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U.S. Air Forces Central

Members of the United States Air Forces Central Command Band, Starlifter, perform for students and faculty of Qatar Academy Al-Khor Jun 9. Starlifter has been in the region since May, and has performed for more than 2,000 people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Joe Hansen)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Denver Murphy, United States Air Forces Central Command Band vocalist, center, gets the crowd clapping as Staff Sgt. Chip Cothran, lower-right, invites some special guest soloists to his “keytar”. The AFCENT Band performed a special 45-minute concert for students of the Qatar Academy-Al Khor as part their mission to build partnerships in the region. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Denver Murphy, United States Air Forces Central Command Band vocalist, center, gets the crowd clapping as Staff Sgt. Chip Cothran, lower-right, invites some special guest soloists to his “keytar”. The AFCENT Band performed a special 45-minute concert for students of the Qatar Academy-Al Khor as part their mission to build partnerships in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Joe Hansen)

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U.S. Air ForceTech. Sgt. Keisha Gwin-Goodin, United States Air Forces Central Command Band vocalist, leads student volunteer percussionists of Qatar Academy Al Khor Jun 9. Starlifter is deployed to the region from Scott AFB, performing for local audiences, U.S. and coalition servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Joe Hansen)

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"Starlifter" performs at Al Khor

Published July 1, 2014
By Capt. Joe Hansen
Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs

DOHA, QATAR -- The United States Air Forces Central Command Band, Starlifter, performed for more than 300 Qatari students and faculty members for the first time at Qatar Academy-Al Khor, June 9.

Ghada R. Bou Zeineddine, Qatar Academy-Al Khor director, said the performance was a breath of fresh air in these hot summer days.

Students in grades one through five sat and watched a 45-minute show, responding with smiles and moving along to the music. Those in attendance clapped along with the music that included songs such as: Pharrell Williams', "Happy" and Jimmy Eat World's, "The Middle".

"It was obvious from the first measure that it was going to be a special event for the kids. One of the teachers came up to me and said she had never seen the students so animated," said Lt. Col. David Huxsoll, AFCENT Public Affairs deputy director.

The Al-Khor campus is one of three installations of Qatar Academy, with a student base of nearly 100 percent Qatari. The curriculum is based in English as well as Arabic and is designed to foster critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The AFCENT Band, stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, serves the region and the United States Air Force in performing partnership-building events for local audiences. Starlifter, deployed from Scott Air Force Base, has been in theater since May and has performed for more than 2,000 civilians and Service members in five countries.