United States Air Force Band of Liberty
The United States Air Force Band of Liberty was a United States military band of forty-five active duty members, based at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. It entertains audiences in New England, New York, and New Jersey. The band was inactivated in summer 2013. Some of its personnel joined the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, which took up some of its functions. History. The band is a select group of professional Airmen-musicians who support the global Air Force mission by providing musical products and services for official military, recruiting , and community relations events, and by fostering America’s rich national heritage. Originally known as the 541st Air Force Band of the Southwest, stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona, the unit relocated to Pease AFB, New Hampshire in 1978. Renamed the Air Force Band of New England, the band brought its musical message of pride, patriotism, and professionalism to concerts and events throughout New England. In 1991, the band received its current name and was assigned to Electronics Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, in Massachusetts. This change fostered another new name: the United States Air Force Band of Liberty. The  Band of Liberty consists of forty-five active duty personnel assigned to two primary ensembles—the Concert Band and the Afterburner popular music group. The organization has several subgroups, including the Ceremonial/Marching Band, Liberty Big Band, Colonial Brass, New England Winds woodwind quintet, and the Bay State Winds clarinet quartet. The band performs around four hundred engagements a year, and has appeared at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York City and the Hatch Shell in Boston. On January 20, 2009, the Band of Liberty's Colonial Brass provided musical support at the Farewell Ceremony of President George  W. Bush. On January 3, 2007, members of the Ceremonial Band performed at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, Michigan for the state funeral of Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States. As part of larger restructuring of and cuts to military bands, the band was disbanded in mid-2013. Mission statement. Support the Global Air Force Mission—by fostering our national heritage and providing professional musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events Vision. World Class—Mission Ready Air Force Music Professionals using the "power of music" to: – "Inspire" our Air Force and the  great nation we serve – "Produce" innovative musical programs and products – "Communicate" Air Force excellence