AFMC Command News

Deployed band members promote troop morale, diplomacy and community outreach

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Wendy Harvey
  • AF Band of Flight, Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Members from the Air Force Band of Flight here welcomed some of their own back to the states March 7 as members returned from a 60-day deployment to central and southwest Asia.

Deployed Airmen arrived at Dayton International Airport and were greeted by a reception of family and friends. Band commander Maj. R. Michael Mench was on hand distributing gift bags to the returning band members and their families.

"It was truly moving to see the tears of the spouses and the smiles of the children as these patriots arrived home," Major Mench said. "It was a huge relief to have all members of my unit home safe and sound."

The 10 Airmen deployed as part of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Band, which is the first permanently assigned Air Force Band to the Central Command area of responsibility, or AOR. The USAFCENT band is made up of deployed Airmen from active-duty, Reserve and National Guard bands.

The group from Wright-Patterson AFB, known locally as System's Go and in the AOR as Falcon, traveled more than 8,100 miles and performed for more than 14,500 people. The group includes one bass, 2 guitars, keyboard, drums, trumpet, trombone, saxophone and vocals. They performed a wide variety of music including rock and roll, jazz and R&B, entertaining US service members, coalition partners and international civilians.

Falcon had a diverse mission and played for a variety of audiences. They performed for a small group at Camp Sather, an Air Force base on the west side of Baghdad International Airport, as well as for a crowd of 1,300 at a U.S. National Day event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. For the National Day event, Falcon performed for former Secretary of State Madeline Albright along with other dignitaries and Abu Dhabi royalty.

According to Staff Sgt. Denny Pack, a guitarist with the band and a 14-year veteran, the deployment was a fantastic experience.

"I will never forget that there are people who are really, really making the hard decisions that are saving lives, as well as putting their lives on the line every day," he said. "I'm just happy I can make them smile."

The returning members will get some time off to spend with their families. After that, things will pick up again when they join the other members of the Band of Flight for a community relations tour in Kentucky at the end of March.