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Creech Ceremonial Team, providing honor to a unique base
By Senior Airman Adarius Petty
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs that happens here on Creech AFB,”
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. —
Honor, dignity, service. These words
describe members of the base honor
guard which supports most Air Force
installations; most, but not all. Bases
such as, Creech AFB, do not have the
luxury of a full honor guard due to dis-
tance, location and manning.
Creech AFB recognized this
short fall and implemented its own
team. Welcome the Creech Ceremo-
nial Team which is a command chief
directed program that takes the place
of a base honor guard. If Nellis AFB
honor guard is unable to support,
Creech AFB’s own CCT is at the ready.
Tech. Sgt. Evan 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Creech Ceremonial Team
NCO in charge spins a rifle on Feb. 26. To provide a continuous level of support the CCT
is made up of approximately 35 members who serve on a voluntary basis. They support
a minimum of one detail per week but have had as many as four details in one duty day.
TRIALS, from page 1 ___________
archery, basketball, cycling, track and
field, swimming, shooting and volleyball.
“I am here because I had a difficult
time with a traumatic brain injury and
post traumatic stress disorder, and events
like this have helped with my recovery
process,” said Robert Scoggins, Air Force
Wounded Warrior. “I love being here,
it’s hard to put into words but it is pretty
overwhelming the support and effort that
everyone here is providing.”
Bill Snodgrass, Air Force Personnel
Feature 5March 4, 2016
Facebook.com/NellisBullseye
“Our mission is to provide ceremo-
nial support to any military ceremony
said Tech. Sgt. Evan, 432nd Wing
CCT assistant NCO in charge. ”We are
here to provide honor guard services
for Creech which also helps the Nel-
lis honor guard so they don’t have to
travel here frequently.”
To provide a continuous level of
support the CCT is made up of ap-
proximately 35 members who serve
on a voluntary basis. They maintain
a minimum of one detail per week but
have had as many as four details in
one duty day.
An increased number of volunteers
are needed especially during the sum-
mer months when the team is very
U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Senior Airman Adarius Petty
Senior Airman Kimberly, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Creech Ceremonial
Team member holds a flag on Feb. 26. To provide a continuous level of support the CCT
is made up of approximately 35 members who serve on a voluntary basis. They maintain
a minimum of one detail per week but have had as many as four details in one duty day.
U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Senior Airman Adarius Petty busy providing support by present- “It’s a completely volunteer team
ing the colors, flag folding, and other we are not under contract, but if every
prestigious events like retirements, member stays with us for a year and
promotions, and memorial ceremo- completes enough details they are
nies. likely to get submitted for a decora-
Not only does the CCT provide the tion.” Evan said.
base with the necessary ceremonial The CCT welcomes new volunteers.
requirements it provides its volunteers For more information about the CCT
with a sense of pride. o r h o w t o j o i n p l e a s e c o n t a c t t h eir
“It’s always nice to honor those who organizational email at 432wg.cer-
have completed something great or emony@us.af.mil.
sacrificed their lives for their coun-
try,” said Staff Sgt. Quentin, 432nd
Wing CCT member. “Those events
are very emotional and there’s some-
thing you feel when you see what these
individuals have done and what they
sacrificed for this country. It’s reward-
ing to be able to honor them.”
Because joining the Ceremonial
Team is completely voluntary, unlike
a traditional honor guard, no con-
tracts are signed. Airman interested
in joining should have at minimum
completed their career development
courses and receive approval from
their leadership.
Center executive director, joined Col. Zev Force Wounded Warrior veterans who Soldiers and civilians gathered to meet
York, the 99th Air Base Wing vice com- will be competing against other teams with athletes and discuss the games.
mander, and Las Vegas community part- from around the world in May.
ners to celebrate the opening ceremonies. “This week is not just about recovery
After lighting the cauldron, mem- but redefining what happens to people
“It’s an honor to be here today with bers of 66th Rescue Squadron flew two after an injury, illness or catastrophic
these amazing people,” said Snodgrass. HH-60G Pave Hawks over the crowd, event.,” said retired 1st Lt. Rachel Fran-
“All these athletes in front of you are and Staff Sgt. August O’Neil, Air Force cis, Air Force Wounded Warrior staff
people who’ve worked very hard to make Wounded Warrior accompanied by member. “My favorite part about this
it here.” fellow pararescueman Staff Sgt. Nick week is when you see a wounded warrior
Robillard, hoisted down to deliver the who never thought they had a chance
After Snodgrass’s speech, the Team Wounded Warrior Care Beyond Duty to make the team compete in an event,
USA Invictus Games competitors lit the flag which was later presented to Brian finish and look up to realize that they
cauldron signifying the beginning of and Shirley Churchill. were first place, that moment makes all
the Air Force Trials. The nine athletes of this worth it.”
who helped light the cauldron are all Air As the ceremony concluded Airmen,