TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Tinker Air Force Base Honor Guard serves at ceremonies and events spanning 38,000 square miles and covering 44 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.
The proceedings can include presenting the colors at baseball games, changes of command and retirements.
One job, however, stands above the rest: military funeral honors. They are the main mission of the elite Tinker Honor Guard and take priority over all other requests. They are mandated by Congress for active duty, veteran, retired Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and Army Air Corps members who have passed away.
The approximately 50 members of the Tinker Honor Guard participate in about 60 events a month, mostly funerals.
Staff Sgt. Michael Asbridge with the 72nd Force Support Squadron said Honor Guard service at Tinker is divided into three flights, which rotate on a one-month status: on-call (the most active), stand-by and off-duty. The latter group can still be called upon when needed, he said.
At funerals, Honor Guard members are uniformed living symbols of the appreciation of the United States for citizens’ honorable service to the nation. It’s a vitally important mission that requires top-notch Airmen to perform. Airmen of any rank can be members, but they are typically enlisted.
“We’re looking for cut-above-the-rest Airmen,” Asbridge said. “Typically, we like to vet them through the first sergeant so we’re not getting sub-par candidates.”
Training takes place over 10 days during a two-week period. The commitment to the Honor Guard is one year. “Once they graduate, they immediately go on a flight,” he said
.Honor Guard members are given a good amount of leeway and are trusted to prepare for and take care of their assignments, Sergeant Asbridge said. All travel, including to cities like Miami in the corner of northeast Oklahoma, is completed in one day.
“It’s a great experience and a good chance to excel among your peers,” the sergeant said. “It gives you a chance to excel as a leader, regardless of your rank. We do have rank structure, but we go off of experience here. I would trust an Airman Basic that’s been doing it for four months over a brand-new staff sergeant who hasn’t done a detail yet. Experience is big here. Trust is big here. You’re not micromanaged.”
Joining the Honor Guard
Airmen interested in joining the Tinker Honor Guard must qualify and be recommended by their first sergeant. For qualification information and other details, visit the Tinker Honor Guard's webpage, or call 734-4226. Members receive a ceremonial uniform at no cost.