Nellis Honor Guard undergoes overhaul Published Dec. 12, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles Nellis Public Affairs office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Every week the Nellis Honor Guard represents the Airmen of not only the Las Vegas area but the whole Air Force. These ceremonial guardsmen are some of the most dedicated and well rounded Airmen that the Air Force has to offer. Their bearing, unbreakable; their uniforms, pristine; and their presentation, perfect. Nellis' Honor Guard is for many local civilians and foreign nationals, the first up close look they have of the U.S. Air Force. These liaisons to the Air Force provide a look at the cooperation and precision for which our Air Force is conducted. Every year Nellis' ceremonial guardsmen represent the Air Force in events for more than one million people. "Being a ceremonial guardsman is unique privilege," said William Lewis, 99th Force Support Squadron personnel specialist and ex honor guardsman. "To know that you are part of a select group that represents the every member of the Air Force is a great honor. So what do these ceremonial guardsmen do? This select group of Airmen has the honor of presenting the symbol of freedom for this nation, the American flag, at events that include national parades, sporting events and special ceremonies. They also have the privilege of rendering the final salute to more 450 departed wingmen over the course of a year. "One of the more emphasized lines in our U.S. Air Force Creed is that we as Airmen will never leave another Airman behind, said Airman 1st Class Ashley Banks, 99th Force Support Squadron food service specialist and Nellis ceremonial guardsman. "In maintaining our creed we took as Airman, we as honor guardsman make sure that our fallen wingman, who have served our country at some point honorably are not forgotten." The Nellis Honor Guard recently announced that it will also be making major overhauls to every part of its daily operations. Originally only ranks of staff sergeant and below could volunteer to become a ceremonial guardsman. Under the new guidelines, all ranks are encouraged to serve as a guardsman. Another major change to the Honor Guard was the time serving as a ceremonial guardsman. Previously volunteers from various squadrons around Nellis and Creech would take permissive temporary duty assignments and become full time honor guard members for four months. After their four month detail, they train the new incoming volunteers and go back to their respective squadron. One of the new plans for the Honor Guard includes eliminating the four month rotation and incorporating a three-flight system. This system takes three flights of 25 members, each including one officer in charge, one non-commissioned officer in charge, six flight sergeants and 17 other flight members. Team members from these three flights sign up for a one year commitment and rotate full honor guard duties between flights every two weeks. Each flight goes through two weeks of full Honor Guard duties of which they carry out scheduled events and accomplish needed training. When a new flight starts its two weeks of full Honor Guard duty, the original flight goes into an on call status. In the on-call status flight members return to their work centers but are called upon for relief if the work necessary exceeds the on duty flight's manning. The final stage of this three flight rotation is the two week off schedule status. At this time the flight is not called upon for honor guard activities and return to their regular work centers for duty. This three-flight system ensures that members of the Honor Guard are not burned out by the strenuous work regiment. "The Airmen selected to become part of the Nellis Honor Guard are some of the sharpest Airman in the Air Force," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Jantz. "Their dedication to serve our community has shown the Las Vegas area the best the Air Force has to offer." For those interested in serving the Air Force and representing Nellis and Creech as the first Airmen to serve as the ceremonial guardsmen under the new guidelines, fill out the application here and submit it to the Nellis Honor Guard Building at bldg. 623. For more information on the new Honor Guard program visit their website at http://www.nellisforcesupport.com/join_the_honor_g.html
