Former residents helps put together inauguration

On Jan. 20, in the shadow of the nation's capitol, President George Bush will place his hand on a Bible and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Renquist will administer the oath of office.

It will mark the 55th inauguration of a president, and Air Force SMSgt. Pete Casiano, a former Mountain Home resident, will be one of the key architects of the myriad ceremonies that will surround that event.

Casiano is the senior enlisted advisor to the Public Affairs Division at JTF-AFIC, but he is also the ranking Air Force enlisted point of contact for the Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. A 1983 graduate of Mountain Home High School, he is the son of Fred and "Rusty" Casiano of Mountain Home.

"My basic responsibilities are to help coordinate the military units in the inaugural ceremonies," he said, and with this year's inaugural theme of "Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service," the military will be even more visible during the inauguration than in many years past.

From the cordon of troops lining the parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, to the military units appearing in the parade and providing ceremonial guard duties throughout the city, to the bands at the dozen or more inaugural balls and parties (including one designed specifically for servicemen), Casiano has his hands full making sure everything is lined up and in its proper place on inauguration day.

"This will be the first inauguration after 9/11," he pointed out.

"The planning actually started four years ago. The outgoing committee (for the 2000 event) put together a manning document, outlining the things that needed to be done then, and we've taken their advice" and made the modifications necessary for this year's event.

Planning really kicked into high gear last August when the senior leadership was assigned to the inauguration planning. "But the crunch time really started a few months ago," when planning kicked into high gear, Casiano said.

From a core group of 210-215 members, the final planning and coordination staff will rise to 710 members during the inaugural events themselves.

The inauguration, which is expected to cost about $40 million, is a huge undertaking, with ten days of events between Jan. 15-25, most on Jan. 20, scattered throughout Washington, D.C.

A civilian planning staff (the inauguration is privately funded by the winning political party) heads the overall operation, but there are strict rules in how the military can be used.

And they are used. It involves a great deal of joint-service coordination.

The large military participation in the activities, from security to ceremonial overflights, requires a huge team of planners and coordinators from the military side. Most of the units involved will come from the Washington, D.C. area (Mountain Home has two residents who are members of the Presidential Honor Guard, for example, who will play key roles in the event).

"I think it's going to be a great day for this committee," Casiano said. "We're representing the soldier, sailor, airman and Marines around the world.

"It's going to be a great time for this country. I'm excited about people part of the history that began in 1789" with the inauguration of George Washington in New York City.

"We get to be on the inside of how democracy works here," he said. "There are few things more patriotic than electing a president, and being part of the process.

"When you think back to President Lincoln being elected during a civil war and still having an inauguration, it is amazing to know that we're part of that legacy."

In his "day job" with the Air Force Casiano is responsible for tracking all logistic, budgetary and equipment needs for the Public Affairs staff. He also monitors leave, training requirements, personnel, manning and morale for the division.

"We're in a unique situation in this joint environment," he said. "The service senior enlisted advisors are here to make sure that people's careers are being taken care of. Each service has a different mission, and leadership styles are developed along those mission lines. I'm here to be a resource for people with questions about how the Air Force operates."

Casiano comes from a family with a long history of military service. His grandfather, father and uncles all served in the military. His grandfather was killed during World War II and one of his uncles lost his life in Vietnam.

He grew up in the military. His father was stationed at Mountain Home AFB for many years and retired from there. Now his father is ready to retire again, from civil service, where he works on the hospital on base, Casiano said.

Casiano enlisted in the Air Force in 1984 and has spent most of his career as a radio and tv broadcaster for the service, stationed all over the world. He was a member of the public affairs team here for the Thunderbirds when the plane crashed at the 2003 airshow on base. At the end of this assignment he will have moved 11 times in the last 20 years.

It's a small career field, but he said he jumped at the opportunity to help put together the inauguration.

"I accepted in October of last year, and I reported this March.

"It's been a lot of work, but a lot of fun. We're showcasing America here" on Jan. 20, he said.