Airmen toss sabers to honor comrades

  • Published
  • By Louis A. Arana-Barradas
  • Air Force Print News

Senior Airman Dallas Smith looks at ease twirling his shiny saber in the air and doing precision movements and passes with his Eifel Sabre Drill Team.

But he was once content to just sit in the background -- one of the people who “just doesn’t want to participate” in anything, he said. And he admits joining the honor guard “for a nice bullet” in his performance report.

The Airman, a computer networking cryptographic switching system journeyman with the 606th Air Control Squadron, doesn’t feel that way anymore.

Soon after joining the 52nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard, which has 25 members, his perception of what the guard does changed. He realized it has an important mission that’s deeply rooted in military history and tradition. Now he’s a member of the guard’s Eifel Sabres -- the only such drill team in U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

“Being on the team makes me more eclectic,” said Airman Smith, who is from Newland, N.C., “and it feels good to be part of the team.”

Most members of the drill team feel similarly, like they are giving something back to the people they serve with, or who served before them, said honor guard commander 1st Lt. Brian Cooper.

Trained by the U.S. Air Force Academy Saber Drill Team last year, the “Spang” team renders honors to fallen comrades at a variety of events, including funerals, change-of-command ceremonies and the celebration ceremonies of national holidays.

The lieutenant said the honor guard and drill team also present a positive image of the Air Force at the many ceremonies they participate in throughout Europe. The team has taken part in a host of ceremonies in Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg and France -- all by invitation.

“We led the 60th anniversary of the World War II liberation of Luxemburg parade,” said Lieutenant Cooper, who is a maintenance flight commander for the 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron. “It was a great honor to participate -- to give something back to all the people who served before us.”

Guard members are all volunteers who practice three times a week. They do not get special treatment for being on the team -- like extra time off, Airman Smith said.

Every member must also work a full 12-hour job. Because at Spangdahlem, there is a lot going on. Wing fighter aircraft continue flying in support of USAFE and NATO mission. And across the runway from the main part of this hilltop base, a new airlift mission continues to develop.

“So it feels good to get out of your BDUs, put on your blues, look sharp and do something important,” said Lieutenant Cooper, who is from Newark, N.J. “You get satisfaction from that.”

Airman Smith has learned that getting involved has its rewards. Apart from being a fun thing to do, being with the honor guard and drill team gives him a chance to travel around Europe and meet new people.

“Plus, my wife likes to see me participate in ceremonies,” he said.