LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
When the Air Force Honor Guard Mobile Training Team asked Langley's Honor Guard if they would like to train with them, Langley's sharpest seized the opportunity.
The purpose of the MTT is to streamline movements, expand knowledge and fine tune the professionalism of Air Force base honor guards worldwide.
"Our mission is to make sure everyone is standardized and doing everything by the book," said Staff Sgt. Alex Frizzo, non-commissioned-officer-in-charge of MTT and firing party instructor.
The MTT took the Langley Honor Guard under its wing for training and instruction June 26. Breaking the Langley Honor Guard into two groups, MTT trained the servicemembers in the arenas of pall bearing, firing party and color guard. Following the block of instruction, the instructors evaluated each group's performance before rotating them to the next arena.
Staff Sgt. Leina Perez, Langley Honor Guard non-commissioned officer-in-charge, is excited to see the Airmen improve. "It's always a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Air Force Honor Guard's movements - they're so crisp and clean, so it's even greater to see our Airmen moving right up to that standard."
Senior Airman Aaron Fachini, 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants driver and honor guard volunteer since January is grateful to the MTT for assisting him in breaking old habits.
"Our movements are more precise, and the MTT taught us how to make our uniforms look immaculate," said Airman Fachini. "Everyone started with a basic knowledge of how to perform, and the MTT helped develop and further that knowledge."
According to Sergeant Frizzo, each instructor has their own way of reaching the Airmen. Their job is to teach them to see the whole picture and importance of details, uniform appearance, physical fitness and streamlined movements.
"I feel more disciplined and have a different perspective of honor guard and what our mission is," said Airman Fachini. "I've realized how we affect military members and their family's lives; it's been an honor learning from them."
In addition to refining their movements, instilling confidence was another goal of the visit.
"We teach them think on their own, develop into leaders and build their confidence; that's what inspires me to teach," said Sergeant Frizzo.
With 500 color guards and 300 funerals to perform a year, it's important to Sergeant Perez to ensure future flights are taught the newly acquired techniques.
"Our motto is, 'Airmen of the highest caliber,'" said Sergeant Perez. "As the NCOIC of Langley's Honor Guard, I want to make sure everyone is properly trained so we always perform at our best."