The mission of the 437th Security Forces Squadron is to provide security protection for 52 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft valued at $10.8 billion dollars and law enforcement for a population of 7600 military and 17000 military retirees. The unit also has a fly-away protection force of Phoenix Ravens deploying over 2000 temporary duty days per year protecting C-17's around the world. Our dedicated force of security professionals also protects wing resource assets valued at over $2.6 billion dollars. The unit is comprised of 257 active duty military, civilian, and 52 Active Reserve personnel.
The unit is organized into five S-Functions and staff. Commanders Staff, S1 (Personnel), S2 (Intelligence), S3 (Operations and Training), S4 (Logistics), and S5 (Plans and Programs).
Since 9/11, the 437th SFS has supported both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and as of 30 January 2007 has deployed over 900 Airmen supporting the Global War on Terror. The unit has been tasked on numerous occasions to support the United States Army on Police Transition Teams training Iraqi National Police and Confinement Operations. With the basic mission principles intact, the squadron has evolved through the years into a quality oriented organization, always called on first when there is a need for quick response to protect global assets.
In 1941, after the Army Air Corps took control of the airfield to establish a defense for the eastern coast of the United States during World War II, the unit actively participated in every major campaign of the war as the military police for the 437th Troop Carrier Group. The unit was deactivated in 1945.
The 437th was constituted the 437th Air Police Squadron on 28 Jul 1950, was activated in the Reserves on 1 Aug 1950 and ordered to active service on 10 Aug 1950. The unit was stationed at O'Hare Field, Chicago International Airport, Illinois, Shaw AFB, South Carolina and moved to Brady Field, Japan. After serving during the Korean Conflict, the unit was inactivated on 10 Jun 52 at O'Hare Field. Again activated on 1 Mar 1955 as the 1608th Air Police Squadron, under the command of Major John A. Taylor.
The unit was again deactivated on 27 Dec 1965 and organized on 8 Jan 1966 at Charleston AFB, South Carolina and redesignated as the 437th Security Police Squadron on 8 Mar 1967, under the command of Lt Col Phillip Riebman. On 1 Jul 1997 the squadron was redesignated the 437th Security Forces Squadron with Major Gregory D. Moultrie as the commander.
Through time, the mission of the squadron has changed and adapted to new world contingencies, tehcnolgies and power shifts. In the past, mission have included deployments to Korea, Vietnam, Guyana, Haiti, Grenada, Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Restore Hope, Continue Hope, Support Hope, Provide Relief, Vigilant Warrior, Maintain Democracy, Sea Signal, Provide Promise, Joint Endeavor, Shining Hope, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Assignments
437th Air Base Group: 1 August 1950 - 10 June 1952
437th Air Base Group: 15 June 1952 - 16 Nov 1957
Military Air Transport Service: 27 December 1965
437th Air Base Group: 8 January 1966 - 1 October 1991
437th Support Group: 1 October 1991 - 1 April 1995
437th Mission Support Group: 1 April 1995 - present
Stations
Charleston Army Air Field: 1942
Baer Field, Indiana: 1943
O'Hare Field, Illinois: 1 August 1950
Shaw AFB, South Carolina: 14 August - 16 October 1950
Brady Field, Japan: 8 November 1950 - 10 June 1952
O'Hare Field, Illinois: 15 June 1952 - 16 November 1957
Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina: 8 January 1966 - Present
Honors
Service Streamers:
EAME Theater (WWII)
Korean Theater (Korean War)
Campaign Streamers:
Rome-Arno; 22 January 1944 - 9 September 1944
Normandy; 6 June 1944 - 24 July 1945
Southern France; 15 August 1944 - 14 September 1944
Rhineland; 15 September 1944 - 21 March 1945
Ardennes-Alsace; 16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945
Central Europe; 22 March 1945 - 11 May 1945
Antisubmarine; 1941 - 1945
Assault Landing Credit; 23 - 24 March 1951
CCF Intervention; 1950 - 1951
First UN Counteroffensive; 1951
CCF Spring Offensive; 22 April 1951 - 8 July 1951
Second Korean Winter; 1951 - 1952
Korea Summer-Fall; 1 May 1952 - 30 November 1952
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers:
None
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:
11 July 1966 - 10 July 1967
11 July 1967 - 10 July 1968
11 July 1968 - 12 June 1969
13 June 1969 - 12 June 1970
1 July 1972 - 30 June 1973
1 July 1982 - 30 June 1984
1 July 1984 - 30 June 1986
1 July 1988 - 30 June 1989
21 September 1989 - 31 October 1989
1 June 1989 - 30 June 1990
1 July 1993 - 30 June 1995
1 July 1995 - 30 June 1997
1 July 1997 - 30 June 1998
1 July 1998 - 30 June 2000
With Valor 11 September 2001 - 30 June 2003
Emblem (Approved on 27 June 1975)
Description: On a disc within a narrow yellow border an heraldic design blazoned as follows: Azure (grotto blue), a pentagon shape azure (ultramarine blue) fimbriated argent bearing a palmetto tree of the like, surmounted in base by a pair of keys saltirewise, with wards up or. Above and below the disc, two blue scrolls edged yellow, the one above inscribed with the squadron motto, "READY WILLING ABLE" in yellow letters.
Significance: Ultramarine blue and golden yellow are the Air Force colors. The pentagon shape alludes to the Five-sided Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, which is famous for the defense of Charleston. The white palmetto tree was suggested by the South Carolina state flag, and the crossed keys symbolize the unit's mission of police security and protection.
Motto: "READY, WILLING, ABLE"
Commanders
Lt Col Seth J. McKee, 7 September 2006
Major Paul D. Stang, 2003
Major Jeffrey R. Hunt, 2000
Major Robert M. Eatman, 1999
Major Lyle W. Cary, 1998