News>Air Force Band, Honor Guard, Drill Team represent Airmen for Independence Day
Photos
The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass band performs the National Anthem July 2, 2011, at Citi Field for the New York Mets vs. New York Yankees baseball game. The U.S. Air Force Band also played on NBC's Today show for Independence Day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Bryan Bouchard)
Col. A. Phillip Waite, commander and conductor of The U.S. Air Force Band, leads the ceremonial brass in the opening performance at the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game at Citi Field July 2, 2011, in New York. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Band takes the outfield to inspire fans and perform the national anthem before the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game at Citi Field July 2, 2011, in New York. The U.S. Air Force Band was invited to perform before the opening pitch of the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Band takes the outfield to perform patriotic songs and the national anthem before the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game at Citi Field July 2, 2011, in New York. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S Air Force Honor Guard color guard presents the nation’s flag before almost 42,000 baseball fans at Citi Field July 2, 2011, in New York. The USAF Honor Guard and The U.S. Air Force Band were invited to perform at the Mets vs. Yankees game in celebration of the Independence Day weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
Col. A. Phillip Waite, commander and conductor of The U.S. Air Force Band, informs the NBC’s Today show anchors and their national audience about the mission of his command during a live broadcast July 4, 2011, in New York. Following the interview, the band performed in celebration of Independence Day for the Today Show audience at the Rockefeller Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The audience applauds for The U.S. Air Force Band performance on NBC’s Today show at Rockefeller Center July 4, 2011, in New York. The live broadcast displayed The USAF Band’s many missions, one being to positively impact the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Band performs at the Air Force Memorial, Arlington, Va., in honor of Independence Day July 4, 2011. The USAF Band’s performance honored service members, past and present. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the Air Force assistant vice chief of staff, applauds the performance of The U.S. Air Force Band during their Independence Day performance at the Air Force Memorial July 4, 2011, in Arlington, Va. The general was invited to be the presiding officer for the event by Col. A. Phillip Waite, commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard color guard presents the colors during the U.S. Air Force Band’s Independence Day performance at the Air Force Memorial July 4, 2011, in Arlington, Va. Following the presentation, The U.S. Air Force Band performed for the 400 spectators awaiting the Washington D.C. fireworks display. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The Air Force Memorial stands high overlooking the U.S. Air Force Honor Guards Drill Team’s performance in celebration of Independence Day in Arlington Va. July 4. The memorial was presented to the nation during a formal dedication on October 14, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs for the audience at the Air Force Memorial to celebrate Independence Day July 4, 2011, in Arlington Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team honors past and present service members with a performance at the Air Force Memorial July 4, 2011, in Arlington, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
Master Sgt. Nathan Todd, a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team flight chief, stands motionless as the Airmen perform breath-taking maneuvers at Air Force Memorial July 4, 2011, in Arlington Va. The performance in honor of Independence Day was followed by the music provided by the U.S. Air Force Band. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs during the U.S. Air Force Band’s Summer Concert Series in celebration of Independence Day July 4, 2011, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. Earlier that day, the USAF Honor Guard parade flight and colors team participated in the Washington, D.C., July 4 National Parade, at the Washington Nationals baseball game and at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling’s Freedom Fest. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
by Airman 1st Class Tabitha N. Haynes
Air Force District of Washington
7/6/2011 - Air Force District of Washington -- The U.S. Air Force Band and U.S. Air Force Honor Guard celebrated the Independence Day holiday weekend in New York, Pennsylvania and the nation's capital.
"Each mission was special in and of itself," said Col. A. Phillip Waite, commander and conductor of The U.S. Air Force Band. "Collectively these five performances provided the U.S. Air Force an unprecedented opportunity to connect with an enormous number of our citizens during our country's most celebrated anniversary."
The U.S. Air Force Band performed at five separate events in both New York City and Washington, D.C ., during the Fourth of July weekend, and was slated for two additional missions that were cancelled due to inclement weather.
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard parade flight, drill team and colors team participated in five events as well, one being the July 4 National Parade down Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C.
"Whether performing for one or 100,000, we are supremely privileged to represent our Air Force during each and every mission," Waite said. "Our unique capability to dramatically and positively uplift individual listeners brings us tremendous satisfaction as we execute these missions."
The U.S. Air Force band was the opening performance for the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game at Citi Field in New York July 2. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard color team presented the nation's flag for the event as well.
Following that New York performance, The U.S. Air Force Band gave a national audience a sampling of their inspirational music with a live broadcast in Rockefeller Center for NBC's "Today Show."
The Today Show is rated by Nielsen as the number one morning show since 1995, and ranked number 17 on TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time," Waite said.
"At any given time, there are thousands of Airmen deployed around the globe defending the freedoms proclaimed by our Constitution," he said. "It is our privilege, especially on Independence Day, to represent those Airmen to the American public and the world. We hope to portray excellence, and strengthen the faith and trust the American people have in the greatest Air Force on earth."
To conclude the holiday weekend, The USAF Band, Honor Guard and Drill Team performed at the Air Force Memorial, precluding the Washington, D.C., fireworks display July 4.
"Our drills were flawless," said Staff Sgt. Mark Freda, The USAF Honor Guard Drill Team director of operations and ceremonial guardsman. "During our performance, the awe of the crowd matched the intensity to which we were performing. Every member of the team gave all they had to present the best show possible for such an amazing and supportive audience. Standing amongst the crowd in uniform, being thanked by hundreds of U.S. citizens, gave me a sense of pride that cannot be explained in words."
The U.S. Air Force Band's performance at the Air Force Memorial was one of several from the Summer Concert Series. For more information on concerts and performances in and around the National Capital Region, visit the band's website at www.usafband.af.mil.
Comments
10/30/2011 9:55:28 PM ET Very proud of my nephew Master Sgt. Nathan Todd, a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team Flight Chief. He's only two years my junior and very much more of a brother.
