Ambassadors in blue make the crowd 'woo'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In a dazzling display of precise tosses and complex weapon exchanges, the Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performed a 16-man demonstration at Heritage Park August 6, 2010.

Their performance at Holloman is just one stop on a tour of Air Force bases in the Southwest.

"Right now, we're going around to all the different bases in the region to inspire and spread awareness of the United States Air Force to all military and civilian audiences," said Senior Airman Hunter Overton, a member of the USAF Honor Guard Drill Team.

Their choreographed sequences captivated the crowd that included German Air Force members, Col. David Krumm, 49th Wing commander, and former Honor Guard Drill Team flight chief, now a Senior Master Sgt., Steven West.

"I thought the performance was really good. It was a more intense drill than when I was there and they performed different sequences really well," said Sergeant West, who during the performance walked through the gauntlet of spinning weapons. "Being part of the performance is like being an Air Force celebrity ... All of the members of the drill team are a select few of the Honor Guard itself."

Throughout the 62-year history of the USAF Honor Guard, the drill team has been the primary traveling element, working in conjunction with the Air Force Recruiting Service to provide their presence at various Air Force bases, civilian events involving the Air Force, and local communities and schools in every state and many countries abroad. Although they perform at various locations, one of the drill team's main goals is to reach out to the Airmen themselves.

"The drill team travels all over the world ... However, the best places to drill are on Air Force bases," explained Sergeant West. "Other Airmen can see what they have an opportunity to be a part of, and the Honor Guard is really a great place to work."

Through precision, accuracy and timing, members of the drill team always hope to put on a flawless performance for their audiences. Their intense selection process and grueling training schedule allows them to accompish this.

"We practice really hard and have full days of drilling and even on days when we do performances, we still run through our sequences three times or so ... Even during performances when people are clapping, I don't even realize they are there because all of my focus is on the person in front and behind me," said Airman Overton.

The drill team also performed a four-man demonstration at the Elk's Lodge in Alamogordo, N.M., for Operation Wounded Warrior Dine and Dance, and a 16-man demonstration at the conclusion of the Otero County Fair Parade. All of their performances were done to satisfy the team's mission of promoting the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances to recruit, retain and inspire individuals.

"Our main job is to inspire," said Airman Overton.

Those interested in joining the USAF Honor Guard Drill Team must first submit an application to the USAF Honor Guard. For any questions involving the USAF Honor Guard or any of its elements, or to access electronic applications to join the Honor Guard, visit the USAF Honor Guard's Web site at http://www.honorguard.af.mil.