Air Force District of Washington -- Intensity, precision and unity are the three themes emanating from the training facilities of the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Air Force District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Darrell Jones found this out during a recent immersion tour of the Honor Guard and its facilities on Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

General Jones visited the Air Force Honor Guard training facilities Dec. 16, 2009, as part of the immersion process of becoming AFDW commander.

During his tour, General Jones was shown everything from the common area of the dorms inhabited by the men and women of the Honor Guard to the mock casket used for burial detail drills. His immersion was highlighted by a 16-man drill team demonstration and an outdoor, live ammunition salute from the Color Guard on the Ceremonial Lawn at Bolling.

Intensity

"These men and women walk around every day with the entire Air Force on their shoulders," said General Jones, following a five-minute, 16-man drill demonstration, performed with precisely handled rifles and fixed bayonets. He added, "They represent not only every Airman we have in uniform, but those who have come before them." Following the drill, every man within the team snapped to attention and saluted the general.

Later, General Jones ran into a familiar face. Capt. Whitney "Whit" Walker had a role as commander of troops during the Air Force District of Washington Change of Command ceremony. In that capacity, Captain Walker was one of the first people to see General Jones in his new role as the AFDW commander. "This is a great opportunity for the general to see face-to-face the Airmen dedicated to this unit," said Captain Walker. "He'll get a really good idea of what life is like for us and how much we enjoy this intense assignment."

During his tour of the Ceremonial Hall, Honor Guard dorms and 11th Wing Operations Group headquarters, General Jones was exposed to nearly every aspect of an Honor Guard member's life, from the casket and hearse that are used as drill implements for funerals, to the flat screen televisions and new furniture that adorn the common area of the members' dormatory rooms.

Precision

Stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., the Air Force Honor Guard is part of the 11th Wing, an Air Force District of Washington unit. Outside of their building is the historic "Air Force Ceremonial Lawn." Retirements and special honors are conferred upon outstanding Airmen past and present on this lawn. It is there that General Jones witnessed the most selective unit of the Honor Guard drill - the Color Team.

Following along the edge of primly manicured lawn and "Out in Front" as their unit badge suggests, the Color Team came to a stop and brought the flags down on the cement, emitting a unified "Crack!" from the polished wooden staffs.

"Not everyone is cut out for this job," said Staff Sgt. Arron Schultz, an Honor Guard trainer. "It's demanding on time and patience, but it pays off when we achieve this type of precision."

Command Chief Master Sgt. Pat Battenberg accompanied General Jones on the immersion tour. He took advantage of the tour to reflect on how important the Honor Guard is to the mission of the Air Force. "Look at it this way, the precision with which they execute maneuvers should bring the public confidence in Air Force as a whole," said Chief Battenberg. "When they handle their arms flawlessly, it's a subtle indicator that our pilots will as well when they are dropping ordinance in proximity to combat troops and civilians."

Unity

"Seven as one" is the motto of the Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party. Firing parties are most recognized for their roles in state funerals and military honors burials, during which they fire off three rounds each, resulting in a 21-gun salute. General Jones had a front row seat to their performance; though it was chilly, registering at 36 degrees on base that day with a wind chill of 27.

The brisk weather served to sharpen the firing party's report, as even senior NCO's jumped at the unexpected gunshots.

Concluding the tour, General Jones complimented Maj. Tyson Willis, the Honor Guard's director of operations, on the unit he runs and the mission they execute, and shed light on why he had joined the Air Force in the first place. "When I was very young, I saw the Honor Guard performing," said General Jones. "From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be part of the Honor Guard as soon as I could, and command it when I was older." The General is now in command of a Direct Reporting Unit with the 11th Wing and the United States Air Force Honor Guard reporting to him.