AFCENT Band Brings the Funk to Bagram

Published Aug. 19, 2010
By 2nd Lt. Jennifer Guerrero
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- There was something different in the air this week, and no it was not the usual dust.

The Air Force Central Command Band, New Directions, filled the air with their music as they focused on bringing a little feeling of 'home' to the troops.

The Air National Guard band from Milford, Mass., is composed of ten members and played twice a day on Aug. 11 and12. The AFCENT band played here in various locations, the SSgt. Heathe N Craig Joint Theater Hospital, being one of the places.

"The response from the hospital was great." Tech. Sgt. Adam Benham, the bands' drummer said. "Some patients, who were able, did record our performance on tape and video to keep with them. We spoke to the individuals afterwards to let them tell their stories. One of our members even brought some harmonicas over to give out to help folks pass the time by learning an instrument."

Maj. Bryan M. Miller, the bands commander and trumpet player, said the goal for the band playing at Bagram was to support the troops, raise morale and bring a little bit of home to everybody overseas.

Not too long ago, the band was in need of a commander and a trumpet player, and Major Miller was able to support and fill in both slots.

"This is our first deployment together as a unit and our tour will last about four to five weeks," he said.

Diverse groups require diverse types of music.

"For this particular group I tried to get something both youthful and timeless," Sergeant Benham said. "So there are some tunes that'll be a little bit older but are still geared for the youth of that time. So we have tunes like John Mayer, that's more like today. And then stuff like George Clinton and James Brown. All of these are still geared towards the youth of that time and Bob Marley is also one."

Sergeant Benham said playing music is the most enjoyable part of being in the band.

"Being out here allows the music to speak for itself," he said.

As the band played songs at the Base Exchange on the east side of Bagram Airfield, the crowd continued to grow.

John G. Mitchell, a contractor in the crowd, said he enjoyed everything about the band.

"The instruments, the performance of the band, the selection of the music, especially the selection of the music," Mr. Mitchell said.

"I liked the end part [the most], the reggae songs that they were singing," he said. "I think it made me in a better mood."

Mr. Mitchell pointed to a crowd of five soldiers and said, "I think they appreciated it too cause I saw them singing and beating and clapping."