News Search

Air Force Honor Guard dazzles Sabers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Air Force Honor Guard performed before a captivated audience at Spangdahlem Air Base Aug. 2.

The team executed flawless maneuvers with a standard M-14 rifles with fixed bayonets in close proximity to one another; their hours of training and dedication to perfecting their skill was apparent.

Staff Sgt. Theodore Miller, Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guards drill team member, decided to apply to be a member of this elite team after serving on the base honor guard at Lackland Air Base, Texas.

"It was something that I loved doing," he said. "I dedicated most of my time to the base honor guard. So I decided to go forward and put my package in to do it full time. I just love what we leave with the folks -- the smiles on their faces, the fact that we are representing their loved ones and that we give someone their final salute before we lay them to rest."

Like 80 percent of the Airmen on the team, Senior Airman Rob Bonello was recruited from basic training. He made the decision to apply during his second week of training, two weeks later he learned he was accepted.

"Being young myself, 21 years old, the best part of this job is being part of a great organization and an elite team," he said. "We travel over the world; meet new people and go to different countries."

Once a package is received by the Air Force Honor Guard, it is reviewed by their chief and commander. If they are interested in the Airman, they send a request to Air Force Personnel Center to see if the applicant can be released for the assignment. The process takes between six to eight weeks. Applications are accepted year round.

The Air Force Honor Guard members maintain a demanding schedule.

"Times can get tough when you are on the road for 180 days a year, you are doing three or four consecutive drills, sometimes three in one day can be rigorous," Airman Bonello said. "We go to Lackland AFB once a year for a month for training. We train for about 16 hours a day. We will be out there doing PT or drilling learning new routines."

This Air Force Honor Guard tour is the first time the team has been overseas in three years.

"This is my first time doing something this vast, going to so many different countries," Sergeant Miller said. "We just came from Hungary and Italy and now we are in Germany. We did a drill down with the Czech Republic and Hungary militaries. It is my first time I have had a chance interacting with another country's military.

"The Air Force is everywhere," Sergeant Miller said. "We can't just keep ourselves state side and not support the Airmen folks overseas. It is important to include them in our schedule."

Members of the audience were impressed with what they saw during the demonstration featuring weapon maneuvers, precise tosses, complex weapon exchanges and a walk through the gauntlet of spinning weapons.

This was the first time Tech. Sgt. Rob Jones, 52nd CS voice network systems craftsman and Spangdahlem AB Honor Guard member, was able to see the Air Force team perform in person.

"It was awesome, you don't get any sharper than these guys," he said. "You think of this honor guard team and you think of perfection. It was really a sight to see."

Sergeant Jones has turned in a package to become a member of the Air Force Honor Guard team.

"A factor behind my decision to apply is the challenge," he said. "I am always willing to step up to a challenge and a desire to represent the Air Force as professionally as possible."

After watching the teams performance, Col. Thomas Feldhausen, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, was presented with a memento from the team for the bases' support of their visit.

"This demonstration truly is a hallmark of the best we have in the United States Air Force," he said.

For more information about the Air Force Honor Guard, visit www.honorguard.af.mil/drillteam/.