The United States Air Force Band
| The United States Air Force Band | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Active | 24 September 1941—present. |
| Garrison/HQ | Bolling Air Force Base |
| Motto(s) | "America's International Musical Ambassadors" |
| March | The U.S. Air Force (Off We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder) |
| Website |
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| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel |
Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel
Colonel George S. Howard
Colonel Lowell E. Graham
Lieutenant Colonel Alan C. Sierichs
Colonel Dennis M. Layendecker
The United States Air Force Band is a U.S. military band consisting of 177 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:
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 10 active-duty stateside bands 4 overseas active-duty band locations and 11 Air National Guard bands.
The United States Air Force Band is the youngest of the military bands based in Washington, D.C. Its military life began on 24 September 1941, with the formation of the Bolling Army Air Forces Band under the sponsorship of Lieutenant L.P. Holcomb, commanding officer of the Air Base Group at Bolling Field.
Alf Heiberg served as the Band's first commander and led the group from 1941 to 1944. The first ensemble consisted only of four players, but by the end of 1942 expanded to a total of 100 musicians. The group began to travel throughout the United States, performing at fairs and athletic events.
To identify band members in uniform, Heiberg designed a cap emblem using the pilots' wings with a superimposed musical lyre. This symbol has remained the emblem of The United States Air Force Band throughout its history.
In 1944, George S. Howard was named Commander and Conductor, a position he held for 20 years. Late in 1944, he took the Band on its first international tour; the group performed in England and France while the Royal Air Force Band toured the United States. This was the first tour for The Army Air Forces Band that included sites outside continental North America.
Following World War II, all but five of the band members left for civilian life. However, because of the program's success during the war, Howard was asked to remain in command of the Band and was charged with reorganizing it to serve in peacetime functions. He immediately embarked on a recruiting program to return the group to its original size, and the total manpower strength was increased to 115.
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