The U.S. Air Force Academy Band performs for the Class of 2014 swearing-in ceremony at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 25, 2010. The Air Force Academy band, one of 12 active-duty Air Force bands around the world, is stationed at nearby Peterson Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
Airman 1st Class Carmen Emborski, U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America vocalist, performs a solo at the holiday concert in Belleville, Ill., Dec. 8, 2009. The concert included 11 songs performed by the band and a crowd sing-a-long. (U.S. Air Force photo /Airman 1st Class Wesley Farnsworth)
Staff Sgts. Matt Erickson and Mark Barnette, both with the Heartland of America Band, rehearse Nov. 24, 2009, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The band performs a broad range of musical styles ranging from classic to contemporary, jazz to country and pop to rock. The various components of the band perform tour extensively throughout a 680,000 square mile, eight-state area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Charles Haymond)
Members of Celtic Aire meet with Lt. Gen. John R. Allen, Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command, after a performance. Members of Celtic Aire include (left to right) Senior Master Sgt. Deb Volker, Tech. Sgts. Emily Lewis, Julia Brundage and Joe Haughton, and Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan. The deployment was part of the mission of the U.S. Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band. Based in Southwest Asia, the band is composed of deployed Airmen from active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard bands. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Mission
Air Force bands support the global Air Force mission by organizing, training and deploying professional Airman musicians. The bands provide the power of music to inspire immediate, positive and long-lasting impressions of the U.S. Air Force and the United States in the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.
They provide an essential element in maintaining troop morale and esprit de corps of Airmen around the world, including forward deployed locations. Additionally, they inspire patriotism and encourage young men and women to serve in the Air Force or other branches of the military
Using music to bridge language, cultural, societal and socio-economic differences, the bands play a key role in increasing public understanding of the importance of airpower, the mission, policies, and programs of the Air Force and the bravery, sacrifice and dedication of Airmen. In addition, bands advance relationships with national and international audiences to enhance the reputation of the Air Force as a professional organization charged with the responsibility for national security. In public concerts, parades and ceremonies, Air Force bands keep alive the rich history and legacy of the Air Force
Organization
Air Force bands are classified as premier and regional bands. The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., is the only premier band. Eleven regional bands are found at nine locations in the continental United States and operate from four locations overseas (Germany, Japan, Alaska and Hawaii). In addition, there are 11 Air National Guard bands at various locations throughout the United States.
Bands are organized so that they may be subdivided into several smaller musical units capable of performing autonomously and sim. The number, size and musical capabilities of these groups depend on the overall size of the band and the local or regional needs. Examples of performing units that support the band mission are:
Concert Band -- Performs concert, patriotic and popular entertainment music at high school, college, university and civic concerts.
Marching or Ceremonial Band -- Performs military marching and patriotic music at civic and military ceremonies or parades.
Jazz/Show Band -- Performs all varieties of jazz music in high schools, colleges, civic concerts and festivals.
Popular Music Ensemble -- Performs a variety of popular music to include rock, Top 40, country and "oldies" for recruiting, community concerts and authorized official functions.
Chamber Ensemble -- Performs a variety of music using different instrumentation in concert settings for both military and civilian audiences.
Protocol Combo -- Performs background, dinner and dance music for official military social functions.
Individual Musicians -- Buglers for funerals, solo vocalists, pianists or other instrumentalists may perform for official functions or ceremonies.
History Bands have grown from a very humble beginning to worldwide status. The 14 members of the first known "air force" band set foot on French soil in September 1917, carrying instruments purchased from their lieutenant's personal funds. The commander of the 36th Aeronautics Squadron, to which they were assigned, was so impressed with his musicians that he petitioned the American Red Cross in Paris to help find more instruments, and increased the band's size.
Bands have come a long way since then. Throughout World War II, the bands of the Army Air Corps contributed significantly in supporting the morale of our troops. When the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, Air Corps bands also transferred to the young Air Force. Since then, bands have continued to inspire esprit de corps in our Airmen, patriotism in our citizenry, and admiration and respect from people of all nations.
With a legacy rooted in our American heritage, Air Force bands are attuned to the most current requirements and technology of the 21st century.
Air Force Bands and Geographic Areas
National capital region and continental U.S. on a rotational basis
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND
201 McChord St.
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling DC 20032-0202
Colorado, Utah, continental U.S.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY BAND
520 Otis St.
Peterson AFB CO 80914-1620
Connecticut, Massachsetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF LIBERTY
25 Chennault St
Hanscom AFB MA 01731-1718
Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE WEST
1680 Barnes Ave
Lackland AFB TX 78236-5500
Delaware, Eastern Maryland, Eastern Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE HERITAGE OF AMERICA BAND
86 Hickory St
Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA 23665-2192
Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA BAND
109 Washington Square Ste 111
Offutt AFB NE 68113-2126
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee
BAND OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE RESERVE
233 N Houston Road Ste 113-A
Robins AFB GA 31093-8888
Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan (upper pennisula), Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF MID-AMERICA
900 Chapman Dr
Scott AFB IL 62225-5115
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE GOLDEN WEST
551 Waldron Street
Travis AFB CA 94535-2120
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan (lower penisula), Ohio, Western Maryland, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF FLIGHT
3920 Lear St Bldg 1420
Wright Patterson AFB OH 45433-5721
Europe, North Africa and Middle East
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCES IN EUROPE BAND
Unit 3315
APO AE 09136-5000
Alaska, Pacific theater
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE PACIFIC
9477 Pease St
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson AK 99506-2380
Japan, Pacific theater
*UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE PACIFIC-ASIA
Unit 5075
APO AP 96328-5000
Hawaii, Pacific theater
*UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE PACIFIC-HAWAII
1225 Vickers Ave
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam HI 96853-5399
*Named activities of the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at geographically separated locations.
Point of Contact
For information on scheduling and use of Air Force bands, contact: Air Force Band Programs, SAF/PAY, 1690 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1690, DSN 225-0019 or commercial 703-695-0019.
