CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada --
Honor, dignity, service. These words describe members of the base honor guard which supports most Air Force installations; most, but not all. Bases such as, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada do not have the luxury of a full honor guard due to distance, location and manning.
Creech recognized this short fall and implemented its own team. Welcome the Creech Ceremonial Team (CCT) which is a command chief directed program that takes the place of a base honor guard. If Nellis AFB honor guard is unable to support, Creech’s own CCT is at the ready.
“Our mission is to provide ceremonial support to any military ceremony that happens here on Creech AFB,” said Tech Sgt. Evan, 432nd Wing CCT assistant NCOIC . ”We are here to provide honor guard services for Creech which also helps the Nellis honor guard so they don’t have to travel here frequently.”
To provide a continuous level of support the CCT is made up 30-35 members who serve on a voluntary basis. They maintain a minimum of one detail per week but have had as many as four details in one duty day.
An increased number of volunteers are needed especially during the summer months when the team is very busy supporting by presenting the colors, flag folding, and other prestigious event like retirements, promotions, and memorial ceremonies.
Not only does the CCT provide the base with the necessary ceremonial requirements it provides its volunteers with a sense of pride.
“It’s always nice to honor those who have completed something great or sacrificed their lives for their country,” said Staff Sgt. Quentin, 432nd Wing CCT member. “Those events are very emotional and there’s something you feel when you see what these individuals have done and what they sacrificed for this country. It’s rewarding to be able to honor them.”
Because joining the Ceremonial Team is completely voluntary, unlike a traditional honor guard, no contracts are signed. Airman interested in joining should have at minimum completed their career development courses and receive approval from their leadership.
“It’s a completely volunteer team we are not under contract, but if every member stays with us for a year and completes enough details they are likely to get submitted for a decoration.” Evan said.
The CCT welcomes new volunteers, for more information about CCT or how to join please contact their organizational email at 432wg.ceremony@us.af.mil.