Air Force Honor Guard Drill team performs for RHS student body Published Nov. 7, 2009 By Sean Bowlin 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Hours of exacting, disciplined practice of precise, split-second maneuvers aren't just the hallmark of Air Force pilots. Those positive attributes are also exemplified by dress-uniformed, decorated Airmen who silently spin, throw and catch heavy, bayoneted M-1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets within inches of each other's faces as they step carefully and confidently through their choreographed, practiced paces. Those men of the Air Force Honor Guard's Drill Team put those silent, intense drill moves on with a flourish Monday morning at Randolph Air Force Base when they performed in two morning shows for Randolph High School and Middle School students. Students, teachers and a few Airmen watched in the Randolph High School gymnasium as drill team Airmen, who travel throughout the world performing their shows, marched in and split into various formations, all the while spinning their heavy wooden rifles as if they were as light as air. The crowd, whose attention was captured, broke into spontaneous applause at various intervals throughout the 20-minute performance, roaring its approval with shouts, ooohs and aahs. The high point of the show came while Capt. Michael Fanton, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team flight commander, marched quickly through and then back through a gauntlet of his guardsmen who spun rifles inches away from his body, never touching him. When the show ended, the crowd emptied the stands and rushed to the Airmen to give their praise, while many of the performers were still sweating from the exertion and stress from performing while under pressure. The Drill Team, still smiling at the approval they felt and earned, stayed to talk to the excited crowd for more than 10 minutes, before it was time to leave for their next engagement. Captain Fanton said his 16-man flight which performed at Randolph also augments Honor Guardsmen whose main mission is performing honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He added there are 212 Airmen in the Honor Guard, which is split into three ceremonial flights. A maximum of 30 Airmen comprise the Drill Team, whose mission is to recruit America's youth for the Air Force and also to inspire and retain Airmen. "We perform silent drill on bases, communities, high schools, air shows and sporting events to spread the word about Air Force opportunities," Captain Fanton said. "It's rewarding to see how hard my people work for these shows and to see young men and women get excited. It gets them interested in the Air Force, and that's a big reward for us." His teammate, Senior Airman Hank Burns said, "We get a chance here to show kids the opportunities that the Air Force gives to young people outside of their hometowns, especially when we perform for students who live in remote places." Another drill team member, Senior Airman Jason Ruffin said another reward for him and his teammates is the chance to expose the crowds to an Air Force by-product. "Since our legacy on the team is precision and discipline, we show others a higher aspect of that," Airman Ruffin said. Carole Callson, Randolph Independent School District art teacher for grades six through 12, said the team's precise and disciplined show was "just beautiful to watch." "I'm so glad the school administrators had the heart to have the team come here," she added. "These sorts of things are what make memories."