Deployed Airman helps others face the music

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew McGovern
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  Like a typical family, most Air Force members celebrate birthdays, promotions and other occasions with cake.

But, when Lt. Col. Brian Reno gets involved with a celebration, he adds to the fun by belting out a fitting tune on his trumpet.

"It's always fun to play, and it is very rewarding when others enjoy or get something out of your music," said Colonel Reno the chief of mobility operations for the Combined Air Operation Center,

Colonel Reno plays for various occasions like barbeques, the chapel music ministry, promotions, holidays and birthdays.

"My birthday was at the beginning of my deployment and I didn't know Colonel Reno played the trumpet," said Staff Sgt. Vincent Bland, aeromedical evacuation control team planner.

"Everyone was singing happy birthday when he started playing. I was surprised - it put some flare in my birthday," she said.

Colonel Reno even plays a short tune before his Friday mission brief, to signal the beginning of the brief.

"Everyone looks forward to Fridays to hear him play," said Maj. Andrew Solleder, AMD airlift control team.

"Hearing live music is awesome; it seems out of place in a deployed environment like this. We are always focused on the task at hand - airlift," he said.

"Every Friday it's as if someone hit the "pause' button and all of AMD gets a three to five minute respite from daily operations," Major Solleder said.

When Colonel Reno isn't entertaining his Airman with music, he is orchestrating more than 90 Airmen with an active mobility operations tempo.

The AMD Airmen control an average of 220 cargo and air refueling aircraft a day, said Colonel Reno. The cargo aircraft typically fly 890 tons of cargo a day which is the equivalent of the total legal weight limit of more than 22 18-wheeler freight trucks. The air refueling aircraft deliver approximately 450,000 gallons of fuel in a day.

Not to mention the average of over 3,000 transported passengers flown in a day. This is the equivalent of nearly seven Boeing 747 airliners each filled to its seating capacity. Military injured personnel are among these passengers.

"Planning airlift to move critically injured troops is emotionally draining at times. Listening to Colonel Reno play music provides a much needed diversion from the stresses of the job and feeds my soul," said Lt. Col. Lenora Cook, chief of AECT.

This musical diversion was felt on a larger scale when the Air Force Band, Max Impact, performed for a large deployed audience with Colonel Reno in attendance.

"I met the lead singer of the Air Force Band at a gospel choir rehearsal," Colonel Reno said.

Later, while the Colonel was watching them perform on stage, he happened to have his trumpet with him.

"He (the lead singer) saw me in the audience and called me on up. It was exciting to play with such professional musicians," Colonel Reno said.

Later that week, Colonel Reno was back on stage for a talent show with two of his friends Col. Otis Hicks, the civil engineer director and Capt. Aaron Khosrovani, the AMD requirements chief.

The trio, of trumpet, acoustic guitar and soprano saxophone earned a standing ovation for the rendition of 'Stairway to Heaven' made famous by Led Zeppelin.

The three ended up taking first place in the talent show.

One thing is for sure. Colonel Reno is glad he brought his trumpet on his deployment.

"I am honored to serve and use my time and talents playing music - it's relaxing, a good stress relief, good exercise for the mind and soul, and its fun!" 

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