Honor Guard pays tribute to fallen comrades

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – U.S. Air Force Airmen practice the firing sequence with M-14s used during funerals by the honor guard. To guarantee flawless performances during ceremonies, regular training is an ongoing responsibility for each member of the Base Honor Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jocelyn Ford)

Honor Guard pays tribute to fallen comrades

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Gleaming boots and a creased uniform is the standard for the Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard. The Honor Guard here consists of four flights. Each flight meets one week of every month to respond to details as well as participate in ongoing training. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jocelyn Ford)

Honor Guard pays tribute to fallen comrades

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – The flag fold is practiced regularly by each member of the Base Honor Guard here. A perfect fold is made with a lot of practice and a little luck, but is an expected accomplishment during each ceremony the Honor Guard attends. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jocelyn Ford)

Honor Guard pays tribute to fallen comrades

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Officers and enlisted alike train to properly dress the flag before it is presented during any ceremony. Presenting the flag is an important part of any funeral ceremony because of the lasting impact imposed upon the recipient. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jocelyn Ford)

Honor Guard pays tribute to fallen comrades

Published April 3, 2008
By Senior Airman Jocelyn Ford
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Training never stops for the Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard. The group consists of more than 55 enlisted personnel who have a 53,209 square-mile area of responsibility. Each enlisted troop is assigned to one of four flights that report directly to the honor guard training room for one week every month. During that week each enlisted member practices all potential duty positions for any color-guard detail or funeral. Also, the flight on duty that week responds to any details that are held.

The Honor Guard is best known for funerals, and there are three types of funeral details they perform. The first is the funeral for the veteran - anyone who served in any branch of the U.S. military, but did not retire from the military. This funeral is a two- to three-man detail. The main objective of this detail is to fold the flag and present it to the surviving spouse or next of kin. Currently, officers of the 92nd Mission Support Group are training to help with veterans' funerals.

The second funeral detail is for the retired veteran. This detail requires seven honor guard members, each with their own duty. The detail in its entirety includes pall bearing, a six-man flag fold, a three-man firing party with a firing party commander, the playing of TAPs, and the presentation of the flag to the surviving spouse or next of kin. Up to three flags may be folded and presented upon the family's request.

The third funeral detail is one that no one looks forward to, the active-duty funeral. This detail consists of pall bearing, a four-man color guard posted throughout the entire ceremony, a six-man flag fold with an seventh man at the head of the casket, a seven-man firing party with a firing party commander, the playing of TAPs, and the presentation of the flag to the surviving spouse or next of kin. Again, up to three flags may be folded and presented upon the family's request.

The active-duty funeral is unique in that each honor guard representative has one specific duty that day, whereas three members of the team will both fold the flag and be a part of the firing party during a retired veteran's funeral.

Editor's note: The base honor guard is always looking for sharp troops. For information on joining the Honor Guard contact Staff Sgt. Sanjuana Vasquez at sanjuana.vasquez@fairchild.af.mil or 247-4713.