March Air Guardsmen support Betty Ford memorial service

  • Published
  • By Private 1st Class Brandon K. Batchelor
  • 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Former first lady Elizabeth B. Ford passed away July 8, and moments later, the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing activated 41 Airmen and three Soldiers to deploy to Palm Desert, Calif., to assist with key elements of the memorial service that was set to take place three days after getting the call.

Within 15 hours of initial notification, a California National Guard joint task force established an information bureau and operations center at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments building in Palm Desert, approximately 60 miles from the 163rd RW's headquarters at March Air Reserve Base.

"We were tasked by Joint Force Headquarters to be the lead unit to execute a memorial service plan with various agencies, to include the Secret Service, California Highway Patrol, Palm Desert Police Department, the City of Palm Desert, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the Ford family liaison, the Saint Margaret Episcopal Church representatives and Atlantic Aviation," said Lt. Col. Brenda Hendricksen, the media operations officer in charge. "The 163rd's responsibilities included casket detail, providing family motorcade drivers, baggage handling and coordinating press coverage."

Master Sgt. Nathan M. Brown of the 163rd was one of the key personnel responsible for orchestrating the logistical aspects of the memorial service.

"We coordinated the rapid response to include all lodging, food, vehicle and equipment support, but what really proved to be challenging were the numerous intricate details involved in an event of this magnitude. We were involved with everything from finding bunting for media trailers to coordinating motorcade drivers for the memorial procession," he said.

More than 197 journalists were credentialed and escorted during a four day period.

"The media team hit the ground running, holding a press conference within six hours of arriving in Palm Desert for the family representatives to release the details of the memorial service to be held. Additionally, the team organized every aspect of media coordination to include 22 hours of coverage at the church on July 12," Hendricksen said.

Eight people on the task force were assigned to guard the casket. That required two people to guard the casket at a time, pulling 30-minute shifts at parade rest during the repose, which was held from 5 p.m. on the day of the memorial service to 12 a.m. the following day.

"It was truly an honor to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Senior Airman Cully Hopkins of the 163rd Civil Engineering Squadron. "I'm humbled by the opportunity given to me to be a part of history."

A baggage handling crew of six members picked up and delivered baggage for family members arriving and departing Palm Springs International Airport.

"The family members were appreciative and it was interesting to see the Ford family home," said Master Sgt. Gilbert Sanchez of the 163rd.

The motorcade team was composed of nine members with only two having prior motorcade experience. A Secret Service agent assigned to the motorcade provided guidance to the National Guard team, which was only responsible for the Ford family's personal motorcade.

"The 163rd was well-prepared to carry out its assigned tasks in support of the memorial services for Mrs. Ford," said Lt. Col. Ernie Sioson of the 163rd, who served as the joint task force commander.

"This truly was a joint operation because in addition to the 163rd, Soldiers from the Joint Force Headquarters, the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 147th Combat Communications Squadron are working together on this emergency state mission," he said.

Several Airmen from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing and civilian employees from SSI, March's base support contractor, also assisted with the logistics of the memorial service.