374th SFS NCO wins GEICO award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Desiree Economides
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  An NCO from the 374th Security Forces Squadron was recently awarded the 2011 GEICO Military Service Award in Washington D.C.

Staff Sgt. Mark King, a security forces trainer hailing from Henderson County, N. C., represented the Air Force in the drug and alcohol abuse prevention category.

"Mark has done a whole host of things that have improved the quality of life for the folks with whom he works with-both the members as well as family members," said Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Military Deputy.

Between October 2010 - September 2011, King responded to nine driving under the influence scenes, 12 major accidents, 15 minor accidents, four larcenies and two assaults. He also assisted with health and morale inspections and closed 145 open cases.

In his off-duty time, King volunteers as a designated driver for Yokota's anti-drunk driving program, attends college classes, and has been the team leader for foot patrols.

"I am honored to have won this award," said King. "I think volunteering and schooling culminated with my daily job and deployment accomplishments made it possible to win this award."

While deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, King led contraband and drug sweeps, securing more than 250 contraband items, including illegal drugs, from workers on the installation.

"When people can't drink for months on end, even one drink can make a major impact on how they operate," said King. "I think the sweeps helped keep the service members safe and the mission going."

For those SFS members interested in earning the award, King has advice.

"In security forces, we often see the after effects of abuse of drugs and alcohol, so as part of our job and as a service to our community, we need to correct those actions when we see them," said King.

GEICO also awarded individual service members from all services for their work in fire safety, drug and alcohol prevention and crime prevention.