Wright-Patt Honor Guard: A no-fail mission, a family of support Published May 22, 2025 By Rachael Ferguson 88 ABW/PA WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard is a no-fail, congressionally mandated mission, supporting the needs of the 88th Air Base Wing and local communities by proudly performing as professional representatives of the U.S. Air Force through military funeral honors and ceremonial support. They cover six states, spanning 210,000 square miles in 203 different counties. The Wright-Patt Honor Guard is the most tasked base across the Air Force. The six states it covers include Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia and two counties in Pennsylvania. The honor guard’s primary service is military funeral honors, which are congressionally mandated to perform. Base honor guard graduates stand in formation to receive their graduation certificates during a ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 1, 2025. The WPAFB Honor Guard provides military funeral honors for fallen veterans, retirees and active-duty service members and presents the colors for eligible retirement, promotion ceremonies and special events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Tech. Sgt. Dustin Seelig has served in the honor guard for three years. Prior to beginning his service with the honor guard, he was a firefighter. In his tenure with the Honor Guard, he began as a rotational member and then moved into a flight sergeant role and now manages the guard and reserves who get tasked to be sent on funeral honors. He works with nine different bases within the six-state radius to make sure all requests are covered. Seelig shared that as an introvert by nature, the honor guard has helped him to develop skills of speaking with all ranks of the military. He also shared that, “It is eye opening to see how Honor Guard works because there’s no other mission like it. We’re honoring those who have fallen yet served before or with us.” Every six months, a new group of airmen and guardians from Wright-Patt are selected from 18 different units on base to serve in the honor guard. When they enter this rotation, they come from different squadrons and capabilities from the Air Force and Space Force. Upon entering the honor guard, they are taught basic protocol, drilling, ceremony and military funeral honors. They learn about pallbearing, being part of the firing party, and posting colors. The emphasis is on military customs, courtesies, and appropriate dress and appearance. On May 1, 2025, 27 airmen and guardians graduated from the most recent rotation of a six-month timeframe serving in the Wright-Patt Honor Guard. The group successfully supported 1,904 military funeral honors and an additional 110 posting requests. They traveled over 700,000 miles and worked over 20,000 hours to deliver funeral honors and present colors at events. Base honor guard graduates prepare to present the colors during a ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 1, 2025. The WPAFB Honor Guard provides military funeral honors for fallen veterans, retirees and active-duty service members and presents the colors for eligible retirement, promotion ceremonies and special events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, said of the honor guard graduates, “They are often the last contact with the military that the family (of the deceased) will get to see. The fact that our airmen and guardians are out displaying that touch, it speaks volumes about what the Department of Defense is all about.” Richards continued to speak directly to the graduates saying, “To those family members, you are now a part of their lives and their story because they will always remember the funeral of that loved one and the impact you left when you helped send them off.” Tech. Sgt. Daniel Cassidy and Tech. Sgt. Seelig emphasized that the honor guard's no-fail mission means they fulfill every funeral request, a task both honorable and challenging given the manpower limitations and rapid turnaround times. They credited the team's success, and ensuring that the fallen receive due honor, to the crucial support of their administrative staff who manage the constant flow of requests. The honor guard staff consists of the superintendent, the non-commissioned officer in charge, four flight sergeants, one of which is a full time reservist, a three-member administrative team, one of which is a civilian, and the twelve Guard and Reserve liaisons, one of whom fills the role as the regional liaison between the Active Duty and Air Reserve Command Base Honor Guard. Cassidy currently serves as the NCOIC. Cassidy served in the honor guard as a young airman and loved it. His background is in aircraft maintenance, and he planned to separate in 2020. However, upon learning of a job opening in the honor guard, he applied for the job and continues to serve. He said, “Honor guard changed my life. I’ve had the opportunity to lead, to mentor, to interact and take care of the airmen. It’s been the highlight of my career. They are my second family.” He continued by saying, “We don’t use people to fill the mission, we use the mission to develop people.” A member of the base honor guard demonstrates a flag presentation after a six-man flag fold during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 1, 2025. The WPAFB Honor Guard provides military funeral honors for fallen veterans, retirees and active-duty service members and presents the colors for eligible retirement, promotion ceremonies and special events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Reflecting on his time in the honor guard, Seelig noted that it coincided with the birth of his two children. "This is where my literal family started," he explained, "but the Honor Guard… that's my other family." The honor guard's impact is profound and enduring. For the dedicated airmen and guardians who serve, it is a transformative experience, forging a deep understanding of duty and sacrifice. And for the families who receive the final tribute of military funeral honors, it is a moment of solace and a lasting symbol of respect. The honor guard provides a lifetime of impact and ensures that the service of their loved one is never forgotten.