the deployment comes from what the team accomplished together.
“When I hear my citation read aloud, what goes through my mind is immense pride,” Brown said. “The men and women of the Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron accomplished an incredible mission.”
For Mapalo, the decorations presented at Holloman represent more than individual recognition. They provide an opportunity for younger Defenders to understand what happens before an Airman is tested in combat.
“I hope younger Defenders understand these decorations aren't about chasing medals,” Mapalo said. “Behind every citation are countless hours of preparation, teamwork, sacrifice and families and friends who carried the burden back home.”
They also represent another lesson Mapalo wants younger Airmen to understand: courage does not require the absence of fear.
“It's okay to be scared,” Mapalo said. “If you aren't, how can you be courageous?”
For Brown and Mapalo, preparing the next generation of Defenders means carrying those lessons forward: developing Airmen before they encounter the uncertainty of combat and giving them the foundation to adapt when the battlefield calls for it.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2026 17:03 |
| Story ID: | 573293 |
| Location: | HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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