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Show HILLTOP TIMES AFB Honor Guard takes duties seriously in TIMES March 18, 2010 BY WENDY GREEN Standard-Examiner correspondent T he Honor Guard at Hill Air Force Base is the epitome of military precision. From the position of the thumbs to the speed of the marches and salutes, each move is perfectly timed and choreographed. On the uniforms, stripes and ribbons are the only individual variations. Tech. Sgt. Thomas Smith says the absence of nametags contributes to the group's cohesion as representatives of the U.S. military. Smith heads up the Honor Guard at Hill Air Force Base. Of the 30-person staff, he's the only full-time member. .His ranks, organized into three "flights," are all volunteers. "Honor Guard volunteers contract with us for one year. They agree to give us two weeks out of every six for that year," Smith explained. The Hill group covers 160,000 square miles, including most of Utah and some parts of Wyoming and Nevada. The Honor Guard doesn't perform only at military funerals; it conducts ceremonies for changes of command, promotions, retirements and such special events as the annual air :show. Smith's job is to be certain each man and woman in his Honor Guard is "spun up" or properly trained to perform any assignment, or "detail," that arises. Smith joined the Air Force in 1992. After basic training, he worked in a warehouse, stocking shelves and loading trucks. He married his wife, Kristen, soon after and the two relocated to Eielson AFB, just outside Fairbanks, Alaska. The couple recently moved onto Hill AFB with their five children: Kailey, 14, Cole, 8, Jaxon, 7, Brielle, 3, and Audreena, 2. Smith enjoys being close to work, as he spends so much time there. "I was in the supply and logistics field for a long time and I needed a change ... I was really excited when I got the job," Smith said. "I work hard to set a good example. Image is very important. The only vision we want people to have is of the Air Forge as a whole, so our movements are precise and timed to conduct ourselves in a ceremonial fashion. For funerals, we put on a show to honor the deceased and family as representatives of the president and the United States of America," he said. Smith's typical day begins with checking his wall chart for details — assignments his group has for the week. Three days out of every week are spent in physical training with push-ups, situps and weights, as well as group activities such as playing basketball, hiking or other team-building exercises. Smith also holds dress inspections weekly. Uniforms must be pressed and polished, from a clean crimpfree hat down to perfectly shined shoes. Troops must look their best to perform each detail. The two dedicated vans must be kept in working order, as well as the guns and ammunition for the gun salutes. Funerals are the most common detail, with 180 in 2009 alone. The Honor Guard performs for funerals of veterans, as well as funerals for active duty personnel. When a detail involves escorting a casket to a gravesite, the Honor Guard ar- ' " NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examinfer' The Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard practices for a funeral detail by carrying an empty casket at ',',,: their headquarters on base. ;- the president of the Unitedi <*t States of America. The state— merit's the same each time/ •-'• but it's also very heartfelt. 'I"-' look the person in the eyes ^ when I present them the •-•'•• flag," he said. One of Smith's challengesis maintaining a full staff. -1 ^ Each of his three flight rota*™ tions has 8 to 10 individuals^ Factor in people leaving for-"' various reasons, including ••: deployment, and recruiting^new members is high on his--list of priorities. He's frus-" -TECH. SGT. THOMAS SMITH, Hill Air Force trated when someone wants Base Honor Guard leader to do Honor Guard but can't be released from other duties to do so. and stripes at the feet, to the Smith credits his troops' — rives an hour early to study the area and prepare for the dedication for the success of gravesite. The foot of the task at hand. Whether it's coffin always leads the direc- his program. freezing cold or blazing hot, tion of travel. With exact "I have a great group of £ the Honor Guard stands at precision, the group folds the people to work with; I'm ju£ a tight at-ease position until flag into a perfect triangle. the facilitator. This amazthe hearse arrives. Taps is The highest-ranking officer ing, rewarding job puts us played either live by a bugler presents the flag and the front of the public, perforr rounds from the gun salute or by a microphone device ing at our best. We bring inside the bugle. to the next of kin, most often dignity and honor to our the spouse. ceremonies. We're not indiStep by perfectly timed "I'm usually a pretty emo- viduals out there. We're the step, the Honor Guard memHonor Guard, representing bers carry the casket, with tional guy, but I keep mythe United States Air Force > thumbs facing the foot of self together when I present and we take that responsibilthe coffin, the flag draped the flag with gratitude for ity very seriously." their sacrifice on behalf of with the stars at the head "Image is very important. The only vision we want people to have is of the Air Force as a whole, so our movements are precise and timed to conduct ourselves in a ceremonial fashion. For funerals, we put on a show to honor the deceased and family as representatives of the president and the United States of America." The best thing in life is to save the life of another. Biomat USA Compensated for your time. 375 S. 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