YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Every year, during the week of May 15, the U.S. hosts National Police Week to honor police officers who have passed away or become injured in the line of duty.
The 374th Security Forces Squadron hosted several events throughout the week to pay tribute to those individuals and familiarize the base on a defender’s duties.
“This is important for our unit, so the base understands that we are here as law enforcement and protection,” said Lt. Col. Jonathon Murray, 374th SFS commander. “We want to provide a safe and secure environment for all of Yokota Air Base. That includes not only the military, but also the dependents and our local host nation partners.”
To give an inside view of a defender’s duty, the 374th SFS hosted an open house event with showcasing the different sections of the unit. Security forces also opened up the firing range to the base and held an M4 marksmanship competition, with the top 10 percent receiving a medal.
“It’s important to get the community involved, so they can understand what police officers go through on a day-to-day bases,” said Tech. Sgt. Alexandria Brye, 374th SFS Combat Arms NCO in charge. “To get the community out here, talking with all of us and seeing the different sections of our squadron, they can understand what we do.”
Finishing off Police Week, individuals attended a retreat ceremony to pay their respects to law enforcement killed in the line of duty. The ceremony featured speeches, lowering of the American and Japanese flags and a bell ringing to signify the end of watch for fallen police officers and defenders.
“I think it’s important to honor the fallen police officers and defenders this way,” said Brye. “We do not want to forget who they are and this is a way to showcase their sacrifice.”
By Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards, 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published May 17, 2021
Staff Sgt. Boaz Rogel, 374th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms instructor, left, teaches Khyran Grandison how a scope works at the “Day in the Life” event during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 11, 2021. The event featured booths from combat arms and military working dogs as well as the Air Force Office of Special Investigations to help familiarize the base on they protect the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Tech. Sgt. Kelly Martin, 374th Contracting Squadron Airlift Acquisition NCO in charge, fires an M4 carbine while competing during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2021. Martin and other competitors had to fire while standing, sitting and prone to get points. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Master Sgt. Derek Spencer, 374th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintainer, loads a magazine before a shooting competition during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2021. The 374th Security Forces Squadron, put Spencer and other competitors into groups of ten and had groups compete throughout the day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Master Sgts. Daniel French, left, and Derek Spencer, 374th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintainers, inspect their M4 carbines before a shooting competition during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2021. Each competitor was given a chance to inspect their weapon before the event and clean it, if needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Tech. Sgt. Joshua Cordova, 374th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of training, helps Ayden Holt put on a pair of headphones at the “Day in the Life” event during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 11, 2021. During the event, the 374th SFS training section provided information on the non-lethal and breaching equipment they use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Airman 1st Class Savannah Trevino, 374th Security Forces Squadron Security Response Team member, middle, gets tased at the “Day in the Life” event during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 11, 2021. The SFS allowed volunteers to get tased as an educational tool of the effects it has to the body. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Investigator Kirsten Lopez, 374th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrates how to lift a fingerprint at the “Day in the Life” event during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 11, 2021. This event allowed the 374th SFS to showcase the different aspects that go into protecting the base as a defender. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Staff Sgt. Colin Schweir, 374th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, pets MWD Edy at the “Day in the Life” event during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 11, 2021. Security forces brought out two MWDs to provide the base insight on what the SFS does and how they train. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
The 374th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms set up a display for the “Day in the Life” event during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 11, 2021. The display featured various weapons security forces uses to protect the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
The base honor guard prepares to lower the American and Japanese flags during the National Police Week retreat ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. Police Week is a week-long event to honor police officers and is recognized overseas with security forces members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryann Holzapfel)
Base honor guard members march with the American flag during the National Police Week retreat ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. The retreat ceremony featured speeches, the lowering of the American and Japanese flags and a bell ringing to signify the end of watch for fallen law enforcement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)
Base honor guard members fold the American flag during the National Police Week retreat ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. The honor guard lowered both the American and Japanese flag during a ceremony dedicated to recognizes law enforcement individuals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)
Staff Sgt. Ashleigh Green, 374th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, rings a bell during the National Police Week retreat ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. The ringing of the bell signifies the end of watch for the individuals who fell in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)
A Japanese police officer watches the Police Week retreat ceremony for National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. Police Week featured several events to honor police officers and security forces members who were killed or injured in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)
Master Sgt. Joshua Donahue, 374th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, holds a guidon for a formation at the National Police Week retreat ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. The retreat ceremony was the end of National Police Week activities for the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)
Staff Sgt. Boaz Rogel, 374th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms instructor, calculates points on a target sheet during National Police Week shooting competition at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2021. Competitors received points for hitting the center black area and the top 10 percent received an award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Staff Sgt. Dustin Webb, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Engines Aerospace Propulsion craftsman, fires an M4 carbine during National Police Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2021. Webb fired his weapon and made adjustments, before competing in four timed rounds of the shoot off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Jose J. Sanchez, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Defender Magazine, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Presidential Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, Washington DC, the 416th Security Police Squadron, Griffiss AFB, NY, and the 89th Security Forces Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD
