Dover sergeant serves on Armed Forces Inaugural Committee

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In January, President-Elect Barack Obama will be sworn into office, and a Dover Air Force Base reservist is playing a role in this historic moment. 

Tech. Sgt. Arthur Gauani, 512th Airlift Wing Safety Office representative, is deployed to Washington D.C., and serves as the ground safety manager for the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee there. 

The committee is a joint-service organization that coordinates all military ceremonial support during the 10-day period of the Presidential Inaugural Day ceremonies Jan. 15-24, according to the committee's web site. Some of the support the committee provides includes military musical units and marching bands, color guards, honor cordons, ushers and salute batteries, said Sergeant Gauani. As many as 7,000 service members may participate in the Inauguration Day events, he added. 

The committee's chairman is Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., who is also the commander of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region. AFIC stood up almost a year ago and is currently comprised of 350 people, said Sergeant Gauani. By January, it will grow to about 700 members who will work long hours providing inaugural support, he said. 

The sergeant, who's been deployed since September, handles all safety aspects for the five service branches supporting the committee, which includes everything from providing AFIC newcomers with a safety briefing upon their arrival to conducting investigations in the event of a mishap. 

"He's conscientious and diligent as the one-man safety shop, ensuring the service members here complete the mission safely," said U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Bagbey, who is Sergeant Gauani's supervisor and the NCO in charge of AFIC Operations, Plans and Security. 

It's been a unique work experience, said Sergeant Gauani who added this is the first time he's worked with the different services. 

"I have learned many of the other branches' different safety programs and their investigative and reporting procedures," said the sergeant. "I thought it would be different to work with the other branches, and it was a little confusing learning all the different rank structures; but, once you get past that, you're able to work as a team with a common goal, which is inaugural support." 

The 14-year Air Force Reserve veteran said he learned about this deployment, which counts as an Air Expeditionary Force rotation, from his supervisor and decided it was too good to pass up. 

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime," said Sergeant Gauani, who in civilian life works for the State of Delaware as a senior probation and parole officer. "In fact, it's the best opportunity I've had in my military career. I've not only learned a lot about the inauguration but about my sister services." 

Despite the fact that AFIC is in the nation's capital and is supporting a political function, the committee is nonpartisan. 

"The issue of politics doesn't come up at work," he said. "We're all here to serve the present administration, as well as the incoming administration, no matter which political party it is. After all, we are in the military, and the military serves the civilian leadership of our country, no matter who the president is." 

On Inauguration Day, Sergeant Gauani said he will monitor all safety aspects from the AFIC Command Information Center and will provide guidance to prevent potential mishaps. 

Despite the countless hours he will be working, he said he doesn't mind. 

"I'm very excited about our new president as this will be an unprecedented, historic event," he said. "This will be an experience I can cherish for the rest of my life."