Band rocks Bagram servicemembers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Richard Williams
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  The sound of music filled the air as members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band Reserve Generation performed here as part of a two-month tour of the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility April 15 through 20.

Bagram Airfield was one of the last stops for the band, deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

The band plays a mix of rock 'n' roll, pop and country, and even some requests, said Tech. Sgt. David Vittetoe, the band's drummer.

"We have been traveling around playing for deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and civilians," Sergeant Vittetoe said. "We are just hoping to give them a few minutes to forget where they are and just enjoy themselves. That is our ultimate goal."

Airman 1st Class Jill Diem, a vocalist, said this is her first deployment, and it has been an eye opening one.

"You get to see what the troops are doing first-hand and provide some morale opportunities and put a smile on their faces, and that has been a very rewarding experience," she said.

Reserve Generation played at a variety of squadron functions to include lunch at the dining facility and an open show at the base morale, welfare and recreation area.

The highlight for came when the band played an all acoustic set at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital.

"Bringing a smile to those people's faces for what they do was just an honor and a privilege," said Senior Airman Josh Byrd, a guitarist.

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Luft, assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, said he enjoyed the band at several locations and really appreciated Reserve Generation taking the time to travel throughout the AOR to boost morale for his fellow servicemembers.

"I think they are great and it's nice that they play a variety of music so everyone can get a little taste of something they like," he said.

Sergeant Luft, deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan, said it was great having them here because it's something out of the norm of the everyday mission and it gives people a chance to decompress from the stress of being in a combat zone.

The band has really enjoyed their time playing for a wide spectrum of audiences on their tour and each location has been enjoyable and memorable, Airman Diem said.

"We have sung for local nationals, civilians, ambassadors, princes, astronauts and the troops and it has been really amazing."