Honor Guard represents Spangdahlem

Published Sept. 3, 2008
By Senior Airman Lana Mills
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- There's a group of Spangdahlem Airmen that attend almost every base function and ceremony. They are entrusted to uphold the standards of all Airmen. They must epitomize perfection in dress and appearance, customs and courtesies and drill and ceremonies. They are the Spangdahlem Honor Guard.

The Honor Guard's mission is to render military honors and represent the United States Air Force in official events, according to the USAF Honor Guard's official website. The Honor Guard recruits, retains and inspires Airmen through elite, precision drill team performances and is responsible for training and standardizing all base Honor Guard programs.

The Spangdahlem Honor Guard covers Spangdahlem specific events and frequently supports events in Luxembourg, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Geographically separated units have their own small teams.

On average, the Honor Guard will donate between 20 and 30 hours to these events each month. Members also have the same additional duties as other units, such as safety monitors and equipment custodians, to name a few.

Although being in the Honor Guard takes up much of the Airmen's time, they still have the duties within their assigned career fields that cannot be neglected. When not training or performing Honor Guard duties, they have regular jobs and a duty day.

Honor Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Christopher Johnson, says beyond the spiffy uniforms and possible free food at functions, there are other perks to putting in so much extra time and energy into being a member of the Honor Guard. "The real benefits come from the increased visibility, the opportunities to step up and excel and the impact we have on the families of deceased members we honor," he said. "The last one is the biggest for me. That's personally when I know I've made a difference to someone."

Any Airman that would like to join may submit an application to the 52nd Honor Guard; it must be approved by their supervisor, first sergeant and commander. The Airman must also explain why they want to join. The team is 100 percent volunteer and Sergeant Johnson says they seek people who believe in what the Honor Guard represents.

Sergeant Johnson believes the Honor Guard at Spangdahlem is important to the military community and serves as an example to others while providing high standards to peers.

"If nothing else, we act as a reminder to people that they are more than just mechanics, phone repairmen, plumbers or whatever," he said. "They are part of something bigger than their job and part of a proud heritage with an important purpose."