The Strategic Power of Alliances: Strengthening Security Forces for Tomorrow
By: BGen Brian A. Filler

In today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the importance of alliances cannot be overstated. For Defenders and the broader defense community, alliances are not just diplomatic niceties; they are strategic imperatives. Our ability to protect, deter, and respond is amplified when we operate as part of a network of trusted partners, both at home and abroad.

Why Alliances Matter

Alliances and partnerships are the backbone of our effective security operations. They provide the framework for cooperation, interoperability, and mutual support, enabling us to tackle threats that no single force could address alone. The United States does not fight alone, nor do we deter alone. Deep, enduring relationships with allies and partners are what allow us to succeed.

At their core, alliances are built on mutual trust, shared values, and common objectives. They foster unity of effort, allowing diverse organizations and nations to synchronize their actions and resources. For Security Forces, this means more than just combined exercises; it’s about sharpening our competitive edge and developing relationships at the personal, human level to secure common interests and promote shared values.

Building Deterrence

The presence of strong alliances and partnerships act as a powerful deterrent to would-be aggressors. Our international partners are a force multiplier and one of the greatest strategic assets we have as a nation. Through these partnerships, each participating nation greatly improves its legitimacy and combat capacity. The presence of a real, tested military partnership delivers a monolithic deterrent force to dissuade aggressors from impinging on our shared interests. 

To counter the rise of our next regional or global security challenge, the United States and our allies and partners must introspectively assess and continually promote interoperability and information sharing. We must remain focused on ensuring that the U.S. military remains the world's most credible fighting force capable of maintaining peace through strength but cannot do so to the diminishment or loss of partnerships.

Enhancing Operational Effectiveness

One of the most tangible benefits of alliances is improved operational effectiveness. Through the development of standardized procedures and combined training and operations, allied forces learn to operate seamlessly together. This interoperability is critical in high-stakes environments where seconds count and miscommunication can have dire tactical, operational, and even strategic consequences.

For example, our partnerships with allied military police and security units have enabled us to share best practices, develop common tactics, and conduct multinational patrols in complex environments. We have been able to iteratively improve tactics, techniques and procedures, acquire interoperable equipment, and identify seams in our training. Deliberate attention to combined operations ensures that each partner knows their own and their peers’ capabilities.  These collaborations have not only improved our technical proficiency but also fostered a culture of mutual respect and understanding

A4 FVEY Summit and the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference

This commitment to partnership is not merely academic; it was on full display at the September 2025 A4 FVEY Summit in Australia. Bringing together security leaders from the Five Eyes nations—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States—is a powerful example of how allied cooperation shapes our collective defense strategies. The summit’s agenda focused on sharing best practices to respond to emerging threats.

Similarly, the September Air, Space, and Cyber Conference is a testament to the dynamic nature of our alliances. This annual event gathers experts and practitioners from across the world to address the challenges and opportunities in the air, space, and cyber domains. Combined, international, and industry partners are critical to our current and future success.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Alliances and Partnerships

As we look to the future, the importance of alliances and partnerships will only grow. The security challenges we face are complex and interconnected, requiring a coordinated response from a diverse coalition of partners—our practiced ability to nimbly interact in bespoke partnerships for each issue, confrontation, or operation will be the difference between success and failure. By investing in our alliances through sustained engagement, transparent communication, and shared commitment, we ensure that Security Forces remain at the forefront of global security.

Close collaboration with Allies and partners is foundational to U.S. national security interests and for our collective ability to address the challenges presented by strategic competitors, while managing the array of other threats we face. Defenders must practice and employ partnerships at the tactical and operational levels to ensure our actions deliver the strategic effects needed by the combatant commanders and the nation.

Air Force announces the Outstanding Airmen for 2025 ... includes two Defenders!!
Published Aug. 19, 2025, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VA (AFNS) -- 

Air Force officials selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2025.

This year, the Air Force enhanced the program to more accurately recognize the exceptional contributions of its enlisted members.

The redesign places a greater emphasis on individual merit. This selection process enables the Air Force to identify and celebrate the most outstanding Airmen, noncommissioned officers and senior NCOs across active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

Nominees participated in a comprehensive three-day assessment and selection event. This experience included an in-person board interview, supplementing the traditional records-only review.

The Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

Master Sgt. Aimee F. Pascas, 110th Wing, Battle Creek ANGB, MI

Duty Title: Chief of Information Protection
Organization: 110th Wing Information Protection Office, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
Home of Record: Brooklyn, Mich.
Master Sergeant Pascas demonstrated her expertise and innovative spirit throughout 2024. She led a revolutionary child care beta test and hosted the CMSAF, resulting in a scalable ANG-wide program. Pascas overhauled her wing’s security policies and built an information protection program, contributing to an “Effective” Unit Inspection rating. Selected by DAF leadership, she served as the CMSAF’s Special Projects Officer, managing a $10,000 budget and leading 46 volunteers to ensure a seamless transition between the 19th and 20th CMSAFs. Finally, as Anti-Terrorism Program Manager, she chaired a threat working group in response to local risks, safeguarding 950 wing members and mission continuity. Handpicked for the First Sergeant 2.0 Course, she authored 36 blocks of instruction, standardizing training for 863 first sergeants and reshaping enlisted development across the Air Force.

Master Sgt James B. Vetter, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL

Duty Title: Action Officer
Organization: Hq. Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Home of Record: Aurora, Colo.
He actualized the command’s counter-drone initiative, fielding 24 systems to protect $300 billion in assets and 1 million people across nine combatant commands. He led 386 Airmen through more than 13,000 security hours across 5,000 sorties and built critical staging points supporting crisis response for the Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. withdrawal from Niger, and Haiti unrest. His efforts enabled movement of 15.4 million pounds of cargo, 1,700 personnel, and $60 million in relief, plus an evacuation plan for 180,000 Americans. Vetter pioneered AMC’s first organic cargo aircraft counter-drone capability, securing $332,000 in funding. He also served as an inspiration to others, leading volunteer events that raised more than $50,000 for outreach programs and earning his master’s in leadership. His efforts inspired his team to collectively complete a grand total of 228 credits and six degrees.)

New SF Group & Wing Commanders!

From: FILLER, BRIAN A Brig Gen USAF HAF AF/A4S
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 5:37 PM
Subject: Congratulations!

Defenders,

Please join me in congratulating our Defender leaders chosen to lead at the Wing and Group level! 

The selection process is highly competitive!

There is no greater honor than to Command Airmen and we are proud the following Defenders have an opportunity to Command again!

Wing Commanders:
Col Greg Bodenstein – Air Force Security Forces Center
Col Mike Gallucci – 42 ABW, Maxwell AFB
Col Mike Shirley – 628 ABW, Charleston AFB
Col Bill Smith – Hurlburt ABW, Hurlburt Field

ROTC Commander:
Col Matt Foisy – Detachment 867, Norwich University

Group Commanders:
Col(s) JP Adrian – 366 MSG, Mountain Home AFB
Col Donald Bartholomew – SBD 1 Vice, Peterson SB
Col(s) Cassie Bates – 92 MSG, Fairchild AFB
Col Matt Butler – 60 MSG, Travis AFB
Col Mike Cheatham – 37 TRG, JBSA Lackland AFB
Col John Farmer – 502 SFG, JBSA Randolph AFB
Col Jake Foley – 673 MSG, JBER Elmendorf AFB
Col(s) George Hern – 91 SFG, Minot AFB
Col Alex Liggett – 377 SFG, Kirtland AFB
Col(s) Matt McGinnis – 39 WSSG, Incirlik AB
Col(s) Marc Ortiz – 78 MSG, Robins AFB
Col Nicole Schatz – 75 MSG, Hill AFB
Col(s) Gil Wyche – 10 ABW/CV, USAFA

The Air Force and Defender Nation has already benefited from these officers, and we look forward to them continuing to lead in these senior roles!

Also, to our newest Commanders, please take a moment to thank your families. They have certainly put in more than their fair share of long hours and made sacrifices to walk this path with you!

Congratulations to you all once again and continue to lead well!

Best, Brig Gen Filler

BRIAN A. FILLER
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Security Forces

2025 CONGRATS are in order ….

AFSFA maintains three scholarship funds awarding up to ten (10) $500.00 grants yearly. These scholarships are available to all enlisted, active duty, ANG and AF Res Security Forces members in the rank of E-6 and below and their spouses. Filing period is 1 June through 31 July every year and the announcement and forms are found at the AFSFA web site: www.afsfaonline.com

AFSFA congratulates the following recipients:

2025 Charles J. Heubusch Scholarships recipients are: (12 total apps)
- SrA Corey L. Ruffule, 821st SFS, Pituffik SB, Greenland
- SSgt Hayde S. Cristan, 316th SFG, Joint Base Andrews, MD

2025 Security Forces Foundation Scholarship recipients are: (23 total apps)
- TSgt Meagan R. Hillengas, 88th SFS, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- SrA Daniel A. Talbot, 118th SFS, Berry Field (ANG), TN
- SrA Christopher L. Bryant, 927th SFS, MacDill AFB (AFRC), FL
- SrA Joel T. Wall, 8th SFS, Kunsan AB, ROK
- SSgt Destini I. Chambers, 316th SFG, Joint Base Andrews, MD
- SSgt Hunter M. Dietrich, 6th SFS, MacDill AFB, FL

2025 Schlussel Family Scholarship recipients are: (3 total apps)
- SSgt Katlynn G. Schoch, 627th SFS, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
- SrA Stephanie Y. Choa, 6th SFS, MacDill AFB, FL

Congratulations to the 2025 BGen Allen J. Jamerson AFSFA Chapters of the Year:
- Chapter of the Year: Ron Blatman Evergreen Chapter

- Runner-Up Chapter of the Year:   Billie Renfroe Chapter

Congratulations to the 2025 BGen James M. Shamess AFSFA Writing Award:
- Winner is “Defense Force Training Initiative – A Warriors ETHOS” by SMSgt Brad M. Gaudet and SMSgt Joseph A. Sewell of the 88 SFS and published in the April – June 2025 Security Forces Magazine
- Honorable mention goes to the runner up article, “My Path to Being the First Woman on Beale’s Tactical Response Team” by A1C Janae Whaley of the 9th SFS and published in the October – December 2024 Security Forces magazine

Congratulations to 2025 AFSFA Hall of Fame Inductee:
- Santo Noce

AFSFA Board of Directors 2025 Electees:
- Board of Directors Scott Castillo, Joseph Mitchell & Lloyd Edwards

New AFSFA Regional Directors:
Region 2 Director: Carl Gingola
Region 3 Director: Gary Wiseman