Honor Guard honor military traditions

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerome Bridges, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of the Kadena Honor Guard, inspects the uniform of U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Devar Greene, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron operations manager, during honor guard practice Apr. 25, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. During the inspection the honor guard members are carefully checked to ensure items such as rings and watches are not on and pockets are empty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Junko Kinjo)

Honor Guard honor military traditions

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jose Aviles, 18th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, trains Kadena Honor Guard members how to present the colors during honor guard practice Apr. 25, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. Colors presentation was practiced indoors and outdoors to ensure members are able to perform in any situation or environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Junko Kinjo)

Honor Guard honors military tradition

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ridge Krawczyk, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron intermediate avionics team member, holds the American flag during the flag folding portion of honor guard practice Apr. 25, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. The honor guard members folded the flag step by step to ensure the new members understood how to fold the flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Junko Kinjo)

Honor Guard honors military traditions

Published June 11, 2012
By Junko Kinjo
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The history of the United States Air Force Honor Guard dates back to 1948, the year of its creation as an elite ceremonial unit by the Headquarters Command.

The Air Force Honor guard, which first began at the 1100th Air Police Squadron at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., has since been representing the service at ceremonies worldwide. The Air Force Honor Guard competed against Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard and won the Fourth Annual Joint Service Drill Team Competition in Washington, D.C., April 14.

In addition to the Air Force Honor Guard, there are subordinate honor guard units all around the world, including the Kadena Air Base Honor Guard.

The Kadena Air Base Honor Guard has approximately 52 members, making it the largest in the Pacific Air Forces. The team performs its duties with pride and work hard to maintain high standards as they perform at various events around the island.

Typical practices include: presenting the colors at indoor and outdoor ceremonies, drill competitions and flag folding. They also conduct physical training sessions to keep themselves fit and looking sharp in uniform.

The Air Force Honor Guard teams work hard and dedicate a lot of their time toward each event - including the preparation for it.

With honor and pride, the honor guard helps service members and their families serve their country with pride.
As it is written, "The mission of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard is to represent Airmen to the American public and the world."