Luke Honor Guard shares TFI concept

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Citizen Airmen from the 944th Fighter Wing Honor Guard program completed the Basic Protocol, Honors, and Ceremonies course. The Total Force Integration event took place here January 23 – February 1.

Master Sgt. Kenneth Heng, 944 Medical Squadron medical technician and Tech. Sgt. Eric Jackson, 944 MDS optometry technician, were the only Air Force Reserve Command graduates in a class of 26 that received a certificate for completing the course.

U.S. Air Force ceremonial guardsmen instructors from Joint Base Anacostia-Boling facilitated the eight day formal training. The training taught members of the Luke AFB Honor Guard how to correctly perform various movements and formations for military ceremonies.

“We saw a weak point in the quality of training of Reservists and arranged for them to train more regularly with active duty to become more proficient and help out when needed,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Wijochowski, NCO-in-charge of the Ceremonial Training Unit. “We talked with Luke leadership to make this happen to encourage TFI for the honor guard programs.

The graduation ceremony consisted of the graduates performing a detailed military funeral service.

“Our goal is to give everyone the tools needed to be able to be more proficient at the tasks they are given while performing honor guard duties,” said Wojichowski. “When you have face to face contact the quality of training goes up drastically, compared to just reading regulations in a manual.”

Heng was named class leader and as such presented a plaque to Wojichowski signifying appreciation for their efforts during the course.

“This training will benefit our wing's honor guard by giving us the confidence in knowing what and how the various movements are supposed to be performed and the knowledge of how to apply different movements,” said Jackson. “Doing this training along with active duty also bolsters TFI and allows us to start building bridges and possibly perform joint ceremonies with them.”

Jackson is the acting NCO-in-charge of the recently reconstructed 944 FW Honor Guard program. Currently there are seven members, with a goal of obtaining 12 active members.

“We are actively looking to grow our ranks,’” continued Jackson. “If you are a former honor guard and would like to participate or still have your uniform and would like to donate it please give us a call. Or if you have no experience but would like to get involved we’re actively looking for folks.”

The training is conducted about 10 times a year depending on the demand of the base honor guard program Air Force wide.

For more information please contact your squadron First Sergeant or Tech. Sgt. Eric Jackson at 856-7613.