Photo By Staff Sgt. Tabitha Kuykendall | Members of the Kirkuk Regional Air Base Honor Guard perform details such as, posting...... read more read more
The history of the Air Force's Honor Guard dates back to 1948 when Air Force leadership formed this elite ceremonial unit to mirror those units of the other service branches.
Because the honor guard is a representation of the U.S. Air Force to the public, members must present a top-notch standard of appearance and conduct.
The honor guard at Kirkuk Regional Air Base takes that history to heart and is always on the lookout for able-bodied members with an aptitude for performing ceremonial duties.
"When you are an honor guard member, you are representing the U.S. Air Force," said Senior Airman Nelson Vasquez, 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and lead trainer for Kirkuk's honor guard team. "You are the best of the best, which is why you have to look good. If you can't do that, you probably won't like honor guard."
The base honor guard meets twice a week to practice: on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. The Wednesday night practices are mandatory; the Sunday night practices are optional.
The assistant NCO in charge of the KRAB Honor Guard team, Staff Sgt. Jarred Mitchell, 506th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, said it's a good opportunity to learn something new while deployed here.
"I would come out for the camaraderie and the experience of honor guard," he said. "You can practice things out here that you've never done before, and then take that knowledge back to your home base and use it there."
Vasquez agreed.
"It's a good opportunity to get involved, and it's a good challenge," he said. "If you've never done it before, this is a good opportunity to learn. Everyone is welcome and the details aren't hard to do."
The details the KRAB Honor Guard performs usually involve posting of the colors, monthly award and promotional ceremonies, and changes of command.
While they could be called upon to perform details for burial ceremonies, Mitchell said that is not a job they usually get tasked to perform while deployed.
Vasquez said individuals should not feel nervous about getting involved because the trainers are aware of everyone's skill level and take the time to ensure the members are spun up before sending them out to perform.
"I focus more on the members who have never done it before because if they don't know what to do, they won't have the opportunity to do a detail. I make sure they are ready before I send them out to do a detail," he said.
When the time does come to do a detail, Vasquez says the pride one feels as a member of the honor guard is unforgettable.
"I like how people look at you when you are doing a detail," he said. "Some people look at you and think to themselves, 'I want to be part of that or I wish I had the chance to be part of that.' That's why I take it seriously."
The KRAB Honor Guard is always looking for volunteers. Interested individuals should contact their first sergeants.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2010 00:58 |
| Story ID: | 44431 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 212 |
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