Georgia Guardsmen recognized for work behind Freedom 250
ARLINGTON, Va. — Twelve Georgia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting Joint Task Force-District of Columbia were honored for their dedication behind the scenes, ensuring teams stayed supplied, personnel were accounted for, and daily operations ran smoothly throughout the Freedom 250 mission. While four received joint service medals, eight were awarded command coins for their vital contributions that often went unseen by the public.
Tech. Sgt. Brandon Estes and Tech. Sgt. Drew Bowers received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for service spanning Freedom 250 and the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission.
Col. Adrian Perez, the task force commander, praised the Airmen for their ability to adapt to shifting demands, take on roles beyond their usual specialties, and connect with local residents while upholding a strong professional presence. Their impressive performance inspired Perez to request additional Air National Guard security forces personnel.
Pfc. Serfinah Omondi and Spc. Kimani Fisher received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for achievements across multiple assignments supporting civil authorities. Their work extended beyond a single event, helping the task force carry out several civil-support missions during Freedom 250.
The command coins highlighted personal stories of Guardsmen stepping up when their assignments stretched beyond the ordinary.
Perez awarded a coin to 1st Lt. Bricelin Balcer, who stepped up to oversee base operations at the task force’s logistics site. Chosen for her knack for solving complex support challenges, Balcer tackled persistent issues and ensured personnel had the services they needed as she worked tirelessly across Washington.
Perez also honored Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Burney and Sgt. Kaiden Newman after an escort mission at the Wharf, where they compassionately accompanied a lost child for nearly two hours until he was reunited with his family. Their calm and caring response earned praise from a senior federal official who witnessed their actions.
Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Delano, the task force’s command sergeant major, presented a coin to Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Maddox for his leadership in headquarters support. Maddox organized meal service, coordinated transportation, and looked after personnel, all while setting a high standard of physical readiness for others to follow.
Delano recognized Pfc. Shaniya Cook for her diligence at the task force operations desk, where she tracked missions, personnel, and vehicle movements. Cook not only mentored fellow radio operators but also flagged discrepancies, ensuring the task force always had an accurate understanding of its teams throughout Washington.
Senior Airman Muhammad Alamin Qubaisy, Senior Airman Kiarra Curry and Airman 1st Class Jacob Decker were also honored by Delano. Qubaisy drew on his law enforcement background to guide others and make sure Airmen had the support they needed. Curry tackled paperwork, pay and personnel challenges, while Decker consistently volunteered for extra tasks beyond his assigned role.
This assignment brought Army and Air National Guard members together in new ways, encouraging collaboration across service lines. By coordinating security, transportation, logistics and personnel support, both groups gained fresh perspectives on each other's approaches. This shared experience helped the task force adapt to changing needs and fostered valuable learning among its members.
“Seeing how the joint forces have come together, Army and Air, doing missions on the streets is exciting to me,” Perez said. “It’s awesome what you all bring to the table.”
Perez closed with a message of gratitude to the Georgia Guardsmen.
“You are the epitome of what an American should be,” Perez said. “That Georgia professionalism, I guess that’s the southern character you all bring, is just phenomenal. Thank you for your service.”
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