Joint Base Honor Guard wins AMC's best for 2012

Published May 2, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Francis Lalic
21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The Joint Base Honor Guard has been named Air Mobility Command's Honor Guard of the Year for the second year in a row.

The Honor Guard team rendered 2,600 funeral military honors and 600 civic events in 2012 in the five-state area of responsibility including Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts - the largest in the Air Force.

"Winning the AMC Honor Guard Team of the Year Award for the second year in a row is not a coincidence," said Lt. Col. Steve Cabosky, 87th Force Support Squadron commander. "It is a testament to the quality of the Airmen in the honor guard, as well as their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence day in and day out."

Honor guards serve as ambassadors to the public, presenting a positive image in their service.

"Once an Airman, always an Airman," said Cabosky. "Anyone who serves honorably is part of the Air Force family forever."

Among the funeral honors were those rendered for eight fallen heroes and for an original Tuskegee Airman.

"We will stand with you until the day you die, and after that, we will help take care of your family," Cabosky added. "That is our commitment to all Airmen."

The Honor Guard team also honored fallen military working dogs, which bolstered the 87th Security Forces Squadron resiliency.

Honor Guard Airmen recently sorted 900,000 pounds of supplies through seven days to speed relief to 30 townships affected by Hurricane Sandy.

In the community, the Honor Guard participated in the Navy's Fleet Week in New York City, organized the Armed Forces Week drill and parade sequence, posted colors for official military functions and training 50 joint colors teams.

Training is the crucial element in the Joint Base Honor Guard for Tech. Sgt. Jared Lacovara.

Lacovara is assigned from 88th Aerial Port Squadron but works as the training lead for the Honor Guard.

"Our main function being funeral honors, it is imperative that the family members of our fallen heroes witness the tribute to their passing and service," said Lacovara.

Lacovara trains more than 130 ceremonial guard members per year.

Honor Guard members are screened for physical ability and dexterity throughout the year and are selected from different units which are recommended by their unit leadership.

"Without proper guidance and constant practice, you cannot mold the perfect ceremonial guardsmen," Lacovara added. "With this in mind, every weekday, and some weekends are training days at the Joint Base Honor Guard."

Only those members who are highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct and show aptitude for ceremonial duty are likely to be considered.

"Airmen who are interested should not be in upgrade training, not have failed a physical training test and should be highly motivated," Lacovara added.

The Honor Guard ceremonial team is primarily made up of 87th Air Base, 108th, 305th Air Mobility, 514th Air Mobility and 621st Contingency response wing Airmen.

Master Sgt. Gary Knight said winning the AMC award was phenomenal and well deserved.

"This has never been done in AMC's history," he said.

Knight was named as the AMC Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year.

Knight is currently the noncommissioned officer in charge who trains and manages the Honor Guard members who showed their skills in front of thousands at 15 major league baseball, football and hockey games.

Consistency and stringent training regimen, for him, are the factors that helped the team win the award.

"There are benefits in becoming part of the elite group which includes instilling discipline, pride and a sense of accomplishment," Knight added.

Knight led a joint honor guard that esteemed fallen military and New Jersey police members and coordinated 20 dignified transfers at seven international airports. He also created an eight-day training program preparing 600 active duty and reserve component Airmen for duty seven days faster than previous training programs.

He rendered a same-day saber salute to the Italian prime minister as a last-minute tasking.

Cabosky proclaimed the announcement of AMC Honor Guard Team recognition, along with the individual award.

"Again, it's no coincidence that the Honor Guard has been recognized as the best in the command for two years in a row," Cabosky added.

Knight also created an eight-day training program preparing 600 active duty and reserve component Airmen for duty seven days faster than previous training programs.

"Master Sgt. Knight has set a standard of excellence, trained his team to that standard, and then continually enforced and reinforced that standard," said Cabosky. "It's easy to say, but it's hard to do but he's done it."

The award was humbly accepted, it could not have been done without the support of all the Airmen, said Knight.

"We're all proud of him and our Honor Guard," Cabosky added.

Call 754-4117 for more Honor Guard information.