KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia Pacific Trends ensemble performed in Gunsan City, Republic of Korea, at the Ilmakwon Welfare Facility and Okbong Elementary school on Mar. 15 to enhance community relations and connect with host nation citizens.
The 6-person team performed popular songs from artists such as Bruno Mars and Adele for 145 children and staff.
“Even though we speak different languages and we can’t always understand each other through conversation, we have other means of communication,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Lumpkin audio engineer for the band. “When you throw in music we all are familiar with, we are more applicable to be understood and build a relationship.”
The PACAF band, based at Yokota Air Base, Japan, consists of 24 members. It also has a 12 member detachment stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
The band is made up of two ensembles, the Pacific Trends rock band and the Pacific Showcase jazz band. Pacific Trends plays American and Japanese pop from the 60s to today, and Pacific Showcase specializes in a mix of instrumental and vocal favorites, from early New Orleans jazz to modern compositions.
One of 12 Air Force bands, the PACAF Band was established as the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at Eglin Field, Florida in 1941. Its purpose is to help the Air Force build relationships with partners in the region through face-to-face contact.
The children that had the opportunity to watch the band got up and danced, smiled at the sounds of the guitar, swayed to the sounds of the vocals and cheered, moving their hands to simulate playing the drums.
“It’s about breaking the communication barrier,” Senior Airman Maritzaida Amador, band vocalist, said. “That’s what music does; connect people together.”