Eglin honor guard brings prestige to ceremonies

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Seven Airmen pause in the bright sunlight, readying themselves for their final honor guard evaluation after 80 hours of instruction. A panel of training instructors surrounds them, ready to evaluate their execution and whether they perform the ceremony in the proper sequence.

Today's test is a standard honors funeral, a ceremony that is performed for people who have served in the military for 20 years or more. If the trainees pass this evaluation, they will be inducted into the flight and will be able to don the ceremonial uniform, a service dress uniform with added details such as silver braid, a ceremonial hat, white gloves and metal taps which provide a distinct sound during ceremonies.

The honor guard is also facing challenges in the future, as Eglin has now assumed a greater area of responsibility, increasing from 12 counties to 20.

"The responsibility of performing a ceremonial detail; be it a color guard, change of command, retirement, wedding, awards ceremony, recognition ceremony, remembrance ceremony, memorial service or funeral; is not a trivial matter," said Chief Master Sgt. William Gurney, Air Force Materiel Command command chief.

About 25 Airmen belong to the Eglin Honor Guard. Each Airman that volunteers for honor guard duty reports to the honor guard flight for 120 days. Every two months, a new flight of trainees reports for duty, undergoing a rigorous training that encompasses learning all of the drill and ceremony movements for each ceremony.

"The training is challenging -- mentally and physically," said Tech. Sgt. Troy Kiick, Eglin Honor Guard NCOIC. "Each group starts out by learning the fundamentals provided by the Air Force Honor Guard at Bolling [Air Force Base, D.C.]. Each person has to learn a whole new way of doing things, such as facing movements."

The training takes place at the honor guard training facility, a building that houses all the members, their uniforms and a myriad of practice equipment such as caskets, flags, rifles, swords and a large outdoor training area.

Every effort is made to provide a realistic environment, from adding weight to the caskets to supplying rollers for a simulated hearse and an overhang at their practice burial site.

"We try to prepare as much as possible, so that we can be ready for any scenario," Sergeant Kiick said.

One scenario that the group faces is trying to man more details due to a larger area of responsibility. Eglin assumed some counties that previously belonged to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., because of its larger size.

"As our Team Eglin Honor Guard faces continued challenges with more area of responsibility, they continue to remain focused and ready to meet all challenges," said Chief Master Sgt. Troy Engholm, Air Armament Center and 96th Air Base Wing command chief.

Challenges aside, Sergeant Kiick said his biggest focus is to ensure that the Airmen who give their time and effort to the honor guard remain sharp and ready for any detail.

"Every time a member of our Honor Guard dons their uniform, with their sharp creases, impeccable shine and meticulous attention to detail, they pay homage to the many brave men and women who gave their last measure of strength answering the call of freedom," Chief Gurney said. "These Honor Guardsmen, who strive for perfection with precision movement and execution, bring great pride to our Air Force and to our nation."

Chief Engholm echoed his thoughts.

"Our Team Eglin Honor Guard members are extremely dedicated and devoted to carry out the highly coveted duty that showcase their talents throughout our military and civilian community," Chief Engholm said. "They consistently carry out an exceptional high standard in which we should all admire. I'm so proud of each and every individual that dons the Honor Guard uniform and we appreciate their loyalty and actions that add credit to the United States Air Force."