USAF Band of the Golden West

The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West is stationed in the San Francisco Bay area at Travis Air Force Base, California. The only active duty Air Force band west of the Rockies, the Band of the Golden West is comprised of 47 talented and versatile Airmen-musicians under the command of Captain Jason S. Plosch. In addition to performing for civilian communities throughout the states of California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, the band supports 13 Air Force Bases, 8 Air Force Reserve Wings, and 6 recruiting squadrons in over 250 annual performances for 1.5 million listeners.

 

The organization offers 6 outstanding performing groups: Concert Band, Ceremonial Marching Band, Commanders jazz ensemble, Mobility popular music ensemble, Travis Brass quintet and Golden West Winds woodwind quintet. Additionally, the Band of the Golden West provides solo vocalists for the performance of our National Anthem and solo buglers for Taps details.

 

The Band of the Golden West has performed for gubernatorial inaugurations, with guest artists such as Marvin Stamm, Arturo Sandoval and Bob Hope, and for the fans of Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Infineon NASCAR races. In the last ten years the band has led off three Tournament of Roses parades in Pasadena, CA. In 2004, the USAF Band of the Golden West was honored to support the interment ceremony of President Ronald Reagan in Simi Valley, CA, an event, viewed by a global TV audience of over 400 million. More recent events include featured performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony.

 

The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West received its current name on 1 May 1997. However, the band's history dates back to 1941 and throughout the intervening decades it was known as "15th Air Force Band of the Golden West", "Air Mobility Command Band of the Golden West", "America's Band in Blue" and "504th Air Force Band of the Golden Gate".

 

The US Air Force Band of the Golden West has two proud parents: the 15th Air Force and the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).

 

The "15th Air Force Band of the Golden West", originally called "The Air Force Band", was activated on 1 October 1941 at Scott Field, IL. Over the next 53 years, the band changed locations numerous times, from Camp Shanks, NY to Le Havre, France and Warton, England, to Camp Patrick Henry in VA. The band became known as the "15th Air Force Band of the Golden West" while at March Air Force Base. In 1994, the band was relocated to Travis AFB to merge with "America's Band in Blue" as the "Air Mobility Command Band of the Golden West."

 

"America's Band in Blue" has its own unique history and heritage. In 1959, it comprised the Air Force component of the "NORAD Command Band." In 1979, the band was re-designated the "504th Air Force Band of the Golden Gate" and moved to Travis Air Force Base, CA. In 1991 it was re-designated as "America's Band in Blue".

 

On 1 July 1994 the band was inactivated and all personnel and equipment were reassigned to the "Air Mobility Command Band of the Golden West" at Travis Air Force Base, CA. Changing its name to the "United States Air Force Band of the Golden West" on 1 May 1997, this 47-member organization continues to maintain its rich heritage of musical excellence and outstanding Air Force professionalism.

 

MissionAdvance Air Mobility Command and global Air Force missions by providing professional musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events

 

Vision

 

Using the power of music to stir hearts and minds of audiences worldwide, we are world-class Air Force Communicators striving to:

 

· Inspire our Air Force and the great nation we serve

· Communicate Air Force excellence

· Foster positive, long-lasting impressions of the Air Force and the United States of America

 

Objectives of the Air Force Bands Program

 

· Foster, enhance and lift the morale and esprit de corps of Airmen in the United States, outside the United States, and forward deployed locations.

· Increase public understanding of the importance of airpower, the mission, policies, and programs of the Air Force and the bravery, sacrifice and dedication of Airmen.

· Inspire patriotism and encourage young men and women to serve in the Air Force or other branches of the military.

· Foster a deep appreciation of the rich history and legacy of the Air Force.

· Strengthen relationships with a variety of publics to enhance the reputation of the Air Force as a respected professional organization charged with the responsibility for national security.

· Advance international relationships, using music to bridge language, cultural, societal, and socio-economic differences.