AF Drill Team performs for Team Eglin

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The USAF Honor Guard Drill Team made Eglin their first stop during their Fla. tour, performing complex drill routines for Team Eglin Aug. 17. 

Spectators from the Youth Center, fitness center and the Air Force Enlisted Village witnessed the 16-person team performance. 

They demonstration featured choreographed sequence of weapon maneuvers, precise tosses, complex weapon exchanges and a walk through the gauntlet of spinning, 11-pound M-1 Garande rifles with fixed bayonets. 

The Drill Team also provided a four-person performance centered on a stationary drill flight chief, flanked by four team members who simultaneously hurl their 11-pound weapons over and around the flight chief. 

Their first performance at the Youth Center captivated the audience of elementary-school-aged children. After their demonstration the children stormed out of the bleachers to get autographs and meet Drill Team members. 

"The children are probably our biggest fans," said Master Sgt. Steven West, Drill Team flight chief. "We get the most energy out of them." 

The Drill Team is the traveling component of the USAF Honor Guard that promotes Air Force awareness among military and civilian audiences through their routines. 

"Anytime we get to go out to various bases recruiting and inspiring others to join is something to be proud of," said Staff Sgt. Adam Clonick, Drill Team Current Missions NCOIC. 

Drill Team members are hand-picked from current USAF Honor Guard personnel. Drill Team training is a 4 to 6-week training course that teaches the fundamentals of precision drill. 

As a matter of heritage, technical drill maneuvers are not written in a manual but rather passed from one generation of Drill Team members to another. 

Drill Team members have the unique opportunity to travel the globe conducting military ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon and national memorials. 

"This is the best job I could ever have," said Sergeant Clonick. "Getting the opportunity to go to Arlington Cemetery and rendering military honors to fallen soldiers is one of the single greatest moments of my Air Force career." 

The Drill Team will visit other Air Force bases over the coming weeks including Tyndall AFB, MacDill AFB, and Patrick AFB