445 AW Honor Guard Airmen win AFRC awards

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  • By 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Two reservists assigned to the 445th Airlift Wing have received Air Force Reserve Command awards for their honor guard service. Master Sgt. Mark Lyle, superintendent of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base honor guard, has been named the 2014 Air Force Reserve Command Program Manager of the Year and Staff Sgt. Brandon Spence, 445th Civil Engineer Squadron structures apprentice, has been named the 2014 AFRC Honor Guard Member of the Year. This is the eighth year in a row Lyle has received the award.

Lyle is the first and only Air Force Reserve Honor Guard Program Manager to serve as the permanent Superintendent of both the Reserve and Active Duty Wing Honor Guard programs. He oversees the efforts of 120 active duty Honor Guard members and 495 Air Reserve Component members from 15 separate, interlocking teams, encompassing a six-state area. Lyle coordinated 3,679 funerals and 380 ceremonial events making his team the number one tasked Honor Guard in the Air Force. He managed the unit's resources, maintaining a $1.25 million annual uniform, equipment, and military personnel appropriation budget and a $320,000 fleet of eight vehicles.

Spence led and performed 206 funeral details and 29 color guard events, including 69 joint service ceremonies with U.S. Army personnel. He trained 107 new Honor Guard members. Spence also coordinated five dignified transfer teams, honoring the ultimate sacrifice of local heroes.