News>PACAF Band accepts certificate on behalf of service members
Photos
Capt. Haley Armstrong, right, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia commander, accepts a certificate signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan at the Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. This was Armstrong's first act as commander of the band after arriving in Japan three days earlier. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos, left, Band of the Pacific-Asia guitarist, plays the guitar while fellow bandsmen Master Sgt. Paula Goetz and Senior William Pressgrove sing in front of an audience at Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. The band sang several songs to include two popular Japanese songs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
Master Sgt. Paula Goetz, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, sings in front of an audience at Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. The band performed after accepting an award on behalf of all service members who supported Japan during Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
A U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia audio technician controls the audio levels on a digital mixer while the band performs at the Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. This was the first time the band performed at the Sendai International Airport since the tsunami on March 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos, Band of the Pacific-Asia guitarist, performs with other band members for an audience at Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
Senior William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, sings with a Japanese child at the Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. The band performed for an audience with more than 200 people. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia performs for an audience at Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. After the tsunami on March 11, the airport was renovated and is now operating at full capacity. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
Senior William Pressgrove Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, sings to an audience member while impersonating Elvis Presley at Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. Pressgrove uses the iconic Elvis persona to connect with the crowd and share American culture. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
Sendai residents dance to the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia while they sing a popular Japanese song at the Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21, 2012. The band sang several songs to include two popular Japanese songs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
by Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
7/26/2012 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Pacific Trends, a contemporary group from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia region, accepted a certificate on behalf of all U.S. service members at the Sendai International Airport, Japan, July 21.
The band represented all of the U.S. armed forces while being recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for their support during Operation Tomodachi.
"The band is here because of all the U.S. service members who answered the call of duty and supported this great country in one of its most dire times," said Capt. Haley Armstrong, Band of the Pacific-Asia commander. "It is our privilege to accept this certificate on their behalf."
With this being Armstrong's first performance as commander of the band, it had extra meaning.
"This is the first time the commander position has been at Yokota in several years," said Armstrong. "Due to the importance of our friendship with the Japanese people, it just made sense to have the position moved back here to strengthen these bonds."
In addition to accepting the certificate, the band also performed several of their most popular songs.
"We performed several popular English songs including 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion, but with our own spin on it," said Senior Airman William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, "but the two Japanese songs we performed definitely received the loudest applauses," he said.
After the performance, band members shared laughs and photos with the committee and attendees.
"After talking with some of the Japanese people, I can truly say they are some of the most amazing people," said Armstrong. "I feel very proud that our country was able to help them in the way that we did."
