Major Michael D. Hoerber is Commander and Conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Yokota Air Base, Japan, and its detachment at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Major is responsible for equipping, training and deploying this 41-member squadron based at two locations in 10 different musical configurations and aids in overseeing more than 450 annual musical presentations. Since assuming command in August 2018, he has led strategic engagements in support of Pacific Air Forces’ priorities by utilizing the international language of music to expand relationships and foster trust with an increasingly diverse group of allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region.

Major Hoerber joined the United States Air Force in July 2006. Upon graduation as a Distinguished Graduate from Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, Major Hoerber was assigned as Deputy Commander/Assistant Conductor of the USAF Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. He has since served as the Commander/Conductor of the USAF Heartland of America Band (2009-2011), the USAF Band of the West at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (2011-2013) and the USAF Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. (2013-2018). The Major has deployed twice to Southwest Asia as the Officer in Charge of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band in 2011 & 2016-2017.

Units under his leadership have been recognized with several awards to include the Air Force Public Affairs Communication Excellence Award for “Most Innovative Program.”  Additionally, his Airmen have been featured with several Grammy nominated and winning artists to include Joe Bonamassa, Kris Allen, Chris Daughtry, Jimmy Bruno and Harry Connick Jr.

Before joining the Air Force, Major Hoerber attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where he studied clarinet with Dr. Robert Spring and conducting with Dr. Timothy Russell, Dr. Richard Strange, Dr. William Reber and Prof. Gary W. Hill.  After completing both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, he became the Music Director of the North Valley Chamber Orchestra and the Director of Bands at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona where in 2006 he was nationally recognized by the Nobel Foundation as an Outstanding High School Educator.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. October 2006 - July 2009, Deputy Commander, The USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
2. July 2009 - October 2011, Commander, The USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
3. March 2011 - August 2011, Officer in Charge, U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band, Southwest Asia
4. October 2011 - August 2013, Commander, The USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
5. October 2013 - July 2018, Commander/Conductor, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA and Commander, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB NE
6. August 2018 - Present, Commander, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
1. Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
2. Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
3. Air Force Achievement Medal
4. Meritorious Unit Award
5. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
6. National Defense Service Medal
7. Global War or Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal with bronze star device
8. Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant September 29, 2006
First Lieutenant September 29, 2008
Captain September 29, 2010
Major November 1, 2016

Current as of 2 October 2018