250910-F-DE541-1822

U.S. Air Force defenders assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, participate in the 16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. The challenge was held in memory of 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. who was the first security forces officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War, Sept. 8, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250908-F-DE541-1230

Jeanne Rhea-McManus, 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.’s sister, awards the 2nd place medal to Ansumana Turay, Office of Special Investigations Detachment 340 special agent, following the 16th annual Helton Hall 5K held at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2025. The 5K honors her brother who extended his deployment to continue leading missions near Baghdad and was killed by an improvised explosive device on Sept. 8, 2009. Helton was the first security forces officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250908-F-DE541-1247

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Isabella Norris, 6th Force Support Squadron force management officer in charge, participates in the 16th annual Helton Hall 5K held at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2025. Norris received the third place medal in the 5K. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.'s leadership and sacrifice are remembered at MacDill AFB through Helton Hall and the annual Lt. Helton Memorial Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250908-F-DE541-1422

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Oscar Gomez, 6th Security Forces Squadron standardization and evaluation noncommissioned officer in charge, congratulates Tech. Sgt. Erica Hudson, 6th SFS superintendent, during the 16th annual Helton Hall 5K at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2025. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., voluntarily deployed from MacDill to Iraq. He extended his tour to continue leading missions, ultimately giving his life during an improvised explosive attack Sept. 8, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250908-F-DE541-1449

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Clements III, 6th Security Forces Squadron commander, rucks during the 16th annual Helton Hall 5K at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2025. The 5K was held in memory of 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., the first security forces officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250910-F-DE541-1693

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Ford, 6th Security Forces Squadron entry controller, pushes a humvee with three other Airmen during the 16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. is remembered for his selfless leadership and motto: “Don’t be a weak sauce.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250908-F-DE541-1547

U.S. Air Force Christopher Hyman, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and MWD Jenny participate in the 16th annual Helton Hall 5K at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2025. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. is remembered for his selfless leadership and motto: “Don’t be a weak sauce.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250910-F-DE541-1465

U.S. Air Force defenders assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron participate in the 16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. exemplified service before self when he extended his Iraq tour and gave his life on Sept. 8, 2009, during his 44th outside-the-wire mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250910-F-DE541-1181

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jayden Sanchez, 6th Security Forces Squadron marine patrolman, participates in the 16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. exemplified service before self when he extended his Iraq tour and gave his life on Sept. 8, 2009, during his 44th outside-the-wire mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250910-F-DE541-2104

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Erica Hudson, 6th Security Forces Plans and Programs superintendent, and Senior Master Sgt. Kara Marszalek, 6th SFS first sergeant, low crawl during the 16th Annual Helton Week defender’s challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. The challenge was held in memory of 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. who was the first security forces officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War, Sept. 8, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
250910-F-DE541-1059

Jiffy Helton, 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.’s mother, speaks to participants in the installation’s 16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. The challenge was held in memory of her son, 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., who was the first security forces officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War, Sept. 8, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge

Published Sept. 18, 2025
By A1C Helen Ly
6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Air Force defenders assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, participate in the 16th annual Helton Week defenders challenge at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 10, 2025. The challenge was held in memory of 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. who was the first security forces officer killed in military operations since the Vietnam War, Sept. 8, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

250910-F-DE541-1822

250908-F-DE541-1230

250908-F-DE541-1247

250908-F-DE541-1422

250908-F-DE541-1449

250910-F-DE541-1693

250908-F-DE541-1547

250910-F-DE541-1465

250910-F-DE541-1181

250910-F-DE541-2104

250910-F-DE541-1059