An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Technical Sergeant Ian O'Beirne

Technical Sergeant Ian O’Beirne is a saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Prior to joining the military, he spent seven years touring internationally with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, performing throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. He has released three albums of original music as a bandleader, with compositions featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross since 2014.

TSgt O’Beirne enlisted in the United States Air Force in May 2016 and was assigned to the Band of the Golden West at Travis Air Force Base, California. While there, he served as composer, arranger, music director, and operations representative for both The Commander’s Jazz Combo and the Pegasus Saxophone Quintet. His notable appearances included the Tournament of Roses Parade in January 2017 (live audience of 100,000 and broadcast to over 1.2 million viewers), a featured composition and performance at the 40th International Saxophone Symposium in January 2018, and participation as a clarinetist in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.

Since arriving at Yokota AB, TSgt O’Beirne has served as music director and operations representative for Pacific Showcase, Final Approach, and the Pacific Saxophone Quartet. He has held a range of additional duties, including NCOIC of Productions, Section Chief of Administrative Support and Records Management, Section Chief of Publicity, Commander’s Executive Assistant, fill-in arranger, and resources assistant. He joined the Yokota Total Force Leadership Development Cadre in 2019 and served as a council member. In January 2024, he created and led a joint-service saxophone quartet program featuring musicians from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force at the 44th International Saxophone Symposium.

EDUCATION
2008 – Bachelor of Music, Saxophone Performance, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.
2009 – Master of Arts in Teaching, Music Education, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.
2020 – Airman Leadership School, Yokota AB, Japan
2024 – Master of Music, Jazz Studies, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, Ark.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Jul 2016 – Jul 2018, Saxophonist, Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, Calif.

  2. Jul 2018 – Present, Saxophonist / Section Chief of Publicity, Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Air Force Commendation Medal

  • Army Commendation Medal

  • Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

  • Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

  • Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters

  • Humanitarian Service Medal

  • Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

  • Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Airman First Class – 17 May 2016

  • Senior Airman – 17 Sep 2018

  • Staff Sergeant – 1 May 2020

  • Technical Sergeant – 1 Apr 2024

(Current as of May 2025)