Buckley NCO, bandmates rock Guardian Challenge video

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott McNabb
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
Every good film is better with a good sound track to match. One Buckley NCO, and his band, made a song specifically for the Buckley Guardian Challenge team's entry video.

All the teams are required to have their own entry video for portions of the contest as a way to promote team esprit de corps. Buckley is the only team with a song made just for them by a locally radio aired rock band.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Tarrant, a 460th Operations group satellite systems operator and evaluator, is the drummer with Random Hero - a four-piece active rock band from Denver. He and the group wrote, produced and recorded the song "Guardians of Freedom" for the Buckley team's video.

"Guardian Challenge is about the best of the best," said Sergeant Tarrant. "We wrote that song with that in mind, that this is their time to shine. We hope that this song helps instill motivation in our Airmen to meet the ultimate challenge. Regardless of the outcome, these teams have what takes to keep this nation safe."

Aaron Watkins, vocalist, wrote the majority of the lyrics for the song and while he's not in the service, his research and self-reflection about what it means to be in the service are right on queue with the Air Force's messages.

"I'm most proud of the fact that the song represents our Airman's core values and what they mean to them personally," he said.

Parts of the group have been playing together for nearly five years. Joshua Bertrand, guitar, and Derek Arosemena, bass, were the original members of the band. The group as it is has been touring locally and is currently under contract with Armed Forces Entertainment for overseas entertainment with the U.S. Military.

Mr. Bertrand said he's very proud of the song and was glad to be a part of it. He and the group will play Saturday at the Marquis Theater.

Tarrant and other Air Force members helped out with the spoken word portion of the song. They are:
Tech. Sgt. Arrenthany Magee, Senior Airman Jacqueline Collard and Staff Sgt. Louis Giunta.

The song lyrics are:
Don't call myself a hero
Don't call myself the answer
But when you need me, just get out of my way
I will rise and never fail

I am the Guardian of Freedom
I am the warrior that will never back down
Flying high inside the Guardian Challenge
And I will never fail

We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's sword, we'll put service before ourselves
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's shield we are the Guardians of Freedom

Don't call myself a savior
Don't call myself the answer
But when you need me, just get out of my way
I will rise and never fail

I am the Guardian of Freedom
I am the one that will never back down
Flying high I'll always fall in line
'Cause it's service before ourselves

We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's sword, we'll put service before ourselves
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's shield we are the Guardians of Freedom
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's sword, we'll put service before ourselves
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's shield we are the Guardians of Freedom

FLY, FIGHT, WIN
FLY, FIGHT, WIN
FLY, FIGHT, WIN
FLY, FIGHT, WIN

I am an American Airman
I am a warrior
I have answered my nation's call
I am an American Airman
My mission is to FLY, FIGHT, WIN

We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's sword, we'll put service before ourselves
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's shield we are the Guardians of Freedom
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's sword, we'll put service before ourselves
We're crossing into the blue
As our Nation's shield we are the Guardians of Freedom