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Honorary defender joins ranks

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Donning a security forces beret comes with the responsibility of watching over and protecting the personnel on Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

The 20th Security Forces Squadron welcomed a new face into its ranks Sept. 8, a young Airman aspiring for greatness.

Jake Pritchard, a 12-year-old who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, had the opportunity to serve alongside Team Shaw’s 20th SFS Airmen as a “Defender for a Day.”

Upon arrival to Shaw AFB, Pritchard and his family were welcomed by defenders from all sections of the 20th SFS. Lt. Col. Garon Shelton, 20th SFS commander, decreed the Pritchard family honorary defenders.


The Pritchard family spent the day meeting Airmen assigned to the 20th SFS and seeing what their lifestyle is all about.

“I’m glad that this event was set up for my son,” said Michael Pritchard, Jake Pritchard’s father. “The bond that security forces has is something that every child should experience at some point in their life.”

With a military family willing to help, Jake had the opportunity to take his mind off of his dystrophy and discover what it means to be a defender.

“We wanted to bring him out and boost up his morale, while at the same time showing him that he has his family as well as us,” said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Arndt, 20th SFS anti-terrorism program noncommissioned officer in charge. “We are ready to support him and help him in his fight.”

After meeting with the defenders, Jake received a closer look into the mission of the 20th SFS.

“We have activities such as military working dog demonstrations, a run through the shoot house, and a few weapon static displays for Jake to see,” said Arndt.

The defenders surprised the Pritchard family when they brought them along to patrol the flightline.

During the patrol, they stopped to see the 20th Fighter Wing’s flagship, an F-16CM Fighting Falcon. The family received a tour of the aircraft, and later got a closer look into the heart of the Falcon.

“My most favorite thing that has ever happened to me was going behind the scenes in Sea World,” chuckled Jake. “But being in the pilot’s seat of the jet was so much cooler because it felt like I was flying.”

After sitting in the pilot’s seat, Jake finished his patrol with the defenders. Before he and his family departed the base, the defenders honorably retired Jake’s badge number.

“We are very thankful for everything that happened here today,” said Michael. “To see our boys experiencing what the military does really means a lot to us.”

While wearing the beret as an honorary defender, Jake focused on a new mission with his military family. Having this newfound defender strength, he is more prepared to conquer anything that gets in his way.