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Wings of a Raven: Laughlin’s first Phoenix Raven graduate

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Harrison Sullivan
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

Before earning the coveted Phoenix Raven tab, Senior Airman Daevon Larkins, 47th Security Forces Squadron trainer, was another young defender learning the ropes at the 47th Security Forces Squadron. 

Inspired by a family history of law enforcement, Larkins knew early on that protecting others was the path he wanted to pursue. His mother served as a military police officer in the Army, while his stepfather works as a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. 

"My mother kind of inspired me to do military police thing," Larkins said. "My family has a lot of law enforcement background, and they always felt like it would be a good fit for me coming out of high school.” 

After arriving at Laughlin, Larkins quickly built a reputation of professionalism and dedication. Beginning his career working entry control points, he steadily earned additional certifications and responsibilities, becoming a patrolman, obtaining his BDOC certification and eventually qualifying for the armory. 

His work ethic eventually led him to a position within the squadron's training section, a role once held by his mentor Staff Sgt. Terry Johnson. 

“The job opened to become a trainer and that was the first thing I wanted to go after and attack,” he said. “I remember being phase one and seeing how Staff Sgt. Johnson was squared away and just a good guy, so I looked to him. When the opportunity arose, I took advantage of it.” 

But long before joining Team XL, Larkins had already been introduced to the idea of what it meant to demonstrate excellence every day. While attending Basic Military Training, one of his military training instructors, a fellow Security Forces defender and Raven, left a lasting impression, leading Larkins to want to pursue the Phoenix Raven course and earn the title of Raven. 

"She walked differently than the other MTIs," Larkins recalled. "She represented what a Phoenix Raven was. She talked about the missions and all the places she'd traveled, and I remember thinking, 'Wow, I really want to do that.'" 

Phoenix Ravens are specially trained Security Forces members responsible for protecting aircraft, aircrew and critical assets in austere and high-threat environments around the world. Their missions often require operating with limited support while serving as the first line of defense for Air Mobility Command assets. 

Although Laughlin is not a traditional Raven hub, an opportunity eventually became available. Under the mentorship of Master Sgt. Jordan Arredondo, 47th Security Forces Squadron silver flag Mission Qualification Course section chief, Larkins completed a demanding pre-Raven course and was selected to attend the 28-day Phoenix Raven Qualification Course at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. 

"I just wanted to lead by example and put on a good representation for Laughlin," he said. "I want to show the Air Force that we have people here capable of doing Raven things." 

Preparation for the course extended far beyond physical fitness. Guided by Arredondo's experience, Larkins focused on nutrition, running and studying course material before arriving at the schoolhouse. 

Once the course began, candidates were immersed in an environment designed to push them beyond their limits. Days were filled with physical training, classroom instruction and practical exercises intended to replicate the stress and fatigue encountered during real-world missions. Students spent days mastering hand-to-hand techniques before entering peer-to-peer fights and the infamous Red Man evaluation inside the "House of Pain." There, candidates must demonstrate their ability to communicate, adapt and continue fighting through adversity. 

Despite the physical exhaustion, quitting never crossed Larkins’ mind. 

"I put on this representation for the base, for my family and for myself, and I wasn't about to let anyone down." said Larkins. "There was no way I wasn't bringing that tab home." 

Weeks of training culminated in graduation, where Larkins was selected to carry the guidon during the seven-mile graduation run — an honor reserved for one of the class's top performers. 

"I shed a few tears," he said. "It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I felt so accomplished. I was proud to bring that tab back home and represent not only the base, but our squadron." 

For Larkins, earning the Raven tab means joining a legacy built on trust, sacrifice and brotherhood. Though many associate Phoenix Ravens with tactical missions, Larkins says one of the biggest misconceptions is that the job revolves around force alone. 

"We do a lot of verbal judo and de-escalation," he said. "Sometimes we're in deployed countries where we have to rely on communication and our training." 

As the first Airman from Laughlin to earn the Raven tab, Larkins hopes his accomplishment serves as motivation for those who follow. Looking toward the future, Larkins hopes to serve with a Raven hub and eventually deploy on missions around the world.