The USAFE Band gather at a staging point before marching in the World War II Victory Day Parade

The 686th Air Force Band, known also as the United States Air Forces in Europe Band (USAFE Band) is composed of 45 active duty Air Force musicians who serve under the

United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa United may refer to: Places * United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community * United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Arts and entertainment Films * ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film * ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two fi ...

Command and work as musical ambassadors to European nations in

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...

and the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...

. Through numerous radio and television broadcasts, and performances, the USAFE Band provides American music to the troops of USAFE.

History

It was first activated on 1 February 1943, as the 386th Army Band of the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

, the predecessor of the USAF. Starting as a unit of just five members, the band quickly grew to an ensemble of 45. The unit's primary mission was to develop a way to entertain U.S. troops and boost their morale on the frontlines. In addition to performing traditional military ceremonial and parade music, members formed a dance band which performed for evening events on Post, playing the popular swing music of the era, as composed by the Army Air Corps' own Major Glenn Miller, among others. In 1944, amidst some of the fiercest battles of World War II, The band was selected for relocation to Europe; first, briefly, in a suburb of Paris, France, and then in Wiesbaden Germany, where they remained stationed until 1977. Since then, the band has moved among various locations in Germany, ultimately settling at their current home of Ramstein Air Base.

Functions

The functions of the band rests in the band's different ensembles. The USAFE Ceremonial Band is mainly provides full musical honors, such as

Ruffles and Flourishes Ruffles and flourishes are preceding fanfare for honors music, ceremonial music for distinguished people. By country Israel In the Israeli Defence Forces, ruffles and flourishes are sounded as a guard of honor presents arms to signify the honors ...

. Their presence is centered around traditional military ceremonies such as state visits and funerals. It also takes part in military tattoos and marching festivals all over the continent, earning it the nickname of "America's Musical Ambassador". "The Ambassadors" ensemble is a jazz band with characteristics of big band ensembles. The "Touch & Go" ensemble is a dynamic pop/rock band that covers music of today as well as music of the 70's, 80's and 90's.

Leadership

* Band Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Cristina Moore Urrutia * Band Manager: Chief Master Sergeant Mark A. Burditt * First Sergeant: Chief Master Sergeant Mark A. Burditt * Director of Operations: Master Sergeant Rebecca Collins * Special Events Coordinator: Dominik Halnais

Structure

* Ceremonial Band * The Ambassadors * Concert Band * Touch & Go * Winds Aloft * Five Star Brass * Wings of Dixie * Clarinet Quartet

References

External links