SFS member receives AF award for expeditionary excellence Published May 1, 2012 By Senior Airman Adawn Kelsey 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Military working dog handler, "the go-to-guy" and "warrior" are just a few words to describe the 82nd Security Forces Squadron member who was recognized at the Air Force level and received the Elizabeth N. Jacobson Award for expeditionary excellence in San Antonio, Texas, at a security forces focus group held April 24-26. The award annually recognizes a Security Forces member for their Expeditionary Excellence to include their war fighting contributions and outstanding accomplishments. Due to his stellar military service overseas, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Van Etten, 82nd SFS military working dog handler, was put in for the award after returning from his most recent deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan. During his Joint Expeditionary Tasking deployment, Van Etten was attached to the 2nd Calvary Regiment, where he was the only Air Force K-9 handler assigned to the special operation forces area of responsibility. "Seeing as I was the only Air Force K-9 handler, I was able to do a lot of things you wouldn't usually experience during a deployment," he said. "I was able to go on raids with the infantry, air assaults and I helped teach infantry men tricks of the K-9 handling trade with their new program 'Tactical Explosive Dogs'." During the deployment, Van Etten swept 80 combat routes covering 93 miles of terrain and located a total of 200 pounds of explosives. "I think my greatest accomplishment during my deployment was when Larry (my assigned K-9) and I were on a walking patrol with the infantry members," he said. "As we were walking along Larry, found 50 pounds of homemade explosives buried 3-4 inches below the ground, which is enough explosives to kill someone. We called in the explosive ordnance disposal team and blew it up in place." Tech. Sgt. Erick Trusty, 82nd SFS kennel master, quietly put Van Etten in for the award and was proud of the young NCO when he heard news of the Air Force level selection. "Sergeant Van Etten is an outstanding security forces member," he said. "He takes on the warrior ethos of being a K-9 handler each day trying to better himself as an NCO and a MWD team member. To see Van (Etten) be acknowledged for this award speaks volumes to his dedication as a handler and a warrior in today's Air Force." Van Etten said he was surprised when he heard the news of his award considering he had no idea Trusty had even created and submitted a package nominating him for it. The award was named after the first female Airman killed in the line of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jacobson was killed during a convoy when her vehicle was struck by an IED. "I think it is huge honor to receive an award named after her considering she died doing our job," he said.