Airman plays a traditional tune

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Francesca Popp
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Airmen gathered around the base flag pole just before 7 a.m. line up in formation and wait to hear the command, "Sound Reveille!"

Those two words are Airman 1st Class Caitlin Davies' cue to begin playing her solo.

Airman Davies, a 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron Operations Flight network integration technician here, may be the only bugler deployed to Iraq, said Master Sgt. Abdullah Mustapha, NCO in charge of the Ali Base honor guard.

"We are really proud that she stepped up to do this," Sergeant Mustapha said. "It brings us back to a time when there were no recordings, and it adds a nice touch to the ceremonies here."

Sergeant Mustapha recently learned that Airman Davies could play the bugle while the two were cleaning out the honor guard storage closet.

"She grabbed the bugle and started playing," he said.

Airman Davies has 13 years of musical experience. She said she's honored to provide live music during ceremonies here.

"It means a lot to provide a familiar tradition to service members during a time of war," said Airman Davies, who is deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. "The bugler position is a hard one to fill because qualified musicians aren't always in abundance, so, I'm glad to fill (the position) while I can."

Having a bugler actually play Reveille gives the ceremony more impact than recorded music, said Sergeant Mustapha, who is deployed from Eielson AFB, Alaska.
"It just gives our ceremonies a more organic and original touch," he said. "It helps us reflect on our history and the history of the armed forces."

"The goal of music is to move the spirit in whatever style the music calls for," said Airman Davies. "Would you rather see the Grand Canyon for yourself or view a photograph in National Geographic? We want to see things in person for ourselves.  The overall effect is more engaging."

Airman Davies said she practices five days a week for 15 minutes and for two hours during honor guard practices.

"She has a great attitude and initiative," said Sergeant Mustapha. "She embodies everything that an honor guard member is supposed to be."

Airman Davies' forte is the French horn. She had not played the bugle before deploying nearly four months ago.

"Solo bugling is very new to me," she said. "I was rusty the first time because it had been a while since I had performed a solo. French hornists almost always play harmony; not all are in the limelight providing melody."

Airman Davies gathers her emotions to express them in music, puts the shiny instrument to her lips and proceeds to sound Reveille.

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