AFMC Command News

Band of Flight's New Harmony deploys in support of Operation Continuing Promise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mary Fessner-Tarjanyi
  • United States Air Force Band of Flight Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The United States Air Force Band of Flight's newest ensemble New Harmony deployed in July to take part in a United States Southern Command humanitarian mission in support of the Navy's Operation Continuing Promise.

The group departed from Norfolk, Va., on the USS Iwo Jima for the 120-day deployment.

This SOUTHCOM operation provides humanitarian assistance to the host nations and sends a strong message of United States compassion, support, and commitment to the Caribbean and Latin America. The ensemble will be performing at many different venues and occasions, all the while working together with the sister services and building relationships through music.

"This four-month mission will travel to eight different countries in Central and South America providing disaster relief training for military doctors, dentists and engineers while also providing localized humanitarian assistance to people often in remote locations," said Band of Flight Commander Maj. R. Michael Mench.

New Harmony, or Nueva Armonía, is comprised of two trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba, drums, guitar, keyboard and a vocalist. There are also two members deployed as director of operations and commander/audio engineer.

The ensemble is a versatile group, able to play in almost any style, from traditional brass quintet literature and jazz to pop/rock and salsa music.

The group will give public concerts and perform in ceremonies to draw people to the areas being treated by military medical personnel. New Harmony recently performed for the opening ceremony in downtown St. Louis du Nord, Haiti, near Port de Paix. The ensemble played music designed to gather a crowd, followed by the United States and Haitian anthems, and then provided more music after the ceremony while people formed lines at the newly opened medical site next door.

The performances also function to revitalize the community.

"When we first arrived in Haiti, I felt like we shouldn't be there. My mind told me that we were taking up space that could be used to transport food or clothes or medicine. Then the band started playing, and I realized why we were there," said Senior Airman Andrew Jones. "When people are suffering from poverty and disease, what tends to need the most repair is their will to survive. Music brings life to communities, and that's what we were able to provide for the mission."

In addition to public concerts, New Harmony will also provide music for military ceremonies, such as change-of-commands, as well as troop morale and welfare events aboard the ship. In its first three weeks deployed, the ensemble had already impacted close to 7,000 people.

New Harmony's most recent stop was in Colombia, where they performed with Latin Artist Carolina la O, who recently was nominated for the Billboard's Latin Music Tropical Airplay Artist of the Year. Their next stop will be Costa Rica.

For more information about upcoming performances by the United States Air Force Band of Flight and to sign up to receive the band's electronic newsletter, visit www.bandofflight.af.mil. The band also has a page on Facebook.