News>USAF Honor Guard Drill Team recognized as 'best of the best'
Photos
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team competes during the Joint Service Drill Team Exhibition on April 14, 2012, at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Drill teams from all four branches of the U.S. armed forces and the Merchant Marines competed at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team competes during the Joint Service Drill Team Exhibition on April 14, 2012, at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Air Force team outperformed the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard teams in the fourth year of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
by Airman 1st Class Daniel Burkhardt
11th Wing Public Affairs
4/18/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team outperformed the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard teams in the fourth annual Joint Service Drill Team Competition here April 14.
In a symphony of discipline and precision, the U.S. armed forces' most elite drill teams gathered at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to compete for the title of the "best of the best."
For the Air Force team, however, something went dangerously wrong during the competition.
"I had a broken weapon," said Senior Airman Christopher Martinez-Hernandez, a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team member. "Three or four people were exchanging with it, and at first it was just cracked. But, after it was butted on the ground so many times, when I got it, it was just done."
Despite the unforeseen challenge, the Air Force team pushed on as if nothing had happened.
"Military bearing, discipline," Martinez-Hernandez said. "You just got to keep going. That's our job."
Their dedication to unbreakable bearing paid off, as the Air Force team took first place in the competition.
"I didn't notice (the broken weapon)," said Master Sgt. Nathan Todd, one of the Joint Service Drill Team Competition judges. "Their bearing was not broken and their training propelled them to victory."
The other services' teams also performed well, making the competition a very close call.
"The scores were very close, and I know that I was impressed by a few things from the other branches of service," said Todd. "I think this was one of the best performances I've seen from our guys in the last two years."
The victory didn't come without a price, as the Air Force team put in many hours of practice to perfect their new routine.
"We trained for anywhere from eight to 12 hours a day specifically for this," Martinez-Hernandez said. "We put in a lot of hard work and stayed extra hours."
As the saying goes, nothing good comes easy.
"Putting on this kind of show is really rewarding," said Martinez-Hernandez. "That was our mission today, and that was what we accomplished."
Comments
4/23/2012 5:52:22 PM ET I was the Drill Team Commander my 2nd year at Louisiana Tech's AFROTC detachment a LONG time ago. We marched against the AF Team at the Barksdale AFB Open House and blew everyone away when we attached our 18 inch chrome plated bayonets on our rifles. The team was disbanded at the end of that year because the AF didn't march. Glad to see that the tradition has continued. Good Job
Tommy Williams, Shreveport LA
4/23/2012 2:56:58 PM ET Definitely one of the highlights of my life. I was proud to have served with the Drill Team back in the early 90's and also proud to have been involved in the first Drill Team competition where the Air Force rocked the house then too. Having a trigger release come open on a switched weapon during the performance I know what team went through having a broken weapon. See you all in July...... God Bless.
Dax Whitaker, Alabama
4/20/2012 8:58:14 AM ET What an amazing and telented group of people. Definitely took a lot of discipline. Congrats to the USAF HG.
Prior Honorguardsman, ND
4/19/2012 10:09:52 AM ET I had the opportunity to be part of The USAF Honor Guard my last year of active duty before I retired in Sept 2010. This is a great organization with a very unique and proud mission. To be a part of it and to be able to pay respect to those who served before us by laying them to rest at Arlington National Cemetery was a humbling assignment. The Drill Team is truly the best of the best. Way to go Team.
Andy Denham, Virginia
4/19/2012 9:08:42 AM ET USAF Honor Guard - outstanding organization Congratulations
CMSgt Wheeler--Retired, Huntsville Alabama
4/19/2012 8:56:29 AM ET to see the video go to httpwww.andrews.af.mil on the left hand side under the Joint Base News header click USAF Honor Guard drill team deemed 'best of the best' or you can do a searchAwesome team and we are proud of them
James Hodge, Pentagon
4/19/2012 8:41:44 AM ET Recently saw one of their performances. It was absolutely marvelous You can tell the hard work that goes into their performances.
AA, Louisiana
4/18/2012 6:20:06 PM ET so when do we get to see the show
joel hetland, austin tx
4/18/2012 6:11:49 PM ET Is there any way we can view a recording of the performances That would be fantastic
AD, VA
4/18/2012 6:06:53 PM ET Saw these guys in person a few years back. A SSgt on the team took a bayonet in the shoulder and never skiped a beat. Extremely disciplined...great job guys
MSgt Brandon Christian, Ellsworth AFB
4/18/2012 5:52:50 PM ET Th is retired CMSgt congratulates you on your award. The many achievements of all of our Airmen and women makes us proud and your efforts continue the excellence of the Air Force and the military in general. Better luck next time to our brothers in arms.
