Air Force Bands > U.S. Air Force Bands > ANG Band of the Southwest

The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, historically know as the 531st Air Force Band, has over a forty year history of sustaining the traditions and heritage that has become the hallmark of military bands. This forty member unit maintains a high degree of musical performance flexibility in order to accommodate a wide variety of tasks in support of official military functions and community relations programs.

Please see our calendar for a list of upcoming performances.

Our present touring areas, as the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, include the states of New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona. However, we have toured in other areas of the United States and abroad. The 531st has twice deployed units to Southwest Asia, touring Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Djibouti.

Since the days of George Washington, when fifes and drums led the charge into battle, bands have been an integral part of the military mission, enhancing image, troop morale, and public relations.

A rich and varied legacy stems from the past, conjuring up visions of brass bands during the Civil War, marches in the park led by John Phillip Sousa, dance bands led by Glenn Miller during WWII, or the lone trumpeter playing Taps at Arlington National Cemetery.

Military bands have led the way in many a pass-in-review by foreign dignitaries, the funeral procession of President Kennedy, the joyous return of our POWs from Vietnam, and the victory parades following Desert Storm.

Air National Guard Bands are the active duty band's counterparts in the Air National Guard. ANG musicians are part-time guard members with full-time civilian careers. They rehearse and perform one weekend a month and perform an annual concert tour. ANG bands are a perfect opportunity for musicians who wish to serve their country on a part-time basis.

The mission of the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest is to support the global Air National Guard mission in war and peace by fostering our national heritage and by providing professional musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events.

To be the premier Air National Guard Band of choice by:

- Reaching an increasingly diverse global audience
- Exploiting state of the art technology
- Promoting American pride and patriotism
- Communicating our national heritage
- Linking our national heritage to the future
- Communicating Air National Guard excellence