McConnell to host Silent Drill Platoon

Published Aug. 11, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., -- Personifying McConnell's mission as Total Force, 40 members of the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon are scheduled to perform here Sept. 25-26, 2010.

The platoon is scheduled to perform during the 2010 McConnell Open House and Air Show. The members of the platoon are hand-selected from infantry schools, and serve a two-year ceremonial tour.

The platoon dates back to 1948. Since then, they have performed nationwide at ceremonies and military air shows.

"It is import to showcase the SDP for a number of reasons," said Maj. Daniel Stone, 350th Air Refueling Squadron assistant director of operations. "The SDP will highlight a sister service which we support daily in combat operations and their presence here will help spread the message that we train and fight alongside other armed branches."

In addition to showcasing a sister service's capabilities, members of McConnell's Honor Guard hope to learn from the platoon.

"They will be using our facilities to rehearse and train, hopefully we will be able to pick up some new movements and possibly look into starting our own drill team at McConnell," said Staff Sgt. Ralph Ortiz, 22nd Force Support Squadron Honor Guard NCOIC.

Community members, Airmen, veterans and all open house guests will be able to see the SDP perform three times during the open house allowing inspiration, professionalism and precision to flow throughout the bleachers.

"I first saw the silent drill platoon when I was in high school Navy ROTC and was finishing a Leadership Academy at the Naval Academy, Md.," recalled Major Stone. "Our drill instructors were all Marines and on the Friday before graduation they took us to see the 8th&I SDP performance held weekly in Washington, D.C. I was a member of my school's exhibition rifle team, and to witness the precision, drill and perfect technique of the SDP was amazing. The SDP inspired me then and inspires me today to service before self and pride in the nation and service to which we belong."

The SDP is slated to perform on a drill pad twice the size of a football field for the open house. The SDP is part of a much larger event hosted by McConnell, including all branches of the military and civil acts.

While the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are the featured aerial demonstration, a variety of performers will showcase aircraft capabilities including a U.S. Navy will F/A-18 Hornet.

John Klatt will showcase the Air National Guard and several other military aircraft will be flown and or on static display. In addition, the air show will host civilian acts by Randy ball, Dan Buchannon and a WWII aerial dog fight reenactment.

In addition, soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One" will showcase their legacy with ground displays. Also, a ceremony recognizing World War II veterans will be the opening act for the open house.

The community is invited to join Team McConnell in watching the SDP perform alongside many other acts during the open house. For more information, visit www.mcconnell.af.mil.