US Joint Color Guard Opens 1st Regular Season NFL Game in London

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park
  • U.S. EUCOM Joint Analysis Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  For U.S. Marine Corporal Ryan P. Hall, it was a challenge not much different from other color guard presentations he has performed. "We've done color guard duties in the rain, so that was nothing new either," said the Marine who has been serving on color guards for ten years since his high school ROTC days.

For the four members of the U.S. European Command Joint Analysis Center Honor Guard from Royal Air Force, Molesworth, England, serving as a color guard at the first ever American National Football League regular season game in the UK was a once in a lifetime experience.  Some 81,176 fans watched the JAC service members perform at opening ceremonies before the New York Giants prevailed over the Miami Dolphins 13-10 in London's new Wembley Stadium. F-15Cs from RAF Lakenheath and a KC-135R Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall had been slated to perform a fly-by but were weathered out.

JAC Deputy Commander Navy Captain Harry J. Babin watching from the stands said "For me it was exciting to see the soldiers, sailors, airman and marines out there representing the JAC and the Armed Forces of the United States here in London." JAC photographer Air Force Staff Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich who was given a press pass by the NFL described the "electric vibes" that she felt as she photographed the historic game. 

Walking into the stadium carrying ceremonial M-16 rifles hours before the game was bound to attract attention from the security guards and fans in security conscious London. With their papers in order and escorted by NFL officials, they were quickly passed through, but not before they got more than a few wide-eyed glances from fans.
It was the camaraderie with their British Joint Forces Colour Guard counterparts that made the day special for Airman 1st Class Manuel Minjarez. "We had a lot in common, and it was good to talk with them and work out a good performance," said the Airman. In a gesture of mutual support, the JAC members provided their own British flag and flag holster to their UK colleagues so when the two groups marched to the center of the field for the playing of "God Save the Queen" and the "Star Spangled Banner," there was symmetry in the performance right down to the Navy member of each formation carrying the national colors, as the Royal Navy is the senior service in the UK.

An ecstatic Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Marlon E. Vega summed it up as they left the field after the performance: "We were awesome! - No ifs, ands, or buts."  Seats in the front row in the end zone for the game, and photos with the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders and sports broadcast personalities like John Salley of the "Best Darn Sports Show" capped an impressive day for the JAC team.