ISRW Ambassadors in Blue train for excellence

Photo By Master Sgt. Alexandre Montes | Airman 1st Class Michael, 29th Intelligence Squadron, laughs at the end of Base Honor Guard rifle movements training Mar. 2 at Fort George G. Meade. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)  

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

03.29.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes 

70th ISR Wing

The team is comprised of all volunteers and maintains traditional leadership roles, such as an officer-in-charge, superintendent and a non-commissioned officer in charge. Several other positions Airmen fill are used to support the team, such as training manager, operations manager and equipment manager. Each doing their part to ensure mission success.
“The 70th ISRW Base Honor Guard is a diverse group of members, varying from SNCOs [senior non-commissioned officers] who have participated in HG at numerous bases around the world, to Airmen right out of tech school who are eager to be part of this military tradition,” 2nd Lt. Erica Zentner, 70th ISRW Base Honor Guard OIC, said. “Because the organization is an all-volunteer honor guard, each and every member fulfills a critical role in allowing the HG to execute its mission and pay the necessary respects at ceremonies across Fort Meade and the local area.”

Zenter said the members of their team “demonstrate invaluable dedication” because they complete their ISR missions while also supporting their Wingmen with Esprit de Corps.

The Airmen support local agencies with ceremony presentations, retirements, distinguished visitor honor cordons and color ceremonies. They also support events for the city and state with events that honor veterans and military members. One ongoing local partnership with the city is presenting the colors during the Preakness races.

As of today, the team only has 10 active members to support these missions, though they are always looking for more volunteers. Because of the nature of the Wing’s mission, some Honor Guardsmen are unable to pull away from their full-time duties to support the base.

“Currently, the team is smaller than we’d like it to be, especially as we move into our busy summer season,” Tech. Sgt. Baine Barreda, Base Honor Guard NCOIC, said. “We are always looking for motivated members to join the team.”

Once an Airman volunteers for the Base Honor Guard, there is training to complete.
“Training typically takes about a month and includes learning rifle movements and presenting the colors,” Barreda said.



“Our members are hard-working volunteers who strive to assist our Wing in maintaining the USAF's time-honored traditions,” Zentner said. The team’s work and ability to operate at a full mission capacity and simultaneously support our organization is a testament to the kind of personnel we want to join our Honor Guard team.”

Airmen who would like to volunteer to join the 70th ISRW Base Honor Guard team can attend their weekly practice Tuesday mornings from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in Building 9801. For more information, contact a team leader at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 03.29.2017
• Date Posted: 03.30.2017 15:51
• Story ID: 228655
• Location: FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD, US