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Drill Down

Tech Sgt. Terrance Boyd, 81st Training Group, conducts an open ranks inspection on members of the 338th drill team during a drill down competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Dark Knights placed 1st overall, 2nd in both open ranks and regulation and 3rd in freestyle drill competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Drill Down

Members of the 338th Training Squadron yell out their squadron chant prior to the start of the drill down competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Dark Knights placed 1st overall, 2nd in both open ranks and regulation and 3rd in freestyle drill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Drill Down

The 336th Training Squadron drill team performs in the freestyle drill competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Red Wolves placed 2nd overall and in freestyle drill and 3rd in both open ranks and regulation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Drill Down

Airman 1st Class Eric Williams, 338th Training Squadron drill team instructor, spins his weapon during the freestyle portion of the drill down competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Dark Knights placed 1st overall, 2nd in both open ranks and regulation and 3rd in freestyle drill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Drill Down

Airmen Basic Christian Williams, Bianca Brown and Cody Steele, 334th Training Squadron, face “eyes right” during the regulation portion of the drill down competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Gators placed first in both regulation and freestyle drill competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Drill Down

Airman Basic Amanda Goheen, 335th Training Squadron, holds her position in the freestyle drill portion of the drill down competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Gators placed 1st in open ranks and 3rd overall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Drill Down

Airman 1st Class Jonatan Ramirez, 335th Training Squadron, holds his position in the freestyle drill portion of the drill down competition June 22, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base Miss. The Gators placed 1st in open ranks and 3rd overall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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Dark Knights take drill down trophy

Published June 27, 2012
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 338th Training Squadron Dark Knights charged to the overall title in Friday's 81st Training Group drill down.

It was the final Keesler drill down for Col. Glen Downing, who served as reviewing officer. He's on his way to the Pentagon for a new assignment as Chief, Mobility Division, Directorate of Global Reach, Undersecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.

The Dark Knights, who also clinched the top spot in February's contest, placed second in open ranks and regulation drill and third place in freestyle drill.

Second place overall went to the 336th TRS Red Wolves, who took second in freestyle drill and third in open ranks and regulation drill.

The 335th TRS Bulls came in third with first place in open ranks.

The 334th TRS Gators came in first in regulation and freestyle drills.

Tech. Sgt. Julie Hammond, 81st TRG military training leader, said that open ranks and regulation drill each count 40 percent of the overall score, with freestyle drill accounting for 20 percent of the total.

Members of the Dark Knights team are:

Regulation drill -- Airman John Cavassa, flight commander; Airman 1st Class Jennifer Melton, guide; Airmen Basic Hayden Bevill and Keandrey Freeman; and Airmen 1st Class Stanley Smith, Mark Lozada, Zhai White and Mia Randazzo.

Freestyle drill -- Airman 1st Class Eric Williams, drill instructor; Airman 1st Class Joshua Talley, drill master; Airmen Basic Alexander Hazel, Gregory Bales, Maurice Bell and Roger Alvarez; and Airmen 1st Class Brian Wood, Joseph Holloway and Keshia Combis.

Open ranks -- Airman Basic Steven Dunn, drill instructor; Airmen Basic Matthew Johnson, Michael Esteban-Tavale, Brandon Lopez, Alvarez, Freeman and Bevill; and Airmen 1st Class Ryan King and Smith.
The next drill down is 8 a.m. Aug. 31.