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Celtic Aire brings Irish-American culture to Kyrgyz community

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  In a rousing set of performances in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 27 and 28, the U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs band "Celtic Aire" started an eight-day tour by bringing a taste of Irish- American culture to the Kyrgyz people.

This newly-established group was able to play at High School No. 62 and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before continuing their tour to an outlying village in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. The band is on a 60-day deployment based out of Southwest Asia, and are travelling throughout Iraq and Afghanistan before heading back for a stateside tour.

"This is the best place in the AOR," said Tech. Sgt. Joe Haughton, a premiere bandsman from the group "Singing Sergeants" out of Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., and guitarist for Celtic Aire. "The service here is second to none, and the mission we get to do here is essential. We're not just working for troops; we're working foreign relations for the local community."

Four of the "Singing Sergeants" decided three years ago to branch off into Celtic music. Now, Sergeant Haughton, together with Tech. Sgt. Emily Lewis, a vocalist and violinist of 22 years; Tech. Sgt. Julia Brundage, who sings and plays the Celtic flute, Irish drum, and pennywhistle; Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan, vocalist and bass guitarist; Senior Master Sgt. Deborah Volker, who plays the violin and mandolin; Master Sgt. Mark Hannah, their audio engineer; and Maj. Keith Bland, their officer in charge, have the chance to bring a part of blended Irish-American culture to international communities.

Capt. Lena Galaktionova, senior inspector of education and social protection for the police academy named after Kyrgyz Maj. Gen. Ergesh Aliev, said she enjoyed their performance immensely.

"They were super," she said. "It was a very good performance. I have only seen Irish music in movies."

Although she doesn't understand the lyrics, she said she loves listening to American music and loved the opportunity to communicate with Americans during the visit to the Police Academy.

The police academy's highest-ranking officer in attendance, Col. Almaz Bazarbaev, Chief, Investigation and Search Operations Department, was very impressed with the combination of instruments, which was new to him as well.

"Good music doesn't require translation," he said. "Since having the bands come and play, we have become closer to American servicemembers. They are like our own, a member of us."

The Kyrgyz police officers treated the visiting band as honored guests, offering food and tea after the performance.

"I would love for them to come again," Captain Galaktionova said.

Sergeant Haughton, who started his musical career in grade school, playing the piano and singing in the Philadelphia Boys' Choir as well as performing musicals and in high school jazz and rock bands, studied opera in college and worked as a professional vocalist for three years before joining the Air Force.

He said his visit to the high school and police academy were a great start to the tour here.

"I think music can do things you can't do with anything else," he said.