page_title: United States Air Force Band
section_title: WAF Band
hierarchical_section_title: United States Air Force Band / Formation and early history / WAF Band
caption_attribution_description: English: WAF Band at USAF Band School, Bolling AFB, Washington DC. Early '50s. Source: USAF photo
context_page_description: The United States Air Force Band is a U.S. military band consisting of 184 active-duty members of the United States Air Force.
  It is the Air Force's premier musical organization and is based at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.. Within the band there are six performing ensembles:
  The Concert Band,
  Singing Sergeants,
  Airmen of Note,
  Air Force Strings,
  Ceremonial Brass,
  Max Impact.
  Collectively, these musical groups perform a wide spectrum of styles, including classical, jazz, popular, patriotic and ceremonial music.
  The mission of the Band is to deliver musical products that inspire emotions, create positive impressions and communicate information according to Air Force objectives for the defense of the United States of America.
  The Band is part of the United States Air Force Bands Program, which consists of 8 active-duty stateside bands 2 overseas active-duty band locations and 5 Air National Guard bands.
context_section_description: In January 1951, Howard organized the 543rd Air Force Band made up of 19 female airmen from the Women in the Air Force (WAF) program. He expanded this group to some 50 members and in June 1955, in Air Force Regulation 190-21, they were officially designated "United States WAF Band", acknowledging their de facto status as USAF representatives rather than their original status as a simple base band. Their official mission became to "assist, within their capabilities, in promoting Air Force objectives and enhancing the prestige of the Air Force and the United States." This meant there were now two bands serving as ambassadors of the USAF: the all-male Air Force Band and the all-female WAF Band. The WAF Band was dissolved in 1961 following its commander's contravention of a directive from Howard restricting performances at civilian schools and county fairs.
caption: The WAF Band poses at USAF Band School at Bolling AFB in Washington, DC
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