On Friday, January 18, Flight 152 of the 324th Training Squadron marched in its basic training graduation parade along with 750 other airmen, two bands, and about 50 military training instructors. 

The formal name for the parade is "Pass In Review" which is a military drill maneuver where the units march in a large rectangular-shaped formation so each unit moves past the reviewing officials while rendering salutes or "eyes right", depending on where the person is in the formation.

In the picture above, you'll notice there are over 850 troops lined up in formation from the left side of the field to the right.  They are facing you in this picture as you are viewing them from the same side of the line of march as the reviewing officials. 

• The troops are now at attention, but will next execute a "Column Right" command to start marching towards the left side of the picture. 
• At a certain point, they will make a "Column Left" movement, march a short distance,  then take another "Column Left " and pass in front of you after they pass the reviewing stand to your left. 
• Once past you, on the paved area called "The Bomb Run", they will execute a "Column Left", march across the field, take another "Column Left" and march back to their original starting positions.

Keep in mind, while these movements are being executed, the flights are being graded on their precision in drill and ceremony.  The winner takes home the "Brass Ring" award.

Here comes my nephew Joey's unit, Flight 152 of the 324 Training Squadron, led by Staff Sergeant Cantu, Military Training Instructor, wearing the "Smokey Bear" campaign hat, as they pass in review. 

It was a cold morning, right about 40 degrees Farenheit, so the troops were marching in their blue service dress uniforms with their top coats and black leather gloves.  Don't they look good?  They are in perfect step!

Does it look like my brother, Joe, aka Joey's Dad, is prouder than hell of Flight 152? 

You bet he was...told me he was having a great time and couldn't wait to see Joey...which he did about 20 seconds after this picture was taken!

Looking good, standing tall, Flight 152 passes by, just as they are ready to execute a Column Left to leave the "Bomb Run" and march back out on the parade field.  My nephew Joey appears behind the right shoulder of the airman in the front row center wearing glasses.

At this point, Sergeant Cantu is giving the command to execute a "Column Left"...  Joey is indicated by the arrow...the troops are off to a good start...

... since a properly executed "Column Left" includes:

• The airman in the left most rank reaches a certain point and makes a left face movement.
• The airman in the second  rank takes one step and then makes a left face movement.
• The airman in the third rank takes one step, make a 45 degree left movement, takes one step and makes another 45 degree movement.
• The airman in the fourth rank takes two steps, makes a 45 degree left movement, takes two steps and makes another 45 degree movement.

(I may not be exactly correct, but the movement is along those lines)

They're half-way through the Column Left's execution...looking good...

...And they finish it perfectly--winning the Brass Ring award! 

(the last guy in the center rank is actually in the next unit behind Flight 152--wow--is he out of step with the parade!)

I don't think Dad would've missed the parade for anything!

( I know Joey wouldn't have since it ends basic training! )

And, Joey, thank you for inviting me to the parade, too!

(no one made it that big a deal when I marched down "Bomb Run" in '76; I'm glad it is nowadays!)