The McChord Honor Guard Team sets the standard in representing the colors, the United States Air Force and this country.

"This team is very impressive," said Tech. Sgt. Bonnie Longie, a team member for two years and the team's noncommissioned officer in charge.

In fact, the team has been so impressive that it has been named the 2009 Air Mobility Command (AMC) Honor Guard Team of the Year.

"They carry a level of pride unlike anything I've ever seen," continued Longie.

That pride has resulted in the Honor Guard Team conducting 624 funeral honors, of which 417 were the final escort of 417 war veterans.

In addition, the team has performed flag folding at 225 retirement ceremonies and has participated in almost 50 Joint Color Guards exercises and parades.

An average workweek for the team includes approximately 30 funerals and over half a dozen color guard events.

Serving on the Honor Guard Team is a duty many volunteer for.

"The volunteer rate has significantly increased," said Longie.

"Last year we had a 65 percent volunteer rate.  This year, that number is up to about 95 percent."

The team requires a certain number of airmen from each squadron to fulfill its needs.  At any given time, there are 72 team members, which are broken up into three teams of 24 members.

Those teams rotate over the course of a year, switching back and forth from stand-by to active status on a monthly basis.

While the team completed an significant number of ceremonies and events this year, it has also found the time to implement an innovative training program that has set the standard throughout the AMC.

"The training program used to be a month long, but we've actually been able to cut that down to two weeks," explained Capt. Tammy Ortung, the team's commander.

The new program still includes the symbolic and timeless training for funeral procedures, rifle practice, color guard and discipline.

What's more, the regime has been recognized and adopted by other AMC Honor Guard teams.

"We are representing the Air Force," emphasized Ortung.

"We need to ensure our team is trained and prepared to show the proper respect and honor to these fallen servicemembers."

This attitude is deeply ingrained in each member of McChord Honor Guard Team.

"There is a certain prides and professionalism that come along with being a part of the Honor Guard," said Longie.

"These airmen understand what it means to honor fallen servicemembers."

The 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs office contributed to this article.