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US Air Force C-17s recently delivered Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) to the Marines in Afghanistan. Technical Sergeant Cohen Young (who wrote about his experiences in Sadr City, Iraq) was on board the flight for the mission with the 535th Airlift Squadron as part of the Defense Media Activity, Hawaii. Below is his narrated photo slide show.

Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.

Below is the third part of our first-hand accounts of the U.S. Air Force Band's preparation for the upcoming Inauguration. Here, Master Sergeant Brian McCurdy (pictured) discusses Day 2 of the Band's rehearsals.




Well, today was similar to yesterday, except there were several media outlets present to document the occasion. Once again, the weather did not sympathize with our situation, and the band marched through the morning darkness against a cold, steady rain.

Because of the unique size of the ensemble (99 members), we rehearsed inside of a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. We went over some commands from our drum Major, CMSgt. Ed Teleky (below right). This will be Chief Teleky’s sixth Inaugural parade.

After the Chief’s briefing, our commander Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, gave us some musical pointers.

“Play the phrases expressively. Whatever we do in here we’ll lose 50% of in the parade,” the Colonel said.

He was referring to the fact that it is very difficult to march outside in the cold, maintain a perfect interval with the person in front of you, avoid the distraction of worldwide attention, and still play! With so much starting and stopping during a parade of this magnitude, the music needs to be second nature.

After the indoor portion of the rehearsal was complete, it was time to move out onto the flight line. In my experience, there is always a steady wind on the flight line, no matter what time of year or what the weather conditions dictate. I am no meteorologist, but I’m convinced that Air Force bases are magnets for wind gusts!

This was a great opportunity for members of the local media to get some video of the band. Throughout the morning, various local news programs were popping in and out of our rehearsal with live feeds, and they were also taping material for future use in late-day and evening news broadcasts. Colonel Layendecker appeared live in studio on our [DC] local News Channel 8.

We rehearsed the parade sequence outside several times, with each repetition getting a little better. Once we perfected our music and marching, Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs, the deputy commander of the USAF Band, gave some much needed words of encouragement. “I am amazed at your incredible professionalism, especially in these conditions!” I think many of us were amazed, too.


Below: CMSgt. Elizabeth Schouten, clarinetist, is interviewed by the media during rehearsal. This is her 7th, and final, inaugural parade, as she’s soon retiring after 28 years of service.


Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs

Below is a first-hand account of the U.S. Air Force Band's preparation for the upcoming Inauguration. Technical Sergeant Jay Heltzer (pictured) gives us his thoughts from the practice.

My name is TSgt. Jay Heltzer, and I am the bass trombonist with the United States Air Force Concert Band, from Bolling AFB in Washington D.C. Along with MSgt. Brian McCurdy, I will provide a bandsman’s perspective on preparing for, and participating in, the 2009 Inaugural Parade. We hope to give you as many details as we can--some trivial, some interesting, some historic-- on the USAF Band’s role in the events of Jan. 20, 2009.

Day 1 (Jan. 8) of the 2009 Inauguration Preparation -- When we reported to work, there was a definite buzz in the air. Everyone felt the excitement, curiosity and confusion in the air. When you see more than two Air Force buses parked in front of the band hangar for the daily mission, you know there is something big going on. Add to that the typical morning traffic in Washington, D.C., and you get a very edgy band member.

Once we arrived at work, we found our bus assignments and received our winter gear (like scarves and gloves). As we found out soon enough, we needed as much gear as possible on this cold, wet and rainy day!

After arriving at Andrews AFB, Md., (a short 9 mile drive from Bolling) we fell into the Hangar where we got into the traditional 99-piece formation, beginning with the familiar shout of our drum major: “Nine trombones!” (Trombones are always in the front row). Time to start building a band.

Once we were in place, Day 1 began with training. Five members of the Ceremonial Brass, who will perform with the band on Inauguration day, stepped out of the formation and helped out as our Marching Training Staff. These five Airmen have an extensive background in marching, from their own personal experience in school to marching with top-level Drum and Bugle Corps from Drum Corps International. They also teach local high school bands and other Drum Corps.

Master Sgt. Kent Baker, who fits in all the above categories, was in charge of the training and the agenda for the morning. He talked to the band about the fundamentals of marching, uniformity, appearance and focusing on all the details to make us look as good as possible for the big day, and hopefully all the days following.

Personally, I marched in high school and college, and when I joined the Air Force Band 4 1/2 years ago, I was a member of the Ceremonial Brass. Marching has always been a part of my life, and I thought I was pretty good at it. However, it’s very easy to take things for granted, because I had staff members coming up to me numerous times commenting on my toes during “marking time” (marching in place), and my horn angle, and how I line up with the people on both sides of me.

This is not just “another parade.” This is a parade the whole world will be watching, and we do not want details to be ignored or passed over. After a few hours of constant reminders, what do you know? I can now effectively keep my toes together when I mark time. The band can also move forward, stop, and make left and right turns as a unit. It may seem pretty elementary, but you try moving 99 people in sync, and see how easy it is. Mission Accomplished.

Check back for Part 2 with Master Sergeant Brian McCurdy.

Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs Agency

The men and women of Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina launched 13 C-17s demonstrating "that we are ready to take the fight to the enemy!" even though many aircraft and Airmen are deployed around the world. The mission included a single pass over Charleston's most famous landmark, the Ravenel Bridge, air refueling and air drops.