JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Graduating Airmen at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s coin and retreat ceremony got a first-hand look at the precision and discipline of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team April 14.
The honor guard was invited to perform for Fiesta events, an annual celebration that commemorates the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
While in San Antonio, the team brought their unique drill routine – where slick shoes click together, heels turn on a dime and bayoneted rifles fly through the air in careful choreography – to several area events.
The group was particularly excited to perform at the JBSA-Lackland coin ceremony, given the size of the audience, said 1st Lt. Kenda Gusme, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard director of operations.
Basic military training weekly graduates on average 700 to 800 Airmen.
"This is a phenomenal opportunity to be here performing," Gusme said. "As a commander, you’ve just got adrenaline rushing, because you’re making sure the group is going at 100 percent for the spectators."
The drill team is stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C.
Knowing that JBSA-Lackland is where all enlisted Airmen are first introduced to the high standards of the Air Force during basic military training, Gusme said the drill team couldn’t have picked a better place to make a first impression on these Airmen.
"We’re representing every Airman and we want to make sure we convey exactly what we stand for as Airmen with these performances," she said. "That means we need to display discipline and precision."
Airman 1st Class Kosei Carty and Senior Airman Angela Mitchell, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team ceremonial guardsmen, talked about their experiences during basic training.
"I feel like it’s changed quite a bit," Carty said. "It’s really cool coming back and being able to experience – all over again – what we came through here."
Mitchell agreed, noting that it was an honor to perform for Airmen who were taking the same steps towards an Air Force career that she did.
"It’s an awesome feeling being here," she said. "This is these Airmen’s biggest day. It’s the first time they get to see their families again and the first time they feel like they’re Airmen instead of trainees, so it’s cool to be able to perform for them."
The honor guard performed at other Fiesta events such as the Taste of New Orleans Sunday. They will also be visiting local colleges and high schools such as the University of Texas at San Antonio, Samuel Clemens High School, Sam Houston High School and Sidney Lanier High School.
For more information about the honor guard, visit http://www.honorguard.af.mil.