A good man: PAFB Airman receives Patriot Award

Published Nov. 8, 2016
By Dave Smith
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Senior Airman James Brown, administrative support for the office of the executive director at Air Force Space Command Headquarters, was recently awarded the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association’s Patriot Award.

The award is given to recognize achievements of service members from all branches of the military in the Colorado Springs area. Brown received the honor during the 33rd Annual Rocky Mountain Ball held Sept. 9 at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs. The Rocky Mountain NDIA chapter is known for its focus on military space activities.

Brown was selected from among the other nominees based upon his exemplary service to the command, said the NDIA.

“It was special to receive this award because I was able to represent my office, at Air Force Space Command, on a larger scale to prior Air Force leaders,” said Brown, who is currently deployed. “Being honored by the NDIA for my accomplishments meant a great deal to me due to the scope of the NDIA mission as a liaison between the civilian sector and the military.”

Brown said he was both excited and humbled by the recognition and passed on credit to leadership and mentors who helped him develop and grow during his Air Force career.

“I wouldn't receive any awards without them and my success is a direct reflection on my mentors’ excellence over the years,” said Brown.

In nominating him for the Patriot Award, Brown’s leadership wanted to be sure he was properly recognized for his accomplishments.

“We recognize he is an outstanding Airman,” said Tech Sgt. David Jones, NCO in-charge of administrative support at AFSPC HQ. “We just wanted to reward him for all the stuff he does here and in the community.”

Inspired by the words of British statesman Edmund Burke, who said "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing," Brown enlisted in the Air Force in November 2011.

His record of notable accomplishments stretches back to the beginning of his Air Force experiences. Brown was an honor graduate of Basic Military Training, a status awarded only to the top 10 percent of each flight. He also achieved Thunderbolt fitness status during BMT.

Brown came to Peterson AFB in 2013 as part of the 21st Force Support Squadron. He was part of the commander’s support staff during his time with the squadron, upgrading and revitalizing the programs and methods it used. At that time the 21st FSS commander said Brown, an airman first class at the time, was acting and producing like a junior NCO, resulting in Brown receiving the Airman of the Quarter award for the second quarter of 2013.

In mid-2014 he transferred to the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, again being selected to serve on the commander’s support staff. In 2015 he was requested, by name, to join the HQ AFSPC executive director’s team where he continued to excel and won two AFSPC AOQ awards in less than one year.

The Patriot Award committee considered Brown’s off-duty activities as well. He is nearing completion of his Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security with a 4.0 grade average, and frequently volunteers to mentor youth and support children’s activities. Brown helped lead a March of Dimes fundraiser that brought in $120,000 to combat birth defects, was co-lead of the Air Force Birthday Ball committee and led a team who helped clean up PAFB after the July 28 hail storm.

In light of his achievements in and out of uniform, Jones wasn’t surprised Brown was chosen for the award. He said it couldn’t go to a more deserving, exemplary AFSPC Airman.

PATRIOT AWARD