The 301st Fighter Wing Honor Guard took center stage -- not as presenter, but as the recipient of the Air Force Association’s the 2005 Citation of Honor.

This annual honor -- the association’s highest achievement award -- recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual or group in the development of aerospace power.

“This is an outstanding award recognizing one of the Air Force’s best time-honored traditions,” said Col. Max Mendoza, 301st Mission Support Group commander. “I am so very proud of the men and women who serve in this wing’s honor guard unit. Their accomplishments and their phenomenal achievements with both the military and civilian communities have not gone unnoticed and are finally being rewarded on a tremendous scale.”

AFA chairman Pat Condon, remarked how the honor guard has always led the way in outstanding performances and in displaying a sterling image in regard to national defense and aerospace. He said the honor guard was hands down the best choice for this year’s award.

“Master Sgt. Ross Wood and his team should be highly credited for a job well done,” the colonel said.

Five-year honor guard member and lead trainer Tech. Sgt. Udrika Baldwin said being on the honor guard was the best thing he could have done for his military career.

“This award is an honor to all of us who serve – a true recognition of the hard work and dedication each team member contributes every day,” the sergeant said.


Notable accomplishments cited by the AFA award committee included the honor guard taking responsibility as the lead training element for the Joint Service Honor Guard. In this capacity, the team supervised and performed in more than 1,900 military funeral honors at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery and at local cemeteries.

The team also coordinated the Joint Service Color Guard and all related protocol for the Dallas Military Ball -- working directly with the U.S. Army Command Staff and the “Old Guard” honor guard in Washington D.C., to ensure appropriate protocol was observed.

“The 301st honor guard continues to make impressive and significant contributions to the success of its honor guard team as well as its outstanding reflection of the Air Force Reserve Command as a whole,” said Maj. Gen. David E. Tanzi, Air Force Reserve Command vice commander.

“My honor guard service has taught me so much in regards to leadership and teamwork,” Sergeant Baldwin said. “I would not trade this experience for anything and I look forward to learning so much more.”

The AFA will present the honor guard the award in Washington, D.C., later this year.