Staff Sergeant Daniel Gonzalez
Security Forces Journeyman, 18th Security Forces Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan

For Staff Sergeant DANIEL GONzALEz, a security forces journeyman from Kadena Air Base, Japan, dangerous missions, protecting personnel, and safeguarding assets were all part of one day’s work. While deployed to Southwest Asia as part of a security forces fly-away team in 2010, Sergeant Gonzalez flew more than 40 combat missions and oversaw more than 130 combat-related missions. His team safeguarded and transferred 12 high-value enemy combatants, contributing time-sensitive intelligence and aiding future counter-insurgency operations.

But it was flooding, not bullets or bombs, which proved to be the most challenging part of Sergeant Gonzalez’s deployment.

In July 2010, Sergeant Gonzalez led his nine-man team on a short notice, high priority tasking to a flood-ravaged region of Pakistan. They were the first to arrive on scene and quickly sprung into action.

Sergeant Gonzalez’s team worked under extreme conditions, with little to no sleep, to ensure the Pakistanis were supplied with necessities. They oversaw the safety and health of more than 200 Pakistanis evacuating from the region. Under Sergeant Gonzalez’s direction, the team distributed critical food and medical supplies, located shelters, aided medical professionals, and evacuated locals. Sergeant Gonzalez’s team also safeguarded the transportation of more than 100 tons of food, 20 tons of shelter material, and more than 60 personnel to the affected areas.

Under Sergeant Gonzalez’s leadership and with the flexibility for which the U.S. Air Force is famous, this emergency humanitarian effort not only saved lives, but also strengthened the Nation’s relationship with a key international partner.

For his actions, Sergeant Gonzalez was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.