Air Force Band connects with Philippines' audiences

News > Air Force Band connects with Philippines' audiences

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U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific band member Staff Sgt. Mike Henrie signs a pair of drum sticks for a young concert goer following a performance Feb. 10, 2012, at a mall in Angeles City, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the four-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Michael Willen)
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Air Force Band connects with Philippines' audiences

Posted 2/25/2012 Updated 2/24/2012

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by Maj. Michael Willen
United States Air Force Band of the Pacific

2/25/2012 - ANGELES CITY, Philippines (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific performed for approximately 11,000 visitors during the Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Feb. 9-12 at Clark Field here.

The four-day event is in its 17th year and is part of a U.S. Pacific Command initiative designed to demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to partnerships between the United States and countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional stability and promoting security cooperation. The event attracts more than 4,500 aviation enthusiasts and 75,000 spectators annually. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of aviation in the Philippines.

"It's really an honor for the Air Force Band to perform for such great people," said Staff Sgt. Clint Whitney, a vocalist for the band. "We are thankful for the kindness shown to us during our visit to the Philippines."

The fiesta featured demonstrations and exhibitions for more than 12 hours each day, beginning with hot air balloon flights. Balloonists from the United States, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea participated in this year's event. A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska,was also featured as the largest aircraft on static display.

"This is what I joined the Air Force to do," said Master Sgt. Mike Williams, the NCO in charge of the band. "Bringing smiles to international audiences while performing music as an ambassador for the U.S. is one of the highlights of my career."

Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos, a Filipino-American stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan, with the band's Asia detachment, greeted audiences in their native language, Tagalog. When he told the Filipino audiences that our mission was to help build and maintain the U.S.-Philippines partnership on behalf of the U.S. embassy, the crowd cheered.

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to perform as part of the Air Force Band in my home country of the Philippines," Santos said. "This is the first time some members of my family have seen me perform live."

The U.S. Embassy in Manila, coordinated two local outreach performances in Angeles City and Olongapo near Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy base.

"The local sponsors were excited to have the Band of the Pacific perform in the local communities," said Adrian Ayalin, an information specialist for the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

After hearing the band perform at a reception for Fiesta participants, former Commanding General of the Philippine air force, Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, remarked, "We enjoyed your performance very much. Thank you, please come again."

Comments

3/2/2012 1:31:29 AM ET
Everyone who doesn't understand why we have AF Bands: I recently got a chance to tour with the Air Force's deployed band Afterburner. The first eight months I was deployed with the band I'll admit I didn't understand why we had them, but that outlook changed when I got to see them perform for deployed troops as well for a country that one day may be a close friend of ours. Here's a video I made from my time with them. The troops in the video are on their way to Afghanistan. If most of us were going to Afghanistan, it would be hard to smile; however, after hearing the band play, this troops were nothing but smiles.

Sal, Southwest Asia

3/1/2012 4:07:57 PM ET
Sounds like someone needs to read that new article on the front page, Schwartz: Smaller Air Force will concentrate on key capabilities... tell me where band and TIB fit in to his statement that as budgets drop the Air Force must concentrate on four basic areas control of air and space, global mobility, global surveillance and reconnaissance, and global strike. I guarantee you nothing in that planning accounts for playing the clarinet and signing autographs.

JB, CO

3/1/2012 3:43:33 PM ET
Actually Jeremy, your posts are the ones claiming the Band raised money, compelled the lame from wheelchairs and opened doors in international communities. The band does nothing to bring the excellence of the military Air Force to the world and it shouldn't be presented as the face of the AF. This shouldn't be someone's primary job and with 12 standing bands we have way too much invested as a force that's already strapped for personnel and resources. When you start constraining budget you have to evaluate core competencies and PR is not at the top of the list, neither is entertainment, neither is vet relations and neither is signing autographs. We have a ready and willing civillian populace that wants to entertain the troops as thanks... and I'd rather see Hooters girls than someone getting paid with the same money as me playing a trombone.

Cappy, MA

2/29/2012 9:15:29 PM ET
Cappy, if you weren't there then how do you know that the professional Airman was posing for the photo? And if he was, go look around this website and see how at least half of the photos are posed. The SSgt in the photo wasn't acting like a celebrity, he was doing his job of public relations. People ask for autographs all the time, it's nothing even remotely special. Stop with the petty working-class-hero crap. No one in the bands said that they stop wars, cure diseases, have the hardest job ever or raise money - the hangar was used simply to demonstrate a point.

Jeremy, Texas

2/29/2012 5:29:28 PM ET
Why don't we just stick an F-16 in the mall and have a load competition or have folks watch a crew chief sign off red X's for an hour or two I'm sure all the real Airmen putting on a display of skill will have the locals coming out in droves.

JG, Hill AFB Utah

2/29/2012 5:08:25 PM ET
Retired Col. Dennis M. Drew defines military science as A systematic and exact body of knowledge about the conduct of military affairs. The realm of military science includes those subjects issues or functions that man can quantify with a considerable degree of precision.... In general military science deals with the question of what one can or cannot do in terms of military operations-the technical and managerial aspects of developing, deploying and employing military forces. He defines military art as The studied and creative planning and conduct of affairs. It deals with those functions and issues that generally cannot be quantified and thus requires creative thought and the ability to deal with abstractions rather than the technical skills and hard data points required by military science. For example, military art would be deeply involved in strategy, political-military affairs, leadership, morale and other such inexact subject area. In general military art concern

Stag, LA LA Land

2/29/2012 5:04:42 PM ET
Jeremy, that Professional entertainer was posing for a picture used on this site. It's called modesty if you appreciate what it means to serve, what it means to serve as a fluffer when your brothers and sisters in arms are in the suck, then you have the presence of mind to not act like a celebrity. This article is self appreciating, tooting their own horns indeed. At least TIB doesn't claim to raise money and stop wars with their brand of mind numbing mediorcity.

Cappy, Mass

2/29/2012 4:51:50 PM ET
Well retired chief, when that young girl came up and asked SSgt Henrie for his autograph, what would YOU have done? Be careful how you answer because anything short of just kneeling down and doing it will make you pretty much a jerk. Thank goodness actual professionals are doing this job.

Jeremy, Texas

2/29/2012 4:48:12 PM ET
Don't even get started with Phase 0, nowhere in hearts and minds does it talk about the AF Band. I'd be really proud to serve in a capacity called soft power... a phrase someone came up with to justify their own interest in keeping these programs. I maintain the proper protocol for special ed programs like this is you take a 365 in a REAL capacity then you can go do this for a while. If you want to meet in the middle here, cancel all CONUS performances and those targeted solely at AMCITS. You can drop the hangar thing, just cause they were there to write a check doesn't mean the band compelled it. We are not in the business of fundraising for the DOD PERIOD.

JB, CO

2/29/2012 3:41:57 PM ET
1. The bloated elitism and disdainful comments displayed by the vast majority of commenters here is disgraceful and embarrassing.2. Soft power - look it up folks. 3. Playing ceremonies and events in the States is fine, but given the choice of reducing those events or reducing overseas engagements, clearly the overseas outreach should take priority. Preaching to the choir is nice and reaffirming, but it wins you no new members or friends.4. Clearly the majority of negative commenters here are unfamiliar with Phase Zero operations and strategic tasks -- both of which are terms the PACAF Band is well familiar with and is in full support of during events like this one in the Phillipines.5. There's a big difference between the impact of Air Force Bands and that of Tops In Blue. And it's not just the lack of sequins. Do your homework next time before you blast programs you do not understand through your myopic points of view.

Rev, Hawaii

2/29/2012 3:38:51 PM ET
Referring to a military band member autographing drumsticks as an ambassador of peace is a slap in the face to all who have spilled their blood in the name of peace.

Retired chief, Ft. Meyers Florida

2/29/2012 2:58:18 PM ET
Alan Carter - they DO travel the AOR, there is a band continuously traveling the AOR to perform for the troops and for foreign entitities to improve relations. Here's the problem with the posts here - they're uneducated. I want to by sympathetic because I'm also in a career field that is small and continuously getting cut, but you have to present intelligent arguments. The donation of the hangars because of a band concert: TRUE STORY -- two private donors pulled out checkbooks at a performance. The deployments and direct impact: TRUE STORY. Saying we don't have the money to support these things: Hate to say it guys -- but we could actually do with a lot less maintainers, too -- now you have ISR equipment that can be piloted and maintained much cheaper and with less personnel. And there is no across the board 10,000 being cut -- there was a specific airframe being cut, so the numbers are going along with it to help the budget - BECAUSE THAT WAS THE FUNCTION no longer needed. Fly, Fight

CA, Tennessee

2/29/2012 2:20:08 PM ET
Seems to me most of you guys are unfamiliar with joint doctrine phase 0 operations and the concept application of Soft Power. The new National Defense Strategy points our military and Air Force in the direction of the Asia-Pacific region. I can tell you from previous experience serving in this AOR it's not about putting warheads to foreheads anymore, rather a more focused approach toward ensuring regional stability. I urge each of you against mobilizing the band forward to support this mission to contact the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines to get their take on what this means to SE Asia relations and contact the A3 pros on what this means to ensuring we have friends and airfield agreements in the event we move away from Phase 0. I personally commend this band for taking a step forward and getting off the base. If these guys' primary responsiblity was to perform only on base in the CONUS environment, I'd say cut-em, and so goes Tops in Blue and the T-Birds too. It's a hard sell when the

John Colonel Ret, NC

2/29/2012 2:15:31 PM ET
Seems to me most of you guys are unfamiliar with joint doctrine phase 0 operations and the concept application of Soft Power. The new National Defense Strategy points our military and Air Force in the direction of the Asia-Pacific region. I can tell you from previous experience serving in this AOR it's not about putting warheads to foreheads anymore rather a more focused approach toward ensuring regional stability. I urge each of you against mobilizing the band forward to support this mission to contact the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines to get their take on what this means to SE Asia relations and contact the A3 pros on what this means to ensuring we have friends and airfield agreements in the event we move away from Phase 0. I personally commend this band for taking a step forward and getting off the base. If these guys primary responsiblity was to perform only on basein the CONUS environment I'd say cut-em and so goes Tops in Blue and the T-Birds too. It's a hard sell when the

John Colonel Ret, NC

2/29/2012 2:11:04 PM ET
Everyone calm down. We are starting to fall into the us against them arguements that brings our political system to a halt. In this extreme budget cutting enviroment we must cut things that are not mission essential. Just because something is not mission essential doesn't mean it is bad, a waste of money or not important. The bands DO provide many benefits. When we have to make hard decisions between a person fixing a plane, securing a base, ensuring our troops get paid or one that play a musical instrument, the decision should be an easy one. Let's stop justifying what needs to be done by insulting the careerfield or talents of fellow Airmen. They signed up for a job that is offered and do the duties that are directed to do, which follows the same oath we all signed up for.

Paul, Hanscom

2/29/2012 12:50:22 PM ET
I sleep well at night knowing the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific is standing watch to protect America. We will never know just how many terrorists have cancelled their attacks against American interests after hearing the band play.

John, Seattle

2/29/2012 12:27:51 PM ET
Love the modesty by the way... signing autographs... if this is your duty and service then put the pen away. People with ties to the band/TIB let their emotions overwhelm reality. People don't donate hangars because of the band... you're fooling yourself. We paint these folks as ambassadors Go play for Afghans, go play for Iraqis... go somewhere you're not a tourist, the PI must be a hardship tour. Don't expect a pat on the back for building pallets, carrying gear... thousands do it in the real AOR every day. The mission is Fly, Fight and Win... either you're part of it or you're not. Be outstanding or be outprocessing.

JB, Denver

2/29/2012 12:22:08 PM ET
It has all been said here already so I will just add if the USAF is looking for ways to save money on duty and in retirement they should gandfather everyone on duty that has a job in the band so eventially there is no retirement benefits or high rank opertunities, which has always been a slap in the face to all the Maintainers and defenders who actually worked to keep the USA defences in high gear. I have never met a retire band member and probably won't because I can not see any band member out here telling war stories of how they played the drums or blew a horn. The USAF management needs to wakeup and see what is truely needed in a hard economic climiateUSAFE Life Time Jet Engine mechanic now consultant

SNCO Retired, Ohio

2/29/2012 11:51:59 AM ET
According to this very website the mission of the US Air Force is to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace. Its mission isn't to provide entertainment for a community in the US or otherwise or to develop world-class singers and dancers. Have the band, Tops in Blue or the T-Birds contributed in some unquantifiable way to the mission of the AF? Probably. Unfortunately we've reached a point where we can't afford to fund the programs with unquantifiable contributions to the mission. When these types of activities are really examined, they have two primary purposes: morale and recruitment. Now I pose this question: which would better contribute to morale and recruitment a. musical performances and air shows or b. the knowledge that your job isn't going to be cut? For this lowly Airman the answer is b.

R.H. Adams, CONUS

2/29/2012 10:48:49 AM ET
C.A. Tennessee, Since airmen tooting flutes and blowing horns possess a unique skillset that gets the Air Force into places we wouldn't normally be welcome, why not deploy them to Afghanistan instead of balloon festivals and state fairs? They can roam from village to village like the Pied Piper to bring peace to all the land.

Alan Carter, Dayton OH

2/29/2012 9:39:33 AM ET
DC MD: It seems you are wrong on this and have the wrong idea when you joined the military. You should not seek war or hurt first. War and punishment should be the last option ever available, any great leader will tell you this. Before that happens peaceful measures must ensue. This is where the bands steps in. I hope you all rethink your comments because having a band they are the ones that got it right. Creating a peaceful environment first before making that decision to attack. Put down the weapons for a change.

Brandon , Travis AFB

2/29/2012 9:33:16 AM ET
As if providing financial, military and economic aid to countries like the Philippines is not enough, we also have to go there to waste more tax payer dollars to strengthen our partnership by waving our spirit fingers? Friending them on facebook would have done just as well if not better and much cheaper.

ddub, TX

2/29/2012 9:13:24 AM ET
DC - I sincerely appreciate the skillset you bring to the table, truly. But we have to think big picture and unless we WANT to continuously be at war, we cannot be the bullies the world expects us to be and constantly depend on bringing hurt to our enemies. It sounds cliche' but it really is true -- we have to concentrate on building relationships and DETERRING war. I'll admit I was also skeptical, but after 6 deployments I've seen the effects these bands have. We're not sponsoring a rock band, these guys work their butts off -- they arrange their own travel pack, their own pallets, set-up tear-down, still meet the same mobility requirements and everything else everyone else in uniform does -- but they bring a unique skillset that gets the Air Force into places we wouldn't normally be welcome.They truly have an impact just like live music has on us all.

C.A., Tennessee

2/29/2012 8:49:45 AM ET
And to think that I have to send up official memos to our MAJCOM in order to validate WHY we need money to fix our radar or send our guys to training for a system that directly supports the Air Force Border Patrol and other Homeland Security departments. Am I QQing? Every time I see one of these articles, I don't think so.

JJ, TX

2/29/2012 8:19:06 AM ET
An aircraft squadron making it's umpteenth extended deployment to the Mid-East. An Air Force band deploying to play at a four-day Hot Air Balloon Festival in the Philippines. Which one best portrays the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win?

TJ, Las Vegas

2/29/2012 7:42:56 AM ET
Since the budget is so critical that we have to jettison 10,000 airmen, Air Force leadership should lead the way by indefinitely suspending all non-essential operations such as the Air Force Band, Tops In Blue and even the Thunderbirds. Anyone who can't be reclassified as deployable combat asset should be the first of the 10,000 to separate.

TJ, DC

2/28/2012 9:51:24 PM ET
Chris, don't be dumb. You can't tie a measurable return? OK, go check out a C-5 hangar at Travis AFB that was funded completely with donations from two private donors who were compelled to do so because they were inspired to an extraordinary level by actions of the Band there. That was about $5.7 million from the result of one day's worth of activity. Or just ask the thousands and thousands of concertgoers in the US alone who hear about what YOUR career field is doing, get to interact with members of the Air Force, or veteran audience members who get to spend a couple of hours remembering that they were a part of the military once. I've seen people in wheelchairs stand up and dance, helped communities grieve for lost service members, and demonstrated the professionalism of the entire Air Force to people in remote communities who would otherwise never see an Air Force uniform. You go ahead and pretend that it's a waste because there's no measurable return in the form of numbers and doll

Jeremy, Texas

2/28/2012 9:13:32 PM ET
What good could this be possibly doing? I agree with DC, this is a phenomenal waste of American tax payers hard earned money. The Air Force mission is to put war heads on foreheads. Should there be an Air Force Band? Sure, but they should only be used for official military events. Not doing concerts in the Philipenes or any other countries half way around the world for that matter.

CJ, AFEF

2/28/2012 6:41:15 PM ET
I was invited to join the AF Strolling Strings in 1975 just after finishing tech school as an avionics tech. I declined considering it a waste of my time and the Air Force's resources - me.You guys in the band may think you're doing something useful, but trust me you are not. You 21-year old TSgts are a joke and not a good one.

Ret MSgt, St Paul MN

2/28/2012 4:46:48 PM ET
Mr Kimball, so if I can't assign a value the task is wasteful? Do you know how many airplanes patrol the skies in the AOR to let the enemy know that we are present? You can quantify how many patrols there are, but there is no way to assign a dollar value to their impact. Your logic in the statement that something without a measureable ROI lacks common sense. One can easily see the empirical value of things such as patroling skies over enemy territories or sending in goodwill ambassadors such as AF bands. Look up empirical in the dictionary if you need to...

TSgt, USA

2/28/2012 4:22:25 PM ET
I agree with you Seth. For you naysayers, just because you can't put a dollar amount on it doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile. So many things we put great value on- faith, trust, etc.- can't be assigned a dollar value but we still see them as valuable. The community relations these folks do by improving the Air Force image nationally and internationally is simply stellar, irreplacable and invaluable. Without those functions, we would never be able to convince the taxpayers that the noisy AFB nearby is actually worth something. Think about that the next time you want to cut the band or the T-birds.

L, USA

2/28/2012 2:53:24 PM ET
@Seth - Open up your PA history books on this one. The good citizens of the Phillipines would still know what our Air Force did had their Government not booted the USAF from Clark in 1991. Yes, the Mt Pinutubo eruption played a part, but their refusal to renew the base lease precipitated our departure. And the only thing the honest citizens of the PI really cared about was the economic stimulus right outside the base gate. GI, I miss you... they can have the band.

Barney, Box Elder SD

2/28/2012 12:39:55 PM ET
Seth, easy on the kool-aid. First, just because Congress approved the President's decision to nominate Schwartz and Donley does not mean they have a grasp on anything at all. It only means that they were able to present an illusion sufficient to convince people of equal or lesser intelligence that they have a clue. Second, the portions of the AF band that are funded from taxpayer sources ARE indeed a waste of money. Why? Because the Air Force is unable to tie a measurable return on investment to such activities. If you can't assign a value you must assume what you are doing is wasteful.

Chris Kimball, Indiana

2/28/2012 12:30:06 PM ET
Seth is correct. How much money could the Air Force save by eliminating all the bands tops in blue and AF sports teams, not to mention the associated travel costs? I think these are great programs, but if we are in a serious budget pinch I hate to tell some maintainer he can't re-enlist while we continue to fund these programs.

Chris, Michigan

2/28/2012 10:43:47 AM ET
Good for you DC. I joined the AF to help bring news of the Air Force to the public by using a skill I spent years developing and it's what I do every day. Get outside of your own little bubble and realize that not everybody in the USA - let alone the Philippines - knows what the Air Force does and it's up to groups like Air Force bands and other public affairs professionals to bring YOUR story to the American and international public while building relations with foreign nations. Stop tearing down your fellow Airmen and realize that Air Force senior leadership - including General Schwartz and Secretary Donley - are aware of Air Force priorities and budgeting issues and have a much better grasp on where to spend money than someone with your apparently limited perspective.

Seth, Texas

2/27/2012 3:12:32 PM ET
I just can't get over what a phenomenal waste of money these bands are. I joined the AF to fix airplanes that bring hurt to the enemy not play a flute to entertain people at a hot air balloon festival. Can't we save the taxpayer a ton of cash and just invest in a good PA system and a CD of patriotic music instead

DC, MD

2/26/2012 4:29:57 PM ET
This is a great example of how our external audiences can receive and understand our messaging through music. It also shows the importance of using our music resources for various groups including national and international.

Candice D., Fort Meade MD

2/26/2012 10:19:11 AM ET
This is what I joined the Air Force to do said Master Sgt. Mike Williams the NCO in charge of the band. Bringing smiles to international audiences while performing music as an ambassador for the U.S. is one of the highlights of my career.Really Why Perspective we need it.

Greedo, over the rainbow

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