Air Force band members become 'warehouse warriors'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Diamond
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  Six Air Force band members traded their musical instruments for power tools recently as they competed in an episode of "Warehouse Warriors."

Warehouse Warriors is a DIY (Do It Yourself) network television show that pits two teams against one another in a race against the clock to see who can complete a project in less than eight hours.

The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America from here and the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., each provided three people to participate in the power tool duel dubbed by the competitors as the "battle of the bands."

Representing the Travis AFB band were Staff Sgt. Jon Ruff and Senior Airmen Nicole Watt and Jim Doyle. Representing the Scott AFB band were Master Sergeants Paul DeMerath and Connie Galbraith and Senior Airman Tom Money.

When the day started, the airmen donned their ceremonial blue uniforms and kicked off the show with music. Then they changed into the day's battle gear: BDUs with bright red and blue T-shirts. In Warehouse Warriors style, the Travis team sported blue shirts, while their opponents, the Scott AFB team, wore red.

Once he explained the ground rules, Ed Del Grande, the host of Warehouse Warriors, announced the do-it-yourself project each team would have to build: a display case.

"I was glad they didn't want us to build something big, like a gazebo," DeMerath said. The sergeant said the extent of his carpentry skills involves small projects around the house and unit self-help projects.

Watt said she also gained most of her carpentry skills around the house, starting at age 5 or 6 when she would help her parents with small home projects.

Although she has some experience with do-it-yourself projects, being videotaped as she worked and having a time limit made the job a bit more difficult, Watt said.

Doyle, who admitted his lack of carpentry skills, said it took his team a little time to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, but added, "Once we pulled together, we really got rolling. I think our military training really helped us work under that kind of pressure."

The teams wasted no time once they received their objective.

The teams began by designing their respective display cases and gathering the necessary tools and supplies. Warehouse Warriors carpenters helped each team.

The Travis team's design started as a typical "shadow box" and evolved into a large, triangular display case capable of holding a U.S. flag, half a dozen unit coins, and several trophies and plaques. The team incorporated strategically placed cabinet lighting to illuminate the display.

While the Travis airmen choose a military-style display case, the Scott team opted for a more traditional approach. Their curio-cabinet-style display case featured a curved top, several shelves and under-cabinet lighting. Their display case also featured an illuminated cutout of the band's emblem.

At the end of the competition, a panel of judges scored each team's masterpiece based on design, execution and -- the most important element -- creativity.

And when the sawdust settled, one team was named the winner. The winning team will be announced when the show airs later this year.

"These folks are great," said Jay Baker, the professional carpenter helping the Scott AFB team. "I haven't had to do much to help them out. It's nice to work with folks who know what they want and get the job done."

Scott Branscom, Travis' pro helper, had equally nice words for his teammates.

"I had a great team," he said. "They hung tough and got the job done with time to spare. And they had fun doing it."

Del Grande said one thing he noticed about both teams was the great teamwork.

"I salute these airmen," he said. "Just when I thought they wouldn't get (their projects) finished in time, in typical military fashion, they dug in and got the job done. I love these military people. They're like machines! They know they have a job to do and they buckle down and do it."

Although only one team could take home the "battle of the bands" championship trophy, all the competitors agreed they had fun and earned a new respect for carpentry and each other.

"Both team projects turned out really nice," Galbraith said. "Although we competed against each other, we worked together to portray the Air Force in a positive light." (Courtesy of AMC News Service)