Drill Team Hampton

The U.S Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team Performs at Hampton University to begin Air Force Week April 18 in Hampton Va.The Drill Team and The U.S Air Force Band's rock band Max Impact performed together for the first time in public after a few weeks of training and coordination on Maxwell AFB, Ala. Air Force week is full of activities and functions that allow non-military members to see the Air Force's mission, show their support, and meet possible future Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

Drill Team Hampton

Local Step team” Marching Elites” demonstrates their skills for The U.S Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team after a performance at Hampton University to begin Air Force Week April 18 Hampton Va.The Drill Team and Max Impact will perform together for the first time in public after a few weeks of training and coordination on Maxwell AFB Ala. Air Force week is full of activities and functions that allow non-military members see the Air Force side of thing, show their support, and meet possibly future Airman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

Drill Team Hampton

Master Sergeant Matthew Ascione of The Air Force Bands “Max Impaxt” introduces The U.S Air Force Drill Team during Air Force Week April 20 Hampton Virginia April 20.The Drill Team and Max Impact will perform together for the first time in public after a few weeks of training and coordination on Maxwell AFB Ala. Air Force week is full of activities and functions that allow non-military members see the Air Force side of thing, show their support, and meet possibly future Airman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

Drill Team Hampton

Fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S Air Force Robert Gaylor watches The U.S Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs along withThe U.S Air Force Band's rock band "Max Imapact" after his opening speech 20th April Boo Sportsplex Hampton, Va. In retired Chief Gaylor’s speech he commented on The Band of Sisters, his time during WWII, the Vietnam war, and where our Airman are now during Air Force weeks Honoring America’s Veterans Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard performs in Va. for Air Force Week

Published April 27, 2009
By Senior Airman Alexandre Montes
11th Wing Public Affairs

BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- Sight, sound and suspense all in one stop. That's what audience came to expect as the Air Force hosted Air Force Week in Hampton, Va.

The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team provided a powerful display of precision and discipline for crowds during two performances.

"READY.... STEP!" was the command given by Senior Airman Aaron Fowler, U.S Air Force Drill Team member, as the Drill Team marched onto center stage at the university.
In what seemed like hours worth of entertainment, the 15-minute drill had the crowd on their feet as Hampton residents witnessed the dedication and precision of the 16-man drill team.

For the Drill Team, this was the first of two performances of the week.

Shortly after the performance, the drill team met with a young step team called the Marching Elites. For this meeting, the Marching Elites were heard in back halls of the Hampton University gym, along with foot stomps and hand claps as the team's young leader amped them up.

"That was amazing seeing young children do those powerful drills!" said Airman Ising, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team.

Next on the itinerary was "Honoring America's Veterans" at the Boo Sportsplex April 20. For this performance, the drill team and the USAF Band's rock band, Max Impact, performed together to showcase both drill and musical talents.

Among members in the audience awaiting the unveiling were retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Robert Gaylor; the Tidewater Chapter Tuskegee Airman; Brig. Gen. Mark A. Barrett, 1st Fighter Wing commander; Staff Sgt. Trent Lachance, 1st Communications Squadron and Medal of Valor recipient; retired Maj. Gregory Woosley, Air Combat Command Air and Space Operations Directorate and Bronze Star recipient; and Col. Rebecca Brown, Air Combat Command Surgeon General's Office and Bronze Star recipient.

For this performance, the crowd was silent as the clanking of rifles filled the gym. The team marched in to the sound of "I Am Iron Man," performed by Max Impact. The 12-pound weapons flared, spun, and floated effortlessly, keeping the chairs empty as the crowd stayed up on its toes.

"It's special knowing we can promote the Air Force in a positive way,"said Airman 1st Class Doyle Boyd, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, after his first tour experience.

For more information about the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard or the U.S. Air Force Band, logon to http://www.honorguard.af.mil, or http://www.usafband.af.mil