Photo By Jason Treffry | The 3rd Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard” Honor Guard company commander, U.S. Army...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, Washington, D.C. — On Feb. 9, 2023, U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Nathan Zahn, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard commander, became the first Guardian to lead a platoon and represent the service in a joint ceremonial detail at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
Zahn led the U.S. Air Force platoon. He was joined by counterparts from the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, at a wreath-laying ceremony for Georgia’s visiting defense minister, Juansher Burtchuladze. Burchuladze was flanked by dignitaries and a military escort for the occasion, a tradition for allies who wish to honor the sacrifices of American service members.
After the ceremony, Zahn reflected on the milestone. “It is an honor to represent America’s newest service in a joint ceremonial detail for the first time at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our country has a hard-fought legacy of freedom, secured by the warriors resting at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as all veterans, those currently serving our nation, and their families. We are proud to honor these selfless Americans with our Georgian partners, and I am forever grateful,” he said.
Zahn commissioned into the Space Force in 2021 after nearly 20 years in the Air Force. He is the first Guardian to take command of a preeminent ceremonial unit in the nation’s capital.
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard fulfills more than 3,000 missions per year. Assignments involve honoring the President of the United States, foreign heads of state and senior Department of Defense and Air Force leaders; performing ceremonial guardsman duties for ceremonies for Presidential and Joint Service events; wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown and the Air Force Memorial; and carrying out military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2023 08:41 |
| Story ID: | 438564 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 144 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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