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U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

AIR FORCE BANDS

Mission

Air Force bands support the global Air Force

mission in war and peace by fostering our

national heritage and by providing

professional musical products and services

for official military, recruiting and community

relations events. They provide military and

patriotic music for official military and

government activities such as ceremonies,

formations and parades. They also provide an

essential element in maintaining troop morale,

retention and recruiting efforts.

Bands play a key role in cultivating positive relations with many communities interacting with Air

Force units. In addition, bands enhance public relations efforts with those communities outside

the local areas of our military installations. In public concerts, parades and ceremonies, Air

Force bands keep alive and enrich American musical heritage while projecting the Air Force

image.

Organization

Air Force bands are classified as premier bands and regional bands. There are two premier

bands -- The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., and the United States Air

Force Academy Band(formerly the USAF Band of the Rockies) in Colorado Springs, Colo. Ten

regional bands are found at eight 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. 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 traditional "big band" and contemporary 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.
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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 coming 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.

Bolling AFB 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

Langley AFB 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
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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

Elmendorf AFB AK 99506-2380

Japan, Pacific theater

*UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE PACIFIC-ASIA, DET 1

Unit 5075

APO AP 96328-5000

Hawaii, Pacific theater

*UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE PACIFIC-HAWAII (OL-A)

340 Kuntz Ave

Hickam AFB HI 96853-5399

*Named activities of the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at geographically

separated locations. Official designations are Det 1 and OL-A.

Point of Contact

For information on scheduling and use of Air Force bands, contact: Air Force Bands and Music

Programs, SAF/PA, 1690 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1690, DSN 225-0019 or

commercial (703) 695-0019.

November 2006