JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Honor Guard
The primary mission of the base honor guard is to employ, equip and train Air Force members to provide professional military funeral honors for active duty, veteran and retired members of the United States Air Force.
The base honor guard also emphasizes the importance of military customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies. The members of this program are all volunteers from the airman basic through technical sergeant ranks who are providing an outstanding service to Joint Base Charleston, the Air Force and our surrounding communities.
Did you know the origins of the base honor guard can be traced back to May 1948 when Headquarters Command, United States Air Force, directed the creation of an elite ceremonial unit. The first base honor guard was activated within the 1100th Air Police Squadron, Bolling Field, Washington D.C.
Did you also know that in January of 2000, a public law was implemented, providing for all veterans to receive, at a minimum, a funeral ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag, presentation of the flag to the veteran's family and the playing of "Taps."
I believe each and every one of these Airmen who have volunteered for such a demanding program are the epitome of our enlisted corps. Currently, I have seven individuals in the Honor Guard program. I do everything I can to support them, and I thank them for being great Americans on a daily basis. Please do me a favor when you seen one of these individuals out and about - please thank them for what they do.