U.S. Air Force Drill Team wows UND with skill, talent and precision
In the 113 year old Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) gymnasium at the University of North Dakota, where the floors creek with every move, stand five of the most elite airmen in the United States Air Force Honor Guard.
The atmosphere is silent yet the air is filled with emotion and intensity as the Drill Team marches out, stomping their feet and clashing their hands against their rifles. The determined faces on the airmen light up with camera flashes as the announcer, Senior Airman Christopher Martinez, of Puerto Rico, shouts out the U.S. Air Force's Core Values. "Integrity," he exclaims. "Service before self, excellence is all we do!" Synchronized, they fall into formation and begin the introductions.
The airmen stand in uniform with erect postures, displaying their honorary credentials on their jackets. Their rifles – fully operational M1 Garands with fixed bayonets – are upright at their sides.
One by one, Martinez introduces the elite squadron – "From Illinois, Four-man trainer, Senior Airman Billy Degraffenreid". Degraffenreid steps aside, slams his rifle stock into the floor, launches it into the air, pulls it down and locks it securely against his chest.
"From Ohio, Head Trainer, Senior Airman Andrew Winders." Winders also displays his abilities. "From Indiana, Senior Airman Cortez Willis." Willis follows suit. "From Virginia, Staff Sgt. Mark Freda and from Louisiana, 1st Lt. Alex Stanton." Stanton raises the nose of his sword from the ground and promptly places it parallel with his chest.
Martinez exclaims, "Their concentration will not be compromised by your voice! They feed off your emotion." The five begin the show for more than 60 people, including UND President Robert Kelley, First Lady Marcia Kelley, and Dennis Elbert, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration.
Cheers ring out from the entire gymnasium as they tactfully miss Stanton's body with their razor sharp bayonets. Throwing their rifles in the air and poking and prodding at the stone-like soldier in the center, the precision has to be perfect. From all over the gymnasium, whistles and cheers descend from the balcony where the American flag hangs proudly.
After the presentation, the airmen openly discussed their Honor Guard experiences. When asked how often the Drill Team practiced, Senior Airman Martinez chuckled, "we practice 8-10 hours a day, five days a week. I've been with the Honor Guard for two years now and I love it." Martinez and his fellow Honor Guard members will be performing in the upcoming 2012 presidential inauguration.
Freda was asked about his most intense Honor Guard experience "By far it was during Wrestle Mania 26. We entered John Cena into the WWE Wrestling Championship for over 72,000 fans in Glendale, Ariz. The people were wired!"
The United States Honor Guard Drill Team is among the most elite military professionals in the world and it was UND's honor to have them perform. One of the the Honor Guard's next performances will be March 17, at the National Society of Pershing Rifles Drill Competition. For more information on the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, visit http://www.honorguard.af.mil/drillteam/
-- Eric Gunderson, University Relations student writer, 701.777.5529, or egunderson1@gmail.com
Photos by Jackie Lorentz, University photographer
