Drill Team prepares for upcoming drill season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON --  The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team recently completed its annual training camp at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

During their month long temporary duty, the team learned a new routine for the 2009 drill-season with the biggest change being the addition of Max Impact, the United States Air Force's premier rock band, to the performance.

"This is a great opportunity for us to work together with Max Impact and come up with an amazing show," said Capt. Brent Mundie, Drill Team commander. "The new routine will help us maximize Air Force recruiting, retention and awareness."

This is only the second time training was held at Maxwell AFB and the first time the drill team and Max Impact performed and trained together.

"This is the first year we have ever put music to our drill," said Senior Airman Aaron Fowler, Drill Team member. "It was an amazing experience all around; the crowds loved it and gave us many standing ovations."

During the TDY, the team made big strides in training and team cohesion.

"The training at Maxwell is a starting point," said Master Sgt. Steven P. West, Drill Team NCO in charge. "Everyone has come a long way and we need to keep it up."

In addition to the new routine, the team's cohesion came from a leadership reaction course aimed at bringing the team together.

The end-result of the training was a combined show March 31 at Maxwell AFB's base gym with about 300 elementary school children, base Airmen, and senior leaders from Maxwell and Bolling in attendance.

For more information on the Air Force Honor Guard, visit www.honorguard.af.mil.