Page 6 - March ARB Beacon 9-4-15

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Eleven Blue Eagles graduate at March Field

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The March Field Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard graduated 11 new
members at a formal ceremony here August 21, 2015, where Class HG-1, fis-
cal year 2015, was introduced to distinguished guests, Team March members,
family and friends.

“Today’s ceremony recognizes a total of 11 new graduates who have com-
pleted 80 hours of basic protocol, honors and ceremonies training,” said Staff
Sgt. John Hicks, the unit’s NCOIC. “This course was established to provide
training and procedural guidance for rendering proper military funeral honors.”

The ceremony began with class HG-1 demonstrating a mock military honors
funeral service that was narrated by Master Sgt. Darryl Willingham, training
flight NCO, 452nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron.

“They have accomplished something that many people cannot do,” said Will-
ingham. “And today each one of our young champions that are graduating will
be reminded of the light (honor, precision, attitude, and discipline) that was
placed inside of them the day that they walked on.”

Class HG-1’s flawless performance is a reflection of the Honor Guard’s pri-
mary mission toward honoring those who have served our nation.

“What I saw out there was unbelievable precision among the group,” said
Maj. Alan Tornay, deputy commander, 452nd Mission Support Group. “What
the Honor Guard does on a daily basis to represent March (ARB) is truly out-
standing.”

Every movement, notable in their performance, was perfected individually
and as a team.

“This is a direct result of their hard work, commitment to excellence, and a
strong desire to serve and honor our Air Force heroes,” said Hicks.

Becoming an Honor Guard member is more than just the precise drill move-
ments and immaculate uniform appearance. It’s about being entrusted to uphold
the standards of all Airmen and be the epitome of perfection, Hicks said.

The ceremonial guardsmen is an individual of good reputation, having integ-
rity, ethical conduct and exhibiting standards which merit respect; responsible
for protecting and overseeing the maintenance of standards on and off duty,
Tornay said.

The team’s primary mission is to provide military funeral honors for active
duty, retiree and veteran members who served honorably in the United States
Air Force and Army Air Corp. The secondary mission is to perform military
changes of command, retirements, retreats and other special functions.

Their area of responsibility extends from the Ventura County border to the
Arizona and Mexico borders, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Nevada border,
covering nearly 50,000 square miles.

“This is not something you just put on a uniform Monday through Friday to
do,” Tornay said when he addressed the class. “This is a 24/7 job and I thank
you (HG-1) and your family for your level of commitment.”

The Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard includes personnel from March
ARB, Los Angeles and Edwards Air Force Bases, all in southern California,
and is comprised of all three components; Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve
and Air National Guard.

“It is truly an occupation which requires outstanding devotion and commit-
ment to duty,” said Tornay. “By maintaining our history and exceptionally high
standards, Honor Guards will continue to remain an icon of excellence.”

Congratulations to the HG-1, FY15 graduating class: Senior Airman Miguel
Aguirre, 56th Aerial Port Squadron; Senior Airmen Nicholas Avise, Amy Cole-
man and Airman Diana Torres-Cervantes, 452nd Force Support Squadron; Staff
Sgt. Emerald Diehl, 163rd Force Support Squadron; Senior Airman Justin Mar-
tinez, 752nd Medical Squadron; Senior Airman Rene McKinney, 452nd Air-
craft Maintenance Squadron; Senior Airman Noe Munoz, 452nd Maintenance
Squadron, March ARB; and Staff Sgt. Johnathan Sabat-Figueroa, 412th Force
Support Squadron, Edwards AFB.