Fairchild Airman serves in inaugural fashion

Published Oct. 31, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Senior Airman Gustavo Corte of Indio, Calif., recently joined the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that will support the 56th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2009. AFIC is a joint service committee charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the inaugural period. As a joint committee, it includes members from all branches of the armed forces of the United States, including Reserve and National Guard components.
Airman Corte is assigned to the logistics directorate as a light transportation driver.

He is responsible for driving sedans and vans, completing operator checks and services of assigned vehicles, and providing dedicated transportation support during the Presidential Inauguration. Airman Corte is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force who has served for five years. He is permanently stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.

"I'm really happy to be here," said Airman Corte. "It's a great feeling to take part in such a historic election and a great honor to represent for my base and the 2T1 career field throughout the Air Force."

United States armed forces have participated in the Presidential Inauguration since April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony at Federal Hall in New York City, N.Y. Two hundred twenty years later, the participation of the armed forces continues to honor our commander-in-chief, recognize civilian control of the armed forces and celebrate democracy.

Participation by the armed forces traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen assigned to AFIC also provide invaluable assistance to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a not-for-profit, partisan organization representing the president-elect, and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies.

The Secretary of Defense has authorized nearly 750 servicemembers to be assigned to AFIC by Inauguration Day to coordinate Department of Defense support in and around the District of Columbia. Historically, as many as 5,000 servicemembers have participated in the celebration, both in view of the public and behind the scenes.

Airman Corte's role in the 56th Presidential Inaugural is like that of any other essential military mission during peace or war. Just as our military men and women are showing their commitment to this country while deployed around the globe, participation of service members in this traditional event demonstrates our military's support to the nation's newly elected commander-in-chief.