JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 46th Annual Salute to the Military hosted by the Armed Services of YMCA of Alaska honors 12 enlisted service members representing each active-duty branch, the Guard and Reserves, including two civilians, to honor members and promote community awareness of military performance and service.
One of our defenders, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Danielle Kerfeld, 673d Security Forces Squadron Operation Support non-commissioned officer, was recognized as the Alaska Airman of the Year.
“I was told to be at work no later than 8:30 a.m.; [the 673 Mission Support Group command team] and my leadership was all there,” Kerfeld said. “They broke the news [that I was selected for the award], and I was emotional because this award meant something more to me.”
The native of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, supports 280 defenders by facilitating contingency planning, training, and guiding for law enforcement and security across the installation while securing $43 billion in Air Force assets.
While growing up, she always wanted to become a police officer and has been fascinated with the military since she was 12. Completing her law enforcement degree allowed her to work at multiple police departments in her area. Eventually, following her dream of joining the Air Force as a security forces defender.
“Staff Sgt. Kerfeld’s knowledge and skills, as a previous civilian law enforcement officer, has been instrumental in enhancing our unit’s operation, training, and community outreach programs,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell, 673d SFS operations superintendent. “Dannie is an inspiration to her peers, and it’s encouraging to know the Air Force is in good hands with an NCO like her continuing to pave the way.”
When she was notified as one of the recipients of the ASYMCA Salute to the Military, Colwell was not surprised Kerfeld was selected.
“Kerfeld is humble and passionate about her work and service,” Colwell added. “I was overwhelmed with pride and excitement for Kerfeld to be recognized for all her hard work and accomplishments beyond the unit level and to share with others.”
Some notable performances worth mentioning are that Kerfeld was part of a joint search led by the Drug Enforcement Agency, which led to the seizure of illegal drugs. This incident culminated in a six-month surveillance operation that resulted in the arrest of thirty-one personnel and the disruption of a drug ring on the installation.
In addition to her performance on duty, Kerfeld is also heavily involved in the community.
She is one of the four-unit Drug Abuse Resistance Education instructors and has led five educational outreach events at the Anchorage School District. Kerfeld also advocated for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through education and training, championing inclusion and acceptance across the installation.
“I am passionate about building relationships with the community,” Kerfeld added. “I want to use my voice in the LGBTQIA community to support equality and gender nonconforming equality. I don’t think change is happening fast enough, but I know plenty of advocates are fighting for something they believe in.”