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AFSOUTH civilian recognized for contributions to SFS mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • Forward Operation Location Curacao
FORWARD OPERATION LOCATION, Curacao --  The Air Forces Southern A6 Deputy Director of Communications and Information recieved an honorary security forces beret Mar. 16, at Forward Operation Location Curaçao, Netherland Antilles, for his remarkable contributions to the security forces mission in support of U.S. Southern Command's counter drug operations.

Mr. Mike McDaniel-Hutchings, a.k.a. "Mr. McAfets" as he is commonly referred to, has worked in the communications community for more than 30 years and brought extensive knowledge to the mission of all forward operating locations under AFSOUTH. Most recently "Mr. McAfets" was credited with overseeing a $2.5 million state-of-the-art intrusion detection system project at FOL Curacao.

"The new system vastly improved the FOL's overall security and integrated defense capabilities," said Senior Master Sgt Benson McCallister, the superintendent and anti-terrorism officer. "In fact, nothing moves on the FOL proper now without security forces knowing. This has shortened security forces' response times and has become quite the force multiplier."

"Mr. McDaniel-Hutchings was presented a beret because on rare occasion someone comes along and makes such a significant contribution to what we do as defenders, that only the 'Blue Beret' can show commensurate gratitude," said Sergeant McCallister.