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USAF Band visits PNW

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West Travis Brass visited the surrounding communities of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington April 24-27 as part of their eight day tour of Washington State.

The band is the only active duty Air Force band west of the Rockies and is comprised of approximately 60 Airmen-musicians located out of Travis Air Force Base, California.

The six-person team (The Travis Brass) performed at Pioneer Park in Puyallup as well as for the Puget Sound Honor Flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The group also made their way south to perform in Lacey at the Virgil Clarkson Senior Center.

Master Sgt. Scott Wise, United States Air Force Band of the Golden West Travis Brass regional band craftsman arranger, said the band serves to give back to the community by playing music.

"Our mission is to honor, inspire, and connect," said Wise. "We honor the service of those who came before us. We inspire the American public and help bolster support for the United States Air Force and we connect the public to the Airmen. We try to put a face to the mission for the public."

Wise, who has spent the last 15 years as part of the band, said the music performances offer a community outreach opportunity that most Airmen are not afforded.

"We know Airmen can't always come out here and explain what they're doing, but we try to tell their stories to the public," said Wise.

The community was very receptive of the band and applauded their performance, especially at the Virgil Clarkson Senior Center in Lacey.

"I really enjoyed the Air Force band," said Rick Gornett, retired Army Soldier. "I've always loved music, and for them to play music that I knew really made my day. I hope they can come back and play again someday."

The band equally enjoys performing in communities and especially the opportunity to interact with Veterans.

"I really enjoy playing for them, honoring them and hearing their stories," said Wise. "There's nothing better than knowing you've gone into a community and helped the rest of the Air Force story get told. So many people can't see what the men and women of our Air Force do, so it's great to be able to tell their story and let everyone know that the United States Air Force is working hard for the American people."

All of the band members had to audition prior to being accepted by the Air Force Band. In fact most Airmen musicians have educational backgrounds in music.

Playing music in the military gives members a different purpose and appreciation for their performances according to Wise.

"Being an Airmen musician intensifies what we do, because we know that we just weren't out here doing it for the sake of music, which is worthy enough in it and of itself, but were doing it for something bigger than that. We're doing it to represent our brothers and sisters in the Air Force."