Joint Base Journal Vol. 4, No. 15
April 19, 2013
News and information for and about the premier Joint Base and its region www.facebook.com/jointbase
J OINT B ASE A NACOSTIA-B OLLING
www.cnic.navy.mil/jbab
AF Honor Guard blossoms in joint drill exhibition BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ALEXANDER W. RIEDEL AIR FORCE NEWS SERVICE
U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexander W. Riedel
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team competes during the Joint Service Drill Team Exhibition April 13, 2013, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Drill teams from all four branches of the U.S. armed forces and the U.S. Coast Guard displayed their skills at the event that celebrated U.S. military heritage at the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team members displayed their skill at a Joint Service Drill Team Exhibition on the National Mall during the 101st National Cherry Blossom Festival here April 13. Between the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and its iconic reflecting pool, the 12 Drill Team members joined their sister services in a friendly competition for the audience’s attention and were rewarded with cheering and applause. Proving their commitment to the Air Force’s core value “excellence in all we do,” the team presented their performance with smooth precision. Behind the reflection of their sleek, tinted sunglasses, no emotion or strain was detectable to the masses. The Air Force team uses fully-functional, bayonet-tipped M1 Garand rifles that weigh just shy of 11 pounds. Their professionally choreographed sequence includes highspeed weapon maneuvers, rifle tosses, complex weapon exchanges, and a walk through a gauntlet of spinning weapons. The movements are unforgivingly timed and finely tuned, leaving no room for error. The highlight of the performance featured a stationary drill commander, flanked
by four team members who simultaneously hurled their weapons over and around him. First Lt. Michael Lemorie, the Drill Team flight commander, routinely places himself directly in the hands of his most experienced Airmen during the highly dangerous maneuver that snaps bayonets mere inches past his face. “To be out there, as their leader, demonstrates the trust I have in them and I think epitomizes the trust that our Air Force leaders need to have today,” Lemorie said. “Our senior leaders have to trust that the Airmen following them are going to do what they need to do to correctly and proficiently keep this nation safe. “So to be a visible representation of that trust is just the most humbling and honoring experience I have been a part of,” he said. “I will not flinch, I will not move. They can hit me or stab me in the side. But until it’s time for me to move, I will stand and keep that trust and resolve.” The maneuvers of the drill team are often dangerous and injuries to wrist and hands are common. What seemed accurate and flawless to the uninitiated observer, during the festival performance almost went dangerously wrong. During a movement called “reverse un-
See DRILL, Page 8
Film crew shoots Navy PSAs around JBAB BY PAUL BELLO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON – Several Navy public service announcements (PSAs) related to motor vehicle safety, physical fitness, motorcycle safety and alcohol abuse were filmed this week on the streets and facilities of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB). The PSAs, which will be 30-second spots on such military outlets as Direct-to-Sailor, American Forces Network, Navy.mil and the Pentagon Channel, were a joint venture between Defense Media Activity (DMA) – Navy and Alexandria, Va. based PCI, an advertising production company whose clients range from leading U.S. corporations to various government agencies. Pete Hatzakos, a project officer and field
Shipmates help shipmates through NDW Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive Page 2
producer for DMA, said the PSAs are part of the 21st Century Initiative recently introduced by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. More than anything, the PSAs serve as a friendly reminder to do the right thing. “The focus is to make sure we inform our Sailors,” Hatzakos said. “We want them to be safe.” Hal Schild, senior vice-president for PCI, was director for the production on JBAB. He has more than 30 years experience in the field and is always pleased when an assignment pairs him with members of the armed forces. “It’s a privilege to have been awarded this project. I have the utmost respect for all
U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY PAUL BELLO
Members of the film crew arrange a shot aboard a Jeep Cherokee as part of a public service announcement on motor vehicle safety.
See FIRE, Page 7
INSIDE
Earth Day keeps NDW environmentally conscious through action Page 6
Spring into action as a Ready Navy Family Page 9