Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Terrance Patrick, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, fires a three-round volley during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. Historically, three volleys of rifle fire indicated that casualties had been cared for in a combat environment and that the fighting could resume. These volleys became an official military custom that survives to this day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kyleigh Mauldin, left, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, demonstrates a clear chamber of an M14 rifle during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. The seven-man teams rehearsed firing three rounds in perfect unison to honor the fallen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Isaiah Lolopulos, left, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, stands at the position of attention during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. While assigned to the Honor Guard, Airmen in the Firing Party maintain a rigorous training schedule of two to six hours each day and support memorial operations at Arlington National Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kyleigh Mauldin, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, pulls the charging handle of an M14 rifle to clear the weapon during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. The Firing Party trained on supporting memorial operations which consist of funeral honors, cordon, intermediate drill and parades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dangela Graham, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, inserts blank rounds into an M14 rifle magazine prior to Firing Party training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. While assigned to the Honor Guard, Airmen in the Firing Party maintain a rigorous training schedule of two to six hours each day and support memorial operations at Arlington National Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Terrance Patrick, right, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, demonstrates drill cadence and movement timing during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. The Firing Party trained on memorial honors, with one element of those honors the firing of three rifle volleys during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

Airman 1st Class Ricky Newton, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, conducts drill movements during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. The Firing Party trained on memorial honors, with one element of those honors the firing of three rifle volleys during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Thomas)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

Airman 1st Class Micah Callahan, a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, stands at the position of attention during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. While assigned to the Honor Guard, Airmen in the Firing Party maintain a rigorous training schedule of two to six hours each day and support memorial operations at Arlington National Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Thomas)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party members fire a three-round volley during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. Historically, three volleys of rifle fire indicated that casualties had been cared for in a combat environment and that the fighting could resume. These volleys became an official military custom that survives to this day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Thomas)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

Airman 1st Class Allan Wier, left, and Airman 1st Class Ricky Newton, right, both ceremonial guardsmen with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party, conduct drill movements during training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. The Firing Party trained on supporting memorial operations, which consisted of funeral honors, cordon, intermediate drill and parades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Thomas)

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Air Force Firing Party trains for solemn mission

Published March 10, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Brandon Thomas and Hayden Hallman
11th Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, Washington, D.C. --

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Firing Party conducted routine memorial honors training on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2026. The Firing Party trained on supporting memorial operations which consisted of funeral honors, cordon, intermediate drill and parades. The seven-man teams rehearsed firing three rounds in perfect unison to honor the fallen. Historically, three volleys of rifle fire indicated that casualties had been cared for in a combat environment and that the fighting could resume. These volleys became an official military custom that survives to this day. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Brandon Thomas and Hayden Hallman).