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Band Brothers: Family of musicians rock AOR

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
  • U.S. Central Air Forces Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  When a band goes on tour, musicians often talk of the familial bonds they form. This couldn't be truer for three deployed Airmen from the Illinois Air National Guard's Band of the Midwest.

Meet the Filipeks: Master Sgt. James Filipek, Tech. Sgt. Joe Filipek and Staff Sgt. Scott Filipek. The trio is part of an even larger family of musicians as they're currently deployed to the Central Air Forces band "Thunder Roll."

The Filipek family tree's branches are entwined with military service and musical instruments.

James, the eldest at 48, plays the tenor sax for the band. Three other relatives had already been in the Army before he signed up with the Air National Guard, according to the 30-year vet.

"I really wanted to serve and continue that tradition," said the high school shop teacher. "The Guard was the only one that had a band."

The saxophone player's three musically-inclined nephews followed him into the Guard band as well -- two who deployed with him for a tour here. The third brother, Michael, a trumpet player, was unable to come because the deployed slots were already filled.

Joe and Scott grew up around music.

"We were always hanging around our dad's wedding band rehearsals," said Joe, a nine-year veteran and drummer for the band. "We sort of picked it up from there."

The brothers also grew up attending ANG band functions and family days according to Scott Filipek, a six-year veteran and officer with the Mount Prospect Police Department.

With so much practice from family jam sessions, the brothers had no problems auditioning for the ANG band.

Scott Filipek joined the band as a saxophone player, but for the deployment, he stepped it up by playing the guitar and singing with "Thunder Roll."

When Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley decided there would be an expeditionary band presence, the Band of the Midwest was one of first ANG bands to volunteer and the Family Filipek were ready to answer the call.

"We had been begging to come over and do our part and finally we got the opportunity," said Sergeant Scott Filipek. "Our family had already set the bar, so it was our turn to contribute."

Their 30-day tour with "Thunder Roll" took them to six countries around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility from forward operating bases in Iraq to tiny villages in Djibouti, Africa.

As the tour wrapped up the family reflected on where they had been.

"I think we had a preconceived notion of what the morale of the troops would be like, but we were surprised it wasn't negative anywhere we went," said Sergeant Joe Filipek.

The Filipeks also praised the professionalism of everyone they worked with and said it was interesting to see all of the services working as one.

"It was great to experience a joint-service environment and know that it really is "one team, one fight out here," said Joe, who also works in the Mount Prospect Police system.

Of the all the memories the Filipek family will take away from their deployment to Southwest Asia, one stands out more than the others.

"I remember playing "God Bless the USA" (at Sather Air Base) in Iraq on the 4th of July," said Sergeant Jim Filipek. "All those guys standing at attention, it gave me chills. It is amazing that even in the most austere conditions the flame of patriotism was still burning bright."

Although the Filipek's haven't had any little ones yet to begin the next generation of family ANG bandsmen, another Filipek is in the process of joining up.

"Our youngest brother Doug, 17, will try out for the Band of the Midwest soon," said Joe. 
The family legacy continues. 


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