Photo By Senior Airman Ryan Hayman | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Philip Sneed, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron...... read more read more
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U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – A sharp burst of instantly recognizable noise pierces over the radio, filling the air with an urgent message that a 15-year-old girl has been kidnapped from the streets by three men.
“Gaterunner! Gaterunner! Gaterunner!” Igniting a call to action to all the defenders on the installation—armed with scarce details and their weapons. Every moment mattered as Defenders tracked the kidnappers to installation housing.
Cornered between homes, a defender engages in a life-or-death confrontation as a kidnapper charges him. The defender takes him down, and his backup finally arrives to subdue the other two men. The victim is returned to safety.
This high-stakes incident is just one example from the career of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Philip Sneed, 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, has led a memorable career marked by high-stakes action, but he is now focused on applying the lessons he has learned during 16 years as a defender to prepare for a new role that will enable him to dedicate himself to mentoring Airmen.
"After 9/11, the Air Force was a long-standing goal," said Sneed. "Once I graduated high school, all I wanted to do was to be a part of a team, which is unique only to the military."
To begin his career, Sneed focused on honing his craft within law enforcement at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
"I had to make a lot of split-second decisions and accepted that I might need to make a mistake," said Sneed. "It's how your team builds things together so you can solicit beneficial decisions during a response."
After moving to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Sneed managed the security for the F-35 Lighting II project during the base’s onboarding of the United States’ first fifth-generation fighter in Europe. His work alongside ally and partner militaries prepared him to assume the flight chief role when he arrived at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, where he'd face a new set of obstacles.
It was his first time as a flight chief and, as a new senior noncommissioned officer, he needed to evolve his leadership style to a transformational technique so he could adequately care for each Airmen.
"I took the time to learn about every single one of my 45 Airmen--their past, goals, stressors, how they reacted, and what they wanted to do while in security forces," said Sneed. "Developing that leadership skill was my biggest challenge as I led people in different ways so that they ultimately grew."
Sneed's dedication to understanding and developing his Airmen didn't go unnoticed.
"Sneed's always ready to take on the challenge," said Senior Master Sgt. Jamie Gutierrez, Sneed's mentor. "He's leading his Airmen and peers in a manner that they respect and look up to him."
Behind the scenes, Maj. Christopher Gresham, 378th ESFS commander, nominated Sneed for the prestigious role of first sergeant.
"I am thrilled to be a first sergeant," said Sneed. "I've always wanted to do this; I enjoy helping people and can't wait to start helping Airmen in different career fields."
Sneed’s excitement to become a first sergeant has been fueled by his strong character as his ambition to help others has laid a foundation from which his leadership can continue to grow.
"The qualities that make a successful first sergeant are a strong work ethic and, most critically, empathy," said Gresham. "Sneed has empathy in droves and is the exact person the Air Force needs to fill the position to spread that empathy to other units and act as a role model for younger Airmen."
Sneed is currently completing his final weeks in a security forces unit, preparing to excel in his next chapter.
"It's hard to lose such an outstanding person, but I am absolutely certain that his years as a defender, both in garrison and at war, have prepared him to be one of our service's finest first sergeants,” said Gresham. “No matter where he lands, he will continue to guide, mentor and teach Airmen to be the best versions of themselves."
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2024 02:01 |
| Story ID: | 481398 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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