JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - LACKLAND, Texas -- The Airmen of the 23rd Intelligence Squadron continue to excel in the midst of challenges, and closed out the last quarter of 2020 on a high note. The squadron briefed Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) leaders on multiple occasions, won several wing and AFRC level awards, and completed its third virtual mass unit training assembly (UTA).
In an effort to highlight the unit’s mission impact while educating on the challenges ahead, members of the unit briefed senior military leadership over the last few months.
In late September, Lt. Col. Nicholas Herald, the unit’s director of operations, provided a squadron deep dive to the AFRC A2 staff. Lt. Col. Herald’s briefing was designed to further educate the staff on the unit’s mission and highlight the health of the total force partnership. In mid-October, Senior Airman John Duhon, a Traditional Reservist volunteering on Active Duty Operational Support Active Component (ADOS-AC) orders, provided the commander of U.S. Cyber Command with an operational update about the work accomplished by his combat mission team. In early November, Senior Airman Justin Watkins, also a Traditional Reservist on ADOS-AC orders, briefed a vignette at the AFRC Commander’s Update Briefing, highlighting his combat mission team’s operational impacts. Finally, Senior Master Sgt. David Stanford, one of the unit’s operations superintendents, updated Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, Chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, AFRC Command Chief Master Sgt., on the role the squadron played in providing strategic depth to USCYBERCOM during the election season. Stanford stated, “The men and women of the 23 IS are making invaluable contributions to the Regular Air Force (RegAF) mission space. Having the opportunity to share their accomplishments with senior leaders is a testament to their hard work and the focus placed on Total Force Integration with our RegAF partners.”
The unit’s achievements were not only highlighted in briefings, but also recognized in the form of awards.
Tech. Sgt. Jeniveve Beutel’s work with the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (OSI) resulted in a novel way to incorporate cyber operations into OSI’s investigative process. Her insight and initiative earned her RegAF ISR NCO of the Year for both the 655th ISR Wing and AFRC. Similarly, 1st Lt. Gwendolyn Leon-Guerrero’s contributions to the USCYBERCOM mission, along with the work she did to standup the squadron’s Publically Available Information cell, garnered two wing-level awards. She was the 655th ISR Wing’s Outstanding ARC CGO of the Year, as well as the wing’s nominee for the General John P. Jumper Award for Excellence in Warfighting Integration.
Lastly, the 23 IS wrapped up its final quarterly mandatory UTA of the calendar year on Dec. 6, 2020. Resiliency and readiness training were at the forefront of both the September and December UTAs.
The December UTA featured some holiday cheer courtesy of a few motivated troops. Senior Airman Cole Levine and Maj. Matthew Hince, conducted a holiday-themed bingo game along with a virtual exercise competition as a way to get members in the holiday spirit. Master Sgt. Kanita Taponpanh, booster club co- chair, organized a virtual prize giveaway with proceeds from squadron volunteer activities performed throughout the year. The drill was punctuated by a mentoring session from accomplished author and Air Force Reserve Chief Robert Rogers. Chief Rogers’ presentation centered on the themes of balance, leadership lessons learned, getting comfortable with discomfort, and living in-charge. The mentoring session was by far the highlight of drill weekend, and a perfect way to end a tumultuous year. Reflecting on the impact and timeliness of the briefing, Taponpanh said, “Chief Rogers provided an eye- opening discussion that forced us to pause and reflect on how we view ourselves as leaders and how we can improve individually in order to more effectively enable our teams and challenge our own growth.”
Thinking about how much the unit has accomplished since March and how exciting the coming months will be, 23 IS Superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Jacqueline Davenport noted, “2020 has been a rough year for all of us, filled with anxiety and unpredictability, however the great citizen Airmen of the 23 IS have truly leaned in and on one another in these uncharted times. The successes that we’ve had in our mission and our continued team spirit is really a testament to their own personal drive, resiliency, and dedication to each other. I think we are primed to take advantage of all that 2021 has to offer. There really is no limit to the talents within this organization and I’m always proud to serve with these true patriots. Lights on, Fights on!”
The 23 IS delivers premiere cyber intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance expertise through Total Force Integration, driving the employment of offensive cyber capabilities in support of Combatant Command objectives and priorities. To learn more about exciting and rewarding career opportunities in the 23 IS, please contact your local Air Force Reserve recruiter or call 210-977-2671 for more information.