AFCENT band wraps up Kyrgyz Republic tour

Published May 28, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Jerome Baysmore
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan -- Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band Thunder Roll wrapped up a 12-day tour here playing on base and in the local Bishkek community.

The traveling Air Force band, which is deployed to the AFCENT area of responsibility from the Air Force Band of the West at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, covered songs from current hits, R & B and classic rock genres.

The band, coming with mixed backgrounds and some with classical and jazz training, performed throughout the area. Lead guitarist, Tech. Sgt. Steve Wilson said, for him, this stop was the highlight of their nearly 60-day deployment because of the Manas AB community relations and village partnership programs.

"Of all the places I've been, this was my favorite because of the community outreach program," he said. "That and the military support we've receive here has made this one of my most memorable deployments."

The 11-person band juggled practice, rest and warm-up sessions between 15 performances and a Kyrgyz Military cultural exchange visit during their scheduled tour. The band also played requests from the crowd such as: "Freebird," took others in stride, and lightly shrugged off others with humor.

During an on base outdoor concert in AAFES Town, an impending thunderstorm shortened the group's opening performance. A small gathering of transients gathered under an overhang protecting themselves from the weather shouted for the band to play on because, they were receiving "combat pay."

Sergeant Wilson quickly quipped, "Yeah, but you don't know what lightning does to electrical equipment, do you?"

Nothing followed but an understanding silence as the small gathering watched the band pack up their instruments.

It was the only glitch and the remainder of their schedule was busy, but smooth. They looked forward to every performance.

"For me, I feel like I've accomplished the most when I get to perform for the troops who are working hard while also helping strengthen foreign relations," the 16-year Air Force veteran said. "That makes the job worth it."

Lead vocalist, Staff Sgt. Mary Beth McFann agreed with him, "It's exciting to see people reacting to our performances. In America, we take bands for granted because they're just everywhere. Here, it makes you feel like you're doing your job because most people are so glad to see us perform."

At most of their community performances, the band performed, danced with the crowd and also thanked the locals for supporting and strengthening Kyrgyz and United States relations. Thunder Roll also performed for some of the local orphanages, the Belovodosky orphanage for special-needs children and schools in the surrounding areas.

"This job also forces you to recognize how privileged we are in the United States," she said. "Most Americans take our way of life for granted, but as we've seen here, it makes you appreciate what you have, and it makes you want to give more to others."

"It's overwhelming just to perform off base and give them something to remember," she concluded. "Anytime you can touch someone's heart through music is meaningful. Besides, if you're performing music for selfish reasons, then you're not really doing music anyway."