Fireworks explode behind Edinburgh castle as multinational musicians and dancers perform a tribute honoring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo' sopening night Aug. 3.

International musicians and performers perform a tribute to Scotland during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Aug. 3, which was the first official opening show for the month long tattoo. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world, including the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo.

Marine Staff Sgt. Robert Hungerford joins international drum majors from the U.K., Norway, Canada, and Australia as they march out during the finale of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo's opening night Aug. 3. The month long tattoo runs through Aug. 25 and brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world, including the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians and musicians from Scotland and Australia march out during the finale of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo's opening night Aug. 3. The month long tattoo runs through Aug. 25 and brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians play the theme to “Spider-man” during the second official show night for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Aug. 4. The month long tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo.

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Sailors from the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band are among about 1,000 international military and civilian musicians and dancers preparing to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo outside Edinburgh castle Aug. 3-25.

Musician Seaman Alexis Thompson, left, and Musician 3rd Class Jeffrey Jones, right, play French horns in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band during a rehearsal for the massed military band portion of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Musicians from the many international military and civilian bands rehearse a song from the mass military band ensemble for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo.

Musicians from the many international military and civilian bands rehearse a song July 31 for the mass military band ensemble for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This military tattoo, which runs Aug. 3-25, brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians rehearse their show segment in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo outside Edinburgh castle. This military tattoo brings together about 1,000 musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo, which is being held Aug. 3-25.

As the British Union Jack is projected onto Edinburgh castle, international military and civilian musicians from the U.S., Norway, Australia, U.K. and Canada rehearse the massed military band segment for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo, which is being held Aug. 3-25.

International military and civilian musicians from the U.S., Norway, Australia, U.K. and Canada rehearse the memorial segment of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The memorial segment honors the many U.K. and Commonwealth men and women who have lost their lives in the wars over the years, culminating in a lone bagpiper song honoring the Falklands war anniversary. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo, scheduled for Aug. 3-25.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians perform "Anchors Aweigh" as technicians project Navy imagery onto Edinburgh castle during a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dress rehearsal for charities and local Edinburgh citizens. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show.

Fireworks shoot off from the castle and diamonds are projected onto the castle walls as multinational musicians and performers play "Diamonds are Forever" in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee year during a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dress rehearsal for charities and local citizens of Edinburgh. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show.

Multinational musicians and performers stand in formation as the "Lone Bagpiper" plays a memorial tribute for U.K. troops who have died serving the nation at home and abroad. This year's memorial also commemorated the war to liberate the Falkland islands. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians perform the theme song to "Superman" as technicians project a superhero image onto Edinburgh castle during a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dress rehearsal for charities and local Edinburgh citizens. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show.

Navy Lt. David Latour, band director and conductor during event, leads the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band as it rehearses one of the songs the band will perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo held outside Edinburgh castle. Bands will have several days of rehearsals until the show begins Aug. 3, 2012.

The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Military Tattoo, an event that brings musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the military tattoo.

The Right Honorable Donald Wilson, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, right, observes a concert by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to peform in the month long show.

Musicians with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band perform a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.

Musicians with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band perform a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band director Lt. David Latour, left, leads the band as its conductor, as they play "Anchors Aweigh" for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.

Musicians with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band perform a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.

Musicians with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band perform a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to peform in the month long show.

Musicians with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band perform a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.

A Scottish press photographer shoots an photograph of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band at the conclusion of a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer Brig. David Allfrey, left, speaks with U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band director Lt. David Latour, right, following the band's concert for Right Honorable Donald Wilson, center, lord lieutenant and lord provost of the City of Edinburgh, outside the city's chambers building July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the tattoo and this year marks the first time since the tattoo's beginnings in 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show. U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band is a multi-service/multi-national musical organization responsible for performing throughout the continents of Europe and Africa.

Marine Staff Sgt. Robert Hungerford, left, performing the role of drum major for the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band, walks with band members up Edinburgh's Royal Mile following a concert for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, at the Edinburgh city chambers July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world coming to perform in the month long show.