USAF Academy Saber Drill Team cadets work with 52nd FW team to hone skills

  • Published
  • By Capt. Michael Cumberworth
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Eleven U.S. Air Force Academy Saber Drill Team cadets visited Spangdahlem this week to work with the 52nd Fighter Wing team they helped train last year, the only one of its kind in U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

Since the team’s inception last April, they have performed for the Secretary of the Air Force, at General Foglesong’s retirement, during the “Eifel Reunion,” at cultural festivals throughout the Eifel and have developed their own style of saber drill.

“It’s going pretty well so far; it has been fun learning a new routine,” said Senior Airman Josh Vanderbeck, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist and base honor guard member. “We put individuals in the middle (of a formation), do risky throws, blind throws … you really have to trust people.”

The teams performed together at the Airman Leadership School dinner Wednesday evening, conducting a routine they put together in just two days.

“We were able to combine some of how we do things with the way they do things. We only had two practices, so (the performance) went well, considering,” said Cadet 1st Class Mike Orcutt, a senior cadet from Grand Junction, Colo.

Time to practice is at a premium for members of the base team, who also have their primary duties to cover.

“It can be difficult to get time to train new people due to the mission,” said Airman 1st Class Dallas Smith, 606th Air Control Squadron computer network and cryptographic switching systems journeyman. “We appreciate (the cadets) coming out here and taking the time to train us because we can’t always afford to.”

Training is the key to the success of the Saber Drill Team, and the wing commander knows it takes a lot of time and energy to be precise at drill.

“These cadets worked tirelessly with the Spangdahlem honor guard to form USAFE’s only precision saber drill team,” said Col. Dave Goldfein, 52nd FW commander. “We are proud to host the Academy cadets for the second year of this unique Air Force partnership. I especially thank these cadets who gave up their spring break to travel here and work with our team.”

Some of the cadets who came to Spangdahlem last year returned this time either to train new people or to perform routines with the base team.

“The improvement they have made has been just phenomenal,” said Cadet 2nd Class Tom Raper, a junior from Dayton, Ohio. “Coming back here, we were not sure if they have even been able to practice, but they have been improving on their own, experimenting (and) creating new things, which is great to see.”

For the cadets, working with the Airmen has been both a leadership and learning tool while training together throughout the week.

“Being able to teach a skill to an active-duty unit, even though I am still just a cadet, is great,” Cadet Orcutt said. “It’s exciting when they get a move down or make a catch. Teaching is just another form of leadership. It is neat to be involved in somebody’s development.”