Image of Valor - Kadena Airman selected to 'Portraits in Courage'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  "Defensor Fortis." So reads the beret of every Security Forces member of the United States Air Force.

Commonly translated to "Defender of the Force," the phrase takes on a new meaning as one of its wearers, Tech. Sgt. Daniel Gonzalez, has been selected to the sixth edition of "Portraits in Courage."

The 2011 publication highlights Airmen from around the world, along with the actions that characterize the honor, valor and devotion to duty that define the word "Courage."

While deployed to Afghanistan, Gonzalez was a fly-away security team, or FAST, leader. His day-to-day duties were no small feats of their own as he carried out detainee movements and distinguished visitor security. Though forward-deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, his tour of duty was anything but "inside the wire" as he and his team flew more than 40 combat missions and more than 130 combat-related missions.

"One of our special tasks was to protect ballots from a local election near the Pakistan border," said Gonzalez. "Even though our cargo was a bunch of paper, the meaning behind it was definitely felt by the team."

Arguably the highlight of his deployment, Gonzalez also led his team in an area of Pakistan devastated by the 2010 summer flood. Being the first team on the ground, Gonzalez's unit distributed medical and food supplies, assisted the wounded and aided with evacuations.

Even though he's now back home, his attitude and commitment to duty hasn't changed.

A "slow day" at work for this Kadena Defender was illustrated during a ride-along with Gonzalez and his partner, Senior Airman Davin Kim. During the course of a single shift stretching from Saturday, Sept. 10 to Sunday, Sept. 11, the duo, Police-2, performed the following actions:

5:15 p.m.: Traffic violation, citation issued

5:30 p.m.: Traffic violation, citation issued

5:40 p.m.: Responded to medical emergency on the runway. Military Air flight made emergency landing because passenger was knocked unconscious when a flight from Singapore to mainland Japan entered turbulence.

6:35 p.m.: Responded to an off-base minor vehicle accident, citation issued

7:30 p.m.: Returned to station, filed paperwork and interacted with flight leadership

7:40 p.m.: Responded to a medical emergency, swimmer attacked by box-jellyfish

8:15 p.m.: Lunch

8:40 p.m. Sept. 10 to 12:45 a.m. Sept. 11: Base patrol, security walk-throughs, walk-arounds and check-up's with entry controllers.

To top off a night Gonzalez described as "somewhat slow," he and several other Defenders took part in a foot chase of a "break-in" suspect.

Gonzalez has a distinct law enforcement style that could best be described as "tough love." His 6-foot, 3-inch athletic build would be seen by the target of his ire, exiting his patrol car with a deep, "Hey, come here!"

When confronted with minor offenses that didn't warrant a citation, his intimidating silhouette could be heard providing words of wisdom that were very quickly accepted and implemented.

Simply stated, his opinion of his duty says it all.

"I love what I do," Gonzalez said. "I don't think I could do this job if I didn't love it. All of us (Security Forces members) work hard to make this base a better place - we love to help people."

(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Brandon Hill, 33rd Rescue Squadron flight engineer, was also selected for Portraits in Courage VI, and is currently deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Chaplain (Maj.) Randy Sellers from the 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base, Okla., was also selected and is currently permanently changing stations to Kadena.)