Recognition of exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity during enlisted active service. This ribbon represents the everyday discipline and dependable performance expected of an Airman.
Recognition of honorable active military service during designated periods of national defense. Casey’s service from 2016 through 2022 falls within the period that began on September 11, 2001.
Recognition of service supporting designated Global War on Terrorism operations. It encompasses qualifying support at home and overseas, including the protection and readiness work that sustains a wider mission.
Earned during Casey’s assignment to Malmstrom Air Force Base with the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron. The medal recognizes qualifying service supporting nuclear deterrence operations.
The N device marks qualifying hands-on nuclear mission duty. For Casey, it belongs to his work in missile security at Malmstrom.
Recognition of a completed overseas assignment meeting Air Force long-tour credit requirements. It records an assignment milestone within Casey’s service.
Recognition of four years of honorable military service. Alongside the individual assignments and qualifications, this ribbon marks sustained service over time.
Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
Casey’s Airman Leadership School graduation is represented by this ribbon. ALS develops the leadership, communication and supervisory skills needed to take responsibility for a team.
The silver E identifies Expert qualification on the Navy pistol course. This ribbon records Casey’s pistol proficiency under the Navy qualification standard.
Casey earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in gold while stationed in Hawaii. Its highest grade recognizes proficiency across a demanding combination of physical fitness and military skills.
The badge brings together swimming, running, strength, marksmanship and a loaded march, alongside first-aid and protective-readiness requirements. Preparing across those disciplines called for consistency, versatility and determination.
Casey attained the Security Forces seven-skill level during his active-duty service. His professional development grew alongside responsibilities in airlift security, protective support and the nuclear-deterrence mission.
The senior Force Protection occupational badge carries a single star above the central design. The display uses the official 2019 specification drawing.
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Awarded with the “N” device
Casey earned the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with the “N” device through his service at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
With the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron, he supported a mission built on readiness, sustained attention and dependable execution. The responsibility of nuclear security made discipline and teamwork essential every day.
Casey graduated from Airman Leadership School during his Air Force service. The experience formed part of his development as a Staff Sergeant and Security Forces professional.
Leadership meant preparing thoroughly, communicating clearly and taking responsibility for the team. Those habits carried across assignments and continue to shape his work.
AIR MOBILITY SECURITY
Pacific airlift security
647th Security Forces Squadron · Hawaii
At Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Casey served on FAST assignments supporting Pacific airlift security. His work took him across the region in support of humanitarian and repatriation missions.
He also served as one of Hickam’s advanced designated marksmen and provided protective support for presidential and vice-presidential visits. Each assignment called for adaptability, preparation and careful judgment.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE UNIFORM
Preparation. Judgment. Responsibility.
STAFF SERGEANT · SECURITY FORCES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Casey Knott’s Air Force service brought together the demands of protection, readiness and responsibility to a team.
At Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, his work with the 647th Security Forces Squadron extended across Pacific airlift security, humanitarian support and repatriation missions. FAST assignments called for adaptability across unfamiliar settings. Advanced designated marksman duties and protective support placed a premium on precision, restraint and sound judgment.
His professional development included Airman Leadership School and the Security Forces seven-skill level. Those milestones belong alongside the practical lessons of working with others under demanding conditions. Earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in gold and participating in expeditionary Security Forces competitions added another dimension: the discipline to prepare, to be assessed and to keep developing.
With the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom, his service supported nuclear deterrence—a mission built on sustained attention and dependable execution. Across these assignments, the consistent themes are preparation, teamwork and respect for the consequences of decisions.
The chapter recorded here is personal. It recognizes the work, preserves the memories and honors the responsibility that accompanied the uniform.
Active-duty service: December 13, 2016 – December 12, 2022.
02 / THE YEARS
Two assignments. Many responsibilities.
Six years of service, from Pacific airlift security to the nuclear-deterrence mission.
01
United States Air Force
The beginning
Casey enlisted on December 13, 2016, beginning six years of active-duty service in the United States Air Force and a career in Security Forces.
02
647th Security Forces Squadron · Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam
Across the Pacific
A three-year Hawaii assignment, extended by about two months during COVID. With the 647th Security Forces Squadron, Casey provided FAST security for Pacific airlift, humanitarian support and repatriation missions, and served as one of Hickam’s advanced designated marksmen.
03
Presidential and vice-presidential visits
Protective support
Casey provided security for vice-presidential visits and supported a U.S. Secret Service counter-sniper team during President Trump’s first-term visit to Hawaii. Precision, restraint and sound judgment were central to the mission.
04
Tarawa, Kiribati → Hawaii
Bringing them home
Casey provided security support for the return of fallen World War II service members from Tarawa, including the July 17, 2019 honorable carry at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. It was a solemn responsibility: helping bring them home.
Casey provided security support for Pacific Angel 19-4 in Papua New Guinea. The September 2019 mission brought humanitarian health and civic assistance to communities around Lae.
In Guam, Casey participated in two MAJCOM expeditionary Security Forces competitions associated with Commando Warrior. The experience brought preparation, physical effort and team coordination together under demanding conditions.
07
741st Missile Security Forces Squadron · Malmstrom Air Force Base
The deterrence mission
With the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Casey supported the nuclear-deterrence mission. Readiness, teamwork and dependable execution defined the assignment.
08
Honorable separation
The next chapter
Casey separated honorably on December 12, 2022. The habits of preparation, teamwork and careful judgment continue to shape the work that followed.
03 / A PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE
A wider world.
Places connected by service. Select a destination to explore Casey’s travels.
THE PACIFIC · GEOGRAPHIC OVERVIEWSELECT A PLACE BELOW
Security support for Pacific Angel 19-4 · September 2019.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Nauru
A destination during Casey’s Air Force service.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Guam
Multiple visits for service and expeditionary Security Forces competitions.
SERVICE TRAVEL
American Samoa
Service travel · September 2018.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Philippines
A destination during Casey’s Air Force service.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Japan
A destination during Casey’s Air Force service.
SERVICE TRAVEL
India
A destination during Casey’s Air Force service.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Thailand
Service travel · December 2018.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Kiribati
Repatriation security support in Tarawa · July 2019.
SERVICE TRAVEL
Marshall Islands
A destination during Casey’s Air Force service.
Guam and American Samoa are U.S. territories.
04 / MOMENTS, KEPT
The photographs.
Moments from Casey’s personal collection. Open a frame to take a closer look.
↗01On the flight line↗02Inside the aircraft↗03A night on the ramp↗04A Pacific memory↗05Between destinations↗06An honorable carry↗07A solemn journey↗08In the evening light↗09A moment to reset↗10Shared effort↗11After dark
On the flight line
On the flight line, beside a transport aircraft. From Casey’s personal collection.
Inside the aircraft
Inside the cargo aircraft. From Casey’s personal collection.
A night on the ramp
A night on the ramp. From Casey’s personal collection.
A Pacific memory
A farewell in American Samoa. From Casey’s personal collection.
Between destinations
Between destinations, aboard the aircraft. From Casey’s personal collection.
An honorable carry
An honorable carry from the aircraft. From Casey’s personal collection.
A solemn journey
Flag-draped transfer cases aboard the aircraft. From Casey’s personal collection.
In the evening light
Evening light across a solemn journey. From Casey’s personal collection.
A moment to reset
A quiet moment outdoors. From Casey’s personal collection.
Shared effort
Shared effort and teamwork. From Casey’s personal collection.
After dark
On duty after dark. From Casey’s personal collection.
From the flight line to the moments between missions.
BEYOND THE UNIFORM
Carried forward.
The places change. The responsibility stays. Preparation, teamwork and careful judgment connect this chapter of service to the systems Casey builds today.
