The United States Army Drill Team will be one of the spectacles at this year's Bermuda Tattoo Event in honour of the Island's 400th anniversary celebration.

The group will join the Bermuda Regiment and more than 400 musicians, dancers and performers from around the world for the event, to be held October 22 to 24.

According to Kristen Parker drill members will use bayonette-tipped 1903 Springfield rifles, and have tailored their routine specifically for the Bermuda Tattoo.

"For Bermuda they are using a unique drill that is not normally performed in standard shows," said Ms Parker, the team's public relations officer. "It involves the drill team's signature manoeuvres the 'Hat Band', the 'Ripple Line', the 'Soloist Performance' and 'Front-to-Rear-Overhead Rifle Toss'."

The latter is a routine where members from the front row alternately toss and spin ten-pound rifles to a member in the back row. The throws can reach as high as 15 feet and are caught with one hand.

Ms Parker added: "Because the Bermuda Tattoo is an outdoor performance on grass, they have had to change their training and adapt their performance from the normal indoor methods."

The US army will bring 16 soldiers to Bermuda on October 18, 12 of which are involved in the primary performance unit.

The drill team was established in 1948. Soldiers are required to concentrate on precise marching and crisp rifle drill.

It is anticipated that as many as 2,300 spectators will turn out for the Bermuda Tattoo on each of its three nights.

Conchita Ming, chairperson for the Bermuda 2009 Committee, said there will be a variety of local acts to look forward to.

"The Bermuda Regiment has moved into high gear for the Tattoo and the excitement is building for this signature event of the 400th Anniversary," she said. "The Bermuda 2009 Committee is proud to be a key sponsor of this Tattoo which promises to give Bermuda a spectacular show.

"We know that the director of music, Captain Dwight Robinson, has put together a wonderful array of performing groups. It is particularly exciting that the Tattoo is embracing the theme of the anniversary year, 'Celebrating Bermuda and Her People', by bringing in groups from around the world which reflect some of the cultures and nations from which the Bermuda community have roots."

The event will take place at the Bermuda Maritime Museum Keep Yard and starts at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost between $40 and $80 and are available at www.bermudatix.bm.