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AFCENT Band performs in Jordan

  • Published
  • By Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs
  • Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs

The Air Forces Central Band performed a first-of-its-kind holiday concert in the small city of Fuheis, Jordan, Dec. 14, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy Jordan.

 

The AFCENT Band traveled to Jordan to perform various engagements in support of diplomacy and international outreach alongside the U.S. Embassy in Amman.

 

The mission of the AFCENT Band is to strengthen U.S. and coalition troop morale, and develop positive relationships within international communities through the universal language of music, according to 1st Lt. Michael Flynn, AFCENT Band officer in charge.

 

“Fuheis is a predominantly Christian community and is important, like the rest of Jordan across its governorates, because it contributes to the broader culture of the country,” said Nina Augustine, U.S. Embassy Jordan outreach officer. "This is the first time we've brought the AFCENT band in to perform an event in Fuheis. Whenever you bring an element in to a new place, it opens the door to relationships and other opportunities we didn’t have before, with people we’ve never met."

 

This embassy-sponsored performance was the first external engagement in the local community involving the band. In the past, the band performed at internal embassy events where local civil and military leaders were invited.

 

"Jordan is one of our strongest allies in the region," said Cheryl Collins, U.S. Embassy Jordan deputy press attaché. "We are always proud when we can celebrate our partnerships, both through training exercises and sharing our cultural experiences with each other. This was a transcending moment of nationalities coming together with people and celebrations."

 

Augustine emphasized that any time cultures are shared there is an opportunity to further all relationships, and it is no different here.

 

"We found a commonality together," Augustine said. "So the next time we go in, we have this shared experience and that would move any relationship forward.”

 

The band also performed three other shows on behalf of the embassy to advance the collaboration with Jordan and solidify partnerships within the region.

 

"We want to thank our partners at the U.S. Embassy, as well as the collaborative efforts of the Fuheis city leadership and local musicians that helped create a music performance representing true cultural exchange between the U.S. and cities within Jordan," Flynn stated.