The face of the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan McElderry
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
 

The Honor Guard at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, is one of the many base Honor Guards in the United States.

Tech. Sgt. Joshua Hull, NCO in charge of the Minot AFB Honor Guard, has been here since 2011, but started working with the Honor Guard in 2006 at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.

He said he fell in love with the program because of the opportunities to do incredible things, such as go to an Order of the Swords ceremony.

Hull was then selected for the Air Force Honor guard and spent four years working with them. According to Hull, the Honor Guard represents the U.S. Air Force, which he considers to be an incredible responsibility.

“We are the face of the Air Force,” said Hull. “The Honor Guard has given me a much deeper appreciation for our Air Force history, our culture and the heritage.”

 The Minot AFB Honor Guard’s primary mission is to provide military funeral honors for Air Force veterans and retirees with an honorable discharge from the Air Force, whether those individuals served two years or 40 years. Some secondary missions for the Honor Guard include being at change of command ceremonies, retirement ceremonies, and U.S. and international military balls.

The Minot AFB Honor Guard is a direct reflection of Air Force Honor Guard because it follows the same guidance and instructions, but on a local scale.

In order to have a base Honor Guard established, a military base must support 12 military funerals a year. Here in North Dakota, the Minot AFB Honor Guard provides military honors at approximately 40 to 60 military funerals a year. This is a ceremony Hull has a lot of respect and appreciation for.

“We have an amazing opportunity to go out there and represent the U.S. Air Force for someone who sacrificed their life for the Air Force 60 years ago,” said Hull. “That’s our most time-honored tradition and I love it.”

The Minot AFB Honor Guard consists of approximately 40 Airmen from both the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing.

“One of the greatest moments I have had while working with the Honor Guard is seeing how young Airmen are willing to step up, lead and develop other Airmen within the program,” said Hull, who added that his most valued memory is watching Airmen develop into people of outstanding character.

Over a course of four years, Hull has trained approximately 40 Airmen annually. 

“I have gotten to watch 160 Airmen develop and influence, mentor and guide them into becoming better Airmen,” said Hull.

In retrospect, Hull said his time with the Honor Guard has been the best experience he has ever had in the Air Force.

“I am who I am today because of the Honor Guard,” said Hull. “I have been developed personally and professionally to a level I’ve never even imagined because of my experiences with the Honor Guard and I love every minute of it.”