United States Air Force Honor Guard

Ceremonies include those for visiting dignitaries and military officials, funerals for deceased Air Force personnel and their dependents, wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, White House arrival ceremonies, receptions, and other state and military occasions which comprise the Honor Guards of all six armed services (U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and U.S. Coast Guard).

A posting to this unit is considered a special duty assignment, meaning that Air Force members worldwide from all career fields can apply.

If selected, they are withdrawn from their career fields and reassigned to Bolling AFB for a standard tour of duty (normally 3 years; basic trainees are assigned for 2).

During the US Civil War, the only wheeled vehicles available on the battlefield were usually artillery caissons, they were used transport the deceased to the grave, a custom which is practiced today in Arlington National Cemetery.

Once the gravesite is reached, the bearers' duties continue by holding the flag taut and level over the casket until the service is complete.

[4] In early 2001, General John W. Handy, then-Air Force Vice Chief-of-Staff, directed that the unit be assigned a wartime contingency mission.

Shortly thereafter, under the guidance of the squadron commander Lieutenant Colonel (now Brigadier General) Bradley Spacy, thirteen Ceremonial Guardsmen (four NCOs and nine Airmen) were selected to stand-up a squad consisting of three four-man fire teams and a squad leader.

Handy's foresight proved to be well-founded; six months later the squad was activated when the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001.

For approximately forty-five days, the squad was attached to the 11SFS and augmented their forces, helping secure and defend the base against possible follow-on attacks.

It is composed of crossed rifles with fixed bayonets silhouetted over a silver/gray Roman helmet adorned with a scarlet red horsehair festoon on a field of ultramarine blue with the attached organization motto.

The Mortuary Affairs office would routinely task either the base's security police squadron or fledgling Honor Guard detachment with the burial detail.

BHG members wear standard Air Force blue shirts, service ribbons, a colorized enamel functional badge and a shoulder arc worded "BASE HONOR GUARD".

While on ceremonies, I stand sharp and crisp, motionless by choice, for I have voluntarily chosen to represent every member past and present of the United States Air Force.

"Handpicked to serve as a member of the United States Air Force Honor Guard, my standards of conduct and level of professionalism must be above reproach, for I represent all others in my service.

Obligated by my oath, I am constantly driven to excel by a deep devotion to duty and a strong sense of dedication.

Representing every member, past and present, of the United States Air Force, I vow to stand SHARP, CRISP and MOTIONLESS, for I am a ceremonial guardsman!"

The United States Air Force Honor Guard is reviewed by then- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping , during a Joint Services arrival ceremony at the Pentagon , 14 Feb. 2012.
President George W. Bush and Mwai Kibaki , Kenya's head of state , pass in front of the USAF HG during an arrival ceremony on the south lawn of the White House.
The 1100th Air Police Squadron Ceremonial Unit welcomes General Jang Do-young to Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. (circa 1960s).
Two USAF HG color teams take part in an Air Force Wreath-Laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
Pallbearers transfer the remains of a lieutenant general from the horse-drawn caisson to the gravesite during a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
A USAF HG firing party renders honors during a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Combat Guard undergoing training at Fort Dix, New Jersey in March 2001---six months before 9-11.
The emblem of the USAF HG, approved on 4 October 1976 and revised on 23 February 2011. [ 5 ]
The USAF HG guidon, shown here during a funeral in Arlington National Cemetery, was created in 2000.
The Bearers logo created in 2000.
The Firing Party logo, created in 2000.