Sunshine State, here we come!

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandre Montes
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AFB, Fla. --  The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team travelled from D.C. to Florida for a two week, four-base tour this week.

The 16-person team will make stops at Eglin AFB, Tyndall AFB, MacDill AFB and Patrick AFB, plus surrounding Florida schools and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

Performances feature a choreographed sequence of show-stopping weapon maneuvers, precise tosses, complex weapon exchanges, and a walk through the gauntlet of spinning weapons.

Eglin's Youth Center audience was the first to witness the professionalism and dexterity of the Drill Team early Monday morning, with more than 100 kindergarten to fifth-graders combined in attendance, followed by an afternoon performance at the fitness center.

"That was spectacular. I've never seen anything like this," said Colonel Brian Buell, 918th Armament Systems Group commander. "Just as exciting as the Thunderbirds, if not better."

The next morning, the Drill Team headed to Shalimar, Fla., to the Air Force Enlisted Village.

"It's a pleasure having the Drill Team back. The community enjoys it." said Maranda Lambert, deputy director for the Bob Hope Village, a part of the AFEV.

After spending time with the residents of AFEV, the Drill Team still had more places to visit during their tour.

As the Drill Team continued their journey through Florida with Tyndall Air Force Base in their sights, the four-man group - a smaller component of the Drill Team, made a detour to Atlanta, Ga., where they will perform at the Air Force Sergeants Association Conference then rally back up with the rest of the team.

The two teams perform at various Air Force bases and civilian events involving the Air Force year round. They also perform for local communities and schools across the globe. As ambassadors in blue, the USAF Honor Guard performs regularly for thousands of visitors to the national capital during performances at various Washington, D.C., national monuments.